Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 6.5 x 68 with .264 | 120gr | Hornady ECX bullet and 73 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 Norma MRP.
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% | 55,622 psi | 87% | 3123 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,579 psi | 89% | 3156 fps | 100% |
| Accurate High Country | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,101 psi | 89% | 3281 fps | 99.2% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,230 psi | 85% | 3219 fps | 97.9% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,305 psi | 90% | 3219 fps | 99.7% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,259 psi | 87% | 3225 fps | 98.9% |
| ADI AR 2217ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,287 psi | 84% | 3179 fps | 99% |
| ADI AR 2225ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,935 psi | 75% | 3140 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,041 psi | 85% | 3156 fps | 99.4% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,041 psi | 85% | 3156 fps | 99.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 86% | 57,421 psi | 90% | 3215 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,710 psi | 89% | 3202 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,535 psi | 87% | 3219 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,782 psi | 89% | 3186 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,608 psi | 89% | 3255 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,447 psi | 84% | 3215 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 109 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,521 psi | 89% | 3176 fps | 96.8% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,723 psi | 86% | 3205 fps | 99.5% |
| Bofors RP30ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,376 psi | 88% | 3258 fps | 99.4% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,535 psi | 87% | 3219 fps | 99.6% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,505 psi | 85% | 3094 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon H1000 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,824 psi | 86% | 3209 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,346 psi | 85% | 3153 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,710 psi | 89% | 3166 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,071 psi | 86% | 3156 fps | 98.3% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 92% | 57,696 psi | 90% | 3202 fps | 98.7% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 88% | 57,682 psi | 90% | 3127 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,274 psi | 87% | 3333 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,737 psi | 86% | 3186 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,159 psi | 58% | 2014 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,362 psi | 88% | 3136 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,941 psi | 88% | 3120 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,797 psi | 89% | 3143 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,811 psi | 87% | 3136 fps | 98.6% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 94% | 57,116 psi | 90% | 3264 fps | 99.2% |
| IMR 8133 Enduronᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,279 psi | 68% | 3028 fps | 96.9% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,710 psi | 89% | 3117 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,143 psi | 86% | 3114 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,710 psi | 89% | 3140 fps | 100% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 86% | 57,740 psi | 90% | 3202 fps | 99.6% |
| Norma 217ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,671 psi | 68% | 3061 fps | 98.9% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,332 psi | 87% | 3238 fps | 100% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,723 psi | 86% | 3133 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,838 psi | 84% | 3215 fps | 99.1% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 86% | 57,363 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% | 56,521 psi | 89% | 3176 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,042 psi | 86% | 3205 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,449 psi | 88% | 3330 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 80ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,492 psi | 87% | 3278 fps | 98.4% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,563 psi | 86% | 3123 fps | 98.8% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,304 psi | 88% | 3192 fps | 99.7% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,505 psi | 85% | 3094 fps | 99.8% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,710 psi | 89% | 3117 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,143 psi | 86% | 3114 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,057 psi | 88% | 3068 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,883 psi | 88% | 3189 fps | 99.6% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,144 psi | 88% | 3114 fps | 98.5% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,405 psi | 87% | 3136 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,826 psi | 89% | 3163 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,898 psi | 89% | 3054 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,536 psi | 89% | 3127 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,608 psi | 89% | 3143 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,753 psi | 87% | 3130 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,419 psi | 87% | 3163 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,998 psi | 86% | 3235 fps | 98.6% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,390 psi | 87% | 3219 fps | 98.8% |
| Vihtavuori N568ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,420 psi | 88% | 3281 fps | 98.1% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,927 psi | 88% | 3074 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,346 psi | 85% | 3153 fps | 99.9% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,492 psi | 87% | 3274 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,956 psi | 89% | 3159 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% | 36,970 psi | 58% | 2762 fps | 98.2% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,211 psi | 77% | 3035 fps | 100% |
| Accurate High Country | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,219 psi | 63% | 2940 fps | 95.5% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 84% | 43,729 psi | 69% | 3005 fps | 95.2% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,944 psi | 64% | 2900 fps | 96.9% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,916 psi | 66% | 2953 fps | 95.9% |
| ADI AR 2217 | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,509 psi | 63% | 2913 fps | 95.8% |
| ADI AR 2225 | <<locked>> | 88% | 32,053 psi | 50% | 2736 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,553 psi | 65% | 2907 fps | 97.1% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,553 psi | 65% | 2907 fps | 97.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,007 psi | 74% | 3038 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,944 psi | 64% | 2894 fps | 96.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,811 psi | 58% | 2828 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,607 psi | 56% | 2792 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,821 psi | 48% | 2690 fps | 96.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,421 psi | 62% | 2946 fps | 99.6% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 109 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,893 psi | 78% | 3051 fps | 95.1% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,709 psi | 58% | 2825 fps | 95.4% |
| Bofors RP30 | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,856 psi | 62% | 2930 fps | 95.9% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,811 psi | 58% | 2828 fps | 95.6% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,198 psi | 80% | 3035 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon H1000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,725 psi | 61% | 2871 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,749 psi | 80% | 3091 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,997 psi | 83% | 3104 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,698 psi | 65% | 2890 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 84% | 43,947 psi | 69% | 2940 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,266 psi | 69% | 2910 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | 60.3 gr | 84% | 34,403 psi | 54% | 2844 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,792 psi | 80% | 3117 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,847 psi | 44% | 1804 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,717 psi | 73% | 2963 fps | 99% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,562 psi | 82% | 3061 fps | 99.8% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,586 psi | 73% | 2972 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,611 psi | 64% | 2831 fps | 95% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,379 psi | 63% | 2927 fps | 95.4% |
| IMR 8133 Enduron | <<locked>> | 98% | 40,437 psi | 63% | 2963 fps | 96% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,299 psi | 79% | 3009 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,631 psi | 76% | 2999 fps | 99.6% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,821 psi | 50% | 2628 fps | 96.5% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,108 psi | 74% | 3009 fps | 98.2% |
| Norma 217 | <<locked>> | 92% | 33,185 psi | 52% | 2795 fps | 95.4% |
| Norma MRP | 59.6 gr | 80% | 38,769 psi | 61% | 2907 fps | 97.7% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,051 psi | 75% | 3018 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,147 psi | 63% | 2933 fps | 95.8% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,992 psi | 74% | 3018 fps | 99.7% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 82% | 33,504 psi | 53% | 2736 fps | 95.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,543 psi | 45% | 1847 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,211 psi | 77% | 3054 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,398 psi | 74% | 3074 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | 64.5 gr | 84% | 33,591 psi | 53% | 2815 fps | 96.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 80 | <<locked>> | 94% | 44,092 psi | 69% | 3058 fps | 95.7% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,177 psi | 66% | 2877 fps | 96.1% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,422 psi | 63% | 2881 fps | 96.9% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,198 psi | 80% | 3035 fps | 99.5% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,299 psi | 79% | 3009 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,631 psi | 76% | 2999 fps | 99.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,095 psi | 77% | 2949 fps | 99.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,089 psi | 63% | 2874 fps | 96.8% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,946 psi | 67% | 2861 fps | 95.6% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,310 psi | 71% | 2969 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,901 psi | 64% | 2858 fps | 97.8% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,417 psi | 84% | 3005 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,443 psi | 77% | 3009 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,520 psi | 56% | 2720 fps | 95.8% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,718 psi | 76% | 3012 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,856 psi | 62% | 2874 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,698 psi | 65% | 2963 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,061 psi | 66% | 2953 fps | 95.8% |
| Vihtavuori N568 | <<locked>> | 94% | 45,353 psi | 71% | 3071 fps | 95.4% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,617 psi | 76% | 2959 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,749 psi | 80% | 3091 fps | 99.7% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,053 psi | 50% | 2818 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,449 psi | 59% | 2776 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 73 powders for 6.5 x 68 loaded with the .264 | 120gr | Hornady ECX. 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 73 of the 73 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, ReloadSwiss RS 76, Norma MRP rank at the top here: for 6.5 x 68 with the .264 | 120gr | Hornady ECX 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.