Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 5.56 x 45 NATO with .224 | 73gr | Berger BT Target bullet and 60 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Somchem S321, Hodgdon H322 and Shooters World AR Plus.
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: 20"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 1680 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,854 psi | 90% | 2657 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,911 psi | 86% | 2707 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,144 psi | 90% | 2759 fps | 99.2% |
| Accurate 2495ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,063 psi | 72% | 2631 fps | 99.7% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,069 psi | 85% | 2753 fps | 98.5% |
| Accurate 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,829 psi | 67% | 2595 fps | 97.6% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,098 psi | 85% | 2625 fps | 99.6% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,592 psi | 86% | 2638 fps | 98.5% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,417 psi | 86% | 2667 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,666 psi | 89% | 2779 fps | 99.7% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,883 psi | 90% | 2759 fps | 97.4% |
| Alliant AR-Compᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,563 psi | 86% | 2779 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,968 psi | 85% | 2805 fps | 96.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,201 psi | 87% | 2726 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,274 psi | 89% | 2684 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,332 psi | 89% | 2664 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,767 psi | 89% | 2717 fps | 97.9% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,606 psi | 86% | 2779 fps | 97.6% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,374 psi | 86% | 2746 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,650 psi | 88% | 2762 fps | 99.2% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,550 psi | 89% | 2680 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon H4895ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,924 psi | 85% | 2749 fps | 96.2% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,967 psi | 53% | 1650 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGETᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,387 psi | 82% | 2707 fps | 95.6% |
| IMR 3031ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,256 psi | 81% | 2759 fps | 99.7% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,564 psi | 89% | 2703 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4227 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,897 psi | 88% | 2631 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBRᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,883 psi | 90% | 2759 fps | 97.4% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,185 psi | 85% | 2726 fps | 98.3% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,318 psi | 90% | 2759 fps | 98.3% |
| Lovex D073.6ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,053 psi | 80% | 2717 fps | 98.1% |
| Lovex S053 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,954 psi | 87% | 2585 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,534 psi | 87% | 2687 fps | 95.7% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,070 psi | 87% | 2703 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,329 psi | 82% | 2694 fps | 96.6% |
| Norma 202ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,039 psi | 82% | 2710 fps | 98.8% |
| Ramshot Wild Boarᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,535 psi | 89% | 2782 fps | 95.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,619 psi | 52% | 1683 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 36 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,637 psi | 89% | 2671 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,289 psi | 90% | 2766 fps | 98.7% |
| Rottweil R 901ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,985 psi | 90% | 2753 fps | 99.2% |
| Rottweil R 902ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,530 psi | 78% | 2641 fps | 96% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,185 psi | 85% | 2726 fps | 98.3% |
| Shooters World Match Rifleᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,053 psi | 80% | 2717 fps | 98.1% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,201 psi | 87% | 2690 fps | 96.6% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,969 psi | 87% | 2438 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,709 psi | 89% | 2776 fps | 99.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,940 psi | 88% | 2736 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,245 psi | 89% | 2684 fps | 99.1% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,425 psi | 71% | 2533 fps | 98.4% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,128 psi | 87% | 2753 fps | 97.4% |
| Somchem S335ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,040 psi | 85% | 2671 fps | 99.4% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,434 psi | 90% | 2661 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,839 psi | 88% | 2677 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,288 psi | 87% | 2680 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,253 psi | 74% | 2644 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N140ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,805 psi | 78% | 2651 fps | 98.7% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,432 psi | 86% | 2717 fps | 97% |
| Vihtavuori N540ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,862 psi | 75% | 2631 fps | 97.9% |
| Winchester 748ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,752 psi | 88% | 2802 fps | 98.1% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
Start Load - Barrel Length: 20"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 1680 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,209 psi | 74% | 2520 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,269 psi | 49% | 2274 fps | 96.2% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,550 psi | 60% | 2451 fps | 95.5% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 84% | 26,469 psi | 42% | 2241 fps | 95% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,929 psi | 64% | 2533 fps | 95.7% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 94% | 34,301 psi | 55% | 2444 fps | 95.3% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,407 psi | 63% | 2398 fps | 97.6% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,769 psi | 64% | 2405 fps | 95.6% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,423 psi | 66% | 2490 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,028 psi | 59% | 2461 fps | 96.7% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,325 psi | 74% | 2612 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,123 psi | 45% | 2297 fps | 98% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,067 psi | 80% | 2759 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,041 psi | 56% | 2398 fps | 98.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,265 psi | 69% | 2503 fps | 99.9% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,681 psi | 60% | 2382 fps | 97.4% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 90% | 44,019 psi | 71% | 2530 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 94% | 44,063 psi | 71% | 2625 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon H322 | 18.6 gr | 80% | 33,518 psi | 54% | 2382 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,260 psi | 58% | 2444 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,410 psi | 70% | 2487 fps | 97.9% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 98% | 50,125 psi | 80% | 2707 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,192 psi | 39% | 1473 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,747 psi | 78% | 2661 fps | 95% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 86% | 32,372 psi | 52% | 2408 fps | 95.9% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,434 psi | 58% | 2392 fps | 99.5% |
| IMR 4227 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,037 psi | 79% | 2552 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,325 psi | 74% | 2612 fps | 95.4% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,045 psi | 64% | 2503 fps | 95.4% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,583 psi | 68% | 2546 fps | 95.5% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 92% | 38,087 psi | 61% | 2510 fps | 95.1% |
| Lovex S053 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,688 psi | 76% | 2500 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 98% | 51,053 psi | 82% | 2635 fps | 95% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,958 psi | 64% | 2480 fps | 99.8% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,353 psi | 73% | 2595 fps | 95.2% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 90% | 37,637 psi | 60% | 2477 fps | 95.8% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 98% | 51,880 psi | 83% | 2726 fps | 95.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,033 psi | 39% | 1506 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 36 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,197 psi | 79% | 2585 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,133 psi | 66% | 2520 fps | 95.6% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,970 psi | 59% | 2425 fps | 95.3% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 98% | 45,339 psi | 73% | 2585 fps | 95.2% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | 20 gr | 80% | 40,045 psi | 64% | 2503 fps | 95.4% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 92% | 38,087 psi | 61% | 2510 fps | 95.1% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,239 psi | 76% | 2585 fps | 95.1% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,947 psi | 70% | 2310 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,188 psi | 60% | 2457 fps | 95.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,331 psi | 57% | 2398 fps | 97.1% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 35,708 psi | 57% | 2352 fps | 95% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 32,619 psi | 52% | 2303 fps | 95.2% |
| Somchem S321 | 22.6 gr | 90% | 44,179 psi | 71% | 2595 fps | 95.2% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 84% | 32,764 psi | 53% | 2306 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,539 psi | 67% | 2454 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,417 psi | 54% | 2313 fps | 98.1% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,037 psi | 47% | 2218 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 84% | 27,557 psi | 44% | 2254 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 90% | 35,578 psi | 57% | 2411 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,079 psi | 75% | 2615 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 92% | 36,172 psi | 58% | 2434 fps | 95% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,235 psi | 68% | 2592 fps | 95.3% |
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 60 powders for 5.56 x 45 NATO loaded with the .224 | 73gr | Berger BT Target. Alliant Power Pro 1200-R delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,805 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,650 fps to 2,805 fps. Accurate 2495 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 60 of the 60 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (430 MPa), the top charges use 52–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 73.0 gr projectile in 0.224" calls for a 1:9.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 2495, Accurate 4064, ADI Benchmark 8208 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. Somchem S321, Hodgdon H322, Shooters World AR Plus rank at the top here: for 5.56 x 45 NATO with the .224 | 73gr | Berger BT Target 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.