Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .243 Ackley Improved with .243 | 80gr | Frontier BTSP 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, Alliant Reloder-16 and Somchem S365.
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>> | 84% | 49,516 psi | 90% | 3136 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,937 psi | 90% | 3189 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,545 psi | 90% | 3251 fps | 98.4% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,980 psi | 90% | 3209 fps | 99.3% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,051 psi | 87% | 3153 fps | 98.6% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,443 psi | 89% | 3320 fps | 98.9% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,950 psi | 87% | 3176 fps | 99.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,254 psi | 87% | 3196 fps | 98.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,008 psi | 87% | 3261 fps | 98.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,385 psi | 88% | 3291 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-23ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,814 psi | 76% | 3136 fps | 98.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-26ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,181 psi | 85% | 3320 fps | 97.9% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,632 psi | 90% | 3212 fps | 98.6% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,167 psi | 87% | 3186 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,153 psi | 89% | 3196 fps | 97.9% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,543 psi | 86% | 3189 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,763 psi | 90% | 3248 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,505 psi | 64% | 2087 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,182 psi | 87% | 3163 fps | 99.4% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,239 psi | 85% | 3130 fps | 98.6% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,065 psi | 85% | 3186 fps | 98.1% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,458 psi | 90% | 3228 fps | 99.3% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,676 psi | 90% | 3186 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,501 psi | 90% | 3136 fps | 99.3% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,311 psi | 86% | 3133 fps | 99.6% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,966 psi | 90% | 3182 fps | 97.3% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,762 psi | 88% | 3153 fps | 99.7% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,197 psi | 89% | 3159 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,572 psi | 86% | 3179 fps | 99% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,805 psi | 88% | 3238 fps | 98.3% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,008 psi | 87% | 3202 fps | 99% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,834 psi | 87% | 3225 fps | 96.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,955 psi | 65% | 2133 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,559 psi | 90% | 3176 fps | 96.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,138 psi | 87% | 3255 fps | 98.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,138 psi | 87% | 3301 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,487 psi | 90% | 3274 fps | 98.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,023 psi | 89% | 3294 fps | 97.8% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,487 psi | 90% | 3156 fps | 99.8% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,370 psi | 88% | 3182 fps | 99.5% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,966 psi | 90% | 3182 fps | 97.3% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,676 psi | 90% | 3186 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,311 psi | 86% | 3133 fps | 99.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,792 psi | 90% | 3241 fps | 99.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,254 psi | 87% | 3166 fps | 99.1% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,937 psi | 90% | 3100 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,297 psi | 86% | 3045 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,632 psi | 90% | 3097 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,689 psi | 88% | 3182 fps | 99.4% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,007 psi | 85% | 3245 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,965 psi | 89% | 3127 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,821 psi | 90% | 3140 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,864 psi | 90% | 3163 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,022 psi | 87% | 3182 fps | 98% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,167 psi | 87% | 3127 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,094 psi | 85% | 3179 fps | 97.7% |
| Vihtavuori N555ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,224 psi | 84% | 3228 fps | 98.4% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,863 psi | 87% | 3153 fps | 99.6% |
| Winchester StaBALL HDᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,565 psi | 68% | 3130 fps | 98.4% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,153 psi | 87% | 3176 fps | 99.4% |
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% | 43,598 psi | 79% | 3028 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,205 psi | 75% | 3015 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,507 psi | 68% | 2986 fps | 95.3% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,760 psi | 85% | 3146 fps | 98.8% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,798 psi | 72% | 2969 fps | 96.7% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,786 psi | 77% | 3173 fps | 97.4% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,624 psi | 72% | 2995 fps | 98.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,438 psi | 77% | 3068 fps | 97.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | 40.3 gr | 86% | 37,115 psi | 67% | 2999 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,330 psi | 62% | 2946 fps | 96% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 92% | 32,329 psi | 59% | 2877 fps | 95% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 96% | 40,988 psi | 74% | 3173 fps | 96% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,166 psi | 84% | 3143 fps | 97.9% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,349 psi | 71% | 2995 fps | 98.2% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,030 psi | 72% | 2995 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 84% | 32,039 psi | 58% | 2815 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,410 psi | 79% | 3120 fps | 99% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,527 psi | 48% | 1873 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,324 psi | 82% | 3104 fps | 99% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,771 psi | 76% | 3012 fps | 97.5% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,696 psi | 70% | 2999 fps | 95.8% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,482 psi | 79% | 3104 fps | 98.3% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,354 psi | 84% | 3127 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,630 psi | 84% | 3077 fps | 98.9% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,872 psi | 76% | 3018 fps | 98.9% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,510 psi | 75% | 3002 fps | 95.1% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,919 psi | 83% | 3097 fps | 99.5% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,253 psi | 84% | 3104 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,800 psi | 76% | 3054 fps | 97.9% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,449 psi | 68% | 2986 fps | 95.1% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,568 psi | 75% | 3064 fps | 97.7% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 92% | 44,773 psi | 81% | 3159 fps | 95.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,745 psi | 48% | 1913 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 84% | 46,108 psi | 83% | 3104 fps | 95.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,150 psi | 82% | 3192 fps | 98.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | 40.4 gr | 80% | 36,535 psi | 66% | 3028 fps | 99.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,059 psi | 72% | 3071 fps | 95.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,525 psi | 77% | 3146 fps | 96% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,497 psi | 79% | 3038 fps | 99.2% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,072 psi | 67% | 2933 fps | 97.3% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,510 psi | 75% | 3002 fps | 95.1% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,354 psi | 84% | 3127 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,872 psi | 76% | 3018 fps | 98.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,130 psi | 69% | 2989 fps | 96.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,455 psi | 82% | 3110 fps | 98.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,905 psi | 85% | 3045 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,204 psi | 71% | 2887 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,760 psi | 85% | 3045 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,811 psi | 68% | 2940 fps | 97.3% |
| Somchem S365 | 39.2 gr | 82% | 29,312 psi | 53% | 2792 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,120 psi | 78% | 3022 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,787 psi | 79% | 3028 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,998 psi | 65% | 2867 fps | 98.1% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 86% | 39,218 psi | 71% | 2992 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,134 psi | 76% | 3009 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 86% | 38,740 psi | 70% | 2992 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 92% | 35,172 psi | 64% | 2966 fps | 95.2% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,865 psi | 58% | 2769 fps | 95.3% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 96% | 32,837 psi | 59% | 2972 fps | 95.9% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,991 psi | 81% | 3114 fps | 99% |
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 | 80gr | Frontier BTSP. Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,320 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 2,087 fps to 3,320 fps. Alliant Reloder-23 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 64–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 80.0 gr projectile in 0.243" calls for a 1:9.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Alliant Reloder-23, Alliant Reloder-26, Hodgdon TrailBoss 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-16, Somchem S365 rank at the top here: for .243 Ackley Improved with the .243 | 80gr | Frontier BTSP 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.