Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .223 Rem. with .224 | 60gr | Hornady Varmint bullet and 49 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Hodgdon H322, Accurate 2520 and Alliant Reloder-10x.
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 1680 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,108 psi | 86% | 2907 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,761 psi | 87% | 2999 fps | 99.7% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,354 psi | 84% | 2989 fps | 97.5% |
| Accurate 2495ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,061 psi | 76% | 2959 fps | 99.3% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,644 psi | 85% | 3031 fps | 97.2% |
| Accurate 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 39,059 psi | 71% | 2913 fps | 96.7% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,095 psi | 87% | 2923 fps | 98.9% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,559 psi | 88% | 2933 fps | 97.4% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,282 psi | 86% | 2976 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,197 psi | 89% | 3074 fps | 99% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,340 psi | 86% | 3081 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,240 psi | 88% | 3031 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,400 psi | 90% | 2989 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,734 psi | 90% | 2956 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,384 psi | 86% | 2959 fps | 96% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,500 psi | 86% | 3064 fps | 96.2% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,297 psi | 86% | 3038 fps | 98.7% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,312 psi | 88% | 3051 fps | 98.1% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 84% | 46,833 psi | 85% | 2923 fps | 98.3% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,430 psi | 59% | 1909 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,572 psi | 86% | 3107 fps | 99.4% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,632 psi | 90% | 3012 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,920 psi | 85% | 3009 fps | 96.9% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,775 psi | 85% | 2992 fps | 96.3% |
| Lovex D073.6ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,572 psi | 86% | 3061 fps | 97.4% |
| Lovex S053 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,559 psi | 88% | 2894 fps | 100% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,298 psi | 88% | 3012 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,646 psi | 88% | 3031 fps | 95.8% |
| Norma 202ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,878 psi | 89% | 3061 fps | 98.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 31,981 psi | 58% | 1946 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 36 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,661 psi | 90% | 2979 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,210 psi | 86% | 3009 fps | 96.9% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,748 psi | 90% | 3048 fps | 98.1% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,920 psi | 85% | 3009 fps | 96.9% |
| Shooters World Match Rifleᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,572 psi | 86% | 3061 fps | 97.4% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,298 psi | 90% | 2746 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,617 psi | 90% | 3071 fps | 98.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,834 psi | 89% | 3031 fps | 99.4% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,110 psi | 89% | 2966 fps | 98.1% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,930 psi | 76% | 2848 fps | 97.7% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,037 psi | 87% | 3038 fps | 95.9% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,369 psi | 86% | 2959 fps | 98.6% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,311 psi | 86% | 2923 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,776 psi | 89% | 2972 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,254 psi | 88% | 2972 fps | 99.7% |
| Vihtavuori N135ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,265 psi | 79% | 2972 fps | 99.4% |
| Vihtavuori N140ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,021 psi | 84% | 2979 fps | 98.1% |
| Vihtavuori N540ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,367 psi | 81% | 2963 fps | 97.2% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,428 psi | 88% | 3084 fps | 96.7% |
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 1680 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,714 psi | 79% | 2848 fps | 99.7% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,776 psi | 52% | 2582 fps | 95.3% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,724 psi | 69% | 2815 fps | 95.2% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 88% | 27,891 psi | 51% | 2628 fps | 95.5% |
| Accurate 2520 | 24.9 gr | 92% | 40,335 psi | 73% | 2910 fps | 95.6% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 96% | 34,272 psi | 62% | 2805 fps | 95.1% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,492 psi | 68% | 2713 fps | 96.7% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,248 psi | 73% | 2769 fps | 95.4% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,363 psi | 72% | 2831 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,780 psi | 63% | 2772 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,382 psi | 48% | 2585 fps | 96.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | 19.4 gr | 80% | 33,083 psi | 60% | 2720 fps | 98% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,872 psi | 74% | 2835 fps | 99.7% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,752 psi | 65% | 2687 fps | 96.6% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 92% | 44,599 psi | 81% | 2907 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 96% | 44,570 psi | 81% | 3012 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon H322 | 21 gr | 82% | 33,910 psi | 62% | 2753 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,130 psi | 68% | 2828 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,278 psi | 75% | 2812 fps | 97.1% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 23,583 psi | 43% | 1703 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 88% | 32,271 psi | 59% | 2766 fps | 95.6% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,650 psi | 63% | 2717 fps | 99% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,669 psi | 74% | 2887 fps | 95.3% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 90% | 43,250 psi | 79% | 2927 fps | 95.4% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 94% | 38,450 psi | 70% | 2881 fps | 95% |
| Lovex S053 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,556 psi | 83% | 2848 fps | 100% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,463 psi | 68% | 2805 fps | 99.4% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 98% | 45,658 psi | 83% | 2972 fps | 95% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 92% | 37,376 psi | 68% | 2835 fps | 95.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 23,757 psi | 43% | 1752 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 36 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,601 psi | 85% | 2930 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,147 psi | 75% | 2887 fps | 95.3% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,334 psi | 72% | 2841 fps | 95.7% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,669 psi | 74% | 2887 fps | 95.3% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 94% | 38,450 psi | 70% | 2881 fps | 95% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,322 psi | 77% | 2641 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 82% | 37,797 psi | 69% | 2835 fps | 95.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,417 psi | 61% | 2713 fps | 96.1% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 38,421 psi | 70% | 2762 fps | 95.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 94% | 34,664 psi | 63% | 2690 fps | 95.6% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 92% | 44,585 psi | 81% | 2972 fps | 95% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 88% | 34,853 psi | 63% | 2703 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,450 psi | 72% | 2789 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,647 psi | 58% | 2621 fps | 97.3% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 82% | 29,356 psi | 53% | 2566 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 88% | 29,544 psi | 54% | 2657 fps | 95.8% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 92% | 35,752 psi | 65% | 2769 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 94% | 36,782 psi | 67% | 2805 fps | 95% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,728 psi | 78% | 2972 fps | 95.1% |
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 49 powders for .223 Rem. loaded with the .224 | 60gr | Hornady Varmint. IMR 3031 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,107 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,909 fps to 3,107 fps. Accurate 2495 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 49 of the 49 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (379 MPa), the top charges use 58–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 60.0 gr projectile in 0.224" calls for a 1:13.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 2495, Accurate 4064, Hodgdon TrailBoss 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 H322, Accurate 2520, Alliant Reloder-10x rank at the top here: for .223 Rem. with the .224 | 60gr | Hornady Varmint 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.