Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .243 Ackley Improved with .243 | 85gr | Barnes TSX BT bullet and 64 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>> | 84% | 49,980 psi | 90% | 3064 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 3100ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,049 psi | 82% | 3054 fps | 96.5% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,152 psi | 85% | 3061 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,079 psi | 85% | 3130 fps | 98.5% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,646 psi | 88% | 3087 fps | 99.1% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 82% | 46,920 psi | 85% | 3192 fps | 98.9% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,878 psi | 88% | 3117 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,153 psi | 89% | 3133 fps | 99.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,820 psi | 88% | 3205 fps | 99.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,690 psi | 90% | 3238 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-23ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,482 psi | 77% | 3084 fps | 99.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-26ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,646 psi | 88% | 3281 fps | 98.8% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,052 psi | 89% | 3127 fps | 99.9% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,487 psi | 90% | 3094 fps | 95.9% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,763 psi | 90% | 3133 fps | 98.5% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,789 psi | 85% | 3127 fps | 95.9% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,515 psi | 88% | 3127 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,543 psi | 86% | 3130 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,665 psi | 65% | 2031 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,110 psi | 89% | 3104 fps | 99.7% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,109 psi | 87% | 3074 fps | 99.2% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,761 psi | 86% | 3038 fps | 96.1% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,893 psi | 90% | 3120 fps | 96% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,138 psi | 87% | 3071 fps | 96.1% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,167 psi | 87% | 3133 fps | 98.8% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,065 psi | 85% | 3107 fps | 99.3% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,037 psi | 87% | 3071 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,558 psi | 86% | 3064 fps | 97.4% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,370 psi | 88% | 3097 fps | 96.5% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,429 psi | 89% | 3091 fps | 99.9% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,472 psi | 88% | 3120 fps | 99.5% |
| Norma MRPᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,863 psi | 87% | 3222 fps | 96.1% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,630 psi | 84% | 3120 fps | 98.3% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,762 psi | 88% | 3140 fps | 99.4% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,124 psi | 89% | 3179 fps | 97.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,114 psi | 65% | 2077 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 84% | 46,920 psi | 85% | 3054 fps | 96.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,284 psi | 89% | 3199 fps | 99.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,356 psi | 89% | 3245 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,050 psi | 85% | 3150 fps | 98.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,937 psi | 90% | 3241 fps | 98.6% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,821 psi | 90% | 3087 fps | 99.9% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,907 psi | 89% | 3117 fps | 99.8% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,487 psi | 90% | 3094 fps | 95.9% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,558 psi | 86% | 3064 fps | 97.4% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,037 psi | 87% | 3071 fps | 99.9% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,370 psi | 88% | 3097 fps | 96.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,601 psi | 86% | 3123 fps | 99.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,182 psi | 89% | 3110 fps | 99.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,138 psi | 87% | 2982 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,558 psi | 86% | 3009 fps | 96.1% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,574 psi | 90% | 3123 fps | 99.8% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,414 psi | 88% | 3192 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,864 psi | 90% | 3061 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,398 psi | 86% | 3018 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,442 psi | 86% | 3041 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,863 psi | 88% | 3127 fps | 98.7% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,037 psi | 89% | 3064 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,167 psi | 87% | 3127 fps | 98.4% |
| Vihtavuori N555ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,152 psi | 85% | 3169 fps | 99% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,037 psi | 89% | 3100 fps | 99.9% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,789 psi | 85% | 3127 fps | 95.9% |
| Winchester StaBALL HDᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 38,101 psi | 69% | 3087 fps | 99.2% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,139 psi | 89% | 3120 fps | 99.8% |
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% | 43,555 psi | 79% | 2953 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 3100 | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,771 psi | 76% | 2986 fps | 95.6% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,205 psi | 75% | 2946 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,389 psi | 64% | 2864 fps | 95.2% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,147 psi | 73% | 2910 fps | 97.4% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,729 psi | 79% | 3123 fps | 98.2% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,943 psi | 72% | 2930 fps | 98.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,120 psi | 78% | 3012 fps | 98.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,230 psi | 64% | 2881 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | 40.2 gr | 80% | 34,635 psi | 63% | 2890 fps | 97% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 92% | 32,822 psi | 59% | 2831 fps | 96.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | 48.5 gr | 94% | 38,798 psi | 70% | 3051 fps | 96% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,856 psi | 72% | 2936 fps | 98.8% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,224 psi | 84% | 3028 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,596 psi | 73% | 2940 fps | 96.4% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 88% | 43,642 psi | 79% | 3058 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 82% | 30,226 psi | 55% | 2700 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,324 psi | 80% | 3064 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,324 psi | 48% | 1814 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,861 psi | 83% | 3041 fps | 99.4% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,148 psi | 76% | 2949 fps | 98.1% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,643 psi | 81% | 2976 fps | 95.2% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,949 psi | 85% | 3064 fps | 95.3% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 86% | 45,339 psi | 82% | 3012 fps | 95.3% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,753 psi | 67% | 2881 fps | 95.9% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,193 psi | 80% | 3045 fps | 98.9% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,119 psi | 76% | 2953 fps | 99.3% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,305 psi | 71% | 2884 fps | 95.1% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 90% | 45,484 psi | 82% | 3038 fps | 95.8% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,137 psi | 83% | 3028 fps | 99.8% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,482 psi | 77% | 2999 fps | 98.6% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 98% | 44,556 psi | 81% | 3150 fps | 95% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,520 psi | 64% | 2864 fps | 95.1% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,453 psi | 77% | 3012 fps | 98.4% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,786 psi | 77% | 3045 fps | 95.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,803 psi | 49% | 1860 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 82% | 43,859 psi | 79% | 2986 fps | 95.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,832 psi | 83% | 3130 fps | 98.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,941 psi | 67% | 2969 fps | 99.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,884 psi | 69% | 2949 fps | 95.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | 45 gr | 88% | 40,567 psi | 73% | 3031 fps | 96.1% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,990 psi | 80% | 2972 fps | 99.5% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,521 psi | 68% | 2877 fps | 98% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,224 psi | 84% | 3028 fps | 95% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,305 psi | 71% | 2884 fps | 95.1% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,119 psi | 76% | 2953 fps | 99.3% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 90% | 45,484 psi | 82% | 3038 fps | 95.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,609 psi | 70% | 2930 fps | 97.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,963 psi | 83% | 3048 fps | 99.1% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,740 psi | 72% | 2825 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 44,367 psi | 80% | 2946 fps | 95.2% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,043 psi | 69% | 2877 fps | 98% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,789 psi | 50% | 2680 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,801 psi | 79% | 2956 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,527 psi | 81% | 2966 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,492 psi | 66% | 2812 fps | 98.7% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,246 psi | 67% | 2874 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,815 psi | 77% | 2949 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,767 psi | 67% | 2874 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 90% | 33,373 psi | 60% | 2851 fps | 95.2% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,256 psi | 58% | 2720 fps | 96.3% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 88% | 43,947 psi | 80% | 3064 fps | 95.1% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 94% | 31,154 psi | 56% | 2861 fps | 96% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,890 psi | 83% | 3058 fps | 99.5% |
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 64 powders for .243 Ackley Improved loaded with the .243 | 85gr | Barnes TSX BT. Alliant Reloder-26 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,281 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 2,031 fps to 3,281 fps. Accurate 3100 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 64 of the 64 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 85.0 gr projectile in 0.243" calls for a 1:9.5 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 | 85gr | Barnes TSX BT 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.