Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .243 Ackley Improved with .243 | 80gr | Berger Varmint bullet and 54 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are ReloadSwiss RS 70, Alliant Reloder-17 and ReloadSwiss RS 62.
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 2495 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,066 psi | 87% | 3114 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 3100ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,701 psi | 83% | 3140 fps | 96.2% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,167 psi | 87% | 3159 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,066 psi | 87% | 3228 fps | 98.3% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,313 psi | 89% | 3186 fps | 98.9% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,427 psi | 86% | 3284 fps | 98.6% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,327 psi | 89% | 3205 fps | 99.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,617 psi | 90% | 3225 fps | 99% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,472 psi | 90% | 3297 fps | 98.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,630 psi | 84% | 3261 fps | 99.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-23ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,308 psi | 78% | 3176 fps | 99% |
| Alliant Reloder-26ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,066 psi | 89% | 3366 fps | 98.5% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,893 psi | 90% | 3222 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,181 psi | 85% | 3159 fps | 97.7% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,139 psi | 89% | 3219 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,863 psi | 87% | 3215 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,810 psi | 65% | 2103 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,530 psi | 90% | 3196 fps | 99.6% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,573 psi | 88% | 3163 fps | 98.9% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,921 psi | 89% | 3222 fps | 98.6% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,630 psi | 86% | 3196 fps | 99.1% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,675 psi | 88% | 3166 fps | 99.8% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,211 psi | 87% | 3153 fps | 97.1% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,240 psi | 89% | 3189 fps | 96.2% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,921 psi | 89% | 3209 fps | 99.3% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,442 psi | 86% | 3215 fps | 98.1% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,240 psi | 89% | 3228 fps | 99.2% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,574 psi | 90% | 3264 fps | 97.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,260 psi | 66% | 2149 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,558 psi | 86% | 3143 fps | 96.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,951 psi | 90% | 3294 fps | 99% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,676 psi | 90% | 3333 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,008 psi | 87% | 3245 fps | 98.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,007 psi | 85% | 3258 fps | 97.5% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,659 psi | 86% | 3127 fps | 99.7% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,748 psi | 90% | 3212 fps | 99.7% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,211 psi | 87% | 3153 fps | 97.1% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,675 psi | 88% | 3166 fps | 99.8% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,240 psi | 89% | 3189 fps | 96.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,080 psi | 87% | 3212 fps | 99.1% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,835 psi | 90% | 3202 fps | 99.4% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,588 psi | 88% | 3071 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,137 psi | 85% | 3156 fps | 99.3% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,979 psi | 89% | 3284 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,239 psi | 85% | 3100 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,935 psi | 87% | 3110 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,095 psi | 87% | 3133 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,545 psi | 90% | 3219 fps | 98.5% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,400 psi | 89% | 3153 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,849 psi | 88% | 3219 fps | 98.2% |
| Vihtavuori N555ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,153 psi | 87% | 3268 fps | 98.9% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,356 psi | 89% | 3186 fps | 99.8% |
| Winchester StaBALL HDᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 38,798 psi | 70% | 3176 fps | 99% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,443 psi | 89% | 3205 fps | 99.6% |
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 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,846 psi | 81% | 3054 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 3100 | <<locked>> | 98% | 42,540 psi | 77% | 3074 fps | 95.2% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,380 psi | 77% | 3045 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 86% | 38,841 psi | 70% | 3022 fps | 95.9% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,756 psi | 74% | 2999 fps | 97.1% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,063 psi | 80% | 3209 fps | 97.9% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,669 psi | 74% | 3025 fps | 98.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,497 psi | 79% | 3097 fps | 98% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 86% | 38,218 psi | 69% | 3035 fps | 95.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | 41.5 gr | 80% | 35,404 psi | 64% | 2982 fps | 96.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 92% | 33,475 psi | 61% | 2917 fps | 95.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 94% | 39,610 psi | 72% | 3140 fps | 95.7% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,698 psi | 74% | 3031 fps | 98.6% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,307 psi | 75% | 3031 fps | 96.1% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 84% | 33,127 psi | 60% | 2851 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,715 psi | 81% | 3153 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,484 psi | 48% | 1880 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,383 psi | 84% | 3133 fps | 99.2% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,815 psi | 77% | 3041 fps | 97.9% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,304 psi | 68% | 2966 fps | 95.5% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,585 psi | 81% | 3133 fps | 98.6% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,917 psi | 78% | 3048 fps | 99.2% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,656 psi | 77% | 3035 fps | 95.6% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,151 psi | 84% | 3127 fps | 95.4% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,859 psi | 78% | 3081 fps | 98.3% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 86% | 38,914 psi | 70% | 3025 fps | 95.8% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,801 psi | 77% | 3097 fps | 98.1% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 90% | 43,163 psi | 78% | 3130 fps | 95.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,977 psi | 49% | 1926 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 82% | 44,585 psi | 81% | 3077 fps | 95.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,354 psi | 84% | 3222 fps | 98.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,666 psi | 68% | 3061 fps | 99.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | 44.5 gr | 86% | 38,479 psi | 70% | 3031 fps | 95.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | 46.3 gr | 88% | 40,930 psi | 74% | 3110 fps | 95.6% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,570 psi | 81% | 3064 fps | 99.4% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,145 psi | 69% | 2963 fps | 97.8% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,656 psi | 77% | 3035 fps | 95.6% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,917 psi | 78% | 3048 fps | 99.2% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,151 psi | 84% | 3127 fps | 95.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,117 psi | 71% | 3015 fps | 97.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,427 psi | 84% | 3136 fps | 98.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,205 psi | 73% | 2910 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,856 psi | 70% | 2969 fps | 97.7% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,369 psi | 51% | 2759 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,367 psi | 80% | 3048 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,889 psi | 81% | 3054 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,956 psi | 67% | 2894 fps | 98.5% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,768 psi | 68% | 2959 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,395 psi | 79% | 3038 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,289 psi | 67% | 2956 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 92% | 36,680 psi | 66% | 3009 fps | 95.9% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,924 psi | 60% | 2805 fps | 96% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 94% | 31,836 psi | 58% | 2943 fps | 95.6% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,267 psi | 84% | 3143 fps | 99.3% |
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 83 powders for .243 Ackley Improved loaded with the .243 | 80gr | Berger Varmint. Alliant Reloder-26 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,366 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 2,103 fps to 3,366 fps. Accurate 3100 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 83 of the 83 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (381 MPa), the top charges use 65–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 80.0 gr projectile in 0.243" calls for a 1:11.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 3100, Alliant Reloder-22, Alliant Reloder-23 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 70, Alliant Reloder-17, ReloadSwiss RS 62 rank at the top here: for .243 Ackley Improved with the .243 | 80gr | Berger Varmint they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, Accurate High Country, ADI AR 2209, Alliant Reloder-19 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.