Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .243 Ackley Improved with .243 | 57gr | CutEdge ESP Raptor bullet and 60 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 Winchester StaBALL Match.
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% | 3533 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,023 psi | 89% | 3593 fps | 99.2% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,297 psi | 86% | 3576 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,818 psi | 85% | 3579 fps | 98.6% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,543 psi | 86% | 3612 fps | 99.4% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,864 psi | 90% | 3652 fps | 96.4% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,414 psi | 89% | 3619 fps | 97.6% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,211 psi | 87% | 3632 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,806 psi | 90% | 3737 fps | 97% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 96% | 50,009 psi | 90% | 3665 fps | 97.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,137 psi | 85% | 3563 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,688 psi | 86% | 3691 fps | 96.5% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,746 psi | 85% | 3596 fps | 96.8% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,472 psi | 88% | 3553 fps | 98% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,950 psi | 87% | 3625 fps | 97.9% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,545 psi | 90% | 3648 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,442 psi | 86% | 3589 fps | 99.1% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,195 psi | 85% | 3602 fps | 96.4% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,965 psi | 89% | 3681 fps | 97.4% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,605 psi | 61% | 2405 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,733 psi | 88% | 3615 fps | 96.7% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,139 psi | 89% | 3688 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,630 psi | 86% | 3540 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,950 psi | 89% | 3665 fps | 96.4% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,414 psi | 89% | 3619 fps | 97.6% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,950 psi | 89% | 3589 fps | 98.4% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,472 psi | 88% | 3625 fps | 98.9% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,297 psi | 86% | 3520 fps | 95.9% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,676 psi | 90% | 3629 fps | 97.8% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,588 psi | 88% | 3596 fps | 97.5% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,863 psi | 88% | 3619 fps | 99.3% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,995 psi | 90% | 3668 fps | 96.6% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,863 psi | 88% | 3622 fps | 96.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,982 psi | 61% | 2464 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,762 psi | 88% | 3606 fps | 98.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,514 psi | 86% | 3714 fps | 98.7% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,371 psi | 89% | 3609 fps | 99.2% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,907 psi | 89% | 3593 fps | 97.6% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,821 psi | 90% | 3655 fps | 97.3% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,472 psi | 88% | 3625 fps | 98.9% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,676 psi | 90% | 3629 fps | 97.8% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,530 psi | 88% | 3550 fps | 97.1% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,979 psi | 89% | 3661 fps | 96.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,037 psi | 87% | 3589 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,515 psi | 88% | 3606 fps | 96.1% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,645 psi | 86% | 3507 fps | 99.1% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,456 psi | 86% | 3497 fps | 99.7% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 84% | 46,949 psi | 85% | 3576 fps | 97.4% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,922 psi | 90% | 3560 fps | 99.8% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,587 psi | 86% | 3596 fps | 96.5% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,514 psi | 86% | 3504 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,630 psi | 86% | 3510 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,732 psi | 86% | 3586 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,559 psi | 90% | 3593 fps | 99.6% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,052 psi | 89% | 3583 fps | 98.2% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,632 psi | 90% | 3609 fps | 97.7% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,935 psi | 87% | 3573 fps | 99.2% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALLᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,660 psi | 88% | 3556 fps | 96.9% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,675 psi | 88% | 3655 fps | 98.3% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,225 psi | 87% | 3612 fps | 96.8% |
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 2015 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,754 psi | 70% | 3343 fps | 99.3% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,177 psi | 76% | 3442 fps | 98% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,835 psi | 56% | 3159 fps | 97.6% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,594 psi | 68% | 3353 fps | 96.3% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 33,620 psi | 61% | 3261 fps | 96% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,847 psi | 85% | 3586 fps | 95.7% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,379 psi | 73% | 3402 fps | 95.1% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,172 psi | 65% | 3369 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,294 psi | 78% | 3579 fps | 95.1% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,002 psi | 74% | 3451 fps | 95% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,164 psi | 80% | 3501 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 96% | 44,411 psi | 80% | 3609 fps | 95.3% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,625 psi | 74% | 3451 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,740 psi | 72% | 3346 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 82% | 38,450 psi | 70% | 3392 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,120 psi | 78% | 3504 fps | 99% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,208 psi | 80% | 3517 fps | 98.6% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 86% | 44,019 psi | 80% | 3527 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | 44 gr | 88% | 42,511 psi | 77% | 3530 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,787 psi | 45% | 2165 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,670 psi | 77% | 3474 fps | 95% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,287 psi | 62% | 3330 fps | 97.7% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,947 psi | 81% | 3484 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 90% | 45,571 psi | 82% | 3586 fps | 95.4% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,379 psi | 73% | 3402 fps | 95.1% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,163 psi | 76% | 3435 fps | 96.8% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,361 psi | 66% | 3330 fps | 95.8% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 86% | 44,483 psi | 80% | 3455 fps | 95% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,770 psi | 74% | 3419 fps | 95.5% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,842 psi | 72% | 3386 fps | 95.1% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,853 psi | 63% | 3271 fps | 96% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,934 psi | 85% | 3602 fps | 95.8% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 86% | 45,614 psi | 83% | 3550 fps | 95.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,961 psi | 45% | 2218 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,627 psi | 77% | 3465 fps | 97.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | 45.2 gr | 90% | 38,522 psi | 70% | 3468 fps | 95.8% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,116 psi | 69% | 3337 fps | 96.8% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,147 psi | 73% | 3386 fps | 95.2% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 94% | 43,279 psi | 78% | 3507 fps | 95.5% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,361 psi | 66% | 3330 fps | 95.8% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,770 psi | 74% | 3419 fps | 95.5% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,179 psi | 82% | 3478 fps | 96.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 94% | 45,658 psi | 83% | 3586 fps | 95.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,614 psi | 81% | 3517 fps | 99.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 88% | 45,252 psi | 82% | 3533 fps | 95.2% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,434 psi | 66% | 3238 fps | 96.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,689 psi | 54% | 3041 fps | 95.2% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,538 psi | 73% | 3419 fps | 95.6% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,085 psi | 65% | 3238 fps | 97.4% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 94% | 44,672 psi | 81% | 3530 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,495 psi | 75% | 3373 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,506 psi | 66% | 3255 fps | 98.8% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,517 psi | 57% | 3186 fps | 97.7% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,895 psi | 60% | 3186 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 90% | 37,434 psi | 68% | 3314 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,277 psi | 73% | 3392 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 82% | 33,982 psi | 61% | 3222 fps | 95.6% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 98% | 45,121 psi | 82% | 3478 fps | 95.9% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 82% | 39,189 psi | 71% | 3428 fps | 95.8% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | 44.5 gr | 88% | 44,904 psi | 81% | 3540 fps | 95.9% |
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 | 57gr | CutEdge ESP Raptor. Alliant Power Pro 1200-R delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,737 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 2,405 fps to 3,737 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss 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 61–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 57.0 gr projectile in 0.243" calls for a 1:7.5 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, Winchester StaBALL Match rank at the top here: for .243 Ackley Improved with the .243 | 57gr | CutEdge ESP Raptor 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.