Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 6.5 x 68 with .263 | 130gr | Rhino Penetrator bullet and 71 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 Winchester StaBALL HD.
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% | 54,853 psi | 86% | 3002 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,448 psi | 87% | 3025 fps | 100% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,421 psi | 90% | 3169 fps | 99% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,275 psi | 88% | 3094 fps | 99.9% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,447 psi | 85% | 3107 fps | 99.3% |
| ADI AR 2217ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,405 psi | 88% | 3133 fps | 99.7% |
| ADI AR 2225ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,763 psi | 80% | 3091 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,637 psi | 89% | 3091 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,637 psi | 89% | 3091 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,594 psi | 89% | 3087 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,014 psi | 88% | 3084 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,839 psi | 86% | 3100 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,405 psi | 88% | 3068 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,217 psi | 88% | 3136 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,884 psi | 89% | 3156 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-33ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,751 psi | 84% | 3156 fps | 97% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 109 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,390 psi | 87% | 3061 fps | 97.4% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 94% | 57,653 psi | 90% | 3143 fps | 99.9% |
| Bofors RP30 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,767 psi | 87% | 3143 fps | 99.7% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,839 psi | 86% | 3100 fps | 99.8% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 82% | 57,087 psi | 89% | 3028 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H1000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,143 psi | 85% | 3094 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,797 psi | 89% | 3084 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,114 psi | 85% | 3038 fps | 98.8% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,681 psi | 89% | 3081 fps | 99.1% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,840 psi | 89% | 3005 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,984 psi | 86% | 3219 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 82% | 57,653 psi | 90% | 3123 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,362 psi | 59% | 1942 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,390 psi | 87% | 3015 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,941 psi | 88% | 3022 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,679 psi | 86% | 3015 fps | 99% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,434 psi | 88% | 3146 fps | 99.5% |
| IMR 8133 Enduronᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,325 psi | 73% | 2995 fps | 98.4% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,825 psi | 87% | 2992 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,653 psi | 90% | 3048 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,144 psi | 88% | 3025 fps | 100% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,608 psi | 89% | 3074 fps | 99.8% |
| Norma 217ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,978 psi | 74% | 3025 fps | 99.8% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,795 psi | 86% | 3120 fps | 100% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,450 psi | 90% | 3064 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 92% | 57,624 psi | 90% | 3173 fps | 99.8% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,434 psi | 88% | 3074 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,883 psi | 88% | 3097 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 38,348 psi | 60% | 1988 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,637 psi | 87% | 3051 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 82% | 53,998 psi | 85% | 3077 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,796 psi | 87% | 3212 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 80 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,056 psi | 86% | 3166 fps | 98.9% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 88% | 57,203 psi | 90% | 3061 fps | 99.5% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,579 psi | 87% | 3074 fps | 99.9% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 82% | 57,087 psi | 89% | 3028 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,825 psi | 87% | 2992 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,653 psi | 90% | 3048 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,839 psi | 86% | 2943 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,158 psi | 86% | 3068 fps | 99.8% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,955 psi | 86% | 2995 fps | 98.9% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,781 psi | 86% | 3012 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,869 psi | 88% | 3041 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,317 psi | 87% | 2999 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,738 psi | 87% | 3025 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,665 psi | 86% | 3005 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,897 psi | 86% | 3041 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,404 psi | 85% | 3117 fps | 99% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,766 psi | 86% | 3104 fps | 99.2% |
| Vihtavuori N568 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,724 psi | 87% | 3169 fps | 98.6% |
| Vihtavuori N570ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,739 psi | 89% | 3228 fps | 97.2% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,679 psi | 86% | 2946 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 82% | 57,087 psi | 89% | 3087 fps | 100% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,347 psi | 87% | 3156 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,753 psi | 87% | 3038 fps | 99.8% |
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% | 39,131 psi | 61% | 2717 fps | 99.2% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,822 psi | 81% | 2969 fps | 100% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,306 psi | 63% | 2831 fps | 95% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,105 psi | 68% | 2851 fps | 98.2% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,508 psi | 60% | 2779 fps | 95.7% |
| ADI AR 2217 | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,536 psi | 59% | 2749 fps | 95.7% |
| ADI AR 2225 | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,907 psi | 47% | 2585 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,468 psi | 68% | 2848 fps | 98.3% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,468 psi | 68% | 2848 fps | 98.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,487 psi | 78% | 2972 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,105 psi | 68% | 2844 fps | 98.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,015 psi | 61% | 2785 fps | 97.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,811 psi | 59% | 2743 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,648 psi | 51% | 2657 fps | 98.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,293 psi | 66% | 2907 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-33 | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,632 psi | 78% | 3081 fps | 95.9% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 109 | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,064 psi | 72% | 2881 fps | 95% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,347 psi | 57% | 2720 fps | 96.2% |
| Bofors RP30 | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,173 psi | 58% | 2769 fps | 95.9% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,015 psi | 61% | 2785 fps | 97.3% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,606 psi | 84% | 2972 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon H1000 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,694 psi | 56% | 2707 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,301 psi | 84% | 3025 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,104 psi | 64% | 2782 fps | 95.9% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,335 psi | 63% | 2766 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,775 psi | 73% | 2848 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | 56.9 gr | 80% | 31,836 psi | 50% | 2680 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,722 psi | 84% | 3061 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,123 psi | 44% | 1739 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,834 psi | 77% | 2900 fps | 99.7% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,936 psi | 77% | 2907 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,482 psi | 67% | 2782 fps | 96.5% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,318 psi | 58% | 2759 fps | 95.3% |
| IMR 8133 Enduron | <<locked>> | 94% | 37,869 psi | 59% | 2808 fps | 96% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,446 psi | 82% | 2940 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,850 psi | 80% | 2936 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,692 psi | 53% | 2585 fps | 97.9% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,458 psi | 78% | 2953 fps | 99.2% |
| Norma 217 | <<locked>> | 88% | 30,966 psi | 49% | 2641 fps | 95.4% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,278 psi | 65% | 2864 fps | 99% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,473 psi | 79% | 2953 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,985 psi | 58% | 2762 fps | 95.6% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,443 psi | 77% | 2956 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,996 psi | 52% | 2635 fps | 96.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,703 psi | 45% | 1778 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,895 psi | 81% | 2992 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,270 psi | 79% | 3015 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | 60.9 gr | 80% | 30,937 psi | 48% | 2651 fps | 95.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 80 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,582 psi | 64% | 2884 fps | 95.5% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,179 psi | 69% | 2825 fps | 97.5% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,627 psi | 67% | 2831 fps | 98.3% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,606 psi | 84% | 2972 fps | 99.9% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,446 psi | 82% | 2940 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,850 psi | 80% | 2936 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,256 psi | 80% | 2887 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,293 psi | 66% | 2825 fps | 98.1% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,034 psi | 71% | 2812 fps | 97% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,892 psi | 75% | 2907 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,062 psi | 67% | 2808 fps | 98.9% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,880 psi | 81% | 2943 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,492 psi | 59% | 2677 fps | 97.4% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,097 psi | 80% | 2946 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,192 psi | 66% | 2822 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,176 psi | 65% | 2851 fps | 96.1% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,073 psi | 61% | 2789 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N568 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,872 psi | 66% | 2897 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N570 | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,197 psi | 77% | 3087 fps | 95.4% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,082 psi | 80% | 2894 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,301 psi | 84% | 3025 fps | 100% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | 58.5 gr | 80% | 34,882 psi | 55% | 2785 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,537 psi | 62% | 2733 fps | 97.4% |
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 71 powders for 6.5 x 68 loaded with the .263 | 130gr | Rhino Penetrator. Vihtavuori N570 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,228 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,942 fps to 3,228 fps. ADI AR 2217 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 71 of the 71 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (440 MPa), the top charges use 59–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 130.0 gr projectile in 0.263" calls for a 1:8.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. ADI AR 2217, ADI AR 2225, Alliant Reloder-33 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, Winchester StaBALL HD rank at the top here: for 6.5 x 68 with the .263 | 130gr | Rhino Penetrator 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.