Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 6.5 x 68 with .264 | 120gr | Barnes TAC-TX BT bullet and 74 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>> | 92% | 54,143 psi | 85% | 3104 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,172 psi | 86% | 3140 fps | 100% |
| Accurate High Country | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,101 psi | 88% | 3271 fps | 99.1% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 92% | 57,203 psi | 90% | 3274 fps | 98.4% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,318 psi | 88% | 3209 fps | 99.6% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,186 psi | 85% | 3209 fps | 98.8% |
| ADI AR 2217ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,388 psi | 82% | 3169 fps | 98.9% |
| ADI AR 2225ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,731 psi | 73% | 3120 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,608 psi | 89% | 3202 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,608 psi | 89% | 3202 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,449 psi | 88% | 3205 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 82% | 57,508 psi | 90% | 3212 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,941 psi | 88% | 3192 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,331 psi | 85% | 3205 fps | 99.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,811 psi | 87% | 3176 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,332 psi | 87% | 3241 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,376 psi | 88% | 3268 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 109 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,883 psi | 88% | 3166 fps | 96.7% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 96% | 57,145 psi | 90% | 3251 fps | 99.7% |
| Bofors RP30ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,230 psi | 87% | 3245 fps | 99.3% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,331 psi | 85% | 3205 fps | 99.5% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,319 psi | 90% | 3146 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon H1000 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,911 psi | 84% | 3196 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,116 psi | 90% | 3202 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,782 psi | 87% | 3156 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,012 psi | 85% | 3143 fps | 98.2% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,637 psi | 89% | 3189 fps | 98.6% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,637 psi | 89% | 3117 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,302 psi | 85% | 3320 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 82% | 53,650 psi | 84% | 3169 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,014 psi | 58% | 2014 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,666 psi | 87% | 3130 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,332 psi | 87% | 3114 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,579 psi | 87% | 3130 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,882 psi | 86% | 3127 fps | 98.5% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,275 psi | 88% | 3255 fps | 99.1% |
| IMR 8133 Enduronᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,163 psi | 66% | 3009 fps | 96.6% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,898 psi | 88% | 3110 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,056 psi | 85% | 3104 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,463 psi | 87% | 3127 fps | 100% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,710 psi | 89% | 3189 fps | 99.6% |
| Norma 217ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,467 psi | 67% | 3038 fps | 98.7% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,360 psi | 85% | 3225 fps | 100% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 86% | 57,537 psi | 90% | 3182 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 94% | 57,159 psi | 90% | 3278 fps | 99.4% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,304 psi | 88% | 3186 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,535 psi | 87% | 3199 fps | 99.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,898 psi | 59% | 2064 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,521 psi | 87% | 3166 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,925 psi | 85% | 3192 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,347 psi | 87% | 3317 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 80ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,288 psi | 85% | 3258 fps | 98.2% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,421 psi | 90% | 3176 fps | 99.1% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,419 psi | 87% | 3182 fps | 99.6% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,319 psi | 90% | 3146 fps | 99.9% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,898 psi | 88% | 3110 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,056 psi | 85% | 3104 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,955 psi | 86% | 3058 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,998 psi | 86% | 3176 fps | 99.6% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,332 psi | 87% | 3104 fps | 98.4% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,447 psi | 85% | 3127 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,840 psi | 88% | 3153 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,854 psi | 88% | 3045 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,477 psi | 87% | 3114 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,709 psi | 87% | 3133 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,650 psi | 86% | 3120 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 92% | 57,711 psi | 90% | 3202 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,114 psi | 85% | 3222 fps | 98.4% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,259 psi | 85% | 3202 fps | 98.6% |
| Vihtavuori N568ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,274 psi | 87% | 3268 fps | 97.9% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,158 psi | 86% | 3068 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,116 psi | 90% | 3202 fps | 100% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,346 psi | 85% | 3261 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,796 psi | 87% | 3143 fps | 99.6% |
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% | 35,607 psi | 56% | 2736 fps | 97.8% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,863 psi | 75% | 3018 fps | 100% |
| Accurate High Country | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,044 psi | 61% | 2917 fps | 95.1% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 86% | 45,919 psi | 72% | 3058 fps | 96% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,987 psi | 63% | 2884 fps | 96.6% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,915 psi | 64% | 2933 fps | 95.5% |
| ADI AR 2217 | <<locked>> | 92% | 39,653 psi | 62% | 2897 fps | 95.5% |
| ADI AR 2225 | <<locked>> | 90% | 33,228 psi | 52% | 2779 fps | 96.2% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,364 psi | 63% | 2881 fps | 96.7% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,364 psi | 63% | 2881 fps | 96.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,035 psi | 72% | 3025 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,548 psi | 84% | 3153 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,001 psi | 63% | 2874 fps | 96.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,911 psi | 56% | 2808 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,490 psi | 54% | 2769 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,791 psi | 47% | 2664 fps | 96.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,159 psi | 60% | 2920 fps | 99.5% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 109 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,240 psi | 77% | 3041 fps | 95% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,145 psi | 60% | 2864 fps | 96% |
| Bofors RP30 | <<locked>> | 90% | 38,798 psi | 61% | 2907 fps | 95.5% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,911 psi | 56% | 2808 fps | 95.2% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,430 psi | 79% | 3025 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon H1000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,869 psi | 59% | 2854 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,719 psi | 78% | 3074 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,344 psi | 82% | 3094 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 84% | 43,787 psi | 69% | 2943 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,931 psi | 67% | 2927 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,439 psi | 68% | 2897 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | 62 gr | 86% | 35,839 psi | 56% | 2894 fps | 95.9% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,951 psi | 78% | 3107 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,717 psi | 43% | 1804 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,818 psi | 72% | 2949 fps | 98.9% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,721 psi | 81% | 3051 fps | 99.8% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,658 psi | 72% | 2959 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,366 psi | 66% | 2877 fps | 95.6% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,552 psi | 62% | 2913 fps | 95.1% |
| IMR 8133 Enduron | <<locked>> | 98% | 39,349 psi | 62% | 2940 fps | 95.6% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,255 psi | 77% | 2995 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,558 psi | 75% | 2982 fps | 99.5% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,501 psi | 48% | 2595 fps | 95.8% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,122 psi | 72% | 2992 fps | 98% |
| Norma 217 | <<locked>> | 94% | 34,229 psi | 54% | 2831 fps | 96% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,623 psi | 59% | 2881 fps | 97.4% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,021 psi | 74% | 3005 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,233 psi | 61% | 2917 fps | 95.5% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,963 psi | 72% | 3002 fps | 99.6% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 84% | 34,882 psi | 55% | 2779 fps | 95.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,384 psi | 44% | 1850 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,225 psi | 76% | 3041 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,586 psi | 73% | 3064 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | 64.8 gr | 84% | 32,590 psi | 51% | 2789 fps | 95.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 80 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,902 psi | 67% | 3035 fps | 95.3% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,249 psi | 65% | 2861 fps | 95.8% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,349 psi | 62% | 2861 fps | 96.6% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,430 psi | 79% | 3025 fps | 99.5% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,255 psi | 77% | 2995 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,558 psi | 75% | 2982 fps | 99.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,298 psi | 76% | 2943 fps | 99.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,044 psi | 61% | 2854 fps | 96.5% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,119 psi | 66% | 2848 fps | 95.3% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,150 psi | 69% | 2953 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,929 psi | 63% | 2844 fps | 97.6% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,388 psi | 82% | 2992 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,443 psi | 76% | 2999 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,476 psi | 54% | 2700 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,863 psi | 75% | 3002 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,566 psi | 60% | 2851 fps | 99.7% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 84% | 43,627 psi | 68% | 3012 fps | 96% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,959 psi | 64% | 2930 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N568 | <<locked>> | 94% | 44,280 psi | 69% | 3051 fps | 95.1% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,848 psi | 75% | 2953 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,937 psi | 78% | 3077 fps | 99.7% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | 59.2 gr | 80% | 30,835 psi | 48% | 2785 fps | 99.9% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,419 psi | 57% | 2756 fps | 95.4% |
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 74 powders for 6.5 x 68 loaded with the .264 | 120gr | Barnes TAC-TX BT. Hodgdon Retumbo delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,320 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 2,014 fps to 3,320 fps. ADI AR 2217 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 74 of the 74 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (440 MPa), the top charges use 58–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 120.0 gr projectile in 0.264" calls for a 1:9.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. ADI AR 2217, ADI AR 2225, Bofors RP30 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 with the .264 | 120gr | Barnes TAC-TX BT 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.