Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 6.5 x 68 with .264 | 156gr | Berger Elite Hunter bullet and 55 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Hodgdon Retumbo, Vihtavuori N570 and Alliant Reloder-33.
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>> | 86% | 54,331 psi | 85% | 2753 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 8700ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,657 psi | 70% | 2713 fps | 96% |
| Accurate High Country | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,999 psi | 88% | 2910 fps | 100% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 86% | 57,072 psi | 89% | 2923 fps | 99.8% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,463 psi | 87% | 2838 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 88% | 57,551 psi | 90% | 2910 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2217 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,289 psi | 88% | 2894 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2218ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,376 psi | 88% | 3022 fps | 99.3% |
| ADI AR 2225 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,158 psi | 86% | 2917 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,637 psi | 87% | 2835 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,056 psi | 86% | 2828 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,302 psi | 85% | 2848 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,144 psi | 88% | 2805 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,478 psi | 89% | 2884 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,971 psi | 89% | 2900 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-33 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,186 psi | 85% | 2933 fps | 98.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-50ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,795 psi | 84% | 2927 fps | 98.3% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 109 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,331 psi | 85% | 2822 fps | 98.8% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,421 psi | 90% | 2894 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP30 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,144 psi | 88% | 2907 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,302 psi | 85% | 2848 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H1000 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,998 psi | 85% | 2858 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,565 psi | 89% | 2844 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,521 psi | 87% | 2828 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,999 psi | 88% | 2740 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,680 psi | 87% | 2976 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,869 psi | 59% | 1781 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 82% | 57,624 psi | 90% | 2805 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 86% | 57,043 psi | 89% | 2822 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,999 psi | 88% | 2894 fps | 100% |
| IMR 7977 Enduron | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,579 psi | 87% | 2772 fps | 96% |
| IMR 8133 Enduronᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,201 psi | 85% | 2897 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,188 psi | 88% | 2782 fps | 100% |
| Norma 217ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,245 psi | 87% | 2917 fps | 100% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,302 psi | 85% | 2864 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 88% | 57,406 psi | 90% | 2920 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,608 psi | 87% | 2848 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 38,754 psi | 61% | 1821 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,289 psi | 88% | 2963 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 80 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,622 psi | 87% | 2936 fps | 99.8% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,043 psi | 88% | 2808 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,998 psi | 86% | 2822 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 13ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,833 psi | 73% | 2730 fps | 96.2% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,621 psi | 86% | 2818 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,217 psi | 90% | 2802 fps | 99.9% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,071 psi | 86% | 2789 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,143 psi | 86% | 2779 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N170 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,969 psi | 85% | 2805 fps | 97.3% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,723 psi | 86% | 2785 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 86% | 57,711 psi | 90% | 2930 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,897 psi | 86% | 2867 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N568 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,072 psi | 88% | 2936 fps | 99.7% |
| Vihtavuori N570 | <<locked>> | 96% | 57,334 psi | 90% | 3002 fps | 98.9% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,507 psi | 89% | 2900 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,694 psi | 86% | 2785 fps | 100% |
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% | 44,454 psi | 70% | 2598 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 8700 | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,684 psi | 65% | 2651 fps | 95% |
| Accurate High Country | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,776 psi | 76% | 2792 fps | 99.7% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,137 psi | 72% | 2736 fps | 98.6% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,530 psi | 76% | 2726 fps | 99.9% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,729 psi | 69% | 2677 fps | 98.9% |
| ADI AR 2217 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,648 psi | 51% | 2431 fps | 96.1% |
| ADI AR 2218 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,250 psi | 66% | 2740 fps | 95.8% |
| ADI AR 2225 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,979 psi | 47% | 2405 fps | 98.1% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,834 psi | 77% | 2726 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,370 psi | 76% | 2720 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,483 psi | 70% | 2680 fps | 99.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,323 psi | 68% | 2612 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,536 psi | 59% | 2566 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,153 psi | 77% | 2785 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-33 | 66.3 gr | 88% | 40,350 psi | 63% | 2671 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-50 | <<locked>> | 94% | 43,091 psi | 68% | 2726 fps | 95.6% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 109 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,047 psi | 66% | 2592 fps | 96.1% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,452 psi | 65% | 2621 fps | 99.2% |
| Bofors RP30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,041 psi | 55% | 2507 fps | 97.2% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,483 psi | 70% | 2680 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon H1000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,563 psi | 56% | 2507 fps | 97.9% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,340 psi | 73% | 2674 fps | 98.9% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,455 psi | 71% | 2657 fps | 98.8% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,402 psi | 82% | 2690 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | 55.8 gr | 80% | 36,666 psi | 57% | 2615 fps | 99.2% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,413 psi | 45% | 1591 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,070 psi | 85% | 2756 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,166 psi | 74% | 2661 fps | 99.1% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,656 psi | 67% | 2664 fps | 98.8% |
| IMR 7977 Enduron | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,083 psi | 82% | 2717 fps | 95.2% |
| IMR 8133 Enduron | <<locked>> | 84% | 31,531 psi | 49% | 2441 fps | 95.7% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,450 psi | 60% | 2484 fps | 99.9% |
| Norma 217 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,789 psi | 44% | 2352 fps | 96.2% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,253 psi | 74% | 2749 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,888 psi | 67% | 2680 fps | 99.1% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,464 psi | 60% | 2556 fps | 99.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,269 psi | 46% | 1631 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,824 psi | 56% | 2592 fps | 99.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 80 | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,360 psi | 55% | 2549 fps | 95.8% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,168 psi | 77% | 2697 fps | 99.6% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,109 psi | 75% | 2710 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 13 | <<locked>> | 98% | 43,772 psi | 69% | 2671 fps | 95.3% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,761 psi | 75% | 2707 fps | 99.9% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,082 psi | 78% | 2690 fps | 99.4% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,414 psi | 76% | 2684 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,395 psi | 66% | 2569 fps | 99.7% |
| Vihtavuori N170 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,224 psi | 74% | 2687 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,950 psi | 75% | 2684 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,876 psi | 73% | 2749 fps | 99.1% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,102 psi | 61% | 2575 fps | 97.7% |
| Vihtavuori N568 | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,753 psi | 58% | 2569 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N570 | 63.7 gr | 88% | 43,134 psi | 68% | 2743 fps | 95.8% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,800 psi | 66% | 2680 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,744 psi | 70% | 2621 fps | 99.7% |
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 55 powders for 6.5 x 68 loaded with the .264 | 156gr | Berger Elite Hunter. ADI AR 2218 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,022 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,781 fps to 3,022 fps. Accurate 8700 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 55 of the 55 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 156.0 gr projectile in 0.264" calls for a 1:8.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 8700, ADI AR 2218, Alliant Reloder-50 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, Vihtavuori N570, Alliant Reloder-33 rank at the top here: for 6.5 x 68 with the .264 | 156gr | Berger Elite Hunter 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.