Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .243 Ackley Improved with .243 | 80gr | Speer Spitzer Soft Point bullet and 55 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 Alliant Reloder-26.
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% | 48,138 psi | 87% | 3114 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 3100ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,311 psi | 84% | 3153 fps | 96.4% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,544 psi | 88% | 3166 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,443 psi | 88% | 3235 fps | 98.4% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,661 psi | 90% | 3192 fps | 99% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,761 psi | 86% | 3294 fps | 98.7% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,705 psi | 90% | 3215 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,995 psi | 90% | 3235 fps | 99.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,777 psi | 90% | 3307 fps | 99% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,282 psi | 86% | 3274 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-23ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,584 psi | 79% | 3182 fps | 99.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-26ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,647 psi | 90% | 3379 fps | 98.7% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,007 psi | 85% | 3169 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,514 psi | 86% | 3169 fps | 97.8% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,501 psi | 90% | 3228 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,225 psi | 87% | 3225 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,781 psi | 65% | 2106 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,908 psi | 90% | 3202 fps | 99.6% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,950 psi | 89% | 3173 fps | 99% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,501 psi | 88% | 3133 fps | 95.8% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,936 psi | 89% | 3166 fps | 95.8% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,240 psi | 89% | 3232 fps | 98.6% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,022 psi | 87% | 3209 fps | 99.2% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,037 psi | 89% | 3173 fps | 99.8% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,544 psi | 88% | 3163 fps | 97.2% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,530 psi | 90% | 3199 fps | 96.4% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,298 psi | 89% | 3219 fps | 99.4% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,747 psi | 86% | 3222 fps | 98.2% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,879 psi | 90% | 3245 fps | 99.3% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,864 psi | 90% | 3271 fps | 97.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,230 psi | 66% | 2152 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,863 psi | 87% | 3150 fps | 96.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,746 psi | 85% | 3278 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,283 psi | 87% | 3251 fps | 98.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,558 psi | 86% | 3271 fps | 97.7% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,022 psi | 87% | 3136 fps | 99.8% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,210 psi | 85% | 3166 fps | 99.5% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,544 psi | 88% | 3163 fps | 97.2% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,037 psi | 89% | 3173 fps | 99.8% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,530 psi | 90% | 3199 fps | 96.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,457 psi | 88% | 3222 fps | 99.2% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,965 psi | 89% | 3081 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,399 psi | 88% | 3104 fps | 95.9% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,500 psi | 86% | 3163 fps | 99.4% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,342 psi | 89% | 3291 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,674 psi | 86% | 3110 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,327 psi | 87% | 3120 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,428 psi | 88% | 3143 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,893 psi | 90% | 3225 fps | 98.5% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,763 psi | 90% | 3163 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,168 psi | 89% | 3225 fps | 98.3% |
| Vihtavuori N555ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,428 psi | 88% | 3271 fps | 99% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,951 psi | 90% | 3196 fps | 99.8% |
| Winchester StaBALL HDᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 39,291 psi | 71% | 3192 fps | 99.1% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,792 psi | 90% | 3212 fps | 99.7% |
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% | 45,266 psi | 82% | 3064 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 3100 | <<locked>> | 98% | 43,149 psi | 78% | 3087 fps | 95.5% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,801 psi | 77% | 3054 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,463 psi | 66% | 2963 fps | 95.1% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,104 psi | 74% | 3009 fps | 97.3% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,396 psi | 80% | 3219 fps | 98% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,046 psi | 74% | 3035 fps | 98.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,830 psi | 79% | 3107 fps | 98.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,042 psi | 65% | 2976 fps | 95% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | 41.8 gr | 80% | 35,694 psi | 65% | 2992 fps | 96.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 92% | 33,707 psi | 61% | 2923 fps | 96% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | 50.3 gr | 94% | 39,842 psi | 72% | 3146 fps | 95.9% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,075 psi | 74% | 3041 fps | 98.7% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,611 psi | 75% | 3041 fps | 96.3% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 82% | 31,241 psi | 57% | 2799 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,092 psi | 82% | 3159 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,527 psi | 48% | 1883 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,717 psi | 85% | 3140 fps | 99.3% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,192 psi | 78% | 3051 fps | 98% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,484 psi | 82% | 3071 fps | 95% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 86% | 45,934 psi | 83% | 3104 fps | 95% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,623 psi | 68% | 2976 fps | 95.7% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,947 psi | 81% | 3143 fps | 98.7% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,047 psi | 78% | 3051 fps | 99.2% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,975 psi | 78% | 3041 fps | 95.8% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,441 psi | 84% | 3133 fps | 95.5% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,221 psi | 78% | 3091 fps | 98.4% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,680 psi | 66% | 2966 fps | 95% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,149 psi | 78% | 3104 fps | 98.2% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 90% | 43,758 psi | 79% | 3143 fps | 95.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,021 psi | 49% | 1929 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 82% | 44,889 psi | 81% | 3087 fps | 95.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,985 psi | 69% | 3071 fps | 99.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 86% | 39,088 psi | 71% | 3051 fps | 95.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | 46.7 gr | 88% | 41,452 psi | 75% | 3127 fps | 95.9% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,976 psi | 81% | 3074 fps | 99.5% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,493 psi | 70% | 2972 fps | 97.9% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,975 psi | 78% | 3041 fps | 95.8% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,047 psi | 78% | 3051 fps | 99.2% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,441 psi | 84% | 3133 fps | 95.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,465 psi | 71% | 3025 fps | 97.4% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,596 psi | 73% | 2920 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 45,310 psi | 82% | 3041 fps | 95% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,233 psi | 71% | 2982 fps | 97.9% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,631 psi | 52% | 2769 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,802 psi | 81% | 3058 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,237 psi | 82% | 3061 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,275 psi | 67% | 2904 fps | 98.6% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,087 psi | 69% | 2969 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,758 psi | 79% | 3045 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,579 psi | 68% | 2966 fps | 95.1% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 90% | 34,490 psi | 62% | 2949 fps | 95.1% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,141 psi | 60% | 2812 fps | 96.2% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 94% | 32,039 psi | 58% | 2953 fps | 95.8% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,615 psi | 84% | 3150 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 55 powders for .243 Ackley Improved loaded with the .243 | 80gr | Speer Spitzer Soft Point. Alliant Reloder-26 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,379 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 2,106 fps to 3,379 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 1:11.5 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. ReloadSwiss RS 70, Alliant Reloder-17, Alliant Reloder-26 rank at the top here: for .243 Ackley Improved with the .243 | 80gr | Speer Spitzer Soft Point 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.