Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 6.8 Western with .277 | 145gr | Hornady ELD-X bullet and 92 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Alliant Reloder-26, Accurate High Country 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.
A valid access license is required to use the Personalized Load Calculator.
You can find more information in our FAQ: How can I use the Personalized Load Calculator?
Max Load - Barrel Length: 24"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 2700 | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,101 psi | 86% | 2851 fps | 99.3% |
| Accurate 3100 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,259 psi | 85% | 2907 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,840 psi | 86% | 2828 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,058 psi | 88% | 2949 fps | 100% |
| Accurate High Country | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,376 psi | 87% | 3054 fps | 98.3% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 98% | 57,551 psi | 89% | 3054 fps | 97.3% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,622 psi | 86% | 2864 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 96% | 57,943 psi | 89% | 2999 fps | 99.1% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,390 psi | 85% | 2995 fps | 97.8% |
| ADI AR 2225ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 38,334 psi | 59% | 2710 fps | 96.8% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 96% | 58,015 psi | 89% | 2995 fps | 99.1% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 96% | 58,015 psi | 89% | 2995 fps | 99.1% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,420 psi | 87% | 2887 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,536 psi | 87% | 2907 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 92% | 57,870 psi | 89% | 3005 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,216 psi | 85% | 2969 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 96% | 57,217 psi | 88% | 2986 fps | 99% |
| Alliant Reloder-22ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 58,610 psi | 90% | 3051 fps | 99.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-23ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,738 psi | 86% | 2972 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,182 psi | 74% | 2910 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,840 psi | 86% | 3061 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP15ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,679 psi | 83% | 2972 fps | 98.6% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,609 psi | 89% | 2907 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP30ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,961 psi | 68% | 2828 fps | 96% |
| Bofors RP5ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 58,610 psi | 90% | 3051 fps | 99.3% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,637 psi | 87% | 2897 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon H1000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,543 psi | 73% | 2848 fps | 97% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,885 psi | 89% | 2927 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,303 psi | 85% | 2949 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 58,262 psi | 90% | 2959 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,753 psi | 86% | 2940 fps | 97.2% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 98% | 58,160 psi | 89% | 2979 fps | 97.7% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 94% | 58,102 psi | 89% | 2923 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumboᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,195 psi | 73% | 2956 fps | 98.4% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,651 psi | 86% | 2986 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,695 psi | 56% | 1808 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 58,610 psi | 90% | 2897 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 82% | 57,450 psi | 88% | 2887 fps | 99.7% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 57,986 psi | 89% | 2936 fps | 99.6% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 88% | 58,291 psi | 90% | 2923 fps | 99.7% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 92% | 57,406 psi | 88% | 2940 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 82% | 58,030 psi | 89% | 2933 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 96% | 57,072 psi | 88% | 2927 fps | 97.6% |
| IMR 7828 SSCᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,768 psi | 87% | 3031 fps | 98.2% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,187 psi | 85% | 2838 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 90% | 58,624 psi | 90% | 2920 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,536 psi | 87% | 2913 fps | 99.8% |
| Lovex S071ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,124 psi | 76% | 2812 fps | 99.5% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,883 psi | 86% | 2894 fps | 100% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,245 psi | 85% | 2933 fps | 98.6% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 98% | 58,682 psi | 90% | 3081 fps | 99.9% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,564 psi | 85% | 2933 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,811 psi | 87% | 2923 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grandᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 57,406 psi | 88% | 3051 fps | 98.6% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 92% | 58,131 psi | 89% | 2992 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Magnumᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,401 psi | 79% | 2920 fps | 98.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,405 psi | 58% | 1850 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,406 psi | 88% | 2910 fps | 99.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 86% | 58,653 psi | 90% | 3012 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,898 psi | 88% | 2972 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,230 psi | 85% | 3002 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,195 psi | 73% | 2946 fps | 99.2% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 82% | 57,203 psi | 88% | 2851 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 86% | 57,769 psi | 89% | 2904 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,767 psi | 86% | 2913 fps | 97.9% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,492 psi | 87% | 2972 fps | 99% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,637 psi | 87% | 2897 fps | 99.4% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 90% | 58,624 psi | 90% | 2920 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,187 psi | 85% | 2838 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,536 psi | 87% | 2913 fps | 99.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,506 psi | 85% | 2907 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 58,073 psi | 89% | 2776 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 58,102 psi | 89% | 2874 fps | 99.8% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,014 psi | 86% | 2966 fps | 99% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 86% | 57,479 psi | 88% | 2897 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 94% | 57,464 psi | 88% | 2904 fps | 97.5% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,448 psi | 85% | 2936 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 96% | 57,319 psi | 88% | 2949 fps | 99.5% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 82% | 57,624 psi | 89% | 2802 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 82% | 57,856 psi | 89% | 2822 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 88% | 58,726 psi | 90% | 2864 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,566 psi | 89% | 2927 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N165ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,492 psi | 87% | 2920 fps | 99.3% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,043 psi | 86% | 2818 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,594 psi | 87% | 2930 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 98% | 58,015 psi | 89% | 2995 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 98% | 58,668 psi | 90% | 3071 fps | 98.1% |
| Vihtavuori N565ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,154 psi | 77% | 2913 fps | 96.7% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,116 psi | 88% | 2887 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,622 psi | 86% | 2953 fps | 99.7% |
| Winchester StaBALL HDᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,793 psi | 80% | 3045 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 98% | 57,464 psi | 88% | 2946 fps | 99% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
Start Load - Barrel Length: 24"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 2700 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,591 psi | 81% | 2795 fps | 98.9% |
| Accurate 3100 | <<locked>> | 82% | 31,995 psi | 49% | 2454 fps | 95.4% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,533 psi | 81% | 2785 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,611 psi | 62% | 2667 fps | 99.3% |
| Accurate High Country | 58.1 gr | 88% | 42,786 psi | 66% | 2802 fps | 95.1% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,908 psi | 77% | 2927 fps | 95.7% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,095 psi | 76% | 2762 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,698 psi | 64% | 2707 fps | 95.8% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 92% | 45,368 psi | 70% | 2808 fps | 95.4% |
| ADI AR 2225 | <<locked>> | 98% | 35,940 psi | 55% | 2648 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,218 psi | 60% | 2648 fps | 95% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,218 psi | 60% | 2648 fps | 95% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,009 psi | 77% | 2789 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,214 psi | 82% | 2858 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,218 psi | 60% | 2677 fps | 99.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,831 psi | 69% | 2802 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,510 psi | 64% | 2700 fps | 95.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 88% | 39,160 psi | 60% | 2690 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,921 psi | 44% | 2434 fps | 97.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 86% | 30,748 psi | 47% | 2500 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | 54.4 gr | 80% | 31,082 psi | 48% | 2549 fps | 96.4% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,350 psi | 64% | 2740 fps | 95.8% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,415 psi | 78% | 2799 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP30 | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,292 psi | 64% | 2772 fps | 95.1% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 88% | 39,160 psi | 60% | 2690 fps | 95.2% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,005 psi | 68% | 2674 fps | 97.5% |
| Hodgdon H1000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,611 psi | 64% | 2723 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,734 psi | 78% | 2815 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,380 psi | 65% | 2713 fps | 97.7% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,107 psi | 69% | 2733 fps | 97.1% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,588 psi | 75% | 2818 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,558 psi | 73% | 2799 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,724 psi | 56% | 2562 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | <<locked>> | 94% | 38,870 psi | 60% | 2759 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,423 psi | 64% | 2730 fps | 97.2% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,354 psi | 42% | 1614 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,619 psi | 79% | 2795 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,896 psi | 83% | 2828 fps | 99.4% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,682 psi | 61% | 2605 fps | 96.4% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,527 psi | 70% | 2707 fps | 98.2% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,928 psi | 60% | 2618 fps | 99% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,621 psi | 84% | 2884 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,224 psi | 73% | 2756 fps | 95.5% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,369 psi | 71% | 2844 fps | 95.9% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,982 psi | 80% | 2789 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,091 psi | 66% | 2657 fps | 98.8% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,234 psi | 63% | 2638 fps | 97.6% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 86% | 31,314 psi | 48% | 2438 fps | 95% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,605 psi | 81% | 2844 fps | 100% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,989 psi | 65% | 2690 fps | 95.7% |
| Norma MRP | 55.4 gr | 84% | 35,810 psi | 55% | 2641 fps | 95.5% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,045 psi | 62% | 2657 fps | 99.1% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,258 psi | 82% | 2867 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 92% | 43,149 psi | 66% | 2789 fps | 95.2% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,856 psi | 60% | 2644 fps | 97.6% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 92% | 38,450 psi | 59% | 2667 fps | 95.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,065 psi | 43% | 1657 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,517 psi | 78% | 2799 fps | 99.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,601 psi | 73% | 2851 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,350 psi | 62% | 2687 fps | 99.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,928 psi | 60% | 2697 fps | 98.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | <<locked>> | 92% | 35,679 psi | 55% | 2674 fps | 95.4% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,838 psi | 83% | 2802 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,500 psi | 73% | 2746 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 86% | 43,163 psi | 66% | 2684 fps | 95% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,712 psi | 63% | 2687 fps | 95.8% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,005 psi | 68% | 2674 fps | 97.5% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,091 psi | 66% | 2657 fps | 98.8% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,982 psi | 80% | 2789 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,234 psi | 63% | 2638 fps | 97.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,689 psi | 75% | 2802 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,269 psi | 74% | 2641 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,148 psi | 65% | 2602 fps | 97.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,335 psi | 62% | 2680 fps | 95.6% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,703 psi | 73% | 2746 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,210 psi | 73% | 2733 fps | 95.3% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,709 psi | 56% | 2615 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,187 psi | 56% | 2552 fps | 95.1% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,186 psi | 83% | 2756 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,215 psi | 83% | 2772 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,484 psi | 70% | 2671 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,568 psi | 64% | 2657 fps | 99.3% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,000 psi | 58% | 2589 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,547 psi | 81% | 2769 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,973 psi | 63% | 2661 fps | 99.1% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,198 psi | 50% | 2510 fps | 97.8% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,659 psi | 73% | 2881 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 98% | 46,833 psi | 72% | 2854 fps | 95.9% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,480 psi | 62% | 2621 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,612 psi | 66% | 2717 fps | 97.8% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,556 psi | 39% | 2411 fps | 97% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,524 psi | 62% | 2651 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 92 powders for 6.8 Western loaded with the .277 | 145gr | Hornady ELD-X. Norma MRP delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,081 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,808 fps to 3,081 fps. ADI AR 2225 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 92 of the 92 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (448 MPa), the top charges use 56–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 145.0 gr projectile in 0.277" calls for a 1:9.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. ADI AR 2225, Alliant Reloder-22, Alliant Reloder-23 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. Alliant Reloder-26, Accurate High Country, Norma MRP rank at the top here: for 6.8 Western with the .277 | 145gr | Hornady ELD-X 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.