Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .243 Ackley Improved with .243 | 105gr | Berger VLD Hunting bullet and 60 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Alliant Reloder-26, ReloadSwiss RS 70 and Norma MRP.
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% | 46,978 psi | 85% | 2822 fps | 98.8% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,921 psi | 89% | 2877 fps | 99.8% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,907 psi | 89% | 2808 fps | 99.9% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,137 psi | 85% | 2861 fps | 96.4% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,137 psi | 85% | 2858 fps | 96.5% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,137 psi | 85% | 2858 fps | 96.5% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,501 psi | 90% | 2831 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,050 psi | 85% | 2884 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,413 psi | 86% | 2904 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,559 psi | 90% | 2904 fps | 97.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,876 psi | 85% | 2900 fps | 96.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,572 psi | 86% | 2904 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,034 psi | 80% | 2874 fps | 99% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,949 psi | 85% | 2969 fps | 99.8% |
| Bofors RP15ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,240 psi | 89% | 2943 fps | 97.1% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,876 psi | 85% | 2900 fps | 96.7% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,995 psi | 90% | 2831 fps | 98.1% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,095 psi | 87% | 2874 fps | 98.3% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,964 psi | 87% | 2831 fps | 97% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,094 psi | 85% | 2815 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumboᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,105 psi | 78% | 2900 fps | 96.1% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,239 psi | 85% | 2894 fps | 97.9% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,405 psi | 66% | 1831 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,630 psi | 86% | 2808 fps | 97.6% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,312 psi | 87% | 2802 fps | 98.1% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,777 psi | 90% | 2877 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,327 psi | 87% | 2802 fps | 99.1% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,574 psi | 90% | 2844 fps | 98.6% |
| Lovex S071ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,976 psi | 81% | 2785 fps | 98.4% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,906 psi | 87% | 2851 fps | 96.5% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,792 psi | 90% | 2989 fps | 98.6% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,225 psi | 87% | 2864 fps | 99.7% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,108 psi | 85% | 2861 fps | 98.7% |
| Ramshot Magnumᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,079 psi | 85% | 2887 fps | 97.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,072 psi | 67% | 1873 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 82% | 46,876 psi | 85% | 2897 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,921 psi | 89% | 2900 fps | 99.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,471 psi | 86% | 2920 fps | 99.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,134 psi | 78% | 2894 fps | 97.3% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,050 psi | 85% | 2789 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,834 psi | 88% | 2894 fps | 97.1% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,995 psi | 90% | 2831 fps | 98.1% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,327 psi | 87% | 2802 fps | 99.1% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,574 psi | 90% | 2844 fps | 98.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,443 psi | 88% | 2848 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,414 psi | 88% | 2694 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,877 psi | 87% | 2753 fps | 98.2% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,385 psi | 88% | 2887 fps | 97% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,311 psi | 86% | 2789 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,152 psi | 85% | 2871 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,487 psi | 90% | 2871 fps | 98% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,486 psi | 88% | 2769 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,937 psi | 90% | 2861 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,834 psi | 88% | 2844 fps | 97.5% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,211 psi | 89% | 2864 fps | 99.7% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,951 psi | 90% | 2930 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,313 psi | 89% | 2828 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,095 psi | 87% | 2874 fps | 98.3% |
| Winchester StaBALL HDᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,832 psi | 83% | 3015 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,429 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% | 33,518 psi | 61% | 2539 fps | 95.1% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,144 psi | 67% | 2641 fps | 98.1% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,977 psi | 83% | 2753 fps | 99.8% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 90% | 43,903 psi | 79% | 2795 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 90% | 44,266 psi | 80% | 2802 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 90% | 44,266 psi | 80% | 2802 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,528 psi | 84% | 2782 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,405 psi | 66% | 2657 fps | 98.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,031 psi | 74% | 2782 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 90% | 43,758 psi | 79% | 2792 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,234 psi | 75% | 2782 fps | 95% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,600 psi | 48% | 2402 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 92% | 34,345 psi | 62% | 2641 fps | 96% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | 40.8 gr | 82% | 30,400 psi | 55% | 2569 fps | 95% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 96% | 43,352 psi | 78% | 2828 fps | 95.5% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,234 psi | 75% | 2782 fps | 95% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,176 psi | 75% | 2657 fps | 96% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,189 psi | 71% | 2690 fps | 96% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,018 psi | 76% | 2710 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,779 psi | 61% | 2546 fps | 98.7% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | <<locked>> | 98% | 40,480 psi | 73% | 2835 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,261 psi | 69% | 2700 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,253 psi | 49% | 1637 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 82% | 39,581 psi | 72% | 2644 fps | 95.5% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,743 psi | 77% | 2694 fps | 96.9% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,853 psi | 65% | 2598 fps | 97.8% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,176 psi | 73% | 2641 fps | 97.6% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,435 psi | 70% | 2621 fps | 96% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 92% | 34,766 psi | 63% | 2569 fps | 95.6% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 86% | 44,585 psi | 81% | 2789 fps | 95.6% |
| Norma MRP | 42.5 gr | 88% | 37,666 psi | 68% | 2733 fps | 95.3% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,956 psi | 67% | 2638 fps | 97.9% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,810 psi | 65% | 2621 fps | 95.8% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 96% | 40,524 psi | 73% | 2749 fps | 95.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,630 psi | 50% | 1673 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,569 psi | 79% | 2838 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,956 psi | 67% | 2661 fps | 97.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | 39.4 gr | 80% | 35,839 psi | 65% | 2661 fps | 97% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | <<locked>> | 98% | 40,147 psi | 73% | 2825 fps | 96.2% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,092 psi | 80% | 2736 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,540 psi | 77% | 2769 fps | 95.5% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,176 psi | 75% | 2657 fps | 96% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,176 psi | 73% | 2641 fps | 97.6% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,435 psi | 70% | 2621 fps | 96% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,165 psi | 82% | 2789 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,426 psi | 82% | 2644 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,349 psi | 71% | 2585 fps | 96.1% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,148 psi | 76% | 2762 fps | 95.3% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,411 psi | 80% | 2736 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,446 psi | 61% | 2595 fps | 99.5% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,683 psi | 74% | 2700 fps | 95.8% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,409 psi | 77% | 2664 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,363 psi | 69% | 2638 fps | 98.2% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 92% | 39,987 psi | 72% | 2674 fps | 95.1% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,840 psi | 68% | 2638 fps | 97.9% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,254 psi | 53% | 2480 fps | 95.9% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,739 psi | 68% | 2612 fps | 99.6% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,189 psi | 71% | 2690 fps | 96% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 82% | 25,121 psi | 45% | 2425 fps | 95.2% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,975 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 60 powders for .243 Ackley Improved loaded with the .243 | 105gr | Berger VLD Hunting. Winchester StaBALL HD delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,015 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,831 fps to 3,015 fps. Alliant Reloder-25 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 60 of the 60 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, ReloadSwiss RS 70, Norma MRP rank at the top here: for .243 Ackley Improved with the .243 | 105gr | Berger VLD Hunting 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.