Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .223 Ackley Improved with .224 | 62gr | Sierra GameKing bullet and 56 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Alliant AR-Comp, IMR 3031 and Winchester 748.
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>> | 94% | 48,211 psi | 87% | 2986 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,224 psi | 86% | 2989 fps | 98.4% |
| Accurate 2495ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,340 psi | 84% | 3015 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,485 psi | 86% | 3031 fps | 98.1% |
| Accurate 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,975 psi | 78% | 2976 fps | 98.3% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,718 psi | 87% | 2904 fps | 99.3% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,066 psi | 87% | 2913 fps | 98.1% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,051 psi | 87% | 2963 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,487 psi | 90% | 3061 fps | 99.5% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,355 psi | 86% | 2992 fps | 96.3% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,732 psi | 87% | 3068 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,849 psi | 89% | 3022 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,298 psi | 89% | 2966 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,530 psi | 90% | 2940 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,384 psi | 86% | 2949 fps | 96.9% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,109 psi | 87% | 3061 fps | 97.2% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,645 psi | 86% | 3031 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,008 psi | 89% | 3051 fps | 98.9% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,516 psi | 90% | 2956 fps | 99.2% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolutionᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,124 psi | 89% | 3100 fps | 96.4% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,489 psi | 59% | 1900 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,690 psi | 90% | 3048 fps | 95.9% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,515 psi | 88% | 3107 fps | 99.8% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,210 psi | 86% | 2953 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,355 psi | 86% | 2992 fps | 96.3% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,398 psi | 86% | 3005 fps | 97.8% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,934 psi | 85% | 2982 fps | 97.2% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,385 psi | 88% | 3058 fps | 98.3% |
| Lovex S062ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,717 psi | 85% | 2995 fps | 96.3% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,965 psi | 89% | 2999 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,313 psi | 89% | 3031 fps | 96.8% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,617 psi | 90% | 3058 fps | 99% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,576 psi | 59% | 1946 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,413 psi | 86% | 2999 fps | 97.7% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,776 psi | 87% | 2995 fps | 98.4% |
| Rottweil R 902ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,821 psi | 90% | 3028 fps | 96.9% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,398 psi | 86% | 3005 fps | 97.8% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,385 psi | 88% | 3058 fps | 98.3% |
| Shooters World Precisionᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,717 psi | 85% | 2995 fps | 96.3% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,688 psi | 87% | 2953 fps | 95.8% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,371 psi | 90% | 2723 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,821 psi | 90% | 3058 fps | 98.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,400 psi | 90% | 3025 fps | 99.8% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,748 psi | 90% | 2966 fps | 98.8% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,353 psi | 82% | 2897 fps | 99% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,631 psi | 88% | 3038 fps | 97% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,066 psi | 87% | 2956 fps | 99.2% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,095 psi | 87% | 2910 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,081 psi | 89% | 2959 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,994 psi | 89% | 2966 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N135ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,355 psi | 86% | 3022 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,603 psi | 90% | 3028 fps | 99.2% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,921 psi | 87% | 2995 fps | 96.4% |
| Vihtavuori N540ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,283 psi | 88% | 3018 fps | 98.7% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,487 psi | 90% | 3094 fps | 97.7% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,385 psi | 88% | 3045 fps | 95.8% |
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% | 30,821 psi | 56% | 2621 fps | 96.9% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,650 psi | 65% | 2753 fps | 95.4% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 84% | 26,789 psi | 49% | 2575 fps | 95.8% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 86% | 35,607 psi | 65% | 2792 fps | 95% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 92% | 32,996 psi | 60% | 2756 fps | 95.5% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,842 psi | 72% | 2753 fps | 98.1% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,205 psi | 73% | 2759 fps | 96.2% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,380 psi | 77% | 2864 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,652 psi | 68% | 2831 fps | 97.4% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 92% | 44,628 psi | 81% | 2943 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | 20.8 gr | 80% | 28,456 psi | 52% | 2641 fps | 98.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,795 psi | 65% | 2766 fps | 99.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,714 psi | 79% | 2871 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,232 psi | 69% | 2730 fps | 98% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,235 psi | 77% | 2848 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,018 psi | 76% | 2946 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,069 psi | 62% | 2743 fps | 96.2% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,548 psi | 63% | 2753 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,874 psi | 80% | 2854 fps | 98.4% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 98% | 46,311 psi | 84% | 3048 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 23,960 psi | 43% | 1703 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,775 psi | 85% | 2992 fps | 95.2% |
| IMR 3031 | 21.3 gr | 82% | 29,066 psi | 53% | 2661 fps | 95.1% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,811 psi | 67% | 2749 fps | 99.7% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 92% | 44,628 psi | 81% | 2943 fps | 95.5% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,770 psi | 74% | 2874 fps | 96.2% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,017 psi | 74% | 2871 fps | 95.7% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 90% | 36,637 psi | 66% | 2828 fps | 95.3% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 98% | 43,976 psi | 80% | 2943 fps | 95.6% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,321 psi | 73% | 2844 fps | 99.9% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 94% | 43,685 psi | 79% | 2927 fps | 95.4% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 86% | 33,547 psi | 61% | 2726 fps | 95% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,163 psi | 44% | 1749 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,117 psi | 71% | 2831 fps | 95.6% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,128 psi | 64% | 2730 fps | 95.2% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 96% | 43,627 psi | 79% | 2913 fps | 95.4% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,770 psi | 74% | 2874 fps | 96.2% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 90% | 36,637 psi | 66% | 2828 fps | 95.3% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 98% | 43,976 psi | 80% | 2943 fps | 95.6% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 86% | 44,860 psi | 81% | 2900 fps | 95.1% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,266 psi | 80% | 2648 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,884 psi | 69% | 2822 fps | 96.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,071 psi | 65% | 2762 fps | 97.8% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,042 psi | 65% | 2700 fps | 95.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 30,908 psi | 56% | 2585 fps | 95.1% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,119 psi | 76% | 2913 fps | 95.3% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 84% | 32,982 psi | 60% | 2644 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,482 psi | 77% | 2822 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,069 psi | 62% | 2667 fps | 98.6% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,617 psi | 54% | 2559 fps | 96.3% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 82% | 26,397 psi | 48% | 2546 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 88% | 34,069 psi | 62% | 2717 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 92% | 45,034 psi | 82% | 2943 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 90% | 34,940 psi | 63% | 2749 fps | 95.3% |
| Winchester 748 | 25.3 gr | 90% | 40,321 psi | 73% | 2913 fps | 95.4% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,513 psi | 83% | 2992 fps | 95% |
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 56 powders for .223 Ackley Improved loaded with the .224 | 62gr | Sierra GameKing. IMR 3031 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,107 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,900 fps to 3,107 fps. Accurate 2495 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 56 of the 56 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (380 MPa), the top charges use 59–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 62.0 gr projectile in 0.224" calls for a 1:10.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 2495, Accurate 4064, Hodgdon LEVERevolution 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 AR-Comp, IMR 3031, Winchester 748 rank at the top here: for .223 Ackley Improved with the .224 | 62gr | Sierra GameKing 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.