Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .243 Ackley Improved with .243 | 85gr | Frontier PH HPBT bullet and 57 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% | 48,776 psi | 88% | 3038 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 3100ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,905 psi | 85% | 3087 fps | 97% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,313 psi | 89% | 3094 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,008 psi | 89% | 3163 fps | 98.8% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,166 psi | 85% | 3058 fps | 98.9% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,399 psi | 88% | 3222 fps | 99.1% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,224 psi | 85% | 3084 fps | 99.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,500 psi | 86% | 3100 fps | 99.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,311 psi | 86% | 3173 fps | 98.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,834 psi | 87% | 3205 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-23ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,019 psi | 80% | 3114 fps | 99.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 98% | 46,804 psi | 85% | 3241 fps | 98.5% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,529 psi | 86% | 3094 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,414 psi | 88% | 3107 fps | 98.3% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,356 psi | 88% | 3156 fps | 96.4% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,992 psi | 85% | 3097 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,081 psi | 89% | 3156 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,882 psi | 65% | 2037 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,588 psi | 90% | 3097 fps | 99.4% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,153 psi | 89% | 3068 fps | 96.5% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,458 psi | 90% | 3097 fps | 96.4% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,879 psi | 90% | 3163 fps | 99% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,689 psi | 88% | 3133 fps | 99.5% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,676 psi | 90% | 3100 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,153 psi | 89% | 3094 fps | 97.8% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,065 psi | 85% | 3071 fps | 96.2% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 82% | 46,818 psi | 85% | 3084 fps | 99.3% |
| Norma MRPᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,719 psi | 90% | 3258 fps | 96.6% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,573 psi | 88% | 3156 fps | 98.7% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,036 psi | 85% | 3107 fps | 99.2% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,355 psi | 86% | 3143 fps | 97.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,376 psi | 66% | 2083 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,428 psi | 88% | 3081 fps | 96.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,514 psi | 86% | 3205 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,124 psi | 89% | 3186 fps | 98.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,037 psi | 87% | 3202 fps | 98.3% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,544 psi | 88% | 3061 fps | 99.9% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,703 psi | 86% | 3094 fps | 99.7% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,153 psi | 89% | 3094 fps | 97.8% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,676 psi | 90% | 3100 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,065 psi | 85% | 3071 fps | 96.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,139 psi | 89% | 3150 fps | 99.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,588 psi | 90% | 3005 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,095 psi | 89% | 3038 fps | 96.5% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,950 psi | 87% | 3087 fps | 99.6% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,992 psi | 85% | 3166 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,501 psi | 90% | 3140 fps | 96% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,515 psi | 88% | 3035 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,965 psi | 89% | 3045 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,994 psi | 89% | 3068 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,384 psi | 86% | 3094 fps | 98.5% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,355 psi | 86% | 3031 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,777 psi | 90% | 3156 fps | 98.7% |
| Vihtavuori N555ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,356 psi | 89% | 3212 fps | 99.4% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,152 psi | 85% | 3068 fps | 99.8% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,356 psi | 88% | 3156 fps | 96.4% |
| Winchester StaBALL HDᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 39,885 psi | 72% | 3140 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% | 45,818 psi | 83% | 2986 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 3100 | <<locked>> | 96% | 40,915 psi | 74% | 2966 fps | 95.4% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,337 psi | 78% | 2982 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,217 psi | 67% | 2907 fps | 96% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,510 psi | 75% | 2940 fps | 97.8% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,165 psi | 82% | 3156 fps | 98.6% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,539 psi | 75% | 2966 fps | 99% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,425 psi | 80% | 3038 fps | 98.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 82% | 34,418 psi | 62% | 2854 fps | 95% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | 40.5 gr | 80% | 36,085 psi | 65% | 2930 fps | 97.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 90% | 32,024 psi | 58% | 2805 fps | 95.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | 47.8 gr | 92% | 37,710 psi | 68% | 3018 fps | 95.6% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,640 psi | 75% | 2976 fps | 99.1% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,235 psi | 76% | 2976 fps | 97% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 88% | 45,179 psi | 82% | 3087 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 82% | 31,647 psi | 57% | 2736 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,890 psi | 83% | 3094 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,614 psi | 48% | 1821 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,627 psi | 79% | 2979 fps | 98.5% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,006 psi | 83% | 3002 fps | 95.7% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,354 psi | 84% | 3035 fps | 95.6% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,781 psi | 65% | 2854 fps | 95.6% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,498 psi | 82% | 3071 fps | 99.1% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,743 psi | 79% | 2982 fps | 99.6% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,857 psi | 74% | 2917 fps | 95.7% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 88% | 44,092 psi | 80% | 3009 fps | 95.4% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,787 psi | 79% | 3022 fps | 98.8% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 98% | 46,412 psi | 84% | 3189 fps | 95.7% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,043 psi | 67% | 2900 fps | 95.8% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,961 psi | 80% | 3041 fps | 98.8% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,379 psi | 75% | 3012 fps | 95.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,137 psi | 49% | 1867 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,453 psi | 77% | 2956 fps | 95.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,392 psi | 69% | 3005 fps | 99.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,869 psi | 67% | 2920 fps | 95.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | 44.2 gr | 86% | 38,943 psi | 70% | 2989 fps | 95.5% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,687 psi | 83% | 3005 fps | 99.7% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,015 psi | 71% | 2907 fps | 98.4% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,857 psi | 74% | 2917 fps | 95.7% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,743 psi | 79% | 2982 fps | 99.6% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 44,092 psi | 80% | 3009 fps | 95.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,089 psi | 73% | 2963 fps | 98% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,886 psi | 74% | 2844 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 45,890 psi | 83% | 2976 fps | 95.7% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,653 psi | 72% | 2913 fps | 98.4% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,066 psi | 53% | 2717 fps | 96.2% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,543 psi | 84% | 3081 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,208 psi | 82% | 2979 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,759 psi | 83% | 2986 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,753 psi | 68% | 2838 fps | 99% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,143 psi | 65% | 2844 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,324 psi | 80% | 2976 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,781 psi | 65% | 2844 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 88% | 32,924 psi | 60% | 2835 fps | 95% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,547 psi | 61% | 2756 fps | 96.9% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 88% | 45,455 psi | 82% | 3094 fps | 95.6% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 92% | 30,487 psi | 55% | 2835 fps | 95.6% |
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 57 powders for .243 Ackley Improved loaded with the .243 | 85gr | Frontier PH HPBT. Norma MRP delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,258 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 2,037 fps to 3,258 fps. Accurate 3100 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 57 of the 57 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 1:9.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 3100, Alliant Reloder-23, 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. ReloadSwiss RS 70, Alliant Reloder-17, Alliant Reloder-26 rank at the top here: for .243 Ackley Improved with the .243 | 85gr | Frontier PH HPBT 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.