Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .243 Ackley Improved with .243 | 65gr | Berger ND bullet and 66 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are ReloadSwiss RS 60, Alliant Reloder-17 and SNPE Vectan SP 11.
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>> | 82% | 48,907 psi | 89% | 3386 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,456 psi | 86% | 3396 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,211 psi | 89% | 3458 fps | 99.7% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,659 psi | 86% | 3435 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,210 psi | 85% | 3474 fps | 96.2% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,211 psi | 87% | 3455 fps | 97.7% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,487 psi | 90% | 3455 fps | 97.3% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,355 psi | 86% | 3409 fps | 98.5% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,384 psi | 86% | 3422 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,790 psi | 86% | 3556 fps | 96.7% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,849 psi | 88% | 3474 fps | 98.3% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,211 psi | 89% | 3481 fps | 98.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,617 psi | 90% | 3501 fps | 97.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,037 psi | 89% | 3550 fps | 97% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,514 psi | 84% | 3517 fps | 98% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,863 psi | 87% | 3448 fps | 96.5% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,458 psi | 90% | 3491 fps | 98.8% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,269 psi | 89% | 3409 fps | 99.2% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,922 psi | 90% | 3497 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,704 psi | 88% | 3471 fps | 98.3% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100Vᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,283 psi | 87% | 3471 fps | 98.3% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,993 psi | 87% | 3497 fps | 98.6% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,795 psi | 63% | 2303 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 84% | 46,920 psi | 85% | 3415 fps | 97.9% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,124 psi | 87% | 3484 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,762 psi | 88% | 3435 fps | 97.4% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,921 psi | 87% | 3465 fps | 96.5% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,630 psi | 86% | 3471 fps | 97.6% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,355 psi | 86% | 3409 fps | 98.5% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,558 psi | 86% | 3432 fps | 99.6% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,356 psi | 88% | 3389 fps | 97.8% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,573 psi | 88% | 3438 fps | 98.8% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,239 psi | 85% | 3402 fps | 98.6% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,456 psi | 86% | 3419 fps | 99.8% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,849 psi | 88% | 3484 fps | 97.9% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,850 psi | 90% | 3530 fps | 96.8% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,269 psi | 89% | 3501 fps | 97.8% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,007 psi | 85% | 3425 fps | 97.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,360 psi | 64% | 2359 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,400 psi | 89% | 3563 fps | 97.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,588 psi | 90% | 3609 fps | 99.9% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,312 psi | 87% | 3412 fps | 99.8% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,834 psi | 87% | 3406 fps | 98.7% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,284 psi | 89% | 3478 fps | 98.5% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,558 psi | 86% | 3432 fps | 99.6% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,573 psi | 88% | 3438 fps | 98.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,834 psi | 87% | 3478 fps | 97.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,313 psi | 89% | 3435 fps | 96% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 86% | 50,009 psi | 90% | 3481 fps | 98.1% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,617 psi | 88% | 3363 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,023 psi | 89% | 3360 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,211 psi | 87% | 3356 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,805 psi | 88% | 3432 fps | 97.8% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,850 psi | 90% | 3484 fps | 98.5% |
| Somchem S365ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,819 psi | 87% | 3537 fps | 99.3% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,776 psi | 88% | 3356 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,123 psi | 85% | 3392 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,225 psi | 87% | 3399 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,950 psi | 87% | 3402 fps | 99.1% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,153 psi | 89% | 3471 fps | 96.5% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,761 psi | 86% | 3409 fps | 98.7% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,850 psi | 90% | 3442 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,341 psi | 87% | 3468 fps | 96.2% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,835 psi | 90% | 3448 fps | 98.8% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,442 psi | 86% | 3458 fps | 99.2% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,908 psi | 90% | 3488 fps | 98.5% |
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 2015 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,064 psi | 83% | 3333 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,551 psi | 70% | 3202 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,672 psi | 83% | 3386 fps | 99.4% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,434 psi | 66% | 3173 fps | 98.4% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 94% | 43,918 psi | 79% | 3402 fps | 95.2% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,351 psi | 77% | 3320 fps | 96.2% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 86% | 43,729 psi | 79% | 3327 fps | 95.8% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,396 psi | 80% | 3343 fps | 97.9% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,164 psi | 80% | 3363 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 84% | 44,454 psi | 80% | 3474 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,888 psi | 78% | 3340 fps | 96.9% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 82% | 38,014 psi | 69% | 3219 fps | 95.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,770 psi | 74% | 3291 fps | 95% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 94% | 43,076 psi | 78% | 3402 fps | 95% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | 45.4 gr | 86% | 37,927 psi | 69% | 3291 fps | 95% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 82% | 44,860 psi | 81% | 3379 fps | 95.7% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 82% | 37,666 psi | 68% | 3215 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,253 psi | 84% | 3343 fps | 98.8% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,221 psi | 78% | 3353 fps | 98.2% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,743 psi | 77% | 3333 fps | 96.9% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 94% | 39,624 psi | 72% | 3268 fps | 95.9% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,754 psi | 70% | 3278 fps | 96.2% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,005 psi | 47% | 2073 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,118 psi | 74% | 3278 fps | 96.4% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,105 psi | 76% | 3353 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,263 psi | 73% | 3238 fps | 95% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 96% | 44,759 psi | 81% | 3399 fps | 95.7% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,073 psi | 71% | 3264 fps | 95.1% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,396 psi | 80% | 3343 fps | 97.9% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,249 psi | 75% | 3294 fps | 98.7% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,511 psi | 77% | 3258 fps | 96.3% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,565 psi | 68% | 3179 fps | 96.2% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,394 psi | 75% | 3268 fps | 97.3% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,829 psi | 76% | 3294 fps | 99.2% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,103 psi | 73% | 3278 fps | 95.5% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 94% | 43,497 psi | 79% | 3389 fps | 95% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 82% | 39,871 psi | 72% | 3284 fps | 95.2% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,048 psi | 80% | 3360 fps | 96.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,107 psi | 47% | 2119 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,931 psi | 78% | 3419 fps | 95.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | 42.2 gr | 80% | 32,793 psi | 59% | 3146 fps | 95.3% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,281 psi | 82% | 3346 fps | 99.5% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,508 psi | 71% | 3212 fps | 96.7% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,797 psi | 68% | 3209 fps | 95.5% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,249 psi | 75% | 3294 fps | 98.7% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,565 psi | 68% | 3179 fps | 96.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | 44.6 gr | 86% | 41,626 psi | 75% | 3337 fps | 95.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 82% | 45,861 psi | 83% | 3363 fps | 95.1% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,959 psi | 74% | 3271 fps | 95.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,757 psi | 77% | 3238 fps | 99.3% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,447 psi | 64% | 3058 fps | 98.8% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,424 psi | 77% | 3235 fps | 99.7% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,583 psi | 77% | 3294 fps | 96.2% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,566 psi | 70% | 3222 fps | 95.6% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 90% | 34,098 psi | 62% | 3179 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,989 psi | 78% | 3241 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,537 psi | 70% | 3209 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,537 psi | 72% | 3209 fps | 99.1% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 82% | 34,490 psi | 62% | 3077 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 94% | 45,948 psi | 83% | 3402 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,657 psi | 81% | 3343 fps | 98.1% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,232 psi | 69% | 3182 fps | 98.5% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 94% | 45,252 psi | 82% | 3399 fps | 95.3% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,898 psi | 69% | 3166 fps | 95.5% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,063 psi | 80% | 3383 fps | 98.6% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,437 psi | 73% | 3274 fps | 96.3% |
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 90 powders for .243 Ackley Improved loaded with the .243 | 65gr | Berger ND. ReloadSwiss RS 60 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,609 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 2,303 fps to 3,609 fps. Alliant Reloder-23 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 90 of the 90 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 65.0 gr projectile in 0.243" calls for a 1:11.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Alliant Reloder-23, Alliant Reloder-26, Hodgdon Hybrid 100V 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, Alliant Reloder-17, SNPE Vectan SP 11 rank at the top here: for .243 Ackley Improved with the .243 | 65gr | Berger ND they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, Accurate 2700, Alliant Reloder-23, Alliant Reloder-26 burn incompletely and react more sensitively to barrel length and temperature. Always begin at the start load and work up in small increments while checking case and primer for pressure signs.