Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .243 Ackley Improved with .243 | 115gr | Barnes RNSP bullet and 67 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Winchester StaBALL HD, Alliant Reloder-26 and Accurate High Country.
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.
A valid access license is required to use the Personalized Load Calculator.
You can find more information in our FAQ: How can I use the Personalized Load Calculator?
Max Load - Barrel Length: 24"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 3100 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,661 psi | 90% | 2759 fps | 99.7% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,761 psi | 86% | 2743 fps | 100% |
| Accurate High Country | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,065 psi | 85% | 2831 fps | 96.8% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,544 psi | 88% | 2785 fps | 98% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,864 psi | 90% | 2841 fps | 97.1% |
| ADI AR 2225ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 39,378 psi | 71% | 2684 fps | 97.7% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,066 psi | 89% | 2789 fps | 98.1% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,066 psi | 89% | 2789 fps | 98.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,791 psi | 88% | 2802 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,458 psi | 90% | 2815 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,486 psi | 88% | 2782 fps | 98% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,516 psi | 90% | 2841 fps | 98.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,992 psi | 85% | 2776 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,603 psi | 90% | 2877 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,792 psi | 90% | 2904 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,472 psi | 88% | 2822 fps | 98% |
| Bofors RP30ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,310 psi | 82% | 2799 fps | 96.8% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,516 psi | 90% | 2841 fps | 98.3% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,834 psi | 87% | 2690 fps | 98.6% |
| Hodgdon H1000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,950 psi | 89% | 2822 fps | 97.8% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,806 psi | 90% | 2795 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,356 psi | 89% | 2753 fps | 98.4% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,850 psi | 90% | 2782 fps | 96.4% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,805 psi | 88% | 2766 fps | 96.2% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,284 psi | 89% | 2733 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumboᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,530 psi | 88% | 2927 fps | 99% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,458 psi | 90% | 2822 fps | 99.1% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,767 psi | 67% | 1765 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,936 psi | 89% | 2726 fps | 98.8% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,385 psi | 89% | 2720 fps | 99.1% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,486 psi | 88% | 2740 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,182 psi | 87% | 2720 fps | 96.2% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,718 psi | 86% | 2815 fps | 96.7% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,937 psi | 90% | 2723 fps | 99.8% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,022 psi | 87% | 2713 fps | 99.1% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,253 psi | 86% | 2720 fps | 99.5% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,371 psi | 89% | 2776 fps | 98% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,718 psi | 88% | 2858 fps | 99.2% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,966 psi | 90% | 2782 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,558 psi | 86% | 2822 fps | 97.1% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,834 psi | 88% | 2782 fps | 99.6% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,385 psi | 89% | 2828 fps | 98.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,492 psi | 68% | 1808 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,572 psi | 86% | 2762 fps | 99.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,168 psi | 89% | 2838 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,544 psi | 88% | 2917 fps | 99.6% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,050 psi | 85% | 2703 fps | 96.5% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,514 psi | 86% | 2762 fps | 98% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,834 psi | 87% | 2690 fps | 98.6% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,937 psi | 90% | 2723 fps | 99.8% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,022 psi | 87% | 2713 fps | 99.1% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,994 psi | 89% | 2671 fps | 99.2% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,108 psi | 85% | 2759 fps | 97.9% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,095 psi | 87% | 2697 fps | 96% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,777 psi | 90% | 2789 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,167 psi | 87% | 2743 fps | 98.7% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,545 psi | 90% | 2674 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,501 psi | 88% | 2726 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,761 psi | 86% | 2726 fps | 98.3% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,877 psi | 87% | 2730 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,414 psi | 89% | 2805 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,878 psi | 88% | 2848 fps | 96.5% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,312 psi | 87% | 2822 fps | 96.7% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,834 psi | 87% | 2690 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,806 psi | 90% | 2795 fps | 99.3% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,879 psi | 90% | 2949 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,776 psi | 86% | 2733 fps | 97.8% |
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>> | 80% | 30,821 psi | 56% | 2372 fps | 95.3% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,669 psi | 75% | 2631 fps | 99.6% |
| Accurate High Country | 43.6 gr | 88% | 43,874 psi | 79% | 2766 fps | 95.9% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,987 psi | 72% | 2615 fps | 95.7% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 90% | 43,424 psi | 79% | 2717 fps | 95.3% |
| ADI AR 2225 | <<locked>> | 96% | 34,708 psi | 63% | 2566 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 82% | 37,768 psi | 68% | 2559 fps | 95% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 82% | 37,768 psi | 68% | 2559 fps | 95% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,074 psi | 73% | 2638 fps | 99.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,050 psi | 83% | 2759 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,784 psi | 72% | 2608 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,710 psi | 68% | 2605 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,762 psi | 54% | 2405 fps | 98.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,617 psi | 54% | 2415 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | 40.9 gr | 80% | 32,068 psi | 58% | 2526 fps | 97.3% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,885 psi | 72% | 2651 fps | 95.8% |
| Bofors RP30 | <<locked>> | 96% | 39,668 psi | 72% | 2680 fps | 95% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,710 psi | 68% | 2605 fps | 95.2% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,049 psi | 82% | 2638 fps | 98.1% |
| Hodgdon H1000 | <<locked>> | 94% | 39,929 psi | 72% | 2635 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,453 psi | 79% | 2677 fps | 98.3% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,122 psi | 83% | 2694 fps | 97.7% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,514 psi | 84% | 2723 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 90% | 45,527 psi | 82% | 2707 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,840 psi | 68% | 2530 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | <<locked>> | 92% | 37,492 psi | 68% | 2671 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,656 psi | 77% | 2697 fps | 97.9% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,514 psi | 50% | 1578 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,596 psi | 73% | 2569 fps | 97.1% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,543 psi | 84% | 2667 fps | 98.7% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,972 psi | 72% | 2585 fps | 99.4% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 88% | 45,411 psi | 82% | 2667 fps | 95.5% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 92% | 44,498 psi | 81% | 2749 fps | 95.8% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,034 psi | 80% | 2618 fps | 99.2% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,264 psi | 76% | 2605 fps | 98.2% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 84% | 30,168 psi | 55% | 2356 fps | 95% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,393 psi | 73% | 2602 fps | 95.7% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 82% | 34,505 psi | 62% | 2556 fps | 95.5% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,147 psi | 74% | 2621 fps | 99.5% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,466 psi | 75% | 2700 fps | 95.2% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,103 psi | 73% | 2615 fps | 98.3% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 90% | 36,709 psi | 66% | 2575 fps | 95.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,224 psi | 51% | 1621 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,423 psi | 75% | 2648 fps | 99.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,958 psi | 72% | 2664 fps | 99.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | <<locked>> | 90% | 34,185 psi | 62% | 2582 fps | 95.2% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,597 psi | 75% | 2598 fps | 95% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,030 psi | 71% | 2592 fps | 95.7% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,049 psi | 82% | 2638 fps | 98.1% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,034 psi | 80% | 2618 fps | 99.2% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,264 psi | 76% | 2605 fps | 98.2% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,076 psi | 78% | 2562 fps | 98.2% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,682 psi | 70% | 2585 fps | 95.5% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 86% | 45,049 psi | 82% | 2641 fps | 95.1% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,811 psi | 68% | 2579 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,708 psi | 63% | 2464 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,615 psi | 84% | 2628 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,525 psi | 77% | 2618 fps | 99.6% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,709 psi | 66% | 2507 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,858 psi | 76% | 2618 fps | 99.5% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,257 psi | 60% | 2484 fps | 98.5% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 90% | 45,629 psi | 83% | 2785 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,353 psi | 82% | 2766 fps | 95.9% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,495 psi | 75% | 2585 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,729 psi | 79% | 2684 fps | 98.4% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | 39.3 gr | 80% | 26,397 psi | 48% | 2398 fps | 98.1% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 86% | 38,885 psi | 70% | 2559 fps | 95.4% |
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 67 powders for .243 Ackley Improved loaded with the .243 | 115gr | Barnes RNSP. Winchester StaBALL HD delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,949 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,765 fps to 2,949 fps. ADI AR 2225 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 67 of the 67 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (381 MPa), the top charges use 67–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 115.0 gr projectile in 0.243" calls for a 1:10.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. ADI AR 2225, Alliant Reloder-25, Bofors RP30 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. Winchester StaBALL HD, Alliant Reloder-26, Accurate High Country rank at the top here: for .243 Ackley Improved with the .243 | 115gr | Barnes RNSP 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.