Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .243 Ackley Improved with .243 | 80gr | Nosler Ballistic Tip Varmint bullet and 58 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Alliant Reloder-16, Somchem S365 and ReloadSwiss RS 70.
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% | 47,253 psi | 86% | 3097 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,369 psi | 86% | 3143 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,036 psi | 85% | 3202 fps | 98% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,341 psi | 87% | 3159 fps | 98.7% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 82% | 46,499 psi | 84% | 3261 fps | 98.4% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,660 psi | 88% | 3192 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,907 psi | 89% | 3209 fps | 98.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,588 psi | 88% | 3278 fps | 98.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,313 psi | 89% | 3310 fps | 99.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-23ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,308 psi | 77% | 3150 fps | 98.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-26ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,993 psi | 87% | 3340 fps | 98.2% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,863 psi | 88% | 3199 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,792 psi | 90% | 3212 fps | 98.1% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,835 psi | 90% | 3261 fps | 96.1% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,167 psi | 87% | 3199 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,166 psi | 85% | 3199 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,592 psi | 64% | 2093 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,863 psi | 88% | 3179 fps | 99.5% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,906 psi | 87% | 3146 fps | 98.8% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,993 psi | 87% | 3202 fps | 98.3% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 82% | 46,934 psi | 85% | 3179 fps | 99% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,792 psi | 90% | 3143 fps | 99.3% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,964 psi | 87% | 3150 fps | 99.7% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,645 psi | 86% | 3140 fps | 96.9% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,356 psi | 88% | 3169 fps | 95.9% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,458 psi | 90% | 3169 fps | 99.8% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,908 psi | 90% | 3176 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,225 psi | 87% | 3196 fps | 99.1% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,792 psi | 90% | 3261 fps | 98.5% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,631 psi | 88% | 3215 fps | 99.1% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,747 psi | 88% | 3245 fps | 96.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,042 psi | 65% | 2139 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 84% | 46,644 psi | 84% | 3120 fps | 95.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,878 psi | 88% | 3268 fps | 98.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,718 psi | 88% | 3310 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,760 psi | 85% | 3219 fps | 97.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,850 psi | 90% | 3314 fps | 98.1% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,835 psi | 90% | 3166 fps | 99.8% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,066 psi | 89% | 3199 fps | 99.6% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,645 psi | 86% | 3140 fps | 96.9% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,964 psi | 87% | 3150 fps | 99.7% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,356 psi | 88% | 3169 fps | 95.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,152 psi | 85% | 3192 fps | 98.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,863 psi | 88% | 3182 fps | 99.2% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,921 psi | 87% | 3058 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,371 psi | 89% | 3196 fps | 99.5% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,993 psi | 87% | 3264 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,748 psi | 90% | 3143 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,253 psi | 86% | 3094 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,456 psi | 86% | 3120 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,602 psi | 88% | 3196 fps | 98.2% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,791 psi | 88% | 3140 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,993 psi | 87% | 3196 fps | 97.9% |
| Vihtavuori N555ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,847 psi | 85% | 3238 fps | 98.6% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,660 psi | 88% | 3166 fps | 99.7% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,835 psi | 90% | 3261 fps | 96.1% |
| Winchester StaBALL HDᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 38,203 psi | 69% | 3156 fps | 98.7% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,776 psi | 88% | 3189 fps | 99.5% |
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 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,034 psi | 80% | 3038 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,626 psi | 75% | 3028 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 86% | 38,159 psi | 69% | 3002 fps | 95.6% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,147 psi | 73% | 2979 fps | 96.9% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,395 psi | 79% | 3189 fps | 97.6% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,001 psi | 72% | 3005 fps | 98.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,801 psi | 77% | 3077 fps | 97.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | 40.8 gr | 86% | 37,666 psi | 68% | 3015 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,867 psi | 63% | 2963 fps | 96.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 92% | 32,793 psi | 59% | 2890 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 94% | 38,609 psi | 70% | 3110 fps | 95.1% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,001 psi | 72% | 3012 fps | 98.4% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,625 psi | 74% | 3012 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,601 psi | 84% | 3192 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 84% | 32,576 psi | 59% | 2835 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,063 psi | 80% | 3133 fps | 99.1% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,426 psi | 48% | 1873 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,701 psi | 83% | 3114 fps | 99.1% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,163 psi | 76% | 3022 fps | 97.6% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,680 psi | 66% | 2949 fps | 95.2% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,859 psi | 79% | 3114 fps | 98.4% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,978 psi | 85% | 3087 fps | 99% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,221 psi | 76% | 3028 fps | 99% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,090 psi | 76% | 3018 fps | 95.4% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 90% | 45,266 psi | 82% | 3104 fps | 95% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,267 psi | 84% | 3104 fps | 99.5% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,644 psi | 84% | 3114 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,163 psi | 76% | 3064 fps | 98.1% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 86% | 38,029 psi | 69% | 2999 fps | 95.4% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,192 psi | 76% | 3081 fps | 97.9% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 92% | 45,600 psi | 83% | 3179 fps | 95.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,919 psi | 49% | 1919 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 82% | 43,700 psi | 79% | 3054 fps | 95% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,556 psi | 82% | 3202 fps | 98.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,072 psi | 67% | 3045 fps | 99.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,913 psi | 69% | 3018 fps | 95.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | 45.6 gr | 88% | 40,205 psi | 73% | 3087 fps | 95.1% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,179 psi | 80% | 3051 fps | 99.3% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,449 psi | 68% | 2943 fps | 97.5% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,090 psi | 76% | 3018 fps | 95.4% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,221 psi | 76% | 3028 fps | 99% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 90% | 45,266 psi | 82% | 3104 fps | 95% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,508 psi | 70% | 2999 fps | 97% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,774 psi | 83% | 3120 fps | 98.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,566 psi | 72% | 2894 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,189 psi | 69% | 2953 fps | 97.5% |
| Somchem S365 | 39.7 gr | 82% | 29,820 psi | 54% | 2808 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,584 psi | 79% | 3031 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,179 psi | 80% | 3035 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,347 psi | 66% | 2877 fps | 98.2% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,144 psi | 67% | 2940 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,786 psi | 77% | 3022 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 86% | 39,247 psi | 71% | 3002 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 92% | 35,766 psi | 65% | 2982 fps | 95.5% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,271 psi | 58% | 2782 fps | 95.6% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,601 psi | 84% | 3192 fps | 95.2% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 94% | 31,285 psi | 57% | 2920 fps | 95% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,629 psi | 83% | 3127 fps | 99.1% |
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 58 powders for .243 Ackley Improved loaded with the .243 | 80gr | Nosler Ballistic Tip Varmint. Alliant Reloder-26 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,340 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 2,093 fps to 3,340 fps. Alliant Reloder-23 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 58 of the 58 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 1:10.0 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. Alliant Reloder-16, Somchem S365, ReloadSwiss RS 70 rank at the top here: for .243 Ackley Improved with the .243 | 80gr | Nosler Ballistic Tip Varmint 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.