Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 6.5 x 68 R with .264 | 120gr | CutEdge MTH bullet and 63 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% | 48,718 psi | 86% | 3002 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,850 psi | 88% | 3045 fps | 100% |
| Accurate High Country | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,270 psi | 89% | 3156 fps | 98.1% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,169 psi | 90% | 3156 fps | 97.1% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,010 psi | 90% | 3104 fps | 98.9% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,863 psi | 86% | 3097 fps | 97.6% |
| ADI AR 2217ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,618 psi | 89% | 3123 fps | 98.3% |
| ADI AR 2225ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,034 psi | 80% | 3074 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,095 psi | 85% | 3041 fps | 98.4% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,095 psi | 85% | 3041 fps | 98.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,039 psi | 90% | 3110 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,865 psi | 90% | 3094 fps | 98.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,994 psi | 87% | 3097 fps | 98.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,212 psi | 89% | 3081 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,835 psi | 88% | 3140 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,227 psi | 89% | 3163 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,283 psi | 85% | 3081 fps | 98.5% |
| Bofors RP30 | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,327 psi | 87% | 3130 fps | 98.3% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,994 psi | 87% | 3097 fps | 98.7% |
| Hodgdon H1000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,457 psi | 86% | 3084 fps | 98.4% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,747 psi | 86% | 3035 fps | 96.9% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,819 psi | 85% | 3015 fps | 96.7% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,153 psi | 85% | 2976 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,718 psi | 86% | 3202 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,101 psi | 66% | 2005 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 50,865 psi | 90% | 3038 fps | 99.4% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 84% | 50,531 psi | 89% | 3041 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,067 psi | 89% | 3025 fps | 97.4% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,386 psi | 89% | 3140 fps | 98% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 82% | 50,995 psi | 90% | 3015 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,487 psi | 87% | 3009 fps | 99.6% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 96% | 50,212 psi | 89% | 3028 fps | 99.9% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,863 psi | 85% | 3018 fps | 98.2% |
| Norma 217ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,393 psi | 71% | 2986 fps | 98% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,617 psi | 86% | 3114 fps | 99.5% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,892 psi | 86% | 3031 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,981 psi | 90% | 3159 fps | 98.5% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,155 psi | 90% | 3091 fps | 99.9% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,356 psi | 87% | 3087 fps | 99.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,782 psi | 67% | 2047 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,980 psi | 88% | 3068 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,341 psi | 85% | 3087 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,936 psi | 87% | 3192 fps | 99.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 80 | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,848 psi | 85% | 3133 fps | 96.6% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,878 psi | 86% | 3012 fps | 97.6% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,140 psi | 89% | 3081 fps | 98.9% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 82% | 50,995 psi | 90% | 3015 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,487 psi | 87% | 3009 fps | 99.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 82% | 50,140 psi | 89% | 2963 fps | 99.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,734 psi | 88% | 3074 fps | 98.8% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 86% | 50,212 psi | 89% | 3002 fps | 97.2% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,197 psi | 87% | 3035 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,517 psi | 89% | 3048 fps | 99.4% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 82% | 50,401 psi | 89% | 3025 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,198 psi | 89% | 3028 fps | 99.2% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,588 psi | 88% | 3025 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,965 psi | 87% | 3054 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,573 psi | 86% | 3107 fps | 97.1% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,559 psi | 86% | 3087 fps | 97.4% |
| Vihtavuori N568 | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,168 psi | 87% | 3143 fps | 96.3% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,719 psi | 88% | 2976 fps | 100% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,645 psi | 84% | 3153 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 90% | 50,444 psi | 89% | 3045 fps | 98.8% |
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% | 34,418 psi | 61% | 2697 fps | 97.2% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,441 psi | 82% | 2982 fps | 100% |
| Accurate High Country | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,582 psi | 72% | 2946 fps | 95.4% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 86% | 44,150 psi | 78% | 3012 fps | 95.1% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,812 psi | 69% | 2844 fps | 96% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,511 psi | 75% | 2959 fps | 95.8% |
| ADI AR 2217 | <<locked>> | 94% | 40,988 psi | 72% | 2917 fps | 95.7% |
| ADI AR 2225 | <<locked>> | 90% | 32,111 psi | 57% | 2733 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,189 psi | 69% | 2844 fps | 96.1% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,189 psi | 69% | 2844 fps | 96.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,556 psi | 79% | 2989 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,841 psi | 69% | 2838 fps | 96% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 82% | 37,086 psi | 66% | 2831 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,243 psi | 59% | 2730 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,805 psi | 51% | 2621 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,666 psi | 65% | 2881 fps | 99.1% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,796 psi | 65% | 2825 fps | 95.2% |
| Bofors RP30 | <<locked>> | 92% | 39,827 psi | 70% | 2927 fps | 95.7% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 82% | 37,086 psi | 66% | 2831 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon H1000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,262 psi | 69% | 2881 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,467 psi | 75% | 2904 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 86% | 44,628 psi | 79% | 2949 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,047 psi | 74% | 2864 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | 61.6 gr | 88% | 36,970 psi | 65% | 2917 fps | 96.2% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,731 psi | 49% | 1795 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,614 psi | 79% | 2913 fps | 98.5% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,106 psi | 78% | 2920 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,321 psi | 73% | 2841 fps | 95% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,843 psi | 72% | 2933 fps | 95.3% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,993 psi | 85% | 2959 fps | 99.8% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,296 psi | 82% | 2949 fps | 99.3% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,501 psi | 52% | 2559 fps | 95.1% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,730 psi | 79% | 2956 fps | 97.5% |
| Norma 217 | <<locked>> | 96% | 35,186 psi | 62% | 2851 fps | 96.1% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,216 psi | 64% | 2841 fps | 96.7% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,629 psi | 81% | 2969 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,567 psi | 72% | 2940 fps | 95.7% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,512 psi | 79% | 2963 fps | 99.4% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 84% | 33,562 psi | 59% | 2733 fps | 95% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,210 psi | 50% | 1834 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,673 psi | 83% | 3005 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,860 psi | 79% | 3022 fps | 99.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | 64.4 gr | 86% | 33,678 psi | 60% | 2815 fps | 95.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 80 | <<locked>> | 96% | 44,266 psi | 78% | 3058 fps | 95.5% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,103 psi | 71% | 2825 fps | 95.2% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,116 psi | 67% | 2822 fps | 96% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,993 psi | 85% | 2959 fps | 99.8% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,296 psi | 82% | 2949 fps | 99.3% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,905 psi | 83% | 2904 fps | 99.3% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,797 psi | 67% | 2818 fps | 95.8% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 82% | 43,729 psi | 77% | 2871 fps | 95.5% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,685 psi | 75% | 2920 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,566 psi | 68% | 2802 fps | 97% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,108 psi | 83% | 2966 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,810 psi | 63% | 2723 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,427 psi | 82% | 2966 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,202 psi | 66% | 2812 fps | 99.5% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,090 psi | 74% | 2966 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,293 psi | 75% | 2956 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N568 | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,585 psi | 81% | 3071 fps | 95.2% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,296 psi | 82% | 2920 fps | 100% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | 57.5 gr | 80% | 29,414 psi | 52% | 2740 fps | 99.7% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 82% | 37,927 psi | 67% | 2785 fps | 95.8% |
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 63 powders for 6.5 x 68 R loaded with the .264 | 120gr | CutEdge MTH. Hodgdon Retumbo delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,202 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 2,005 fps to 3,202 fps. ADI AR 2217 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 63 of the 63 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 1:8.5 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 | CutEdge MTH 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.