Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .243 Ackley Improved with .243 | 55gr | Nosler Ballistic Tip Lead Free bullet and 57 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are ReloadSwiss RS 60, Hodgdon LEVERevolution and Alliant AR-Comp.
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 2015 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,152 psi | 85% | 3586 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,791 psi | 88% | 3638 fps | 99% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,369 psi | 86% | 3629 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,224 psi | 85% | 3638 fps | 98.6% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,529 psi | 86% | 3658 fps | 99.3% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,922 psi | 90% | 3704 fps | 96.3% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,240 psi | 89% | 3661 fps | 97.4% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,109 psi | 87% | 3684 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,920 psi | 85% | 3645 fps | 96.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 82% | 46,934 psi | 85% | 3612 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,051 psi | 87% | 3747 fps | 96.4% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,036 psi | 85% | 3652 fps | 96.7% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,341 psi | 87% | 3602 fps | 97.8% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,240 psi | 87% | 3678 fps | 97.8% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,472 psi | 90% | 3698 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,601 psi | 86% | 3645 fps | 99.1% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,007 psi | 85% | 3648 fps | 96.2% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,211 psi | 89% | 3740 fps | 97.3% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,620 psi | 61% | 2457 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,805 psi | 88% | 3668 fps | 96.6% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,950 psi | 89% | 3740 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,877 psi | 87% | 3602 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,965 psi | 89% | 3714 fps | 96.2% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,240 psi | 89% | 3661 fps | 97.4% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,994 psi | 89% | 3642 fps | 98.2% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,834 psi | 88% | 3678 fps | 98.8% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,705 psi | 90% | 3678 fps | 97.7% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,675 psi | 88% | 3652 fps | 97.4% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,965 psi | 89% | 3675 fps | 99.3% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,153 psi | 89% | 3678 fps | 96.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,692 psi | 61% | 2510 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,950 psi | 89% | 3661 fps | 98.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,906 psi | 87% | 3773 fps | 98.7% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,327 psi | 89% | 3658 fps | 99.1% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,023 psi | 89% | 3642 fps | 97.4% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,862 psi | 85% | 3635 fps | 96.4% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,834 psi | 88% | 3678 fps | 98.8% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,705 psi | 90% | 3678 fps | 97.7% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,646 psi | 88% | 3602 fps | 96.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,153 psi | 89% | 3714 fps | 96.1% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,819 psi | 87% | 3638 fps | 99.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,805 psi | 88% | 3661 fps | 96% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,601 psi | 86% | 3560 fps | 99% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,558 psi | 86% | 3547 fps | 99.6% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,021 psi | 85% | 3622 fps | 97.3% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,833 psi | 85% | 3550 fps | 99.4% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,558 psi | 86% | 3645 fps | 96.3% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,239 psi | 85% | 3553 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,572 psi | 86% | 3560 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,921 psi | 87% | 3642 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,574 psi | 90% | 3648 fps | 99.5% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,240 psi | 89% | 3638 fps | 98.1% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,734 psi | 90% | 3665 fps | 97.6% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,254 psi | 87% | 3625 fps | 99.1% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALLᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,820 psi | 88% | 3606 fps | 96.8% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,023 psi | 89% | 3714 fps | 98.3% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,153 psi | 87% | 3661 fps | 96.6% |
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 2015 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,595 psi | 70% | 3389 fps | 99.2% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,409 psi | 77% | 3494 fps | 97.9% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,893 psi | 56% | 3205 fps | 97.4% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,797 psi | 68% | 3409 fps | 96.1% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 33,605 psi | 61% | 3304 fps | 95.8% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,630 psi | 84% | 3632 fps | 95.4% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 84% | 43,250 psi | 78% | 3524 fps | 95.9% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | 37.9 gr | 80% | 35,984 psi | 65% | 3412 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 92% | 44,077 psi | 80% | 3576 fps | 95.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,048 psi | 80% | 3553 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 96% | 44,831 psi | 81% | 3668 fps | 95.3% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 92% | 43,714 psi | 79% | 3576 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,827 psi | 72% | 3396 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 82% | 38,566 psi | 70% | 3442 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,163 psi | 78% | 3556 fps | 98.9% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,092 psi | 80% | 3566 fps | 98.4% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 86% | 44,193 psi | 80% | 3579 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | 45.1 gr | 88% | 42,815 psi | 77% | 3589 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,743 psi | 45% | 2208 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 88% | 45,585 psi | 82% | 3593 fps | 95.7% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,418 psi | 62% | 3379 fps | 97.5% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,918 psi | 81% | 3540 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 90% | 45,687 psi | 83% | 3638 fps | 95.2% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 84% | 43,250 psi | 78% | 3524 fps | 95.9% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,337 psi | 77% | 3488 fps | 96.7% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,303 psi | 66% | 3373 fps | 95.5% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,944 psi | 74% | 3471 fps | 95.3% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,699 psi | 77% | 3507 fps | 95.8% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,925 psi | 63% | 3320 fps | 95.8% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 86% | 45,934 psi | 83% | 3606 fps | 95.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,903 psi | 45% | 2260 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,641 psi | 77% | 3517 fps | 97.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | 46.3 gr | 90% | 38,725 psi | 70% | 3517 fps | 95.6% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,261 psi | 69% | 3389 fps | 96.6% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,379 psi | 73% | 3438 fps | 95% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 94% | 43,584 psi | 79% | 3560 fps | 95.4% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,303 psi | 66% | 3373 fps | 95.5% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,944 psi | 74% | 3471 fps | 95.3% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,382 psi | 82% | 3530 fps | 96.1% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 94% | 45,847 psi | 83% | 3635 fps | 95.1% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,788 psi | 81% | 3570 fps | 99.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 88% | 45,614 psi | 83% | 3589 fps | 95.1% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,608 psi | 66% | 3291 fps | 96.4% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,820 psi | 54% | 3091 fps | 95% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,698 psi | 74% | 3468 fps | 95.4% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,143 psi | 65% | 3287 fps | 97.2% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 94% | 44,657 psi | 81% | 3576 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,698 psi | 75% | 3432 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,666 psi | 66% | 3307 fps | 98.7% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,647 psi | 57% | 3235 fps | 97.5% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,967 psi | 60% | 3232 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,045 psi | 72% | 3425 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,234 psi | 73% | 3442 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 82% | 34,185 psi | 62% | 3274 fps | 95.4% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 98% | 45,339 psi | 82% | 3527 fps | 95.8% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 82% | 39,363 psi | 71% | 3481 fps | 95.7% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 88% | 44,918 psi | 81% | 3589 fps | 95.7% |
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 57 powders for .243 Ackley Improved loaded with the .243 | 55gr | Nosler Ballistic Tip Lead Free. ReloadSwiss RS 60 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,773 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 2,457 fps to 3,773 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 57 of the 57 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (381 MPa), the top charges use 61–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 55.0 gr projectile in 0.243" calls for a 1:8.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Hodgdon TrailBoss, ReloadSwiss RS 14, Winchester 6.5 StaBALL 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. ReloadSwiss RS 60, Hodgdon LEVERevolution, Alliant AR-Comp rank at the top here: for .243 Ackley Improved with the .243 | 55gr | Nosler Ballistic Tip Lead Free 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.