Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .223 Ackley Improved with .224 | 70gr | Peregrine Bushmaster (VRG-3) bullet and 71 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Alliant Power Pro 1200-R, IMR 3031 and Hodgdon BL-C2.
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>> | 92% | 47,863 psi | 87% | 2812 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,734 psi | 90% | 2871 fps | 99.4% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 98% | 46,137 psi | 84% | 2844 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,717 psi | 85% | 2858 fps | 98.8% |
| Accurate 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,340 psi | 84% | 2874 fps | 99.5% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,210 psi | 86% | 2733 fps | 99.7% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,587 psi | 86% | 2743 fps | 98.8% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,384 psi | 86% | 2861 fps | 96% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,543 psi | 86% | 2776 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,602 psi | 88% | 2877 fps | 99.8% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,673 psi | 85% | 2825 fps | 97.2% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,848 psi | 87% | 2894 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,210 psi | 86% | 2923 fps | 96.8% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,093 psi | 84% | 2861 fps | 96.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,196 psi | 87% | 2835 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,834 psi | 89% | 2785 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,776 psi | 89% | 2769 fps | 99.9% |
| Bofors RP3ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,803 psi | 83% | 2867 fps | 96.9% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,806 psi | 90% | 2835 fps | 98.3% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,529 psi | 86% | 2894 fps | 98% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,340 psi | 86% | 2858 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,501 psi | 88% | 2877 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,907 psi | 89% | 2779 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,630 psi | 86% | 2877 fps | 96.8% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,530 psi | 88% | 2936 fps | 97.4% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,924 psi | 60% | 1781 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,153 psi | 89% | 2881 fps | 96.9% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,051 psi | 87% | 2927 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,690 psi | 90% | 2815 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,443 psi | 88% | 2917 fps | 96.4% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,673 psi | 85% | 2825 fps | 97.2% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,574 psi | 90% | 2877 fps | 98.9% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,501 psi | 90% | 2867 fps | 98.6% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,790 psi | 87% | 2887 fps | 98.9% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,573 psi | 88% | 2805 fps | 96.2% |
| Lovex S062ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,327 psi | 90% | 2884 fps | 97.9% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,254 psi | 88% | 2815 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,704 psi | 88% | 2861 fps | 97.7% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,124 psi | 89% | 2887 fps | 99.5% |
| Norma 203Bᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,385 psi | 90% | 2920 fps | 96.6% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,095 psi | 89% | 2894 fps | 96.4% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,718 psi | 88% | 2828 fps | 96.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,127 psi | 60% | 1827 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,094 psi | 85% | 2831 fps | 98.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,545 psi | 90% | 2986 fps | 95.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,411 psi | 81% | 2900 fps | 97.9% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,763 psi | 90% | 2864 fps | 99.4% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,197 psi | 89% | 2858 fps | 97.7% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,574 psi | 90% | 2877 fps | 98.9% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,790 psi | 87% | 2887 fps | 98.9% |
| Shooters World Precisionᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,327 psi | 90% | 2884 fps | 97.9% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,847 psi | 85% | 2782 fps | 96.8% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,428 psi | 88% | 2536 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,139 psi | 89% | 2884 fps | 99.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,124 psi | 87% | 2785 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,747 psi | 88% | 2877 fps | 96.3% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,588 psi | 88% | 2785 fps | 99.3% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,645 psi | 86% | 2776 fps | 99.7% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,703 psi | 87% | 2861 fps | 97.7% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,355 psi | 86% | 2785 fps | 99.6% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,572 psi | 86% | 2838 fps | 95.9% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,558 psi | 86% | 2726 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,037 psi | 89% | 2789 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,124 psi | 87% | 2785 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 98% | 46,934 psi | 85% | 2848 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,298 psi | 89% | 2858 fps | 99.6% |
| Vihtavuori N150ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,032 psi | 76% | 2743 fps | 96.8% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,268 psi | 86% | 2828 fps | 97.4% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,529 psi | 86% | 2848 fps | 99.2% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,718 psi | 88% | 2920 fps | 98.5% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,703 psi | 87% | 2881 fps | 96.8% |
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% | 32,590 psi | 59% | 2520 fps | 98.5% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,375 psi | 64% | 2598 fps | 96.6% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,222 psi | 46% | 2388 fps | 96.3% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 82% | 32,996 psi | 60% | 2582 fps | 95.3% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 86% | 29,109 psi | 53% | 2507 fps | 95.1% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,698 psi | 76% | 2635 fps | 99.2% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,061 psi | 76% | 2644 fps | 97.8% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 92% | 43,976 psi | 80% | 2799 fps | 95.1% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,585 psi | 81% | 2730 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,552 psi | 72% | 2713 fps | 98.7% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 86% | 38,856 psi | 71% | 2671 fps | 95.1% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,168 psi | 55% | 2546 fps | 99.7% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | 21.8 gr | 84% | 41,481 psi | 75% | 2812 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 96% | 40,625 psi | 74% | 2759 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,753 psi | 69% | 2648 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,905 psi | 83% | 2740 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,001 psi | 73% | 2615 fps | 99.1% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 96% | 39,653 psi | 72% | 2753 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,492 psi | 66% | 2575 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | 23.7 gr | 86% | 36,013 psi | 65% | 2667 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,100 psi | 66% | 2641 fps | 98% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,869 psi | 67% | 2657 fps | 97.3% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,919 psi | 83% | 2730 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,626 psi | 76% | 2762 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 92% | 39,943 psi | 72% | 2766 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,468 psi | 44% | 1598 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 92% | 43,395 psi | 79% | 2776 fps | 95.5% |
| IMR 3031 | 20 gr | 80% | 28,529 psi | 52% | 2503 fps | 96.2% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,943 psi | 71% | 2631 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,757 psi | 78% | 2812 fps | 95% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 86% | 38,856 psi | 71% | 2671 fps | 95.1% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,047 psi | 78% | 2762 fps | 97.9% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 82% | 37,550 psi | 68% | 2644 fps | 95.9% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 86% | 34,084 psi | 62% | 2618 fps | 95.7% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 92% | 45,716 psi | 83% | 2756 fps | 95.6% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 92% | 38,450 psi | 70% | 2680 fps | 95.2% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,598 psi | 77% | 2720 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,422 psi | 73% | 2707 fps | 95.7% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 82% | 31,183 psi | 57% | 2520 fps | 95.3% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 96% | 43,642 psi | 79% | 2818 fps | 95.1% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,166 psi | 84% | 2844 fps | 95.6% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 88% | 45,397 psi | 82% | 2769 fps | 95.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,308 psi | 44% | 1634 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,839 psi | 65% | 2608 fps | 95.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,485 psi | 84% | 2930 fps | 95.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 94% | 36,535 psi | 66% | 2720 fps | 95.1% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,779 psi | 59% | 2523 fps | 95.6% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 90% | 38,377 psi | 70% | 2654 fps | 95% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,047 psi | 78% | 2762 fps | 97.9% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 86% | 34,084 psi | 62% | 2618 fps | 95.7% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 92% | 38,450 psi | 70% | 2680 fps | 95.2% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,828 psi | 74% | 2671 fps | 95.2% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,064 psi | 84% | 2503 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,393 psi | 73% | 2723 fps | 98% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,212 psi | 57% | 2457 fps | 98% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 94% | 45,890 psi | 83% | 2828 fps | 95.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,415 psi | 57% | 2441 fps | 95.3% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,863 psi | 52% | 2395 fps | 95.6% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,696 psi | 70% | 2690 fps | 95.5% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,879 psi | 56% | 2448 fps | 96.2% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 92% | 44,686 psi | 81% | 2789 fps | 95.1% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,585 psi | 81% | 2680 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,824 psi | 65% | 2552 fps | 99.6% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,212 psi | 57% | 2457 fps | 98% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,237 psi | 48% | 2402 fps | 96.5% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 82% | 29,428 psi | 53% | 2454 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 96% | 36,985 psi | 67% | 2641 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 86% | 38,551 psi | 70% | 2661 fps | 95.1% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 86% | 32,416 psi | 59% | 2543 fps | 95.6% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,028 psi | 67% | 2690 fps | 95.6% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,640 psi | 76% | 2766 fps | 95.2% |
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 71 powders for .223 Ackley Improved loaded with the .224 | 70gr | Peregrine Bushmaster (VRG-3). ReloadSwiss RS 52 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,986 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,781 fps to 2,986 fps. Accurate 4064 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 71 of the 71 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (380 MPa), the top charges use 60–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 70.0 gr projectile in 0.224" calls for a 1:9.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 4064, Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5, Bofors RP3 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 1200-R, IMR 3031, Hodgdon BL-C2 rank at the top here: for .223 Ackley Improved with the .224 | 70gr | Peregrine Bushmaster (VRG-3) 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.