Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .22-250 Ackley Improved with .224 | 53gr | Barnes X S bullet and 67 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 ReloadSwiss RS 52.
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>> | 84% | 50,720 psi | 87% | 3458 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,082 psi | 86% | 3484 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 86% | 52,446 psi | 90% | 3566 fps | 99.6% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,922 psi | 86% | 3517 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate 4350ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,488 psi | 89% | 3596 fps | 96.1% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,632 psi | 86% | 3514 fps | 97% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,691 psi | 87% | 3510 fps | 96.5% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 86% | 51,779 psi | 89% | 3533 fps | 98.5% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 86% | 51,648 psi | 89% | 3550 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,924 psi | 90% | 3675 fps | 96.5% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,096 psi | 86% | 3537 fps | 98% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 90% | 50,749 psi | 88% | 3556 fps | 96.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 96% | 50,792 psi | 88% | 3642 fps | 97.9% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,243 psi | 90% | 3570 fps | 96.5% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,097 psi | 88% | 3560 fps | 98.3% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 84% | 50,749 psi | 88% | 3468 fps | 98.8% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 86% | 51,213 psi | 88% | 3560 fps | 98.9% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,272 psi | 90% | 3658 fps | 97% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,416 psi | 89% | 3543 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 86% | 50,053 psi | 86% | 3533 fps | 97.6% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100Vᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,137 psi | 80% | 3451 fps | 96.7% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,199 psi | 90% | 3622 fps | 98.5% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,012 psi | 60% | 2323 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 90% | 50,227 psi | 87% | 3517 fps | 97.6% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 90% | 50,966 psi | 88% | 3583 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,371 psi | 85% | 3478 fps | 96.5% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,938 psi | 90% | 3596 fps | 97.6% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 86% | 51,779 psi | 89% | 3533 fps | 98.5% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 82% | 52,460 psi | 90% | 3524 fps | 99.2% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,446 psi | 90% | 3566 fps | 99.6% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,777 psi | 86% | 3442 fps | 97.1% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 90% | 50,299 psi | 87% | 3507 fps | 98.4% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,359 psi | 90% | 3540 fps | 98.7% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,272 psi | 90% | 3550 fps | 99.8% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 90% | 50,009 psi | 86% | 3540 fps | 97.1% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 90% | 50,067 psi | 86% | 3550 fps | 97% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 86% | 51,663 psi | 89% | 3556 fps | 97.4% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,719 psi | 86% | 3458 fps | 96.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,549 psi | 61% | 2379 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 82% | 51,576 psi | 89% | 3530 fps | 99.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,169 psi | 87% | 3619 fps | 96.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 94% | 50,401 psi | 87% | 3658 fps | 99.6% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 84% | 50,473 psi | 87% | 3484 fps | 99.6% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,777 psi | 86% | 3474 fps | 98.2% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 94% | 50,517 psi | 87% | 3537 fps | 97.9% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,446 psi | 90% | 3566 fps | 99.6% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 90% | 50,299 psi | 87% | 3507 fps | 98.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 94% | 51,938 psi | 90% | 3599 fps | 97.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,300 psi | 88% | 3537 fps | 97.4% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 50,169 psi | 87% | 3425 fps | 99.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,980 psi | 86% | 3415 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,806 psi | 86% | 3504 fps | 98.5% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 86% | 50,096 psi | 86% | 3428 fps | 99.9% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 86% | 50,270 psi | 87% | 3491 fps | 97.1% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 94% | 51,140 psi | 88% | 3543 fps | 97.8% |
| Somchem S365ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,498 psi | 78% | 3514 fps | 98% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,054 psi | 90% | 3448 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,516 psi | 85% | 3415 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,517 psi | 89% | 3517 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,547 psi | 89% | 3504 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N150ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,127 psi | 90% | 3524 fps | 99.1% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,243 psi | 90% | 3556 fps | 96.1% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,576 psi | 89% | 3547 fps | 98.6% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,547 psi | 89% | 3530 fps | 99.8% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 98% | 50,894 psi | 88% | 3491 fps | 98% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,344 psi | 90% | 3596 fps | 99.3% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 82% | 52,286 psi | 90% | 3570 fps | 98.1% |
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% | 45,092 psi | 78% | 3350 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,885 psi | 67% | 3245 fps | 99.7% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,120 psi | 74% | 3373 fps | 98.3% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,680 psi | 63% | 3212 fps | 97.7% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,109 psi | 83% | 3527 fps | 95.2% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 82% | 43,990 psi | 76% | 3386 fps | 95.5% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 88% | 44,875 psi | 77% | 3383 fps | 95% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,163 psi | 74% | 3343 fps | 96.7% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,641 psi | 74% | 3379 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,878 psi | 84% | 3606 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,479 psi | 68% | 3284 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 86% | 44,889 psi | 77% | 3422 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | 38.1 gr | 90% | 41,655 psi | 72% | 3419 fps | 95.1% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,240 psi | 85% | 3510 fps | 95.7% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,436 psi | 68% | 3291 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,049 psi | 78% | 3346 fps | 97.8% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,916 psi | 72% | 3353 fps | 97% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,411 psi | 78% | 3504 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,571 psi | 79% | 3425 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,684 psi | 72% | 3337 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 98% | 43,294 psi | 75% | 3383 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,408 psi | 70% | 3350 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,208 psi | 45% | 2090 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,771 psi | 72% | 3320 fps | 95.4% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,275 psi | 64% | 3274 fps | 99% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,398 psi | 80% | 3412 fps | 95.7% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 84% | 43,163 psi | 74% | 3399 fps | 95.4% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,163 psi | 74% | 3343 fps | 96.7% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,371 psi | 85% | 3461 fps | 98.8% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,451 psi | 70% | 3307 fps | 97.7% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 82% | 44,121 psi | 76% | 3317 fps | 95.6% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 82% | 39,392 psi | 68% | 3251 fps | 95.7% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,017 psi | 71% | 3281 fps | 96.1% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,814 psi | 70% | 3301 fps | 98.4% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 86% | 44,193 psi | 76% | 3409 fps | 95.6% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 86% | 43,990 psi | 76% | 3415 fps | 95.3% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,438 psi | 73% | 3346 fps | 95% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,905 psi | 81% | 3396 fps | 96.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,469 psi | 46% | 2139 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,153 psi | 83% | 3458 fps | 98.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | 35.9 gr | 86% | 47,036 psi | 81% | 3550 fps | 95.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | 35.6 gr | 84% | 36,608 psi | 63% | 3291 fps | 95.8% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,107 psi | 78% | 3369 fps | 98.9% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,001 psi | 67% | 3219 fps | 95.5% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 86% | 39,566 psi | 68% | 3284 fps | 95% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,451 psi | 70% | 3307 fps | 97.7% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 82% | 39,392 psi | 68% | 3251 fps | 95.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,888 psi | 74% | 3396 fps | 95.1% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,482 psi | 73% | 3337 fps | 95% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,872 psi | 72% | 3245 fps | 98.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,737 psi | 60% | 3064 fps | 97.8% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,891 psi | 81% | 3442 fps | 97.9% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,858 psi | 72% | 3251 fps | 99.2% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 82% | 43,787 psi | 76% | 3350 fps | 95.4% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,786 psi | 74% | 3356 fps | 95.8% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 94% | 37,739 psi | 65% | 3314 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,369 psi | 80% | 3343 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,465 psi | 68% | 3199 fps | 99.7% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,652 psi | 65% | 3222 fps | 99.6% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,130 psi | 66% | 3209 fps | 98.1% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 88% | 36,376 psi | 63% | 3163 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,994 psi | 84% | 3491 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,426 psi | 78% | 3412 fps | 97.4% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,014 psi | 66% | 3222 fps | 97.6% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,945 psi | 72% | 3287 fps | 95.6% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,803 psi | 79% | 3458 fps | 98.2% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,791 psi | 84% | 3497 fps | 97.5% |
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 94 powders for .22-250 Ackley Improved loaded with the .224 | 53gr | Barnes X S. Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,675 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 2,323 fps to 3,675 fps. Accurate 4350 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 94 of the 94 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 53.0 gr projectile in 0.224" calls for a 1:11.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 4350, Alliant Reloder-16, 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. ReloadSwiss RS 60, Alliant Reloder-17, ReloadSwiss RS 52 rank at the top here: for .22-250 Ackley Improved with the .224 | 53gr | Barnes X S they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, Alliant Reloder-23, Bofors RP7, Hodgdon H414 burn incompletely and react more sensitively to barrel length and temperature. Always begin at the start load and work up in small increments while checking case and primer for pressure signs.