Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .22-250 Ackley Improved with .224 | 52gr | Speer Varmint Hollow Point bullet and 72 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are ReloadSwiss RS 60, ReloadSwiss RS 52 and Alliant Reloder-17.
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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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% | 50,227 psi | 87% | 3497 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,040 psi | 90% | 3560 fps | 99.7% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,488 psi | 89% | 3556 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,069 psi | 90% | 3606 fps | 99.6% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 94% | 51,314 psi | 88% | 3596 fps | 99.9% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,400 psi | 85% | 3553 fps | 96.9% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 94% | 50,807 psi | 88% | 3553 fps | 96.5% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,880 psi | 89% | 3579 fps | 98.5% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,576 psi | 89% | 3596 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,632 psi | 86% | 3638 fps | 97.4% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,359 psi | 90% | 3724 fps | 96.6% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 94% | 50,082 psi | 86% | 3579 fps | 98% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,908 psi | 86% | 3520 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,778 psi | 88% | 3599 fps | 96.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 98% | 50,879 psi | 88% | 3684 fps | 97.9% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 82% | 52,373 psi | 90% | 3471 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 94% | 50,241 psi | 87% | 3586 fps | 98.1% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 86% | 50,923 psi | 88% | 3514 fps | 98.8% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,140 psi | 88% | 3602 fps | 98.9% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,834 psi | 84% | 3625 fps | 96.1% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 86% | 51,634 psi | 89% | 3593 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,777 psi | 86% | 3570 fps | 97.5% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 94% | 51,967 psi | 90% | 3661 fps | 98.4% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,418 psi | 59% | 2349 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,038 psi | 86% | 3553 fps | 97.5% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,430 psi | 87% | 3619 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,185 psi | 90% | 3579 fps | 97% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 82% | 50,053 psi | 86% | 3488 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,025 psi | 90% | 3642 fps | 97.5% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,880 psi | 89% | 3579 fps | 98.5% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,127 psi | 90% | 3563 fps | 99.2% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,069 psi | 90% | 3606 fps | 99.6% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,980 psi | 86% | 3491 fps | 97.1% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,734 psi | 86% | 3540 fps | 98.2% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,764 psi | 89% | 3573 fps | 98.5% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,112 psi | 90% | 3593 fps | 99.8% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,951 psi | 86% | 3583 fps | 97.1% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,183 psi | 87% | 3593 fps | 96.9% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,909 psi | 90% | 3602 fps | 97.4% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,951 psi | 86% | 3504 fps | 96.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,447 psi | 59% | 2395 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,706 psi | 89% | 3576 fps | 99.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 90% | 50,357 psi | 87% | 3665 fps | 96.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 96% | 50,488 psi | 87% | 3701 fps | 99.5% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,257 psi | 90% | 3573 fps | 99.7% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,851 psi | 89% | 3560 fps | 98.5% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 96% | 50,082 psi | 86% | 3570 fps | 97.8% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,069 psi | 90% | 3606 fps | 99.6% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,734 psi | 86% | 3540 fps | 98.2% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 82% | 51,517 psi | 89% | 3527 fps | 98.1% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,127 psi | 90% | 3642 fps | 97.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 82% | 50,720 psi | 87% | 3543 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,590 psi | 89% | 3586 fps | 97.4% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,285 psi | 87% | 3471 fps | 99.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 94% | 50,111 psi | 86% | 3458 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,806 psi | 86% | 3547 fps | 98.4% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,719 psi | 86% | 3468 fps | 99.9% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,415 psi | 87% | 3537 fps | 97% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 96% | 50,894 psi | 88% | 3579 fps | 97.7% |
| Somchem S365ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,771 psi | 72% | 3461 fps | 96.9% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 86% | 51,895 psi | 89% | 3494 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,342 psi | 85% | 3458 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,734 psi | 87% | 3550 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,445 psi | 89% | 3547 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N150ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,515 psi | 84% | 3494 fps | 98.5% |
| Vihtavuori N160ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,373 psi | 90% | 3599 fps | 96% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 86% | 51,590 psi | 89% | 3589 fps | 98.5% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,677 psi | 89% | 3576 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N550ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,359 psi | 90% | 3652 fps | 96% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALLᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,097 psi | 88% | 3530 fps | 98% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,936 psi | 84% | 3570 fps | 98.7% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,834 psi | 84% | 3540 fps | 97.4% |
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% | 41,524 psi | 72% | 3320 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,339 psi | 78% | 3422 fps | 98.9% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,098 psi | 59% | 3169 fps | 98.9% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,885 psi | 67% | 3310 fps | 97.2% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,184 psi | 56% | 3130 fps | 96% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 84% | 43,482 psi | 75% | 3419 fps | 95.2% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,688 psi | 82% | 3488 fps | 95.7% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,219 psi | 69% | 3310 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,914 psi | 67% | 3343 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,412 psi | 80% | 3566 fps | 96.7% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,110 psi | 85% | 3648 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,234 psi | 71% | 3376 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,688 psi | 81% | 3458 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,616 psi | 82% | 3530 fps | 95.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | 40.3 gr | 94% | 44,309 psi | 76% | 3527 fps | 96% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,371 psi | 85% | 3419 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,669 psi | 70% | 3369 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,264 psi | 73% | 3323 fps | 97% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,464 psi | 66% | 3310 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 82% | 45,368 psi | 78% | 3543 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,279 psi | 73% | 3396 fps | 99.2% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,060 psi | 71% | 3366 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 86% | 39,755 psi | 69% | 3376 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,338 psi | 44% | 2106 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,568 psi | 72% | 3360 fps | 95.2% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,750 psi | 58% | 3222 fps | 98% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,253 psi | 80% | 3448 fps | 95.5% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,195 psi | 81% | 3435 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,511 psi | 73% | 3428 fps | 95% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,219 psi | 69% | 3310 fps | 95.7% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,440 psi | 78% | 3425 fps | 98.1% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,666 psi | 63% | 3255 fps | 96.5% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 84% | 44,092 psi | 76% | 3363 fps | 95.5% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,377 psi | 66% | 3271 fps | 95.2% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 82% | 39,987 psi | 69% | 3304 fps | 95.7% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,246 psi | 64% | 3255 fps | 97.4% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 88% | 43,540 psi | 75% | 3435 fps | 95.3% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 88% | 43,772 psi | 75% | 3451 fps | 95.2% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 84% | 45,411 psi | 78% | 3461 fps | 95.8% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,845 psi | 76% | 3366 fps | 95.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,469 psi | 44% | 2152 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,121 psi | 78% | 3435 fps | 98.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | 37.1 gr | 88% | 46,601 psi | 80% | 3583 fps | 95.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | 36.8 gr | 86% | 35,781 psi | 62% | 3304 fps | 95.2% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,857 psi | 70% | 3320 fps | 98% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 82% | 37,884 psi | 65% | 3238 fps | 95% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,886 psi | 71% | 3363 fps | 95.3% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,666 psi | 63% | 3255 fps | 96.5% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,377 psi | 66% | 3271 fps | 95.2% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,892 psi | 83% | 3451 fps | 97.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 92% | 45,411 psi | 78% | 3497 fps | 95.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,427 psi | 82% | 3478 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 86% | 45,121 psi | 78% | 3445 fps | 95.8% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,928 psi | 67% | 3219 fps | 97.8% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,923 psi | 55% | 3028 fps | 96.7% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,482 psi | 75% | 3406 fps | 97% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,638 psi | 67% | 3219 fps | 98.5% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 84% | 43,613 psi | 75% | 3389 fps | 95.2% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,887 psi | 72% | 3376 fps | 95.4% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 98% | 39,073 psi | 67% | 3389 fps | 95.9% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,105 psi | 74% | 3323 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,361 psi | 63% | 3169 fps | 99.1% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,214 psi | 59% | 3176 fps | 98.9% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,737 psi | 60% | 3159 fps | 97% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 92% | 37,463 psi | 65% | 3238 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,588 psi | 84% | 3520 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,959 psi | 72% | 3373 fps | 96.4% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,563 psi | 60% | 3173 fps | 96.4% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,066 psi | 85% | 3583 fps | 95.1% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,597 psi | 72% | 3317 fps | 95.4% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,496 psi | 73% | 3425 fps | 97.4% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,411 psi | 78% | 3465 fps | 96.6% |
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 72 powders for .22-250 Ackley Improved loaded with the .224 | 52gr | Speer Varmint Hollow Point. Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,724 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 2,349 fps to 3,724 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 72 of the 72 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (400 MPa), the top charges use 59–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 52.0 gr projectile in 0.224" calls for a 1:12.0 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, ReloadSwiss RS 52, Alliant Reloder-17 rank at the top here: for .22-250 Ackley Improved with the .224 | 52gr | Speer Varmint Hollow Point 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.