Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 6.5 x 68 with .264 | 120gr | Nosler Expansion Tip 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 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>> | 92% | 54,259 psi | 85% | 3107 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,332 psi | 87% | 3143 fps | 100% |
| Accurate High Country | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,188 psi | 88% | 3271 fps | 99.1% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 92% | 57,261 psi | 90% | 3278 fps | 98.5% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,449 psi | 88% | 3209 fps | 99.6% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,317 psi | 85% | 3212 fps | 98.8% |
| ADI AR 2217ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,504 psi | 82% | 3169 fps | 98.9% |
| ADI AR 2225ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,818 psi | 73% | 3120 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,739 psi | 89% | 3205 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,550 psi | 89% | 3205 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 82% | 57,667 psi | 90% | 3215 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,072 psi | 88% | 3199 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,462 psi | 85% | 3205 fps | 99.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,956 psi | 88% | 3176 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,463 psi | 87% | 3241 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,492 psi | 89% | 3268 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 109 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,970 psi | 88% | 3169 fps | 96.7% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 96% | 57,276 psi | 90% | 3251 fps | 99.7% |
| Bofors RP30ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,347 psi | 87% | 3245 fps | 99.3% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,462 psi | 85% | 3205 fps | 99.5% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,450 psi | 90% | 3146 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon H1000 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,998 psi | 85% | 3199 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,971 psi | 89% | 3202 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,927 psi | 88% | 3159 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,128 psi | 85% | 3146 fps | 98.2% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,753 psi | 89% | 3189 fps | 98.6% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,739 psi | 89% | 3120 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,418 psi | 85% | 3323 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 82% | 53,766 psi | 84% | 3176 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,159 psi | 58% | 2018 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,796 psi | 87% | 3133 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,216 psi | 87% | 3110 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,724 psi | 87% | 3133 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,969 psi | 86% | 3130 fps | 98.5% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,115 psi | 88% | 3251 fps | 99.1% |
| IMR 8133 Enduronᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,279 psi | 66% | 3012 fps | 96.6% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,028 psi | 88% | 3110 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 86% | 57,667 psi | 90% | 3163 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,593 psi | 87% | 3127 fps | 100% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,840 psi | 89% | 3189 fps | 99.6% |
| Norma 217ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,583 psi | 67% | 3041 fps | 98.8% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,491 psi | 85% | 3228 fps | 100% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 86% | 57,392 psi | 90% | 3182 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 94% | 57,246 psi | 90% | 3278 fps | 99.5% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,434 psi | 88% | 3189 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,651 psi | 87% | 3199 fps | 99.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,840 psi | 59% | 2064 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,637 psi | 87% | 3169 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,056 psi | 85% | 3196 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,448 psi | 87% | 3317 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 80ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,389 psi | 85% | 3261 fps | 98.2% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,551 psi | 90% | 3179 fps | 99.2% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,506 psi | 87% | 3182 fps | 99.6% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,450 psi | 90% | 3146 fps | 99.9% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,028 psi | 88% | 3110 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 86% | 57,667 psi | 90% | 3163 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,085 psi | 86% | 3058 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,085 psi | 86% | 3179 fps | 99.6% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,434 psi | 87% | 3107 fps | 98.4% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,592 psi | 86% | 3130 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,970 psi | 88% | 3153 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,999 psi | 88% | 3048 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,579 psi | 87% | 3117 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,825 psi | 87% | 3133 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,752 psi | 86% | 3120 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,157 psi | 85% | 3146 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,230 psi | 85% | 3225 fps | 98.4% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,375 psi | 85% | 3202 fps | 98.7% |
| Vihtavuori N568ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,376 psi | 87% | 3271 fps | 97.9% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,274 psi | 87% | 3068 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,246 psi | 90% | 3205 fps | 100% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,534 psi | 85% | 3264 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,927 psi | 88% | 3150 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% | 35,694 psi | 56% | 2736 fps | 97.8% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,022 psi | 75% | 3022 fps | 100% |
| Accurate High Country | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,131 psi | 61% | 2920 fps | 95.1% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,830 psi | 67% | 2992 fps | 95% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,103 psi | 63% | 2884 fps | 96.6% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,031 psi | 64% | 2936 fps | 95.6% |
| ADI AR 2217 | <<locked>> | 92% | 39,726 psi | 62% | 2897 fps | 95.5% |
| ADI AR 2225 | <<locked>> | 88% | 31,183 psi | 49% | 2713 fps | 95% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,480 psi | 63% | 2884 fps | 96.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,180 psi | 72% | 3028 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,679 psi | 84% | 3153 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,103 psi | 63% | 2877 fps | 96.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,824 psi | 56% | 2805 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,606 psi | 54% | 2772 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,863 psi | 47% | 2667 fps | 96.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,261 psi | 60% | 2923 fps | 99.5% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 109 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,327 psi | 77% | 3045 fps | 95% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,723 psi | 56% | 2802 fps | 95% |
| Bofors RP30 | <<locked>> | 90% | 38,870 psi | 61% | 2910 fps | 95.6% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,824 psi | 56% | 2805 fps | 95.2% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,314 psi | 79% | 3022 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon H1000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,956 psi | 59% | 2858 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,821 psi | 78% | 3077 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,228 psi | 82% | 3094 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 84% | 43,859 psi | 69% | 2943 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 84% | 43,047 psi | 67% | 2927 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,337 psi | 68% | 2897 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | 62 gr | 86% | 35,766 psi | 56% | 2894 fps | 95.9% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,821 psi | 78% | 3104 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,673 psi | 43% | 1804 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,919 psi | 72% | 2953 fps | 98.9% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,851 psi | 81% | 3051 fps | 99.8% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,542 psi | 71% | 2956 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,467 psi | 67% | 2881 fps | 95.6% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,450 psi | 62% | 2910 fps | 95.1% |
| IMR 8133 Enduron | <<locked>> | 98% | 39,421 psi | 62% | 2943 fps | 95.6% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,385 psi | 77% | 2999 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,674 psi | 75% | 2986 fps | 99.5% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,589 psi | 48% | 2598 fps | 95.9% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,224 psi | 72% | 2995 fps | 98.1% |
| Norma 217 | <<locked>> | 94% | 34,330 psi | 54% | 2831 fps | 96% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,753 psi | 59% | 2884 fps | 97.4% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,123 psi | 74% | 3009 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,305 psi | 62% | 2920 fps | 95.5% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,093 psi | 72% | 3005 fps | 99.7% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 84% | 34,954 psi | 55% | 2779 fps | 95.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,340 psi | 44% | 1850 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,341 psi | 76% | 3045 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,470 psi | 73% | 3064 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | 64.9 gr | 84% | 32,677 psi | 51% | 2792 fps | 95.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 80 | <<locked>> | 94% | 43,004 psi | 67% | 3035 fps | 95.3% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,365 psi | 65% | 2864 fps | 95.9% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,465 psi | 62% | 2864 fps | 96.7% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,314 psi | 79% | 3022 fps | 99.4% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,385 psi | 77% | 2999 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,674 psi | 75% | 2986 fps | 99.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,196 psi | 76% | 2940 fps | 99.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,146 psi | 61% | 2858 fps | 96.5% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,032 psi | 66% | 2848 fps | 95.3% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,266 psi | 69% | 2956 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,856 psi | 62% | 2841 fps | 97.6% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,489 psi | 82% | 2995 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,544 psi | 76% | 3002 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,577 psi | 54% | 2703 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,979 psi | 75% | 3005 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,682 psi | 61% | 2854 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 84% | 43,758 psi | 69% | 3012 fps | 96% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,031 psi | 64% | 2933 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N568 | <<locked>> | 94% | 44,135 psi | 69% | 3048 fps | 95% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,964 psi | 75% | 2956 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,067 psi | 78% | 3081 fps | 99.7% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | 59.3 gr | 80% | 30,937 psi | 48% | 2789 fps | 99.9% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,492 psi | 57% | 2759 fps | 95.5% |
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 | Nosler Expansion Tip. Hodgdon Retumbo delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,323 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 2,018 fps to 3,323 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, Winchester StaBALL HD rank at the top here: for 6.5 x 68 with the .264 | 120gr | Nosler Expansion Tip 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.