Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .22-250 Ackley Improved with .224 | 40gr | Nosler Varmageddon HPFB bullet and 53 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are IMR 3031, Hodgdon H322 and Alliant AR-Comp.
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: 24"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,387 psi | 89% | 3885 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,633 psi | 87% | 3878 fps | 98.1% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 98% | 51,866 psi | 89% | 3927 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,547 psi | 89% | 3924 fps | 98% |
| Accurate 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,387 psi | 89% | 3944 fps | 98.8% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,240 psi | 85% | 3780 fps | 98.9% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,617 psi | 86% | 3793 fps | 97.5% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,879 psi | 86% | 3862 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 86% | 52,475 psi | 90% | 3973 fps | 99.2% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,604 psi | 87% | 3885 fps | 95.9% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 94% | 51,779 psi | 89% | 3986 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,416 psi | 89% | 3927 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 82% | 51,271 psi | 88% | 3868 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 86% | 52,040 psi | 90% | 3806 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,893 psi | 86% | 3829 fps | 96.4% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,298 psi | 85% | 3894 fps | 96.4% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,763 psi | 88% | 3937 fps | 99% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,359 psi | 90% | 3950 fps | 98.6% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 82% | 50,850 psi | 88% | 3848 fps | 98.7% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,083 psi | 57% | 2621 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,342 psi | 85% | 3963 fps | 99.4% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,895 psi | 89% | 3907 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,604 psi | 87% | 3885 fps | 95.9% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,951 psi | 86% | 3888 fps | 97.3% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,618 psi | 87% | 3868 fps | 97% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,574 psi | 85% | 3891 fps | 97.5% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 98% | 50,763 psi | 88% | 3894 fps | 96.2% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,169 psi | 88% | 3898 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,893 psi | 86% | 3868 fps | 95.8% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,951 psi | 86% | 3894 fps | 98.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,895 psi | 57% | 2671 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,111 psi | 86% | 3885 fps | 97.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,907 psi | 84% | 3963 fps | 97% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,575 psi | 87% | 3888 fps | 98% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,980 psi | 86% | 3858 fps | 95.9% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,951 psi | 86% | 3888 fps | 97.3% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,574 psi | 85% | 3891 fps | 97.5% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 98% | 50,763 psi | 88% | 3894 fps | 96.2% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,966 psi | 86% | 3583 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,690 psi | 86% | 3894 fps | 98% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,286 psi | 90% | 3947 fps | 99.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,214 psi | 90% | 3848 fps | 98.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,517 psi | 89% | 3822 fps | 99.2% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,185 psi | 90% | 3927 fps | 96.7% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 94% | 51,372 psi | 89% | 3839 fps | 99.1% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,850 psi | 86% | 3799 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,663 psi | 89% | 3852 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 94% | 51,750 psi | 89% | 3852 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 98% | 51,634 psi | 89% | 3930 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 96% | 50,459 psi | 87% | 3865 fps | 98.6% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,184 psi | 88% | 3888 fps | 96.2% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,240 psi | 85% | 3839 fps | 98% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,893 psi | 86% | 3930 fps | 96.8% |
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 2015 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,664 psi | 60% | 3471 fps | 96.7% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,857 psi | 70% | 3648 fps | 95.6% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 84% | 31,386 psi | 54% | 3409 fps | 95.8% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,423 psi | 71% | 3691 fps | 95.3% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 90% | 36,608 psi | 63% | 3579 fps | 95% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,279 psi | 75% | 3642 fps | 97.8% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,598 psi | 75% | 3648 fps | 95.9% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,644 psi | 80% | 3796 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,148 psi | 73% | 3734 fps | 97.3% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,471 psi | 82% | 3812 fps | 95.1% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | 31.9 gr | 80% | 31,952 psi | 55% | 3491 fps | 98.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,653 psi | 68% | 3655 fps | 98.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,051 psi | 83% | 3799 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,743 psi | 74% | 3606 fps | 98.1% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,876 psi | 81% | 3760 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 90% | 45,818 psi | 79% | 3816 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon H322 | 32.9 gr | 80% | 38,377 psi | 66% | 3632 fps | 96.1% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,363 psi | 68% | 3638 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,645 psi | 82% | 3780 fps | 98.2% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,294 psi | 42% | 2362 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031 | 33.4 gr | 84% | 34,824 psi | 60% | 3586 fps | 95.8% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,350 psi | 70% | 3652 fps | 99.6% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,471 psi | 82% | 3812 fps | 95.1% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,311 psi | 80% | 3809 fps | 96.4% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 84% | 43,671 psi | 75% | 3707 fps | 95.1% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,902 psi | 74% | 3740 fps | 95.8% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,601 psi | 82% | 3822 fps | 95.3% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,889 psi | 77% | 3763 fps | 99.9% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,717 psi | 81% | 3796 fps | 95% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,683 psi | 70% | 3671 fps | 95.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,221 psi | 42% | 2411 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 84% | 44,048 psi | 76% | 3743 fps | 95.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 98% | 45,484 psi | 78% | 3871 fps | 95.8% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,479 psi | 68% | 3612 fps | 95.1% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,833 psi | 81% | 3783 fps | 95% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,311 psi | 80% | 3809 fps | 96.4% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,902 psi | 74% | 3740 fps | 95.8% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,601 psi | 82% | 3822 fps | 95.3% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,195 psi | 81% | 3533 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,018 psi | 74% | 3734 fps | 96.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,205 psi | 69% | 3665 fps | 97.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,335 psi | 70% | 3576 fps | 95.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 34,983 psi | 60% | 3425 fps | 95.2% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,530 psi | 84% | 3848 fps | 95.8% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,072 psi | 64% | 3497 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,644 psi | 80% | 3737 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,869 psi | 65% | 3533 fps | 98.4% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,040 psi | 57% | 3392 fps | 96% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 84% | 32,010 psi | 55% | 3438 fps | 95.9% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,464 psi | 66% | 3579 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,877 psi | 83% | 3816 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,205 psi | 69% | 3625 fps | 95.7% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,325 psi | 80% | 3848 fps | 95.9% |
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 53 powders for .22-250 Ackley Improved loaded with the .224 | 40gr | Nosler Varmageddon HPFB. Alliant AR-Comp delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,986 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 2,621 fps to 3,986 fps. Accurate 4064 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 53 of the 53 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (400 MPa), the top charges use 57–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. Accurate 4064, Hodgdon TrailBoss, ReloadSwiss RS 14 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. IMR 3031, Hodgdon H322, Alliant AR-Comp rank at the top here: for .22-250 Ackley Improved with the .224 | 40gr | Nosler Varmageddon HPFB 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.