Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .243 Ackley Improved with .243 | 80gr | Sierra VarmintKing 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% | 47,326 psi | 86% | 3100 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 3100ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,889 psi | 81% | 3123 fps | 95.9% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,500 psi | 86% | 3146 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,123 psi | 85% | 3209 fps | 98.1% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,776 psi | 88% | 3169 fps | 98.8% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 82% | 46,543 psi | 84% | 3264 fps | 98.4% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,718 psi | 88% | 3196 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,037 psi | 89% | 3212 fps | 98.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,646 psi | 88% | 3278 fps | 98.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,385 psi | 89% | 3314 fps | 99.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-23ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,598 psi | 77% | 3159 fps | 98.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-26ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,356 psi | 88% | 3350 fps | 98.3% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,979 psi | 89% | 3205 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,864 psi | 90% | 3212 fps | 98.1% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,893 psi | 90% | 3264 fps | 96.1% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,254 psi | 87% | 3202 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,224 psi | 85% | 3205 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,752 psi | 65% | 2096 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,936 psi | 89% | 3179 fps | 99.5% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,979 psi | 87% | 3150 fps | 98.8% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,051 psi | 87% | 3205 fps | 98.4% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,007 psi | 85% | 3182 fps | 99% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,066 psi | 87% | 3153 fps | 99.7% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,703 psi | 86% | 3140 fps | 96.9% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,443 psi | 88% | 3173 fps | 95.9% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,559 psi | 90% | 3173 fps | 99.8% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,980 psi | 90% | 3179 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,341 psi | 87% | 3199 fps | 99.2% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,879 psi | 90% | 3261 fps | 98.5% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,660 psi | 88% | 3215 fps | 99.1% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,776 psi | 88% | 3248 fps | 96.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,201 psi | 66% | 2146 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,050 psi | 85% | 3130 fps | 96% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,950 psi | 89% | 3274 fps | 98.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,139 psi | 89% | 3320 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,137 psi | 85% | 3228 fps | 97.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,864 psi | 90% | 3314 fps | 98.1% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,908 psi | 90% | 3169 fps | 99.8% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,139 psi | 89% | 3199 fps | 99.6% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,703 psi | 86% | 3140 fps | 96.9% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,066 psi | 87% | 3153 fps | 99.7% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,443 psi | 88% | 3173 fps | 95.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,558 psi | 86% | 3202 fps | 99% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,979 psi | 89% | 3186 fps | 99.2% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,051 psi | 87% | 3061 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,414 psi | 89% | 3199 fps | 99.5% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,037 psi | 87% | 3268 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,893 psi | 90% | 3146 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,340 psi | 86% | 3097 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,558 psi | 86% | 3123 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,689 psi | 88% | 3199 fps | 98.2% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,863 psi | 88% | 3140 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,066 psi | 87% | 3202 fps | 98% |
| Vihtavuori N555ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,268 psi | 86% | 3248 fps | 98.7% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,675 psi | 88% | 3169 fps | 99.7% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,893 psi | 90% | 3264 fps | 96.1% |
| Winchester StaBALL HDᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 38,247 psi | 69% | 3159 fps | 98.7% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,863 psi | 88% | 3192 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% | 44,179 psi | 80% | 3041 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 3100 | <<locked>> | 98% | 42,076 psi | 76% | 3061 fps | 95% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,742 psi | 76% | 3031 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 86% | 38,247 psi | 69% | 3009 fps | 95.7% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,219 psi | 73% | 2982 fps | 96.9% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,482 psi | 79% | 3192 fps | 97.7% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,089 psi | 73% | 3009 fps | 98.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,192 psi | 78% | 3087 fps | 97.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | 40.9 gr | 86% | 37,710 psi | 68% | 3018 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,940 psi | 63% | 2966 fps | 96.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 92% | 32,851 psi | 59% | 2897 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 94% | 38,682 psi | 70% | 3114 fps | 95.2% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,103 psi | 73% | 3015 fps | 98.4% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,741 psi | 74% | 3018 fps | 95.9% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,688 psi | 84% | 3196 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 84% | 32,634 psi | 59% | 2838 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,121 psi | 80% | 3140 fps | 99.2% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,614 psi | 48% | 1880 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,774 psi | 83% | 3117 fps | 99.1% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,235 psi | 76% | 3025 fps | 97.7% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,753 psi | 67% | 2949 fps | 95.2% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,280 psi | 80% | 3123 fps | 98.5% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,351 psi | 77% | 3031 fps | 99.1% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,148 psi | 76% | 3022 fps | 95.4% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 90% | 45,629 psi | 83% | 3114 fps | 95.2% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,398 psi | 84% | 3107 fps | 99.6% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,760 psi | 85% | 3117 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,569 psi | 77% | 3074 fps | 98.2% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 86% | 38,101 psi | 69% | 3002 fps | 95.5% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,279 psi | 77% | 3084 fps | 97.9% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,714 psi | 77% | 3117 fps | 95.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,832 psi | 49% | 1919 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 82% | 43,772 psi | 79% | 3058 fps | 95% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,687 psi | 83% | 3205 fps | 98.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,173 psi | 67% | 3048 fps | 99.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 86% | 38,000 psi | 69% | 3022 fps | 95.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | 45.8 gr | 88% | 40,538 psi | 73% | 3100 fps | 95.4% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,295 psi | 80% | 3054 fps | 99.3% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,550 psi | 68% | 2946 fps | 97.5% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,148 psi | 76% | 3022 fps | 95.4% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,351 psi | 77% | 3031 fps | 99.1% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 90% | 45,629 psi | 83% | 3114 fps | 95.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,566 psi | 70% | 3002 fps | 97% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,861 psi | 83% | 3120 fps | 98.8% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,639 psi | 72% | 2897 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,319 psi | 69% | 2956 fps | 97.5% |
| Somchem S365 | 39.8 gr | 82% | 29,892 psi | 54% | 2815 fps | 95.8% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,685 psi | 79% | 3031 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,251 psi | 80% | 3041 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,405 psi | 66% | 2881 fps | 98.3% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,246 psi | 67% | 2943 fps | 95.1% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,844 psi | 78% | 3025 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 86% | 39,334 psi | 71% | 3009 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 92% | 35,868 psi | 65% | 2989 fps | 95.6% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,343 psi | 59% | 2785 fps | 95.6% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,688 psi | 84% | 3196 fps | 95.3% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 94% | 31,343 psi | 57% | 2920 fps | 95% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,716 psi | 83% | 3130 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 | Sierra VarmintKing. Alliant Reloder-26 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,350 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 2,096 fps to 3,350 fps. Accurate 3100 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 65–90 %, 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. 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 | Sierra VarmintKing 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.