Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .22-250 Ackley Improved with .224 | 50gr | Barnes X S bullet and 66 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are ReloadSwiss RS 60, Alliant Reloder-17 and Hodgdon LEVERevolution.
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 2015 | <<locked>> | 86% | 52,083 psi | 90% | 3570 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 82% | 50,952 psi | 88% | 3573 fps | 99.4% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,184 psi | 88% | 3586 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 86% | 50,328 psi | 87% | 3606 fps | 99.1% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,908 psi | 88% | 3619 fps | 99.7% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,329 psi | 89% | 3629 fps | 96.8% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,069 psi | 90% | 3612 fps | 96.3% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 86% | 50,096 psi | 86% | 3576 fps | 97.8% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,545 psi | 85% | 3599 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 82% | 51,097 psi | 88% | 3704 fps | 97.3% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 94% | 51,619 psi | 89% | 3642 fps | 97.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 82% | 51,503 psi | 89% | 3589 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,330 psi | 90% | 3661 fps | 96.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,359 psi | 90% | 3747 fps | 97.7% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,199 psi | 90% | 3658 fps | 98% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 86% | 52,228 psi | 90% | 3576 fps | 98.7% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,269 psi | 85% | 3599 fps | 98.2% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,588 psi | 86% | 3589 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,706 psi | 89% | 3645 fps | 97.5% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,140 psi | 86% | 3655 fps | 97.7% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,983 psi | 60% | 2388 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,663 psi | 89% | 3622 fps | 97.4% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,851 psi | 89% | 3688 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 94% | 50,734 psi | 87% | 3579 fps | 96.2% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 82% | 51,256 psi | 88% | 3553 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 90% | 50,357 psi | 87% | 3638 fps | 96.7% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 86% | 50,096 psi | 86% | 3576 fps | 97.8% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 82% | 50,604 psi | 87% | 3566 fps | 98.6% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,328 psi | 87% | 3606 fps | 99.1% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,155 psi | 88% | 3547 fps | 96.8% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,517 psi | 89% | 3609 fps | 98.2% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,517 psi | 87% | 3579 fps | 97.9% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,444 psi | 87% | 3593 fps | 99.5% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,590 psi | 89% | 3648 fps | 96.9% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,547 psi | 89% | 3658 fps | 96.8% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,806 psi | 86% | 3589 fps | 96.5% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,387 psi | 89% | 3563 fps | 96.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,128 psi | 61% | 2438 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,850 psi | 86% | 3573 fps | 98.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,692 psi | 89% | 3730 fps | 96.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 96% | 51,866 psi | 89% | 3763 fps | 99.4% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 86% | 51,866 psi | 89% | 3593 fps | 99.5% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,039 psi | 88% | 3576 fps | 98% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,040 psi | 90% | 3642 fps | 97.7% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,328 psi | 87% | 3606 fps | 99.1% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,517 psi | 89% | 3609 fps | 98.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,893 psi | 86% | 3632 fps | 96.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 82% | 51,822 psi | 89% | 3602 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,501 psi | 85% | 3573 fps | 96.4% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,721 psi | 89% | 3533 fps | 99.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 94% | 51,416 psi | 89% | 3517 fps | 99.9% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,445 psi | 89% | 3612 fps | 98.3% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,387 psi | 89% | 3530 fps | 99.9% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,808 psi | 89% | 3596 fps | 96.9% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,501 psi | 85% | 3583 fps | 97% |
| Somchem S365ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,555 psi | 75% | 3537 fps | 96.9% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 84% | 50,473 psi | 87% | 3507 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 90% | 50,966 psi | 88% | 3524 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,574 psi | 85% | 3566 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 90% | 50,096 psi | 86% | 3556 fps | 99.7% |
| Vihtavuori N150ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,125 psi | 86% | 3560 fps | 98.4% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,748 psi | 86% | 3586 fps | 97.9% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 90% | 50,082 psi | 86% | 3579 fps | 99.5% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,066 psi | 85% | 3517 fps | 97% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 84% | 50,241 psi | 87% | 3632 fps | 98.6% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 82% | 50,328 psi | 87% | 3606 fps | 97.3% |
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% | 43,569 psi | 75% | 3392 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,572 psi | 82% | 3501 fps | 99% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,347 psi | 64% | 3281 fps | 99.3% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,379 psi | 71% | 3406 fps | 97.4% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,143 psi | 61% | 3238 fps | 96.7% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 84% | 45,121 psi | 78% | 3488 fps | 95.2% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,994 psi | 84% | 3547 fps | 95.5% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,684 psi | 72% | 3379 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,828 psi | 70% | 3425 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,892 psi | 83% | 3632 fps | 96.5% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,946 psi | 74% | 3448 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,718 psi | 84% | 3533 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,269 psi | 85% | 3599 fps | 95.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | 40 gr | 94% | 45,919 psi | 79% | 3596 fps | 95.9% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,844 psi | 74% | 3451 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,656 psi | 75% | 3386 fps | 96.9% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,335 psi | 70% | 3386 fps | 95.9% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,961 psi | 76% | 3468 fps | 99.2% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,728 psi | 74% | 3438 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | 35.6 gr | 86% | 41,365 psi | 71% | 3448 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,904 psi | 45% | 2142 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,917 psi | 74% | 3422 fps | 95.1% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,752 psi | 62% | 3310 fps | 98.2% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,688 psi | 82% | 3514 fps | 95.4% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,515 psi | 84% | 3497 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 86% | 44,208 psi | 76% | 3497 fps | 95% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,684 psi | 72% | 3379 fps | 95.6% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,616 psi | 82% | 3501 fps | 98.1% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,856 psi | 67% | 3337 fps | 96.7% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 84% | 45,426 psi | 78% | 3419 fps | 95.4% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,335 psi | 70% | 3350 fps | 95.3% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,595 psi | 68% | 3317 fps | 95% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,363 psi | 68% | 3337 fps | 97.5% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 88% | 45,643 psi | 79% | 3517 fps | 95.4% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 88% | 45,281 psi | 78% | 3514 fps | 95% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 84% | 46,905 psi | 81% | 3527 fps | 95.7% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,382 psi | 78% | 3432 fps | 95.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,121 psi | 45% | 2192 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,528 psi | 80% | 3501 fps | 98.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,066 psi | 83% | 3648 fps | 95.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | 36.6 gr | 86% | 37,681 psi | 65% | 3389 fps | 95.4% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,685 psi | 75% | 3412 fps | 98.2% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,016 psi | 69% | 3320 fps | 95.1% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 90% | 43,018 psi | 74% | 3445 fps | 95.4% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,856 psi | 67% | 3337 fps | 96.7% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,335 psi | 70% | 3350 fps | 95.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,905 psi | 81% | 3563 fps | 95.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,979 psi | 84% | 3547 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,615 psi | 80% | 3510 fps | 95.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,828 psi | 70% | 3294 fps | 97.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,794 psi | 58% | 3110 fps | 97% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,208 psi | 78% | 3478 fps | 97% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,524 psi | 70% | 3294 fps | 98.6% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 84% | 45,179 psi | 78% | 3455 fps | 95.1% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 90% | 43,758 psi | 75% | 3451 fps | 95.4% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 96% | 38,493 psi | 66% | 3396 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,933 psi | 77% | 3396 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,159 psi | 66% | 3245 fps | 99.2% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,448 psi | 63% | 3268 fps | 99.1% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,724 psi | 63% | 3241 fps | 97.2% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 92% | 39,595 psi | 68% | 3320 fps | 95.8% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,830 psi | 76% | 3448 fps | 96.4% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,695 psi | 63% | 3258 fps | 96.7% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 94% | 43,236 psi | 75% | 3386 fps | 95.3% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,947 psi | 76% | 3494 fps | 97.3% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,949 psi | 81% | 3533 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 66 powders for .22-250 Ackley Improved loaded with the .224 | 50gr | Barnes X S. ReloadSwiss RS 60 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,763 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 2,388 fps to 3,763 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 66 of the 66 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (400 MPa), the top charges use 60–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 50.0 gr projectile in 0.224" calls for a 1:11.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Hodgdon TrailBoss, ReloadSwiss RS 14, Somchem S365 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. ReloadSwiss RS 60, Alliant Reloder-17, Hodgdon LEVERevolution rank at the top here: for .22-250 Ackley Improved with the .224 | 50gr | Barnes X S 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.