Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .243 Ackley Improved with .243 | 105gr | Berger BT Target bullet and 62 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% | 47,848 psi | 87% | 2841 fps | 99% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,893 psi | 90% | 2897 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate High Country | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,747 psi | 88% | 2972 fps | 96% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,487 psi | 90% | 2822 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,558 psi | 86% | 2874 fps | 96.6% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,935 psi | 87% | 2877 fps | 96.8% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,935 psi | 87% | 2877 fps | 96.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,572 psi | 86% | 2900 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,979 psi | 87% | 2917 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,355 psi | 86% | 2867 fps | 96.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,630 psi | 86% | 2920 fps | 97% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,385 psi | 88% | 2920 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,962 psi | 81% | 2897 fps | 99.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,732 psi | 86% | 2989 fps | 99.8% |
| Bofors RP15ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,995 psi | 90% | 2959 fps | 97.4% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,630 psi | 86% | 2920 fps | 97% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,485 psi | 86% | 2789 fps | 97.7% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,617 psi | 88% | 2887 fps | 98.4% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,457 psi | 88% | 2844 fps | 97.2% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,008 psi | 87% | 2831 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumboᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,990 psi | 80% | 2927 fps | 96.6% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,993 psi | 87% | 2910 fps | 98.1% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,419 psi | 66% | 1834 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,414 psi | 88% | 2825 fps | 97.9% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,834 psi | 88% | 2818 fps | 98.3% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,224 psi | 85% | 2835 fps | 99.7% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,182 psi | 89% | 2822 fps | 99.3% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,108 psi | 85% | 2802 fps | 98.3% |
| Lovex S071ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,788 psi | 83% | 2805 fps | 98.6% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,341 psi | 87% | 2864 fps | 96.7% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,079 psi | 85% | 2940 fps | 98.2% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,776 psi | 88% | 2881 fps | 99.8% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,821 psi | 90% | 2966 fps | 96.3% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,587 psi | 86% | 2874 fps | 98.9% |
| Ramshot Magnumᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,659 psi | 86% | 2904 fps | 97.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,086 psi | 67% | 1880 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,761 psi | 86% | 2913 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,792 psi | 90% | 2917 fps | 99.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,225 psi | 87% | 2936 fps | 99.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,976 psi | 80% | 2920 fps | 97.7% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,979 psi | 87% | 2812 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,472 psi | 90% | 2854 fps | 95.9% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,647 psi | 90% | 2910 fps | 97.4% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,485 psi | 86% | 2789 fps | 97.7% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,182 psi | 89% | 2822 fps | 99.3% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,108 psi | 85% | 2802 fps | 98.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,994 psi | 89% | 2861 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,023 psi | 89% | 2707 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,370 psi | 88% | 2766 fps | 98.3% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,211 psi | 89% | 2904 fps | 97.3% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,906 psi | 87% | 2802 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,109 psi | 87% | 2887 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,934 psi | 85% | 2828 fps | 97.6% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,023 psi | 89% | 2782 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,747 psi | 86% | 2825 fps | 99.7% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,559 psi | 90% | 2864 fps | 97.8% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,760 psi | 85% | 2822 fps | 99.5% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,369 psi | 86% | 2887 fps | 99.9% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,789 psi | 85% | 2789 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,950 psi | 89% | 2894 fps | 98.5% |
| Winchester StaBALL HDᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,862 psi | 85% | 3038 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,615 psi | 84% | 2815 fps | 96.5% |
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% | 34,258 psi | 62% | 2559 fps | 95.5% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,739 psi | 68% | 2657 fps | 98.3% |
| Accurate High Country | <<locked>> | 92% | 45,382 psi | 82% | 2907 fps | 95.1% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,528 psi | 84% | 2769 fps | 99.8% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,945 psi | 76% | 2759 fps | 95% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,003 psi | 76% | 2759 fps | 95.1% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,003 psi | 76% | 2759 fps | 95.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,941 psi | 67% | 2674 fps | 98.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,872 psi | 76% | 2802 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,539 psi | 75% | 2749 fps | 95% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,684 psi | 75% | 2799 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,992 psi | 49% | 2415 fps | 96% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 90% | 32,663 psi | 59% | 2595 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | 41.4 gr | 82% | 31,038 psi | 56% | 2595 fps | 95.5% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 96% | 44,077 psi | 80% | 2844 fps | 95.8% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,684 psi | 75% | 2799 fps | 95.2% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,713 psi | 75% | 2674 fps | 96.2% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,740 psi | 72% | 2707 fps | 96.3% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,583 psi | 77% | 2726 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,345 psi | 62% | 2562 fps | 98.9% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,104 psi | 74% | 2854 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,682 psi | 70% | 2713 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,108 psi | 49% | 1637 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,045 psi | 72% | 2657 fps | 95.7% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,236 psi | 78% | 2710 fps | 97.1% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,405 psi | 66% | 2612 fps | 98% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,727 psi | 74% | 2657 fps | 97.8% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,957 psi | 70% | 2635 fps | 96.2% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 90% | 33,040 psi | 60% | 2530 fps | 95% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,308 psi | 77% | 2743 fps | 95% |
| Norma MRP | 43.1 gr | 88% | 38,363 psi | 69% | 2753 fps | 95.7% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,521 psi | 68% | 2654 fps | 98.1% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,282 psi | 84% | 2897 fps | 95.3% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,564 psi | 66% | 2641 fps | 96.2% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,133 psi | 74% | 2769 fps | 95.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,760 psi | 50% | 1683 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,483 psi | 80% | 2858 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,507 psi | 68% | 2674 fps | 97.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | 40 gr | 80% | 36,506 psi | 66% | 2684 fps | 97.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | <<locked>> | 96% | 38,247 psi | 69% | 2779 fps | 95.5% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,730 psi | 81% | 2753 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,180 psi | 84% | 2792 fps | 95% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 90% | 43,352 psi | 78% | 2789 fps | 95.8% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,713 psi | 75% | 2674 fps | 96.2% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,727 psi | 74% | 2657 fps | 97.8% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,957 psi | 70% | 2635 fps | 96.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,050 psi | 83% | 2808 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,006 psi | 83% | 2657 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,842 psi | 72% | 2598 fps | 96.4% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,960 psi | 78% | 2782 fps | 95.7% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,034 psi | 81% | 2753 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,011 psi | 62% | 2608 fps | 99.6% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 86% | 38,667 psi | 70% | 2661 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,975 psi | 78% | 2680 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,899 psi | 70% | 2651 fps | 98.4% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,698 psi | 74% | 2694 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,624 psi | 70% | 2657 fps | 98.2% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,805 psi | 54% | 2497 fps | 96.2% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,174 psi | 69% | 2625 fps | 99.7% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,016 psi | 72% | 2713 fps | 96.4% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 82% | 25,440 psi | 46% | 2441 fps | 95.7% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 92% | 43,671 psi | 79% | 2759 fps | 95.6% |
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 | 105gr | Berger BT Target. Winchester StaBALL HD delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,038 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,834 fps to 3,038 fps. Alliant Reloder-25 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 66–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 105.0 gr projectile in 0.243" calls for a 1:9.0 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 | Berger BT Target 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.