Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .22-250 Ackley Improved with .224 | 60gr | Sierra VarmintKing bullet and 73 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR, ReloadSwiss RS 60 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.
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% | 50,792 psi | 88% | 3304 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,475 psi | 90% | 3369 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,240 psi | 85% | 3353 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,240 psi | 85% | 3353 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,475 psi | 90% | 3415 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,156 psi | 90% | 3465 fps | 97.5% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 86% | 50,198 psi | 87% | 3379 fps | 98.2% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,213 psi | 88% | 3376 fps | 97.8% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,327 psi | 85% | 3333 fps | 99% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,211 psi | 85% | 3337 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,530 psi | 85% | 3481 fps | 97.4% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,894 psi | 88% | 3402 fps | 99% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,503 psi | 89% | 3422 fps | 98.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-16ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,676 psi | 87% | 3474 fps | 97.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 96% | 51,706 psi | 89% | 3520 fps | 99.1% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,806 psi | 86% | 3376 fps | 97.2% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,329 psi | 89% | 3415 fps | 99.2% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,314 psi | 88% | 3330 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 86% | 52,040 psi | 90% | 3422 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,835 psi | 86% | 3455 fps | 97.7% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,301 psi | 90% | 3396 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,182 psi | 85% | 3353 fps | 96.3% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 86% | 50,662 psi | 87% | 3396 fps | 98.7% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100Vᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,673 psi | 80% | 3327 fps | 98.1% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,792 psi | 86% | 3422 fps | 99% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,766 psi | 60% | 2195 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 90% | 50,778 psi | 88% | 3379 fps | 98.7% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,054 psi | 90% | 3438 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,111 psi | 86% | 3350 fps | 97.8% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,487 psi | 85% | 3396 fps | 98.2% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,327 psi | 85% | 3333 fps | 99% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,661 psi | 86% | 3363 fps | 99.8% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 86% | 50,343 psi | 87% | 3310 fps | 98.3% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 90% | 50,314 psi | 87% | 3360 fps | 99.2% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,127 psi | 90% | 3386 fps | 99.4% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,661 psi | 86% | 3346 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 90% | 50,749 psi | 88% | 3406 fps | 98.4% |
| Norma URPᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,561 psi | 89% | 3458 fps | 97.4% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,343 psi | 89% | 3432 fps | 98.4% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,037 psi | 85% | 3353 fps | 98% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 82% | 50,270 psi | 87% | 3327 fps | 98.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,244 psi | 61% | 2247 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 82% | 52,330 psi | 90% | 3389 fps | 99.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,590 psi | 89% | 3494 fps | 98% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 94% | 51,605 psi | 89% | 3537 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,330 psi | 90% | 3488 fps | 97.3% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,980 psi | 86% | 3327 fps | 99.9% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,821 psi | 86% | 3330 fps | 99.1% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 94% | 51,111 psi | 88% | 3402 fps | 98.9% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,661 psi | 86% | 3363 fps | 99.8% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 90% | 50,314 psi | 87% | 3360 fps | 99.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,545 psi | 85% | 3402 fps | 98.1% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 86% | 51,314 psi | 88% | 3363 fps | 96.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,243 psi | 90% | 3409 fps | 98.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 50,575 psi | 87% | 3281 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,763 psi | 88% | 3278 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 82% | 50,372 psi | 87% | 3366 fps | 99.3% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 86% | 50,343 psi | 87% | 3281 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 86% | 50,836 psi | 88% | 3360 fps | 98.3% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 94% | 51,750 psi | 89% | 3406 fps | 98.9% |
| Somchem S365ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,021 psi | 79% | 3392 fps | 99.2% |
| Unknown powder | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,226 psi | 85% | 3399 fps | 96.1% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,632 psi | 86% | 3248 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,169 psi | 87% | 3271 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,286 psi | 90% | 3369 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,446 psi | 90% | 3366 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,734 psi | 86% | 3330 fps | 99.4% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,821 psi | 86% | 3369 fps | 96.9% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,286 psi | 90% | 3409 fps | 99.4% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,315 psi | 90% | 3389 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 96% | 50,372 psi | 87% | 3428 fps | 96.9% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 98% | 51,692 psi | 89% | 3373 fps | 99.1% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,719 psi | 86% | 3392 fps | 99.6% |
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% | 44,860 psi | 77% | 3192 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,579 psi | 65% | 3074 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,062 psi | 74% | 3228 fps | 99.1% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,062 psi | 74% | 3228 fps | 99.1% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,462 psi | 61% | 3045 fps | 98.4% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,179 psi | 78% | 3323 fps | 95.9% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,365 psi | 71% | 3186 fps | 96.1% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,554 psi | 73% | 3189 fps | 95.7% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,395 psi | 75% | 3209 fps | 97.9% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,134 psi | 74% | 3225 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | 35.9 gr | 84% | 43,105 psi | 74% | 3330 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,970 psi | 64% | 3087 fps | 95.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 82% | 39,711 psi | 68% | 3159 fps | 95% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 96% | 44,556 psi | 77% | 3333 fps | 95.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | 37 gr | 88% | 39,117 psi | 67% | 3222 fps | 95.8% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 82% | 43,468 psi | 75% | 3241 fps | 95.5% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,593 psi | 63% | 3084 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,208 psi | 78% | 3209 fps | 98.8% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,090 psi | 73% | 3219 fps | 98.2% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,209 psi | 80% | 3376 fps | 96.9% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,093 psi | 79% | 3278 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,064 psi | 79% | 3287 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,684 psi | 72% | 3199 fps | 96.8% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 94% | 38,450 psi | 66% | 3136 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,447 psi | 61% | 3081 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,788 psi | 44% | 1969 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,231 psi | 64% | 3068 fps | 95.3% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,318 psi | 64% | 3130 fps | 99.6% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,524 psi | 72% | 3159 fps | 95.7% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,043 psi | 66% | 3130 fps | 95.1% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,395 psi | 75% | 3209 fps | 97.9% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,263 psi | 69% | 3163 fps | 98.6% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,611 psi | 72% | 3123 fps | 96.3% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,579 psi | 63% | 3045 fps | 96.1% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,538 psi | 70% | 3136 fps | 97.3% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,756 psi | 70% | 3156 fps | 99.2% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 82% | 39,073 psi | 67% | 3143 fps | 95.4% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,049 psi | 78% | 3320 fps | 95.7% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 82% | 38,885 psi | 67% | 3153 fps | 95.1% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,757 psi | 74% | 3219 fps | 96.5% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,253 psi | 81% | 3264 fps | 97.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,005 psi | 45% | 2011 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,617 psi | 84% | 3317 fps | 99.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,568 psi | 72% | 3274 fps | 95.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | 33.7 gr | 80% | 31,923 psi | 55% | 3022 fps | 95.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,266 psi | 78% | 3343 fps | 95.6% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,324 psi | 76% | 3209 fps | 99.5% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,696 psi | 67% | 3081 fps | 96.8% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,448 psi | 63% | 3074 fps | 95.3% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,263 psi | 69% | 3163 fps | 98.6% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,579 psi | 63% | 3045 fps | 96.1% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,393 psi | 70% | 3199 fps | 95.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,051 psi | 83% | 3301 fps | 95.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,161 psi | 69% | 3146 fps | 95.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,090 psi | 73% | 3110 fps | 99.4% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,824 psi | 60% | 2936 fps | 98.8% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,847 psi | 81% | 3294 fps | 98.8% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,582 psi | 72% | 3107 fps | 99.7% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,162 psi | 71% | 3153 fps | 96% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,594 psi | 65% | 3091 fps | 95.5% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 90% | 32,953 psi | 57% | 3045 fps | 95% |
| Unknown powder | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,064 psi | 79% | 3330 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,499 psi | 80% | 3189 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,436 psi | 68% | 3054 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,753 psi | 65% | 3081 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,043 psi | 66% | 3068 fps | 99% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 86% | 34,113 psi | 59% | 2972 fps | 95.9% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 92% | 43,540 psi | 75% | 3238 fps | 95.1% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,745 psi | 79% | 3278 fps | 98.5% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,898 psi | 65% | 3084 fps | 98.6% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 92% | 43,787 psi | 76% | 3287 fps | 95.1% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 88% | 36,811 psi | 63% | 3038 fps | 95.3% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,108 psi | 80% | 3317 fps | 99.1% |
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 96 powders for .22-250 Ackley Improved loaded with the .224 | 60gr | Sierra VarmintKing. ReloadSwiss RS 60 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,537 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 2,195 fps to 3,537 fps. Accurate 4350 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 96 of the 96 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 60.0 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. Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR, ReloadSwiss RS 60, Alliant Reloder-17 rank at the top here: for .22-250 Ackley Improved with the .224 | 60gr | Sierra VarmintKing they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, Accurate 2700, Alliant Reloder-23, Alliant Reloder-26 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.