Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .243 Ackley Improved with .243 | 80gr | Rhino Penetrator bullet and 55 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% | 47,210 psi | 85% | 3097 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 3100ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,078 psi | 82% | 3127 fps | 95.9% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,688 psi | 86% | 3150 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,340 psi | 86% | 3209 fps | 98.1% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,602 psi | 88% | 3166 fps | 98.8% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 82% | 46,746 psi | 85% | 3268 fps | 98.4% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,878 psi | 88% | 3196 fps | 99.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,182 psi | 89% | 3215 fps | 98.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,805 psi | 88% | 3281 fps | 98.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,588 psi | 90% | 3320 fps | 99.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-23ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,757 psi | 77% | 3159 fps | 98.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-26ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,501 psi | 88% | 3353 fps | 98.3% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,139 psi | 89% | 3205 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 84% | 46,804 psi | 85% | 3150 fps | 97.5% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,457 psi | 88% | 3205 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,413 psi | 86% | 3205 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,679 psi | 65% | 2096 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,095 psi | 89% | 3182 fps | 99.5% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,182 psi | 87% | 3150 fps | 98.8% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,240 psi | 87% | 3209 fps | 98.4% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,166 psi | 85% | 3186 fps | 99% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,254 psi | 87% | 3153 fps | 99.8% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,892 psi | 87% | 3146 fps | 97% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,573 psi | 88% | 3176 fps | 96% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,443 psi | 89% | 3166 fps | 99.8% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,501 psi | 88% | 3199 fps | 99.2% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,746 psi | 85% | 3199 fps | 97.9% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,863 psi | 88% | 3222 fps | 99.2% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,921 psi | 89% | 3251 fps | 96.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,129 psi | 65% | 2142 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 84% | 46,876 psi | 85% | 3127 fps | 96% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,182 psi | 89% | 3278 fps | 98.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,269 psi | 89% | 3323 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,326 psi | 86% | 3232 fps | 97.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,995 psi | 90% | 3317 fps | 98.1% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,181 psi | 85% | 3117 fps | 99.6% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,327 psi | 89% | 3202 fps | 99.6% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,892 psi | 87% | 3146 fps | 97% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,254 psi | 87% | 3153 fps | 99.8% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,573 psi | 88% | 3176 fps | 96% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,384 psi | 86% | 3196 fps | 99% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,124 psi | 89% | 3186 fps | 99.2% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,211 psi | 87% | 3061 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,574 psi | 90% | 3202 fps | 99.6% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,240 psi | 87% | 3271 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 82% | 46,731 psi | 85% | 3091 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,529 psi | 86% | 3104 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,703 psi | 86% | 3127 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,820 psi | 88% | 3202 fps | 98.3% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,037 psi | 89% | 3146 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,254 psi | 87% | 3202 fps | 98% |
| Vihtavuori N555ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,398 psi | 86% | 3251 fps | 98.7% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,834 psi | 88% | 3173 fps | 99.7% |
| Winchester StaBALL HDᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 38,377 psi | 69% | 3159 fps | 98.8% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,037 psi | 89% | 3196 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% | 44,353 psi | 80% | 3045 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 3100 | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,930 psi | 76% | 3058 fps | 95% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,901 psi | 76% | 3035 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 86% | 38,363 psi | 69% | 3009 fps | 95.7% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,364 psi | 73% | 2986 fps | 96.9% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,642 psi | 79% | 3196 fps | 97.7% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,234 psi | 73% | 3012 fps | 98.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,033 psi | 78% | 3084 fps | 97.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | 41 gr | 86% | 37,840 psi | 68% | 3018 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,853 psi | 63% | 2963 fps | 96.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 92% | 32,953 psi | 60% | 2897 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 94% | 38,827 psi | 70% | 3117 fps | 95.3% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,234 psi | 73% | 3018 fps | 98.5% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,886 psi | 74% | 3018 fps | 95.9% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 84% | 32,547 psi | 59% | 2835 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,309 psi | 80% | 3143 fps | 99.2% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,556 psi | 48% | 1877 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,948 psi | 83% | 3120 fps | 99.1% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,395 psi | 77% | 3028 fps | 97.7% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,912 psi | 67% | 2953 fps | 95.3% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,135 psi | 80% | 3120 fps | 98.5% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,482 psi | 77% | 3035 fps | 99.1% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,279 psi | 77% | 3022 fps | 95.4% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 90% | 45,484 psi | 82% | 3110 fps | 95.1% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,543 psi | 84% | 3114 fps | 99.6% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,424 psi | 77% | 3071 fps | 98.1% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 86% | 38,261 psi | 69% | 3005 fps | 95.5% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,438 psi | 77% | 3087 fps | 98% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,830 psi | 78% | 3120 fps | 95.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,774 psi | 48% | 1919 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 82% | 43,932 psi | 80% | 3061 fps | 95.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,861 psi | 83% | 3209 fps | 98.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,057 psi | 67% | 3045 fps | 99.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 86% | 38,130 psi | 69% | 3025 fps | 95.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | 45.9 gr | 88% | 40,640 psi | 74% | 3100 fps | 95.4% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,179 psi | 80% | 3054 fps | 99.3% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,681 psi | 68% | 2949 fps | 97.6% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,279 psi | 77% | 3022 fps | 95.4% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,482 psi | 77% | 3035 fps | 99.1% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 90% | 45,484 psi | 82% | 3110 fps | 95.1% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,711 psi | 70% | 3002 fps | 97.1% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,035 psi | 83% | 3123 fps | 98.8% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,827 psi | 72% | 2900 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,450 psi | 70% | 2959 fps | 97.6% |
| Somchem S365 | 39.9 gr | 82% | 30,023 psi | 54% | 2815 fps | 95.9% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,874 psi | 79% | 3035 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,411 psi | 80% | 3041 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,579 psi | 66% | 2884 fps | 98.3% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,391 psi | 68% | 2946 fps | 95.1% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,989 psi | 78% | 3028 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 86% | 39,465 psi | 71% | 3009 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 92% | 35,998 psi | 65% | 2989 fps | 95.6% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,445 psi | 59% | 2785 fps | 95.7% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 94% | 31,415 psi | 57% | 2923 fps | 95.1% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,890 psi | 83% | 3133 fps | 99.2% |
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 55 powders for .243 Ackley Improved loaded with the .243 | 80gr | Rhino Penetrator. Alliant Reloder-26 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,353 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 2,096 fps to 3,353 fps. Accurate 3100 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 55 of the 55 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 1:10.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 3100, Alliant Reloder-23, Alliant Reloder-26 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 | Rhino Penetrator 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.