Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 6.5 x 68 R with .264 | 120gr | Frontier BTSP bullet and 60 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% | 49,995 psi | 88% | 3022 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 82% | 50,981 psi | 90% | 3054 fps | 100% |
| Accurate High Country | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,053 psi | 90% | 3166 fps | 98.2% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,370 psi | 86% | 3097 fps | 96.4% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,385 psi | 86% | 3048 fps | 98.4% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,719 psi | 88% | 3110 fps | 97.8% |
| ADI AR 2217ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,097 psi | 90% | 3127 fps | 98.4% |
| ADI AR 2225ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,876 psi | 81% | 3087 fps | 99.7% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,704 psi | 86% | 3045 fps | 98.5% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,704 psi | 86% | 3045 fps | 98.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,573 psi | 86% | 3058 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,182 psi | 85% | 3038 fps | 98.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,980 psi | 88% | 3110 fps | 98.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,761 psi | 84% | 3035 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 96% | 50,589 psi | 89% | 3150 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,126 psi | 90% | 3173 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,269 psi | 87% | 3094 fps | 98.6% |
| Bofors RP30 | <<locked>> | 98% | 50,198 psi | 89% | 3140 fps | 98.4% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,980 psi | 88% | 3110 fps | 98.8% |
| Hodgdon H1000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,197 psi | 87% | 3094 fps | 98.5% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,632 psi | 88% | 3045 fps | 97.1% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,660 psi | 86% | 3025 fps | 96.8% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,791 psi | 86% | 2982 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,487 psi | 87% | 3215 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,188 psi | 66% | 2001 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,385 psi | 86% | 2982 fps | 99.1% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,167 psi | 85% | 2992 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,821 psi | 90% | 3035 fps | 97.5% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,068 psi | 90% | 3146 fps | 98.1% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 82% | 50,154 psi | 89% | 3015 fps | 99.6% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,080 psi | 85% | 2986 fps | 99.8% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,689 psi | 86% | 3028 fps | 98.3% |
| Norma 217ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,379 psi | 73% | 3002 fps | 98.3% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,414 psi | 87% | 3123 fps | 99.6% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,501 psi | 88% | 3035 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,892 psi | 85% | 3097 fps | 97.8% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,486 psi | 86% | 3038 fps | 99.8% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 94% | 50,241 psi | 89% | 3097 fps | 99.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,913 psi | 67% | 2044 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 82% | 50,981 psi | 90% | 3077 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,211 psi | 87% | 3100 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,864 psi | 88% | 3205 fps | 99.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 80 | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,907 psi | 86% | 3150 fps | 96.8% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,676 psi | 88% | 3018 fps | 97.7% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,821 psi | 90% | 3087 fps | 99% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 82% | 50,154 psi | 89% | 3015 fps | 99.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 82% | 51,010 psi | 90% | 2972 fps | 99.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,415 psi | 89% | 3081 fps | 98.9% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 86% | 50,894 psi | 90% | 3009 fps | 97.3% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,893 psi | 88% | 3045 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,269 psi | 85% | 3002 fps | 99.1% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,155 psi | 90% | 3041 fps | 99.3% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 82% | 50,502 psi | 89% | 3035 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,850 psi | 88% | 3064 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,255 psi | 87% | 3114 fps | 97.2% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,530 psi | 88% | 3100 fps | 97.6% |
| Vihtavuori N568 | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,850 psi | 88% | 3153 fps | 96.4% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 82% | 50,517 psi | 89% | 2986 fps | 100% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,515 psi | 86% | 3166 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,111 psi | 90% | 3051 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% | 35,578 psi | 63% | 2720 fps | 97.6% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,543 psi | 84% | 2995 fps | 100% |
| Accurate High Country | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,336 psi | 73% | 2959 fps | 95.7% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 86% | 45,179 psi | 80% | 3028 fps | 95.4% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,537 psi | 70% | 2854 fps | 96.2% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,480 psi | 72% | 2907 fps | 95% |
| ADI AR 2217 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,669 psi | 74% | 2927 fps | 95.9% |
| ADI AR 2225 | <<locked>> | 90% | 32,909 psi | 58% | 2753 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,958 psi | 71% | 2858 fps | 96.3% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,958 psi | 71% | 2858 fps | 96.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,266 psi | 80% | 2999 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,610 psi | 70% | 2851 fps | 96.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 82% | 37,985 psi | 67% | 2851 fps | 95.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,127 psi | 60% | 2749 fps | 99.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,689 psi | 52% | 2648 fps | 95.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,521 psi | 66% | 2897 fps | 99.3% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,695 psi | 67% | 2841 fps | 95.5% |
| Bofors RP30 | <<locked>> | 90% | 38,145 psi | 67% | 2881 fps | 95% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 82% | 37,985 psi | 67% | 2851 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon H1000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,972 psi | 71% | 2890 fps | 96% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 84% | 43,308 psi | 77% | 2917 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,467 psi | 75% | 2897 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,888 psi | 76% | 2874 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | 59.7 gr | 86% | 35,259 psi | 62% | 2861 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,775 psi | 49% | 1788 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,353 psi | 80% | 2923 fps | 98.6% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,063 psi | 80% | 2933 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,061 psi | 74% | 2854 fps | 95.2% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,727 psi | 74% | 2949 fps | 95.6% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,181 psi | 83% | 2959 fps | 99.3% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,632 psi | 54% | 2585 fps | 95.7% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,498 psi | 80% | 2966 fps | 97.7% |
| Norma 217 | <<locked>> | 94% | 33,910 psi | 60% | 2808 fps | 95.5% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,159 psi | 66% | 2858 fps | 97% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,485 psi | 82% | 2979 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,524 psi | 73% | 2956 fps | 96% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,382 psi | 80% | 2976 fps | 99.5% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 84% | 34,563 psi | 61% | 2756 fps | 95.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,485 psi | 50% | 1834 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,413 psi | 84% | 3015 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,672 psi | 81% | 3035 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | 62.5 gr | 84% | 32,300 psi | 57% | 2766 fps | 95.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 80 | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,295 psi | 80% | 3074 fps | 95.8% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,843 psi | 72% | 2835 fps | 95.4% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,001 psi | 69% | 2838 fps | 96.2% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,181 psi | 83% | 2959 fps | 99.3% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,761 psi | 84% | 2913 fps | 99.3% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,682 psi | 68% | 2831 fps | 96.1% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 82% | 44,585 psi | 79% | 2884 fps | 95.8% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,613 psi | 77% | 2933 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,537 psi | 70% | 2818 fps | 97.3% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,258 psi | 61% | 2680 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,282 psi | 84% | 2976 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,290 psi | 68% | 2831 fps | 99.6% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 84% | 43,004 psi | 76% | 2982 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 90% | 43,236 psi | 76% | 2969 fps | 95.9% |
| Vihtavuori N568 | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,485 psi | 82% | 3087 fps | 95.5% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,094 psi | 83% | 2927 fps | 100% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | 57.1 gr | 80% | 30,400 psi | 54% | 2766 fps | 99.8% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,998 psi | 64% | 2730 fps | 95% |
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 60 powders for 6.5 x 68 R loaded with the .264 | 120gr | Frontier BTSP. Hodgdon Retumbo delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,215 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 2,001 fps to 3,215 fps. ADI AR 2217 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 60 of the 60 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 | Frontier BTSP 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.