Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 6.5 x 68 R with .264 | 120gr | Berger BT Target bullet and 53 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Hodgdon Retumbo, ReloadSwiss RS 76 and ReloadSwiss RS 80.
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% | 51,155 psi | 90% | 3041 fps | 100% |
| Accurate High Country | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,124 psi | 87% | 3130 fps | 97.9% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,908 psi | 88% | 3130 fps | 96.9% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,559 psi | 88% | 3074 fps | 98.7% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 90% | 50,792 psi | 90% | 3133 fps | 98.1% |
| ADI AR 2217 | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,979 psi | 87% | 3091 fps | 98.1% |
| ADI AR 2225ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,166 psi | 83% | 3117 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,806 psi | 88% | 3071 fps | 98.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,705 psi | 88% | 3081 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,298 psi | 87% | 3061 fps | 98.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,111 psi | 90% | 3133 fps | 99.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,255 psi | 87% | 3061 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,602 psi | 86% | 3117 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,892 psi | 86% | 3133 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,604 psi | 89% | 3120 fps | 98.9% |
| Bofors RP30 | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,370 psi | 86% | 3107 fps | 98.1% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,111 psi | 90% | 3133 fps | 99.1% |
| Hodgdon H1000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 50,372 psi | 89% | 3120 fps | 98.8% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,662 psi | 90% | 3068 fps | 97.4% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,719 psi | 88% | 3051 fps | 97.2% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 84% | 50,053 psi | 88% | 3005 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | <<locked>> | 96% | 51,024 psi | 90% | 3248 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,231 psi | 66% | 2008 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,298 psi | 87% | 3005 fps | 99.3% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,211 psi | 87% | 3012 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,689 psi | 86% | 2999 fps | 97.2% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,994 psi | 87% | 3110 fps | 97.8% |
| IMR 8133 Enduronᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,699 psi | 75% | 3009 fps | 96.6% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,472 psi | 87% | 3012 fps | 99.9% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,806 psi | 88% | 3051 fps | 98.6% |
| Norma 217ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,844 psi | 76% | 3035 fps | 98.7% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,807 psi | 90% | 3150 fps | 99.7% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 82% | 50,778 psi | 90% | 3061 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,516 psi | 88% | 3130 fps | 98.3% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,661 psi | 88% | 3061 fps | 99.9% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,979 psi | 85% | 3058 fps | 99.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 38,174 psi | 67% | 2057 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 82% | 50,444 psi | 89% | 3123 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,630 psi | 84% | 3163 fps | 99.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 80 | <<locked>> | 98% | 50,604 psi | 89% | 3182 fps | 97.4% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 86% | 50,749 psi | 90% | 3045 fps | 98.1% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,878 psi | 86% | 3051 fps | 98.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,486 psi | 86% | 3045 fps | 98.7% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,689 psi | 86% | 2972 fps | 97% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,906 psi | 85% | 3012 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,356 psi | 87% | 3025 fps | 99.3% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,878 psi | 86% | 3002 fps | 99% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,184 psi | 90% | 3087 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,633 psi | 90% | 3143 fps | 97.6% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 94% | 51,053 psi | 90% | 3130 fps | 98% |
| Vihtavuori N568 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,921 psi | 85% | 3117 fps | 96% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,488 psi | 89% | 3192 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,008 psi | 87% | 3015 fps | 98.6% |
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% | 36,521 psi | 65% | 2743 fps | 97.9% |
| Accurate High Country | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,537 psi | 70% | 2917 fps | 95.1% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,485 psi | 82% | 3061 fps | 96% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,451 psi | 72% | 2881 fps | 96.6% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,495 psi | 73% | 2933 fps | 95.6% |
| ADI AR 2217 | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,190 psi | 71% | 2897 fps | 95.5% |
| ADI AR 2225 | <<locked>> | 88% | 31,749 psi | 56% | 2717 fps | 95.1% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,886 psi | 72% | 2884 fps | 96.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,441 psi | 82% | 3022 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,509 psi | 72% | 2874 fps | 96.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,361 psi | 64% | 2808 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,114 psi | 62% | 2772 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,429 psi | 54% | 2671 fps | 96.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,740 psi | 68% | 2923 fps | 99.5% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,245 psi | 64% | 2805 fps | 95.1% |
| Bofors RP30 | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,204 psi | 69% | 2907 fps | 95.6% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,361 psi | 64% | 2808 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon H1000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,189 psi | 68% | 2851 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 84% | 44,121 psi | 78% | 2936 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 84% | 43,511 psi | 77% | 2923 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,743 psi | 77% | 2890 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | 61.1 gr | 86% | 36,361 psi | 64% | 2894 fps | 96% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,818 psi | 49% | 1798 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,267 psi | 82% | 2946 fps | 98.9% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,093 psi | 81% | 2956 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,859 psi | 76% | 2874 fps | 95.6% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,943 psi | 71% | 2910 fps | 95.1% |
| IMR 8133 Enduron | <<locked>> | 98% | 39,856 psi | 70% | 2943 fps | 95.6% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,372 psi | 55% | 2608 fps | 96.1% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,441 psi | 82% | 2989 fps | 98% |
| Norma 217 | <<locked>> | 92% | 32,692 psi | 58% | 2772 fps | 95% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,101 psi | 67% | 2884 fps | 97.4% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,543 psi | 84% | 3002 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,711 psi | 70% | 2917 fps | 95.5% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,311 psi | 82% | 2995 fps | 99.6% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,505 psi | 63% | 2782 fps | 96% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,529 psi | 50% | 1841 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,905 psi | 83% | 3061 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | 63.8 gr | 84% | 33,098 psi | 59% | 2792 fps | 95.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 80 | 72 gr | 94% | 43,308 psi | 77% | 3031 fps | 95.3% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,742 psi | 74% | 2861 fps | 95.8% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,958 psi | 71% | 2864 fps | 96.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,624 psi | 70% | 2854 fps | 96.5% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,569 psi | 75% | 2844 fps | 95.3% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,759 psi | 79% | 2953 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,437 psi | 71% | 2841 fps | 97.6% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,085 psi | 62% | 2703 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,334 psi | 70% | 2858 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 84% | 44,106 psi | 78% | 3009 fps | 96% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,437 psi | 73% | 2930 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N568 | <<locked>> | 94% | 44,541 psi | 79% | 3045 fps | 95% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,285 psi | 55% | 2795 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,028 psi | 65% | 2759 fps | 95.5% |
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 53 powders for 6.5 x 68 R loaded with the .264 | 120gr | Berger BT Target. Hodgdon Retumbo delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,248 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 2,008 fps to 3,248 fps. ADI AR 2225 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 53 of the 53 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (390 MPa), the top charges use 66–90 %, 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 2225, Hodgdon TrailBoss, IMR 8133 Enduron 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, ReloadSwiss RS 76, ReloadSwiss RS 80 rank at the top here: for 6.5 x 68 R with the .264 | 120gr | Berger BT Target 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.