Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 6.5 x 68 with .264 | 123gr | Hornady SST 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 Accurate High Country.
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% | 57,058 psi | 89% | 3110 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,682 psi | 90% | 3140 fps | 100% |
| Accurate High Country | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,650 psi | 86% | 3209 fps | 99.1% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,695 psi | 87% | 3215 fps | 98.4% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,955 psi | 86% | 3150 fps | 99.6% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,623 psi | 89% | 3215 fps | 99.3% |
| ADI AR 2217ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,650 psi | 86% | 3176 fps | 99.3% |
| ADI AR 2225ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,226 psi | 77% | 3136 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,085 psi | 86% | 3143 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,085 psi | 86% | 3143 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,085 psi | 86% | 3143 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,447 psi | 85% | 3133 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,913 psi | 89% | 3212 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,578 psi | 86% | 3120 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,375 psi | 85% | 3186 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,013 psi | 86% | 3209 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 109 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,346 psi | 85% | 3110 fps | 96.6% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,086 psi | 88% | 3196 fps | 99.7% |
| Bofors RP30 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,172 psi | 85% | 3192 fps | 99.3% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,913 psi | 89% | 3212 fps | 99.8% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,680 psi | 87% | 3081 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon H1000 | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,492 psi | 89% | 3205 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,361 psi | 87% | 3140 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 82% | 57,682 psi | 90% | 3150 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,347 psi | 88% | 3150 fps | 98.8% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,042 psi | 86% | 3127 fps | 98.6% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,347 psi | 87% | 3061 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | <<locked>> | 98% | 57,087 psi | 89% | 3333 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,130 psi | 88% | 3176 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,405 psi | 59% | 1998 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 86% | 57,566 psi | 90% | 3123 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 82% | 57,029 psi | 89% | 3104 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,273 psi | 85% | 3074 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,956 psi | 89% | 3127 fps | 98.9% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,824 psi | 86% | 3196 fps | 99.1% |
| IMR 8133 Enduronᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,614 psi | 70% | 3028 fps | 97.6% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,433 psi | 85% | 3048 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,347 psi | 88% | 3104 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,694 psi | 86% | 3077 fps | 100% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,129 psi | 86% | 3127 fps | 99.5% |
| Norma 217ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,092 psi | 71% | 3058 fps | 99.4% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,797 psi | 89% | 3228 fps | 100% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,014 psi | 88% | 3120 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,680 psi | 87% | 3219 fps | 99.4% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,897 psi | 86% | 3127 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,954 psi | 85% | 3136 fps | 99.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 38,159 psi | 60% | 2044 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,041 psi | 85% | 3104 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,492 psi | 89% | 3196 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,925 psi | 85% | 3258 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 80ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 57,479 psi | 90% | 3278 fps | 98.9% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,767 psi | 87% | 3114 fps | 99.1% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,653 psi | 90% | 3182 fps | 99.8% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,680 psi | 87% | 3081 fps | 99.9% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,433 psi | 85% | 3048 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,347 psi | 88% | 3104 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,159 psi | 90% | 3054 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,232 psi | 90% | 3179 fps | 99.8% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 88% | 57,305 psi | 90% | 3104 fps | 98.9% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,840 psi | 89% | 3120 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,592 psi | 86% | 3094 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,551 psi | 90% | 3110 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,317 psi | 85% | 3077 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,753 psi | 89% | 3117 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,855 psi | 89% | 3150 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,420 psi | 88% | 3228 fps | 99% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,869 psi | 89% | 3209 fps | 99.2% |
| Vihtavuori N568 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,954 psi | 85% | 3209 fps | 97.9% |
| Vihtavuori N570ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,766 psi | 86% | 3268 fps | 96.3% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,159 psi | 90% | 3058 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,637 psi | 87% | 3143 fps | 100% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 94% | 57,392 psi | 90% | 3268 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,302 psi | 85% | 3087 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% | 38,014 psi | 60% | 2759 fps | 98.6% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,517 psi | 79% | 3025 fps | 100% |
| Accurate High Country | 59.9 gr | 80% | 41,365 psi | 65% | 2936 fps | 96.2% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,872 psi | 66% | 2936 fps | 95% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,974 psi | 66% | 2897 fps | 97.5% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,045 psi | 63% | 2881 fps | 95.6% |
| ADI AR 2217 | <<locked>> | 90% | 38,870 psi | 61% | 2848 fps | 95.5% |
| ADI AR 2225 | <<locked>> | 86% | 30,893 psi | 48% | 2674 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,395 psi | 66% | 2897 fps | 97.6% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,395 psi | 66% | 2897 fps | 97.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,225 psi | 76% | 3031 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,003 psi | 66% | 2887 fps | 97.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,884 psi | 59% | 2828 fps | 96.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,521 psi | 57% | 2782 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,691 psi | 50% | 2694 fps | 97.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,741 psi | 64% | 2943 fps | 99.9% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 109 | <<locked>> | 90% | 50,879 psi | 80% | 3045 fps | 95.8% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,128 psi | 55% | 2753 fps | 95.1% |
| Bofors RP30 | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,377 psi | 60% | 2867 fps | 95.7% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,884 psi | 59% | 2828 fps | 96.3% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,272 psi | 82% | 3022 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon H1000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,173 psi | 58% | 2808 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,982 psi | 81% | 3081 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,201 psi | 85% | 3094 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,743 psi | 67% | 2887 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,959 psi | 66% | 2871 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,397 psi | 71% | 2897 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | 60.6 gr | 84% | 35,404 psi | 55% | 2851 fps | 96.1% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,098 psi | 82% | 3110 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,934 psi | 44% | 1788 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,761 psi | 75% | 2956 fps | 99.3% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,621 psi | 84% | 3048 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,747 psi | 75% | 2963 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,539 psi | 65% | 2828 fps | 95.6% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 82% | 38,769 psi | 61% | 2861 fps | 95.2% |
| IMR 8133 Enduron | <<locked>> | 96% | 38,928 psi | 61% | 2900 fps | 95.8% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,155 psi | 80% | 2992 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,545 psi | 78% | 2986 fps | 99.8% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,590 psi | 51% | 2621 fps | 97% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,022 psi | 75% | 2999 fps | 98.6% |
| Norma 217 | <<locked>> | 90% | 32,039 psi | 50% | 2736 fps | 95.2% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,958 psi | 63% | 2904 fps | 98.3% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,008 psi | 77% | 3005 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 82% | 38,363 psi | 60% | 2864 fps | 95.5% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,964 psi | 75% | 3005 fps | 99.9% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 82% | 34,476 psi | 54% | 2736 fps | 96.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,660 psi | 45% | 1831 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,459 psi | 79% | 3045 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,718 psi | 76% | 3068 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | 63.3 gr | 82% | 32,227 psi | 51% | 2749 fps | 95.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 80 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,235 psi | 66% | 2986 fps | 95.4% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,178 psi | 68% | 2871 fps | 96.7% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,307 psi | 65% | 2874 fps | 97.5% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,272 psi | 82% | 3022 fps | 99.7% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,155 psi | 80% | 2992 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,545 psi | 78% | 2986 fps | 99.8% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,154 psi | 79% | 2940 fps | 99.8% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,973 psi | 64% | 2867 fps | 97.4% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,888 psi | 69% | 2854 fps | 96.2% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,572 psi | 73% | 2959 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,930 psi | 66% | 2854 fps | 98.3% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,633 psi | 79% | 3002 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,463 psi | 57% | 2717 fps | 96.5% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,864 psi | 78% | 3002 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,799 psi | 64% | 2864 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,885 psi | 63% | 2890 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,321 psi | 63% | 2884 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N568 | <<locked>> | 92% | 43,453 psi | 68% | 3002 fps | 95.1% |
| Vihtavuori N570 | <<locked>> | 98% | 50,966 psi | 80% | 3192 fps | 95.3% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,763 psi | 78% | 2946 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,982 psi | 81% | 3081 fps | 99.9% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,199 psi | 52% | 2815 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,435 psi | 60% | 2772 fps | 96.5% |
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 | 123gr | Hornady SST. Hodgdon Retumbo delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,333 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,998 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 59–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 123.0 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, Hodgdon TrailBoss 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, Accurate High Country rank at the top here: for 6.5 x 68 with the .264 | 123gr | Hornady SST 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.