Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .223 Ackley Improved with .224 | 73gr | Peregrine Backup (VRG-2) bullet and 80 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, Hodgdon LEVERevolution and Hodgdon H4895.
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>> | 92% | 48,428 psi | 88% | 2772 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,719 psi | 90% | 2848 fps | 96% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,557 psi | 84% | 2772 fps | 99.3% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 98% | 46,601 psi | 85% | 2805 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,456 psi | 86% | 2825 fps | 99.2% |
| Accurate 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,920 psi | 85% | 2841 fps | 99.7% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,718 psi | 87% | 2697 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,138 psi | 87% | 2710 fps | 99.1% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,037 psi | 87% | 2831 fps | 96.7% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,095 psi | 87% | 2733 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2208ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,168 psi | 89% | 2818 fps | 96.1% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,371 psi | 90% | 2841 fps | 100% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,355 psi | 86% | 2792 fps | 97.8% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,733 psi | 88% | 2854 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,950 psi | 87% | 2890 fps | 97.4% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,891 psi | 85% | 2831 fps | 97.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,747 psi | 88% | 2795 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,124 psi | 87% | 2851 fps | 96.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,284 psi | 89% | 2743 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,429 psi | 90% | 2730 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP3ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,557 psi | 84% | 2838 fps | 97.5% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,514 psi | 86% | 2749 fps | 98.3% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,298 psi | 88% | 2861 fps | 98.6% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,920 psi | 85% | 2884 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,124 psi | 87% | 2822 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,255 psi | 89% | 2841 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,501 psi | 90% | 2743 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,298 psi | 88% | 2844 fps | 97.4% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,356 psi | 90% | 2907 fps | 98% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,895 psi | 60% | 1745 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,905 psi | 85% | 2799 fps | 97% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,023 psi | 89% | 2890 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,544 psi | 88% | 2805 fps | 96.3% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,297 psi | 86% | 2730 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,269 psi | 89% | 2887 fps | 97.1% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,355 psi | 86% | 2792 fps | 97.8% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,065 psi | 85% | 2792 fps | 98.9% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,036 psi | 85% | 2782 fps | 98.5% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,573 psi | 88% | 2854 fps | 99.3% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,182 psi | 89% | 2772 fps | 96.9% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 98% | 46,949 psi | 85% | 2799 fps | 97.9% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,631 psi | 88% | 2769 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,226 psi | 89% | 2825 fps | 98.2% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,789 psi | 85% | 2802 fps | 99.5% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,152 psi | 86% | 2838 fps | 96.6% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,095 psi | 87% | 2861 fps | 96.5% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,920 psi | 85% | 2815 fps | 96.4% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,327 psi | 90% | 2795 fps | 96.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,069 psi | 60% | 1791 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,761 psi | 87% | 2799 fps | 98.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,268 psi | 86% | 2904 fps | 95.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,005 psi | 82% | 2874 fps | 98.6% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,079 psi | 85% | 2776 fps | 99.3% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,806 psi | 90% | 2825 fps | 98.3% |
| Rottweil R 903ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,830 psi | 78% | 2759 fps | 96.3% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,065 psi | 85% | 2792 fps | 98.9% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,573 psi | 88% | 2854 fps | 99.3% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 98% | 46,949 psi | 85% | 2799 fps | 97.9% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,427 psi | 86% | 2749 fps | 97.4% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,834 psi | 89% | 2493 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 84% | 46,862 psi | 85% | 2799 fps | 99.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,137 psi | 84% | 2835 fps | 96.1% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,949 psi | 85% | 2766 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,559 psi | 90% | 2848 fps | 97% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,168 psi | 89% | 2749 fps | 99.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,312 psi | 88% | 2743 fps | 99.9% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,385 psi | 88% | 2831 fps | 98.3% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,863 psi | 87% | 2746 fps | 99.8% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,312 psi | 88% | 2808 fps | 96.6% |
| Somchem S355ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,730 psi | 81% | 2782 fps | 96.5% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,138 psi | 87% | 2684 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,632 psi | 90% | 2749 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,762 psi | 88% | 2749 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,761 psi | 87% | 2808 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,036 psi | 85% | 2776 fps | 99.6% |
| Vihtavuori N150ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,699 psi | 77% | 2713 fps | 97.4% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,906 psi | 87% | 2792 fps | 98% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,298 psi | 88% | 2815 fps | 99.5% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,516 psi | 90% | 2887 fps | 99% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,501 psi | 88% | 2848 fps | 97.5% |
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% | 32,735 psi | 59% | 2480 fps | 98.9% |
| Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 82% | 46,630 psi | 85% | 2792 fps | 95.3% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,534 psi | 64% | 2562 fps | 97.1% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,063 psi | 45% | 2346 fps | 96.8% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,096 psi | 56% | 2497 fps | 95.1% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 86% | 29,124 psi | 53% | 2470 fps | 95.8% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,119 psi | 76% | 2598 fps | 99.5% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,467 psi | 77% | 2608 fps | 98.3% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,858 psi | 76% | 2717 fps | 95.1% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,020 psi | 82% | 2687 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 98% | 46,166 psi | 84% | 2769 fps | 95.4% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,059 psi | 73% | 2680 fps | 99.1% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,912 psi | 67% | 2589 fps | 95% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,371 psi | 55% | 2510 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | 21.3 gr | 82% | 39,407 psi | 72% | 2723 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 94% | 38,653 psi | 70% | 2677 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,058 psi | 69% | 2608 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,165 psi | 82% | 2799 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,267 psi | 84% | 2697 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,437 psi | 73% | 2582 fps | 99.4% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 94% | 37,565 psi | 68% | 2667 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,767 psi | 67% | 2543 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,434 psi | 66% | 2635 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 88% | 44,092 psi | 80% | 2831 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,535 psi | 66% | 2608 fps | 98.5% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,304 psi | 68% | 2625 fps | 97.8% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,485 psi | 84% | 2694 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | 22.8 gr | 88% | 39,552 psi | 72% | 2677 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | 24.4 gr | 90% | 38,043 psi | 69% | 2687 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,395 psi | 44% | 1568 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,857 psi | 74% | 2684 fps | 95.4% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,718 psi | 52% | 2470 fps | 96.9% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,005 psi | 82% | 2743 fps | 95.4% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,349 psi | 71% | 2592 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 94% | 43,366 psi | 79% | 2782 fps | 95.7% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,912 psi | 67% | 2589 fps | 95% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,511 psi | 79% | 2730 fps | 98.4% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,012 psi | 64% | 2549 fps | 95.6% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 84% | 31,749 psi | 58% | 2523 fps | 95.4% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 90% | 43,540 psi | 79% | 2671 fps | 95.5% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 90% | 36,434 psi | 66% | 2595 fps | 95.1% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,830 psi | 78% | 2677 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,247 psi | 69% | 2621 fps | 95.6% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,385 psi | 53% | 2434 fps | 95.1% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,568 psi | 75% | 2733 fps | 95.1% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 96% | 44,672 psi | 81% | 2799 fps | 95.5% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 90% | 43,526 psi | 79% | 2753 fps | 95.5% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 86% | 43,221 psi | 78% | 2687 fps | 95.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,192 psi | 44% | 1601 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,158 psi | 66% | 2575 fps | 96.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 94% | 44,324 psi | 80% | 2848 fps | 95.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 94% | 36,941 psi | 67% | 2697 fps | 96.1% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,706 psi | 59% | 2484 fps | 96.1% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 90% | 38,667 psi | 70% | 2621 fps | 95.7% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 98% | 40,059 psi | 73% | 2707 fps | 95.5% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,511 psi | 79% | 2730 fps | 98.4% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 31,749 psi | 58% | 2523 fps | 95.4% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 90% | 36,434 psi | 66% | 2595 fps | 95.1% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,696 psi | 70% | 2589 fps | 95.1% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,427 psi | 84% | 2461 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,872 psi | 74% | 2687 fps | 98.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 98% | 42,888 psi | 78% | 2772 fps | 95.1% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,508 psi | 70% | 2615 fps | 99.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 92% | 43,265 psi | 79% | 2736 fps | 95.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,575 psi | 57% | 2408 fps | 95.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 82% | 27,195 psi | 49% | 2313 fps | 95.4% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,738 psi | 67% | 2608 fps | 95.4% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,966 psi | 56% | 2415 fps | 96.7% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,105 psi | 76% | 2700 fps | 95% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,466 psi | 75% | 2720 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,136 psi | 82% | 2641 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,085 psi | 65% | 2516 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,444 psi | 57% | 2425 fps | 98.4% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,310 psi | 48% | 2369 fps | 97.1% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 82% | 29,602 psi | 54% | 2421 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 94% | 35,085 psi | 64% | 2562 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,535 psi | 66% | 2575 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 84% | 30,298 psi | 55% | 2451 fps | 95.4% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,157 psi | 64% | 2605 fps | 95.5% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,624 psi | 72% | 2687 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 80 powders for .223 Ackley Improved loaded with the .224 | 73gr | Peregrine Backup (VRG-2). Hodgdon LEVERevolution delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,907 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,745 fps to 2,907 fps. Accurate 4064 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 80 of the 80 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 73.0 gr projectile in 0.224" calls for a 1:9.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 4064, ADI AR 2208, Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 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, Hodgdon LEVERevolution, Hodgdon H4895 rank at the top here: for .223 Ackley Improved with the .224 | 73gr | Peregrine Backup (VRG-2) 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.