Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .218 Bee with .224 | 40gr | Nosler Varmageddon bullet and 6 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Hodgdon LilGun, Lovex S040 and Vihtavuori N110.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hodgdon LilGun | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,989 psi | 90% | 3074 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 23,264 psi | 50% | 1827 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S040 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,582 psi | 90% | 2881 fps | 99% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 22,321 psi | 48% | 1867 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 29,283 psi | 63% | 2618 fps | 98.6% |
| Vihtavuori N110ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,231 psi | 80% | 2867 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hodgdon LilGun | 11.1 gr | 80% | 26,049 psi | 56% | 2697 fps | 96.5% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 16,781 psi | 36% | 1634 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S040 | 9.5 gr | 80% | 30,763 psi | 66% | 2635 fps | 96.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 16,317 psi | 35% | 1677 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 88% | 21,596 psi | 47% | 2375 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N110 | 9.8 gr | 86% | 24,642 psi | 53% | 2543 fps | 95.1% |
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 6 powders for .218 Bee loaded with the .224 | 40gr | Nosler Varmageddon. Hodgdon LilGun delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,074 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,827 fps to 3,074 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 6 of the 6 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (320 MPa), the top charges use 48–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. Hodgdon TrailBoss, ReloadSwiss RS 14, SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 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 LilGun, Lovex S040, Vihtavuori N110 rank at the top here: for .218 Bee with the .224 | 40gr | Nosler Varmageddon 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.