Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 5.56 x 45 NATO with .224 | 90gr | Sierra HPBT MatchKinging bullet and 85 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Hodgdon CFE223, Alliant Power Pro 1200-R and Ramshot Wild Boar.
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: 20"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 1680 | <<locked>> | 82% | 53,853 psi | 86% | 2356 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,374 psi | 86% | 2418 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,491 psi | 87% | 2487 fps | 96.9% |
| Accurate 2230 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,303 psi | 89% | 2500 fps | 97.4% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,013 psi | 88% | 2470 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 2495ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,054 psi | 83% | 2454 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,621 psi | 86% | 2497 fps | 99.7% |
| Accurate 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,240 psi | 77% | 2434 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,665 psi | 88% | 2379 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,114 psi | 88% | 2392 fps | 99.7% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,085 psi | 88% | 2507 fps | 97.9% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,912 psi | 90% | 2405 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2208ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,603 psi | 80% | 2408 fps | 96% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,404 psi | 87% | 2480 fps | 100% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,114 psi | 88% | 2484 fps | 98.9% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,142 psi | 85% | 2477 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,057 psi | 90% | 2572 fps | 98.7% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MRᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,085 psi | 88% | 2589 fps | 96.7% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,848 psi | 77% | 2425 fps | 97.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,722 psi | 86% | 2434 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,591 psi | 84% | 2493 fps | 97% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,911 psi | 86% | 2382 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,476 psi | 86% | 2375 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,376 psi | 89% | 2523 fps | 96.8% |
| Bofors RP3ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,645 psi | 76% | 2434 fps | 97.6% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,215 psi | 87% | 2431 fps | 99.1% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,330 psi | 86% | 2507 fps | 99.1% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,998 psi | 88% | 2579 fps | 97.4% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,404 psi | 87% | 2480 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,403 psi | 86% | 2474 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 86% | 52,968 psi | 85% | 2372 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,492 psi | 89% | 2520 fps | 98.5% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolutionᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,734 psi | 80% | 2484 fps | 97.9% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,533 psi | 54% | 1467 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGETᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,895 psi | 85% | 2467 fps | 98% |
| IMR 3031ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,401 psi | 82% | 2493 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,863 psi | 77% | 2375 fps | 95.9% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,041 psi | 87% | 2395 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,780 psi | 86% | 2523 fps | 97.8% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,114 psi | 88% | 2484 fps | 98.9% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,158 psi | 88% | 2480 fps | 99.7% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,376 psi | 89% | 2477 fps | 99.4% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,621 psi | 86% | 2497 fps | 99.7% |
| Lovex S053 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,724 psi | 89% | 2320 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,115 psi | 90% | 2451 fps | 98% |
| Lovex S062ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,445 psi | 82% | 2448 fps | 98.5% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,577 psi | 86% | 2411 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,302 psi | 87% | 2474 fps | 98.8% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,273 psi | 87% | 2484 fps | 99.9% |
| Norma 203Bᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,576 psi | 83% | 2484 fps | 97.4% |
| Ramshot Big Gameᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,982 psi | 83% | 2497 fps | 97.1% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,201 psi | 87% | 2500 fps | 97.7% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,824 psi | 86% | 2444 fps | 97.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,373 psi | 54% | 1499 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,129 psi | 88% | 2480 fps | 99.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,332 psi | 89% | 2592 fps | 97.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,440 psi | 73% | 2461 fps | 98.5% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,824 psi | 88% | 2461 fps | 99.9% |
| Rottweil R 902ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,302 psi | 87% | 2464 fps | 98.8% |
| Rottweil R 903ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,990 psi | 71% | 2369 fps | 96.4% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,158 psi | 88% | 2480 fps | 99.7% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,621 psi | 86% | 2497 fps | 99.7% |
| Shooters World Precisionᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,445 psi | 82% | 2448 fps | 98.5% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,173 psi | 90% | 2457 fps | 98.7% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,680 psi | 89% | 2182 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,839 psi | 88% | 2487 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,891 psi | 75% | 2428 fps | 96% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,389 psi | 87% | 2444 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,476 psi | 86% | 2480 fps | 97.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,403 psi | 86% | 2392 fps | 99.8% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,487 psi | 79% | 2349 fps | 99.9% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,333 psi | 90% | 2516 fps | 99.2% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,811 psi | 89% | 2438 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,852 psi | 85% | 2457 fps | 97.3% |
| Somchem S355ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,672 psi | 73% | 2382 fps | 96.6% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,825 psi | 90% | 2362 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,534 psi | 86% | 2382 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,895 psi | 85% | 2388 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,460 psi | 84% | 2451 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,302 psi | 87% | 2461 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,743 psi | 70% | 2326 fps | 97.5% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,738 psi | 89% | 2484 fps | 99% |
| Vihtavuori N540ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,446 psi | 84% | 2451 fps | 99.8% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,969 psi | 88% | 2533 fps | 99.5% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,260 psi | 90% | 2533 fps | 98.5% |
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% | 50,154 psi | 80% | 2310 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,272 psi | 55% | 2126 fps | 99.1% |
| Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,747 psi | 77% | 2385 fps | 95.5% |
| Accurate 2230 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,208 psi | 71% | 2336 fps | 95% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,173 psi | 60% | 2201 fps | 97.5% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,832 psi | 43% | 2021 fps | 97.4% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 82% | 33,199 psi | 53% | 2169 fps | 95.8% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,124 psi | 47% | 2087 fps | 95.6% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,859 psi | 69% | 2211 fps | 99.5% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,236 psi | 69% | 2221 fps | 98.4% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 90% | 43,337 psi | 69% | 2329 fps | 95.4% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,093 psi | 74% | 2283 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 98% | 46,876 psi | 75% | 2369 fps | 95.4% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,002 psi | 66% | 2287 fps | 99.2% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,159 psi | 61% | 2215 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,473 psi | 50% | 2142 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | 18 gr | 82% | 40,364 psi | 65% | 2326 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,443 psi | 78% | 2484 fps | 95% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 94% | 39,537 psi | 63% | 2290 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,407 psi | 63% | 2228 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,166 psi | 74% | 2398 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,384 psi | 76% | 2300 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,408 psi | 66% | 2205 fps | 99.5% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,167 psi | 77% | 2418 fps | 95.2% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 94% | 39,073 psi | 63% | 2293 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,723 psi | 57% | 2129 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,534 psi | 57% | 2218 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | 21.1 gr | 88% | 45,049 psi | 72% | 2425 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,259 psi | 57% | 2182 fps | 98.1% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,625 psi | 65% | 2283 fps | 98.5% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,527 psi | 71% | 2251 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,553 psi | 65% | 2290 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 92% | 38,609 psi | 62% | 2293 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,700 psi | 40% | 1309 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,452 psi | 66% | 2287 fps | 95.4% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,572 psi | 44% | 2054 fps | 96.3% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 98% | 45,165 psi | 72% | 2336 fps | 95.3% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,756 psi | 65% | 2211 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,495 psi | 67% | 2333 fps | 95% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,159 psi | 61% | 2215 fps | 95.3% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,817 psi | 72% | 2336 fps | 98.5% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,898 psi | 59% | 2195 fps | 96.1% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 82% | 31,256 psi | 50% | 2126 fps | 95% |
| Lovex S053 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,562 psi | 84% | 2283 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,887 psi | 67% | 2241 fps | 95% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 90% | 37,478 psi | 60% | 2218 fps | 95.3% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,425 psi | 71% | 2287 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,376 psi | 60% | 2201 fps | 95.2% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,705 psi | 49% | 2087 fps | 95.6% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,134 psi | 68% | 2333 fps | 95.1% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,759 psi | 73% | 2402 fps | 95.6% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | 21.1 gr | 90% | 44,512 psi | 71% | 2359 fps | 95.6% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 86% | 44,440 psi | 71% | 2303 fps | 95.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,685 psi | 40% | 1339 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,420 psi | 60% | 2205 fps | 96.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 94% | 45,005 psi | 72% | 2434 fps | 95.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 92% | 35,302 psi | 57% | 2254 fps | 95% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,403 psi | 55% | 2129 fps | 96.6% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,376 psi | 60% | 2198 fps | 95.2% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 96% | 38,972 psi | 62% | 2283 fps | 95% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,817 psi | 72% | 2336 fps | 98.5% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 82% | 31,256 psi | 50% | 2126 fps | 95% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 90% | 37,478 psi | 60% | 2218 fps | 95.3% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,610 psi | 64% | 2211 fps | 95.3% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,514 psi | 76% | 2090 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,945 psi | 67% | 2297 fps | 98.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 98% | 43,714 psi | 70% | 2375 fps | 95.1% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,711 psi | 64% | 2231 fps | 99.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 92% | 44,541 psi | 71% | 2349 fps | 95.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,779 psi | 53% | 2057 fps | 96.3% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 82% | 28,123 psi | 45% | 1975 fps | 95.7% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 82% | 37,840 psi | 61% | 2231 fps | 95.6% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,227 psi | 52% | 2064 fps | 97.1% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 90% | 43,250 psi | 69% | 2316 fps | 95.1% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 96% | 40,045 psi | 64% | 2287 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,151 psi | 74% | 2244 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,275 psi | 60% | 2146 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,590 psi | 52% | 2070 fps | 98.7% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,601 psi | 44% | 2031 fps | 97.6% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,066 psi | 47% | 2034 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 94% | 36,027 psi | 58% | 2192 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,985 psi | 61% | 2211 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 84% | 31,778 psi | 51% | 2106 fps | 95.8% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,142 psi | 55% | 2188 fps | 95% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,105 psi | 68% | 2326 fps | 95.7% |
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 85 powders for 5.56 x 45 NATO loaded with the .224 | 90gr | Sierra HPBT MatchKinging. ReloadSwiss RS 52 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,592 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,467 fps to 2,592 fps. Accurate 2495 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 85 of the 85 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (430 MPa), the top charges use 54–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 90.0 gr projectile in 0.224" calls for a 1:7.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 2495, Accurate 4064, ADI AR 2208 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. Hodgdon CFE223, Alliant Power Pro 1200-R, Ramshot Wild Boar rank at the top here: for 5.56 x 45 NATO with the .224 | 90gr | Sierra HPBT MatchKinging 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.