Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .243 Ackley Improved with .243 | 100gr | Peregrine VRG-3 bullet and 62 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Norma MRP, Alliant Reloder-26 and Alliant Reloder-16.
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 3100 | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,254 psi | 87% | 2917 fps | 98.7% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,980 psi | 90% | 2881 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,123 psi | 85% | 2920 fps | 99.5% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,718 psi | 86% | 2861 fps | 99.8% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,689 psi | 88% | 2959 fps | 96.4% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,559 psi | 88% | 2956 fps | 96.5% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,559 psi | 88% | 2956 fps | 96.5% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,066 psi | 87% | 2884 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,428 psi | 88% | 2986 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,950 psi | 89% | 3005 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,935 psi | 87% | 2946 fps | 96.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,312 psi | 87% | 2999 fps | 96.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-23ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,037 psi | 89% | 3002 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,453 psi | 77% | 2907 fps | 98.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,472 psi | 88% | 3071 fps | 99.7% |
| Bofors RP15ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,572 psi | 86% | 2982 fps | 96.3% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,486 psi | 88% | 2897 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,312 psi | 87% | 2999 fps | 96.7% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,428 psi | 88% | 2877 fps | 97.4% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,936 psi | 89% | 2910 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,647 psi | 90% | 2976 fps | 98.3% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,748 psi | 90% | 2936 fps | 97.1% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,718 psi | 88% | 2917 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,168 psi | 89% | 2999 fps | 97.9% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,027 psi | 65% | 1880 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,255 psi | 89% | 2910 fps | 97.6% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,922 psi | 90% | 2907 fps | 98.1% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,095 psi | 87% | 2920 fps | 99.7% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,760 psi | 85% | 2848 fps | 98.7% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,761 psi | 86% | 2884 fps | 98% |
| Lovex S071ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,844 psi | 78% | 2815 fps | 97.7% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,443 psi | 89% | 2953 fps | 96.5% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,964 psi | 87% | 3025 fps | 97.9% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,835 psi | 90% | 2969 fps | 99.7% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,486 psi | 88% | 2959 fps | 98.7% |
| Ramshot Magnumᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,092 psi | 82% | 2913 fps | 96.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,593 psi | 66% | 1926 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,979 psi | 89% | 2890 fps | 98.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,530 psi | 88% | 3002 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,094 psi | 85% | 2943 fps | 99.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,139 psi | 89% | 3025 fps | 99.6% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,341 psi | 87% | 2890 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,065 psi | 85% | 2930 fps | 96.3% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,428 psi | 88% | 2877 fps | 97.4% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,760 psi | 85% | 2848 fps | 98.7% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,761 psi | 86% | 2884 fps | 98% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 82% | 46,847 psi | 85% | 2897 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 82% | 46,978 psi | 85% | 2746 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,559 psi | 90% | 2854 fps | 98.2% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,792 psi | 90% | 2982 fps | 97% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,733 psi | 88% | 2890 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,559 psi | 88% | 2969 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,616 psi | 86% | 2907 fps | 97.3% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,995 psi | 90% | 2871 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,472 psi | 88% | 2910 fps | 99.6% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 98% | 46,920 psi | 85% | 2881 fps | 96.7% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,645 psi | 86% | 2910 fps | 99.4% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,877 psi | 87% | 2969 fps | 99.9% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,022 psi | 87% | 2877 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,647 psi | 90% | 2976 fps | 98.3% |
| Winchester StaBALL HDᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,947 psi | 80% | 3048 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,456 psi | 86% | 2897 fps | 96.2% |
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 3100 | <<locked>> | 90% | 36,405 psi | 66% | 2674 fps | 95.8% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,615 psi | 84% | 2828 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,447 psi | 64% | 2671 fps | 97.2% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,875 psi | 81% | 2808 fps | 99.5% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 92% | 45,368 psi | 82% | 2894 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 92% | 45,600 psi | 83% | 2897 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 92% | 45,600 psi | 83% | 2897 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,136 psi | 82% | 2831 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | 37.1 gr | 80% | 34,983 psi | 63% | 2687 fps | 97.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,450 psi | 71% | 2818 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 92% | 45,049 psi | 82% | 2890 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,310 psi | 82% | 2940 fps | 95.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 82% | 27,021 psi | 49% | 2474 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 94% | 35,012 psi | 63% | 2723 fps | 95.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | 44 gr | 86% | 33,402 psi | 60% | 2723 fps | 96% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 98% | 44,324 psi | 80% | 2917 fps | 95.4% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,121 psi | 82% | 2838 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,310 psi | 82% | 2940 fps | 95.8% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,929 psi | 72% | 2700 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,658 psi | 83% | 2848 fps | 99% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,739 psi | 68% | 2726 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 82% | 43,656 psi | 79% | 2815 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,271 psi | 58% | 2575 fps | 97.9% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 82% | 39,581 psi | 72% | 2799 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,847 psi | 49% | 1680 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,712 psi | 74% | 2740 fps | 95.4% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,336 psi | 75% | 2733 fps | 96.1% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,142 psi | 62% | 2621 fps | 96.8% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,609 psi | 70% | 2677 fps | 96.8% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,014 psi | 67% | 2654 fps | 95% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 94% | 35,099 psi | 64% | 2644 fps | 95.3% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,035 psi | 83% | 2887 fps | 95.6% |
| Norma MRP | 44.7 gr | 90% | 38,725 psi | 70% | 2825 fps | 95.2% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,592 psi | 64% | 2674 fps | 97.1% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,912 psi | 67% | 2717 fps | 95.8% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,843 psi | 76% | 2844 fps | 95.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,427 psi | 50% | 1726 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,774 psi | 83% | 2831 fps | 97.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,032 psi | 76% | 2881 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,273 psi | 64% | 2690 fps | 96.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,621 psi | 63% | 2697 fps | 96% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,525 psi | 77% | 2782 fps | 99.8% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 92% | 44,121 psi | 80% | 2871 fps | 95.5% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,929 psi | 72% | 2700 fps | 95.1% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,609 psi | 70% | 2677 fps | 96.8% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,014 psi | 67% | 2654 fps | 95% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,700 psi | 79% | 2835 fps | 99.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,077 psi | 80% | 2697 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,029 psi | 69% | 2621 fps | 95.3% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 92% | 43,714 psi | 79% | 2867 fps | 95.4% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,728 psi | 77% | 2779 fps | 99.8% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,995 psi | 58% | 2625 fps | 99% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,684 psi | 75% | 2789 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,046 psi | 74% | 2710 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,985 psi | 67% | 2674 fps | 97.5% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 94% | 40,973 psi | 74% | 2762 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,361 psi | 66% | 2674 fps | 97.1% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 82% | 29,660 psi | 54% | 2556 fps | 95.5% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,303 psi | 66% | 2648 fps | 99.2% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,739 psi | 68% | 2726 fps | 95% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 86% | 27,195 psi | 49% | 2566 fps | 96.3% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 94% | 44,454 psi | 80% | 2838 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 62 powders for .243 Ackley Improved loaded with the .243 | 100gr | Peregrine VRG-3. Alliant Reloder-26 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,071 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,880 fps to 3,071 fps. Alliant Reloder-23 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 62 of the 62 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (381 MPa), the top charges use 65–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 100.0 gr projectile in 0.243" calls for a 1:9.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Alliant Reloder-23, Alliant Reloder-25, Bofors RP15 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. Norma MRP, Alliant Reloder-26, Alliant Reloder-16 rank at the top here: for .243 Ackley Improved with the .243 | 100gr | Peregrine VRG-3 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.