Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 6.5 x 68 with .264 | 120gr | Sako Powerhead Blade 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 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>> | 94% | 57,667 psi | 90% | 3159 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,795 psi | 86% | 3133 fps | 100% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,666 psi | 89% | 3264 fps | 98.3% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,028 psi | 88% | 3202 fps | 99.6% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,940 psi | 85% | 3202 fps | 98.7% |
| ADI AR 2217ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,938 psi | 81% | 3159 fps | 98.7% |
| ADI AR 2225ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,267 psi | 73% | 3110 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,057 psi | 88% | 3199 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 82% | 57,145 psi | 90% | 3209 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,405 psi | 87% | 3186 fps | 99.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,056 psi | 85% | 3196 fps | 99.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,259 psi | 87% | 3166 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,781 psi | 86% | 3232 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,782 psi | 87% | 3258 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 109 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,521 psi | 87% | 3159 fps | 96.5% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,884 psi | 89% | 3245 fps | 99.7% |
| Bofors RP30ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,476 psi | 85% | 3232 fps | 99.2% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,056 psi | 85% | 3196 fps | 99.5% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,014 psi | 89% | 3140 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon H1000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 57,319 psi | 90% | 3255 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,550 psi | 89% | 3192 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,463 psi | 87% | 3150 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 92% | 57,493 psi | 90% | 3199 fps | 98.7% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,376 psi | 88% | 3182 fps | 98.5% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,289 psi | 88% | 3114 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumboᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 57,624 psi | 90% | 3376 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,580 psi | 90% | 3238 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,144 psi | 58% | 2014 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,376 psi | 87% | 3123 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,795 psi | 86% | 3104 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,259 psi | 87% | 3127 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,621 psi | 86% | 3120 fps | 98.4% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,738 psi | 87% | 3245 fps | 99% |
| IMR 8133 Enduronᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,713 psi | 65% | 2999 fps | 96.4% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,608 psi | 87% | 3104 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 86% | 57,261 psi | 90% | 3153 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,940 psi | 86% | 3117 fps | 100% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,449 psi | 88% | 3182 fps | 99.5% |
| Norma 217ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,989 psi | 66% | 3028 fps | 98.6% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,780 psi | 84% | 3215 fps | 99.9% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,898 psi | 89% | 3173 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,579 psi | 89% | 3268 fps | 99.4% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,014 psi | 88% | 3182 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,013 psi | 86% | 3189 fps | 99.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,826 psi | 59% | 2060 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,940 psi | 86% | 3156 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 86% | 57,667 psi | 90% | 3251 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,534 psi | 85% | 3304 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 80ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,809 psi | 84% | 3251 fps | 98.1% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,913 psi | 89% | 3166 fps | 99.1% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,853 psi | 86% | 3173 fps | 99.5% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,014 psi | 89% | 3140 fps | 99.9% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,608 psi | 87% | 3104 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 86% | 57,261 psi | 90% | 3153 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,708 psi | 86% | 3051 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,433 psi | 85% | 3166 fps | 99.5% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,897 psi | 86% | 3094 fps | 98.3% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,099 psi | 85% | 3120 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,303 psi | 87% | 3140 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,535 psi | 87% | 3041 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,143 psi | 86% | 3110 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,216 psi | 87% | 3123 fps | 99.7% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,360 psi | 85% | 3114 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 92% | 57,377 psi | 90% | 3199 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 92% | 57,537 psi | 90% | 3281 fps | 98.9% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 98% | 57,464 psi | 90% | 3255 fps | 99.1% |
| Vihtavuori N568ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,520 psi | 85% | 3251 fps | 97.7% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,650 psi | 86% | 3061 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,782 psi | 89% | 3196 fps | 100% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,708 psi | 84% | 3251 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,564 psi | 87% | 3140 fps | 99.5% |
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% | 35,317 psi | 55% | 2726 fps | 97.7% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,514 psi | 74% | 3009 fps | 100% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 86% | 45,411 psi | 71% | 3048 fps | 95.8% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,682 psi | 62% | 2874 fps | 96.5% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,640 psi | 64% | 2927 fps | 95.4% |
| ADI AR 2217 | <<locked>> | 92% | 39,247 psi | 62% | 2884 fps | 95.2% |
| ADI AR 2225 | <<locked>> | 90% | 33,025 psi | 52% | 2772 fps | 96% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,672 psi | 72% | 3018 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,185 psi | 83% | 3146 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,711 psi | 62% | 2867 fps | 96.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,433 psi | 56% | 2795 fps | 95% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,171 psi | 54% | 2762 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,544 psi | 46% | 2654 fps | 96.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,840 psi | 59% | 2913 fps | 99.4% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 109 | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,098 psi | 82% | 3097 fps | 95.7% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,855 psi | 59% | 2858 fps | 95.8% |
| Bofors RP30 | <<locked>> | 90% | 38,305 psi | 60% | 2894 fps | 95.3% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,433 psi | 56% | 2795 fps | 95% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,125 psi | 79% | 3018 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon H1000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,463 psi | 59% | 2844 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,371 psi | 77% | 3068 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,793 psi | 81% | 3084 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 84% | 43,497 psi | 68% | 2936 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,670 psi | 67% | 2920 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,091 psi | 68% | 2890 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | 61.5 gr | 86% | 35,418 psi | 56% | 2877 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,414 psi | 77% | 3097 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,775 psi | 44% | 1804 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,498 psi | 71% | 2943 fps | 98.8% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,416 psi | 81% | 3041 fps | 99.7% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,121 psi | 71% | 2949 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,119 psi | 66% | 2871 fps | 95.5% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,076 psi | 66% | 2972 fps | 96% |
| IMR 8133 Enduron | <<locked>> | 98% | 38,899 psi | 61% | 2930 fps | 95.4% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,936 psi | 77% | 2989 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,239 psi | 74% | 2976 fps | 99.5% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,211 psi | 47% | 2589 fps | 95.7% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,818 psi | 72% | 2986 fps | 97.9% |
| Norma 217 | <<locked>> | 94% | 33,997 psi | 53% | 2825 fps | 95.8% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,304 psi | 58% | 2874 fps | 97.2% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,688 psi | 73% | 2995 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,769 psi | 61% | 2904 fps | 95.2% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,672 psi | 72% | 2995 fps | 99.6% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 84% | 34,621 psi | 54% | 2772 fps | 95.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,442 psi | 45% | 1847 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,659 psi | 75% | 3031 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,035 psi | 72% | 3051 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | 64.3 gr | 84% | 32,213 psi | 50% | 2776 fps | 95.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 80 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,235 psi | 66% | 3015 fps | 95% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,959 psi | 64% | 2854 fps | 95.7% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,044 psi | 61% | 2854 fps | 96.5% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,125 psi | 79% | 3018 fps | 99.4% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,936 psi | 77% | 2989 fps | 99.9% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,239 psi | 74% | 2976 fps | 99.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,776 psi | 75% | 2930 fps | 99.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,711 psi | 61% | 2844 fps | 96.3% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,698 psi | 65% | 2838 fps | 95.1% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,758 psi | 69% | 2946 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,450 psi | 62% | 2831 fps | 97.4% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,054 psi | 82% | 2986 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,124 psi | 75% | 2992 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,200 psi | 54% | 2694 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,572 psi | 75% | 2995 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,232 psi | 60% | 2844 fps | 99.7% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 84% | 43,366 psi | 68% | 3005 fps | 95.9% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,480 psi | 63% | 2920 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N568 | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,963 psi | 74% | 3107 fps | 95.9% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,355 psi | 74% | 2943 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,632 psi | 78% | 3071 fps | 99.6% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | 58.8 gr | 80% | 30,443 psi | 48% | 2779 fps | 99.9% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,129 psi | 57% | 2749 fps | 95.3% |
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 | Sako Powerhead Blade. Hodgdon Retumbo delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,376 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 2,014 fps to 3,376 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, Winchester StaBALL HD rank at the top here: for 6.5 x 68 with the .264 | 120gr | Sako Powerhead Blade 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.