Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .240 Belt. Riml. N.E. with .243 | 89gr | Merlin Virtus bullet and 89 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are ReloadSwiss RS 70, Alliant Reloder-17 and ReloadSwiss RS 60.
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: 26"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 82% | 51,895 psi | 86% | 3045 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,157 psi | 90% | 3117 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 82% | 52,330 psi | 87% | 3133 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2700 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,708 psi | 89% | 3114 fps | 96.6% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,954 psi | 90% | 3166 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,447 psi | 90% | 3255 fps | 99.5% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,416 psi | 85% | 3150 fps | 99.8% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,518 psi | 87% | 3150 fps | 99.6% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,809 psi | 89% | 3156 fps | 100% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 82% | 50,879 psi | 85% | 3074 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 86% | 51,082 psi | 85% | 3268 fps | 99.5% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,649 psi | 87% | 3176 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,939 psi | 88% | 3196 fps | 99.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,199 psi | 87% | 3261 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,592 psi | 89% | 3304 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-23ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 39,639 psi | 66% | 3018 fps | 98.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-26ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,933 psi | 75% | 3202 fps | 98.2% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,126 psi | 85% | 3156 fps | 99.3% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,011 psi | 88% | 3186 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,301 psi | 89% | 3156 fps | 96.9% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 82% | 52,112 psi | 87% | 3084 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,171 psi | 88% | 3182 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,824 psi | 89% | 3196 fps | 99.2% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,085 psi | 90% | 3258 fps | 97.7% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,938 psi | 86% | 3159 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100Vᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,895 psi | 86% | 3179 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 86% | 51,547 psi | 86% | 3196 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 94% | 50,894 psi | 85% | 3222 fps | 96.7% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,375 psi | 59% | 1995 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,301 psi | 89% | 3166 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,895 psi | 86% | 3150 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,851 psi | 86% | 3130 fps | 99.6% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 86% | 51,953 psi | 86% | 3104 fps | 97.1% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,882 psi | 90% | 3182 fps | 97% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,054 psi | 86% | 3133 fps | 97.1% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 98% | 51,488 psi | 86% | 3186 fps | 99.3% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,288 psi | 90% | 3228 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,809 psi | 89% | 3156 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,053 psi | 85% | 3120 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,201 psi | 90% | 3127 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,663 psi | 86% | 3127 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,375 psi | 90% | 3179 fps | 98.7% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 96% | 51,996 psi | 86% | 3159 fps | 97.4% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,563 psi | 89% | 3150 fps | 100% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,215 psi | 90% | 3153 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,141 psi | 87% | 3179 fps | 99.8% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,548 psi | 89% | 3241 fps | 99.4% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,040 psi | 88% | 3209 fps | 99.8% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,634 psi | 87% | 3238 fps | 98.2% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,114 psi | 90% | 3169 fps | 98.8% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,664 psi | 89% | 3186 fps | 99.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,810 psi | 59% | 2041 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,360 psi | 90% | 3179 fps | 98.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,490 psi | 89% | 3268 fps | 99.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,113 psi | 88% | 3304 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 96% | 50,676 psi | 84% | 3219 fps | 99% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,302 psi | 90% | 3317 fps | 99.3% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,215 psi | 90% | 3130 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,012 psi | 90% | 3146 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,866 psi | 88% | 3176 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,301 psi | 89% | 3156 fps | 96.9% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,375 psi | 90% | 3179 fps | 98.7% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,053 psi | 85% | 3120 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,663 psi | 86% | 3127 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 96% | 51,996 psi | 86% | 3159 fps | 97.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,358 psi | 85% | 3189 fps | 99.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,431 psi | 87% | 3143 fps | 98.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,330 psi | 89% | 3173 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,619 psi | 86% | 3031 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,011 psi | 86% | 3031 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 94% | 51,387 psi | 85% | 3071 fps | 97% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,213 psi | 85% | 3031 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,098 psi | 87% | 3133 fps | 99.8% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,084 psi | 88% | 3173 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S365ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,750 psi | 86% | 3245 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,967 psi | 86% | 3018 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,606 psi | 89% | 3107 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 86% | 51,358 psi | 85% | 3074 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,300 psi | 85% | 3100 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,605 psi | 87% | 3186 fps | 99.3% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,201 psi | 90% | 3153 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,866 psi | 88% | 3117 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 96% | 51,851 psi | 86% | 3189 fps | 99.1% |
| Vihtavuori N555ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,569 psi | 72% | 3100 fps | 98.6% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,156 psi | 88% | 3163 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,346 psi | 90% | 3205 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,085 psi | 90% | 3258 fps | 97.7% |
| Winchester StaBALL HDᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,491 psi | 59% | 3015 fps | 98.6% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,388 psi | 89% | 3186 fps | 100% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
Start Load - Barrel Length: 26"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,979 psi | 81% | 2999 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,263 psi | 69% | 2904 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,965 psi | 81% | 3077 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2700 | <<locked>> | 84% | 46,963 psi | 78% | 2989 fps | 95% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,059 psi | 65% | 2894 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 86% | 35,375 psi | 59% | 2867 fps | 95.6% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,266 psi | 75% | 3031 fps | 99.1% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,377 psi | 64% | 2861 fps | 97.1% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,427 psi | 79% | 3041 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,863 psi | 80% | 3028 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,350 psi | 69% | 3061 fps | 97.8% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,029 psi | 63% | 2884 fps | 98.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,915 psi | 68% | 2956 fps | 97.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 86% | 35,679 psi | 59% | 2890 fps | 95.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | 38.6 gr | 80% | 32,895 psi | 55% | 2841 fps | 96.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 92% | 30,618 psi | 51% | 2766 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 94% | 35,926 psi | 60% | 2976 fps | 95% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,715 psi | 74% | 3031 fps | 98.3% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,637 psi | 63% | 2884 fps | 98.5% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,905 psi | 78% | 3035 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,950 psi | 81% | 3028 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,427 psi | 77% | 3061 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,522 psi | 64% | 2890 fps | 96% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 90% | 43,801 psi | 73% | 3058 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,701 psi | 76% | 3045 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 84% | 30,487 psi | 51% | 2710 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,727 psi | 69% | 3005 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,355 psi | 79% | 3153 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,252 psi | 44% | 1785 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,656 psi | 73% | 2986 fps | 99.2% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,237 psi | 75% | 3035 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,292 psi | 67% | 2900 fps | 97.9% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 82% | 45,513 psi | 76% | 2979 fps | 95.6% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,456 psi | 79% | 3064 fps | 95.6% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 88% | 45,658 psi | 76% | 3009 fps | 95.5% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 86% | 34,461 psi | 57% | 2825 fps | 95.3% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,930 psi | 70% | 2989 fps | 98.6% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,427 psi | 79% | 3041 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,382 psi | 74% | 3005 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,223 psi | 75% | 2963 fps | 99.1% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,161 psi | 67% | 2904 fps | 99.2% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 86% | 39,885 psi | 66% | 2890 fps | 95.5% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,946 psi | 71% | 2979 fps | 95.2% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,135 psi | 73% | 2976 fps | 99.6% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,628 psi | 74% | 2989 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,263 psi | 67% | 2943 fps | 98.3% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 86% | 35,853 psi | 60% | 2877 fps | 95.6% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,059 psi | 67% | 2956 fps | 98.1% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,132 psi | 67% | 2982 fps | 95.1% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,210 psi | 78% | 3041 fps | 97.6% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,978 psi | 78% | 3068 fps | 99.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,440 psi | 44% | 1824 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,655 psi | 69% | 2933 fps | 95.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,337 psi | 72% | 3071 fps | 98.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | 38.6 gr | 80% | 35,056 psi | 58% | 2917 fps | 99.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 86% | 35,331 psi | 59% | 2887 fps | 95.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | 43.1 gr | 88% | 38,159 psi | 63% | 2966 fps | 95.4% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,761 psi | 79% | 3022 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,727 psi | 69% | 2917 fps | 99.4% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,317 psi | 59% | 2822 fps | 97.6% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,905 psi | 78% | 3035 fps | 95.3% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 86% | 39,885 psi | 66% | 2890 fps | 95.5% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,382 psi | 74% | 3005 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,161 psi | 67% | 2904 fps | 99.2% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,946 psi | 71% | 2979 fps | 95.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,535 psi | 61% | 2877 fps | 97.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,411 psi | 75% | 3009 fps | 97.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,859 psi | 73% | 2995 fps | 98.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,571 psi | 76% | 2930 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,913 psi | 63% | 2779 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 44,773 psi | 74% | 2946 fps | 95.5% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,165 psi | 75% | 2927 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,513 psi | 76% | 3015 fps | 99.1% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,187 psi | 60% | 2831 fps | 97.7% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 82% | 27,934 psi | 46% | 2690 fps | 95.9% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,977 psi | 76% | 2923 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,553 psi | 69% | 2904 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,279 psi | 70% | 2917 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,461 psi | 57% | 2759 fps | 98.4% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,041 psi | 58% | 2818 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,572 psi | 79% | 3038 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,756 psi | 68% | 2900 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,970 psi | 61% | 2881 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 92% | 33,083 psi | 55% | 2851 fps | 95.5% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,618 psi | 51% | 2671 fps | 95.8% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,369 psi | 79% | 3087 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 90% | 44,135 psi | 73% | 3064 fps | 95.4% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 96% | 30,980 psi | 51% | 2861 fps | 96.3% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,424 psi | 72% | 2999 fps | 99.2% |
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 89 powders for .240 Belt. Riml. N.E. loaded with the .243 | 89gr | Merlin Virtus. ReloadSwiss RS 70 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,317 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,995 fps to 3,317 fps. Alliant Reloder-23 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 89 of the 89 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (415 MPa), the top charges use 59–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 89.0 gr projectile in 0.243" calls for a 1:8.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Alliant Reloder-23, Alliant Reloder-26, Hodgdon Hybrid 100V 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. ReloadSwiss RS 70, Alliant Reloder-17, ReloadSwiss RS 60 rank at the top here: for .240 Belt. Riml. N.E. with the .243 | 89gr | Merlin Virtus 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.