Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 6.5 x 68 with .264 | 120gr | Frontier BTSP bullet and 71 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are ReloadSwiss RS 76, Hodgdon Retumbo and Vihtavuori N560.
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% | 55,651 psi | 87% | 3123 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,304 psi | 88% | 3153 fps | 100% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,259 psi | 85% | 3222 fps | 97.9% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,334 psi | 90% | 3219 fps | 99.7% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,288 psi | 87% | 3225 fps | 98.9% |
| ADI AR 2217ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,316 psi | 84% | 3182 fps | 99% |
| ADI AR 2225ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,732 psi | 75% | 3136 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,421 psi | 90% | 3212 fps | 99.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 86% | 57,450 psi | 90% | 3215 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,739 psi | 89% | 3202 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,535 psi | 87% | 3219 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,811 psi | 89% | 3186 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,579 psi | 89% | 3255 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,493 psi | 90% | 3284 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 109 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,550 psi | 89% | 3176 fps | 96.8% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,476 psi | 85% | 3199 fps | 99.5% |
| Bofors RP30ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,347 psi | 88% | 3261 fps | 99.4% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,535 psi | 87% | 3219 fps | 99.6% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,534 psi | 85% | 3094 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon H1000 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,853 psi | 86% | 3209 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,143 psi | 85% | 3150 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,724 psi | 89% | 3169 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,810 psi | 86% | 3153 fps | 98.3% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 92% | 57,725 psi | 90% | 3202 fps | 98.7% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 88% | 57,464 psi | 90% | 3127 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,303 psi | 87% | 3333 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,766 psi | 86% | 3189 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,159 psi | 58% | 2014 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,376 psi | 88% | 3140 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,970 psi | 88% | 3120 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,768 psi | 89% | 3143 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,825 psi | 87% | 3136 fps | 98.6% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 94% | 57,145 psi | 90% | 3268 fps | 99.2% |
| IMR 8133 Enduronᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,308 psi | 68% | 3031 fps | 96.9% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,739 psi | 89% | 3117 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,172 psi | 86% | 3117 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,739 psi | 89% | 3140 fps | 100% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,896 psi | 84% | 3136 fps | 99.3% |
| Norma 217ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,700 psi | 68% | 3061 fps | 99% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,361 psi | 87% | 3241 fps | 100% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,752 psi | 86% | 3136 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,882 psi | 84% | 3219 fps | 99.1% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 86% | 57,392 psi | 90% | 3199 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,608 psi | 89% | 3212 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 38,087 psi | 60% | 2064 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,550 psi | 89% | 3179 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,013 psi | 86% | 3205 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,420 psi | 88% | 3333 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 80ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,535 psi | 87% | 3278 fps | 98.4% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,592 psi | 86% | 3123 fps | 98.8% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,275 psi | 88% | 3192 fps | 99.7% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,534 psi | 85% | 3094 fps | 99.8% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,739 psi | 89% | 3117 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,172 psi | 86% | 3117 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,043 psi | 88% | 3071 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,869 psi | 88% | 3189 fps | 99.6% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,173 psi | 88% | 3114 fps | 98.5% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,405 psi | 87% | 3136 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,797 psi | 89% | 3163 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,927 psi | 89% | 3054 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,275 psi | 88% | 3123 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,637 psi | 89% | 3143 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,521 psi | 87% | 3130 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,448 psi | 87% | 3163 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,027 psi | 86% | 3235 fps | 98.6% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,419 psi | 87% | 3219 fps | 98.8% |
| Vihtavuori N568ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,391 psi | 88% | 3284 fps | 98.1% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,956 psi | 88% | 3074 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,375 psi | 85% | 3153 fps | 99.9% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,535 psi | 87% | 3278 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,724 psi | 89% | 3156 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% | 36,985 psi | 58% | 2762 fps | 98.2% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,240 psi | 77% | 3038 fps | 100% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 84% | 43,700 psi | 68% | 3009 fps | 95.3% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,915 psi | 64% | 2900 fps | 96.9% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,930 psi | 66% | 2956 fps | 95.9% |
| ADI AR 2217 | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,509 psi | 63% | 2913 fps | 95.8% |
| ADI AR 2225 | <<locked>> | 88% | 32,068 psi | 50% | 2736 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,350 psi | 65% | 2900 fps | 97% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,007 psi | 74% | 3041 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,973 psi | 64% | 2894 fps | 96.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,811 psi | 58% | 2828 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,433 psi | 56% | 2789 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,821 psi | 48% | 2690 fps | 96.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,450 psi | 62% | 2949 fps | 99.7% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 109 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,908 psi | 78% | 3051 fps | 95.1% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,724 psi | 58% | 2825 fps | 95.4% |
| Bofors RP30 | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,827 psi | 62% | 2930 fps | 95.9% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,811 psi | 58% | 2828 fps | 95.6% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,213 psi | 80% | 3035 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon H1000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,740 psi | 61% | 2874 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,749 psi | 80% | 3091 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,026 psi | 83% | 3104 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,713 psi | 65% | 2890 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 84% | 43,918 psi | 69% | 2943 fps | 95.9% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,266 psi | 69% | 2910 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | 60.3 gr | 84% | 34,418 psi | 54% | 2844 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,821 psi | 80% | 3120 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,847 psi | 44% | 1804 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,731 psi | 73% | 2966 fps | 99% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,591 psi | 82% | 3061 fps | 99.8% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,615 psi | 73% | 2972 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,625 psi | 64% | 2831 fps | 95% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,379 psi | 63% | 2930 fps | 95.4% |
| IMR 8133 Enduron | <<locked>> | 98% | 40,437 psi | 63% | 2966 fps | 96% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,082 psi | 78% | 3005 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,646 psi | 76% | 3002 fps | 99.6% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,807 psi | 50% | 2628 fps | 96.4% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,891 psi | 73% | 3005 fps | 98.2% |
| Norma 217 | <<locked>> | 92% | 33,214 psi | 52% | 2795 fps | 95.5% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,783 psi | 61% | 2907 fps | 97.7% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,080 psi | 75% | 3018 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,147 psi | 63% | 2936 fps | 95.8% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,818 psi | 73% | 3015 fps | 99.7% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 82% | 33,504 psi | 53% | 2736 fps | 95.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,558 psi | 45% | 1850 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,182 psi | 77% | 3058 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,427 psi | 74% | 3077 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | 64.5 gr | 84% | 33,591 psi | 53% | 2818 fps | 96.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 80 | <<locked>> | 94% | 44,121 psi | 69% | 3058 fps | 95.7% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,206 psi | 66% | 2877 fps | 96.1% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,422 psi | 63% | 2881 fps | 96.9% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,213 psi | 80% | 3035 fps | 99.5% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,082 psi | 78% | 3005 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,646 psi | 76% | 3002 fps | 99.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,139 psi | 77% | 2953 fps | 99.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,118 psi | 63% | 2877 fps | 96.8% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,960 psi | 67% | 2864 fps | 95.6% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,324 psi | 71% | 2972 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,872 psi | 64% | 2858 fps | 97.8% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,417 psi | 84% | 3005 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,458 psi | 78% | 3012 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,505 psi | 56% | 2723 fps | 95.8% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,747 psi | 76% | 3012 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,871 psi | 62% | 2877 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | 61.1 gr | 82% | 41,698 psi | 65% | 2963 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,090 psi | 66% | 2953 fps | 95.8% |
| Vihtavuori N568 | <<locked>> | 94% | 45,382 psi | 71% | 3071 fps | 95.4% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,631 psi | 76% | 2963 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,749 psi | 80% | 3091 fps | 99.7% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,865 psi | 50% | 2815 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,463 psi | 59% | 2779 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 71 powders for 6.5 x 68 loaded with the .264 | 120gr | Frontier BTSP. Hodgdon Retumbo delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,333 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 2,014 fps to 3,333 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 58–90 %, 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, 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. ReloadSwiss RS 76, Hodgdon Retumbo, Vihtavuori N560 rank at the top here: for 6.5 x 68 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.