Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 6.5 x 68 R with .264 | 120gr | Barnes TAC-X bullet and 61 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Hodgdon Retumbo, Winchester StaBALL HD and ReloadSwiss RS 76.
Important Notice: DO NOT go below Minimum Charge or above Maximum Charge. Since we have no control over the equipment and components used, any responsibility and liability for the results achieved is rejected.
Only powders/loads that match the current filter criteria are displayed: max pressure of a load ≤ 90% of max. standardized pressure, fill rate ≥ 80% and propellant combustion ≥ 95%. Use the sliders above the tables to adjust these thresholds.
Charge: Powder weight in grains. Start with the minimum load and work up carefully.
FR (Fill Rate): Case fill as a percentage. Values above 100% mean compressed loads.
MaxP / %: Maximum chamber pressure in bar and as a percentage of the standardized maximum for this caliber.
V(0): Muzzle velocity in feet per second (fps) at the standardized barrel length.
z (Powder Burn): Estimated propellant combustion percentage at bullet exit.
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Max Load - Barrel Length: 25.6"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 3100 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,313 psi | 87% | 3015 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 82% | 50,241 psi | 89% | 3051 fps | 100% |
| Accurate High Country | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,850 psi | 90% | 3166 fps | 98.2% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,124 psi | 85% | 3097 fps | 96.4% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,935 psi | 85% | 3045 fps | 98.4% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,414 psi | 87% | 3107 fps | 97.7% |
| ADI AR 2217ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,879 psi | 90% | 3130 fps | 98.4% |
| ADI AR 2225ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,484 psi | 80% | 3084 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,414 psi | 86% | 3045 fps | 98.5% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,414 psi | 86% | 3045 fps | 98.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,254 psi | 85% | 3061 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,184 psi | 90% | 3100 fps | 99% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,559 psi | 88% | 3107 fps | 98.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,836 psi | 90% | 3091 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 96% | 50,183 psi | 89% | 3146 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,604 psi | 89% | 3166 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,849 psi | 86% | 3094 fps | 98.6% |
| Bofors RP30 | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,879 psi | 88% | 3140 fps | 98.4% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,559 psi | 88% | 3107 fps | 98.8% |
| Hodgdon H1000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,733 psi | 86% | 3091 fps | 98.5% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,081 psi | 87% | 3041 fps | 97% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,138 psi | 85% | 3022 fps | 96.8% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,559 psi | 86% | 2982 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,037 psi | 87% | 3212 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,999 psi | 65% | 2005 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,008 psi | 85% | 2982 fps | 99.1% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 84% | 50,908 psi | 90% | 3045 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,386 psi | 89% | 3035 fps | 97.5% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,010 psi | 90% | 3150 fps | 98.2% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,588 psi | 88% | 3012 fps | 99.6% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 96% | 50,531 psi | 89% | 3035 fps | 99.9% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,211 psi | 85% | 3025 fps | 98.3% |
| Norma 217ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,901 psi | 72% | 2992 fps | 98.2% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,197 psi | 87% | 3123 fps | 99.6% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,023 psi | 87% | 3035 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,718 psi | 84% | 3097 fps | 97.8% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,979 psi | 85% | 3031 fps | 99.8% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,661 psi | 88% | 3094 fps | 99.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,898 psi | 67% | 2051 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 82% | 50,343 psi | 89% | 3071 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,704 psi | 86% | 3097 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,458 psi | 87% | 3202 fps | 99.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 80 | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,370 psi | 86% | 3143 fps | 96.8% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,211 psi | 87% | 3018 fps | 97.7% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,473 psi | 89% | 3084 fps | 99% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,588 psi | 88% | 3012 fps | 99.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 82% | 50,502 psi | 89% | 2972 fps | 99.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,082 psi | 89% | 3077 fps | 98.9% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 86% | 50,473 psi | 89% | 3009 fps | 97.3% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,588 psi | 88% | 3041 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,850 psi | 90% | 3058 fps | 99.4% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 82% | 50,792 psi | 90% | 3031 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,734 psi | 90% | 3041 fps | 99.3% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,937 psi | 88% | 3031 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,342 psi | 87% | 3061 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,124 psi | 87% | 3117 fps | 97.3% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,095 psi | 87% | 3097 fps | 97.5% |
| Vihtavuori N568 | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,458 psi | 87% | 3150 fps | 96.4% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 82% | 50,053 psi | 88% | 2982 fps | 100% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,385 psi | 86% | 3163 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 90% | 50,734 psi | 90% | 3048 fps | 98.9% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
Start Load - Barrel Length: 25.6"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 3100 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,751 psi | 61% | 2707 fps | 97.4% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,818 psi | 83% | 2989 fps | 100% |
| Accurate High Country | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,915 psi | 72% | 2953 fps | 95.6% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 86% | 44,686 psi | 79% | 3022 fps | 95.3% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,131 psi | 69% | 2851 fps | 96.1% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,830 psi | 76% | 2969 fps | 96% |
| ADI AR 2217 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,437 psi | 73% | 2930 fps | 95.9% |
| ADI AR 2225 | <<locked>> | 90% | 32,343 psi | 57% | 2740 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,508 psi | 70% | 2851 fps | 96.2% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,508 psi | 70% | 2851 fps | 96.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,991 psi | 80% | 2995 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,146 psi | 69% | 2844 fps | 96.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 82% | 37,434 psi | 66% | 2841 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,417 psi | 59% | 2736 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,080 psi | 51% | 2631 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,014 psi | 65% | 2887 fps | 99.2% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,130 psi | 66% | 2831 fps | 95.3% |
| Bofors RP30 | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,350 psi | 71% | 2936 fps | 95.9% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 82% | 37,434 psi | 66% | 2841 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon H1000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,537 psi | 70% | 2887 fps | 95.9% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,801 psi | 76% | 2910 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,959 psi | 74% | 2890 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,221 psi | 75% | 2867 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | 60.6 gr | 86% | 34,780 psi | 61% | 2851 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,702 psi | 49% | 1795 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,962 psi | 79% | 2920 fps | 98.6% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,498 psi | 79% | 2930 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,640 psi | 74% | 2851 fps | 95.1% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,147 psi | 73% | 2940 fps | 95.5% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,673 psi | 83% | 2956 fps | 99.3% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,660 psi | 52% | 2562 fps | 95.2% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,034 psi | 80% | 2959 fps | 97.6% |
| Norma 217 | <<locked>> | 94% | 33,199 psi | 59% | 2792 fps | 95.2% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,564 psi | 65% | 2848 fps | 96.8% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,035 psi | 81% | 2979 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,104 psi | 73% | 2953 fps | 95.9% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,875 psi | 79% | 2969 fps | 99.4% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 84% | 33,837 psi | 60% | 2740 fps | 95.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,369 psi | 50% | 1837 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,804 psi | 83% | 3009 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,223 psi | 80% | 3028 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | 64.9 gr | 86% | 34,084 psi | 60% | 2825 fps | 96.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 80 | <<locked>> | 96% | 44,759 psi | 79% | 3068 fps | 95.7% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,422 psi | 71% | 2831 fps | 95.3% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,261 psi | 68% | 2825 fps | 96% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,673 psi | 83% | 2956 fps | 99.3% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,253 psi | 84% | 2910 fps | 99.3% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,942 psi | 67% | 2818 fps | 95.9% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 82% | 44,005 psi | 78% | 2881 fps | 95.7% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,091 psi | 76% | 2927 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,899 psi | 69% | 2808 fps | 97.1% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,485 psi | 84% | 2972 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,100 psi | 64% | 2733 fps | 95.8% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,746 psi | 83% | 2972 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,565 psi | 66% | 2822 fps | 99.6% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,409 psi | 75% | 2972 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,627 psi | 75% | 2959 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N568 | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,093 psi | 81% | 3084 fps | 95.4% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,601 psi | 82% | 2923 fps | 100% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | 57.9 gr | 80% | 29,689 psi | 52% | 2746 fps | 99.7% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 82% | 38,232 psi | 68% | 2792 fps | 95.9% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
ᴾ possible press load - work up slowly to this load while watching for signs of excessive pressure.
This overview compares 61 powders for 6.5 x 68 R loaded with the .264 | 120gr | Barnes TAC-X. Hodgdon Retumbo delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,212 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 2,005 fps to 3,212 fps. ADI AR 2217 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 61 of the 61 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (390 MPa), the top charges use 65–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 120.0 gr projectile in 0.264" calls for a 1:9.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. ADI AR 2217, ADI AR 2225, Hodgdon TrailBoss reach 100 % fill or more at maximum charge, so these are compressed loads: they need a long drop tube to seat cleanly and react sensitively to the case capacity of your own brass lot. Hodgdon Retumbo, Winchester StaBALL HD, ReloadSwiss RS 76 rank at the top here: for 6.5 x 68 R with the .264 | 120gr | Barnes TAC-X they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. Always begin at the start load and work up in small increments while checking case and primer for pressure signs.