Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .243 Ackley Improved with .243 | 105gr | Barnes Match Burner BT bullet and 59 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Alliant Reloder-26, Norma MRP and ReloadSwiss RS 70.
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>> | 96% | 47,384 psi | 86% | 2831 fps | 98.9% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,371 psi | 89% | 2884 fps | 99.8% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,327 psi | 89% | 2815 fps | 99.9% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,166 psi | 85% | 2861 fps | 96.5% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,210 psi | 85% | 2861 fps | 96.5% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,966 psi | 90% | 2841 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,123 psi | 85% | 2887 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,471 psi | 86% | 2904 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,966 psi | 90% | 2913 fps | 97.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,268 psi | 86% | 2910 fps | 96.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,659 psi | 86% | 2907 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,382 psi | 80% | 2881 fps | 99.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,007 psi | 85% | 2972 fps | 99.8% |
| Bofors RP15ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,313 psi | 89% | 2946 fps | 97.1% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,268 psi | 86% | 2910 fps | 96.8% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,036 psi | 85% | 2779 fps | 97.5% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,182 psi | 87% | 2877 fps | 98.3% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,022 psi | 87% | 2831 fps | 97.1% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,210 psi | 85% | 2818 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumboᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,439 psi | 79% | 2907 fps | 96.2% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,630 psi | 86% | 2900 fps | 98% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,260 psi | 66% | 1827 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,674 psi | 86% | 2808 fps | 97.7% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,399 psi | 88% | 2805 fps | 98.2% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,821 psi | 90% | 2877 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,747 psi | 88% | 2808 fps | 99.2% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,617 psi | 90% | 2844 fps | 98.6% |
| Lovex S071ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,034 psi | 81% | 2789 fps | 98.5% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,935 psi | 87% | 2851 fps | 96.5% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,777 psi | 90% | 2989 fps | 98.6% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,312 psi | 87% | 2867 fps | 99.7% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,152 psi | 85% | 2861 fps | 98.8% |
| Ramshot Magnumᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,079 psi | 85% | 2887 fps | 97.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,231 psi | 67% | 1877 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 82% | 46,949 psi | 85% | 2897 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,008 psi | 89% | 2900 fps | 99.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,514 psi | 86% | 2920 fps | 99.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,424 psi | 79% | 2904 fps | 97.4% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,471 psi | 86% | 2799 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,892 psi | 88% | 2894 fps | 97.2% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,036 psi | 85% | 2779 fps | 97.5% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,747 psi | 88% | 2808 fps | 99.2% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,617 psi | 90% | 2844 fps | 98.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,515 psi | 88% | 2851 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,501 psi | 88% | 2694 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,935 psi | 87% | 2756 fps | 98.2% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,443 psi | 88% | 2887 fps | 97% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,718 psi | 86% | 2795 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,572 psi | 86% | 2877 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,559 psi | 90% | 2871 fps | 98% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,559 psi | 88% | 2772 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,920 psi | 85% | 2808 fps | 99.6% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,892 psi | 88% | 2848 fps | 97.5% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,632 psi | 90% | 2871 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,891 psi | 85% | 2877 fps | 99.9% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,705 psi | 90% | 2831 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,182 psi | 87% | 2877 fps | 98.3% |
| Winchester StaBALL HDᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,209 psi | 84% | 3025 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,414 psi | 89% | 2861 fps | 97% |
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>> | 86% | 33,576 psi | 61% | 2539 fps | 95.1% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,521 psi | 68% | 2651 fps | 98.2% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,354 psi | 84% | 2762 fps | 99.8% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 90% | 44,266 psi | 80% | 2802 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 90% | 44,309 psi | 80% | 2802 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,601 psi | 84% | 2782 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,492 psi | 66% | 2661 fps | 98.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,408 psi | 75% | 2789 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 90% | 43,787 psi | 79% | 2792 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,307 psi | 75% | 2785 fps | 95% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,658 psi | 48% | 2402 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 90% | 32,343 psi | 59% | 2582 fps | 95% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | 40.9 gr | 82% | 30,443 psi | 55% | 2572 fps | 95% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 96% | 43,395 psi | 79% | 2828 fps | 95.5% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,307 psi | 75% | 2785 fps | 95% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,539 psi | 75% | 2667 fps | 96.1% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,291 psi | 71% | 2694 fps | 96.1% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,409 psi | 77% | 2720 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,852 psi | 61% | 2546 fps | 98.7% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | <<locked>> | 98% | 40,799 psi | 74% | 2844 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,334 psi | 69% | 2703 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,151 psi | 49% | 1634 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 82% | 39,624 psi | 72% | 2648 fps | 95.5% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,815 psi | 77% | 2694 fps | 96.9% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,955 psi | 65% | 2598 fps | 97.8% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,292 psi | 73% | 2644 fps | 97.6% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,493 psi | 70% | 2621 fps | 96% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 92% | 34,838 psi | 63% | 2572 fps | 95.6% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 86% | 44,657 psi | 81% | 2789 fps | 95.6% |
| Norma MRP | 42.6 gr | 88% | 37,710 psi | 68% | 2733 fps | 95.3% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,072 psi | 67% | 2641 fps | 97.9% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,143 psi | 65% | 2628 fps | 95.9% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 96% | 40,857 psi | 74% | 2759 fps | 95.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,818 psi | 50% | 1680 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,990 psi | 80% | 2844 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,057 psi | 67% | 2664 fps | 97.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | 39.6 gr | 80% | 36,158 psi | 65% | 2671 fps | 97.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | <<locked>> | 96% | 37,753 psi | 68% | 2759 fps | 95.1% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,193 psi | 80% | 2740 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,902 psi | 78% | 2776 fps | 95.6% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,539 psi | 75% | 2667 fps | 96.1% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,292 psi | 73% | 2644 fps | 97.6% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,493 psi | 70% | 2621 fps | 96% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,556 psi | 82% | 2799 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,527 psi | 82% | 2648 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,450 psi | 71% | 2585 fps | 96.2% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,554 psi | 77% | 2772 fps | 95.4% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,512 psi | 81% | 2740 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,533 psi | 61% | 2595 fps | 99.5% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 86% | 38,290 psi | 69% | 2648 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,467 psi | 77% | 2667 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,711 psi | 70% | 2644 fps | 98.3% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,030 psi | 72% | 2677 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,174 psi | 69% | 2644 fps | 98% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,356 psi | 53% | 2480 fps | 95.9% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,811 psi | 68% | 2615 fps | 99.6% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,581 psi | 72% | 2700 fps | 96.2% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 82% | 25,179 psi | 46% | 2428 fps | 95.3% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,989 psi | 78% | 2740 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 59 powders for .243 Ackley Improved loaded with the .243 | 105gr | Barnes Match Burner BT. Winchester StaBALL HD delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,025 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,827 fps to 3,025 fps. Alliant Reloder-25 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 59 of the 59 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (381 MPa), the top charges use 66–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 105.0 gr projectile in 0.243" calls for a 1:8.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Alliant Reloder-25, Bofors RP15, Hodgdon Retumbo 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. Alliant Reloder-26, Norma MRP, ReloadSwiss RS 70 rank at the top here: for .243 Ackley Improved with the .243 | 105gr | Barnes Match Burner BT 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.