Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .243 Ackley Improved with .243 | 85gr | Frontier PH HPFB 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% | 3035 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 3100ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,644 psi | 84% | 3081 fps | 96.9% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,994 psi | 89% | 3084 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,733 psi | 88% | 3156 fps | 98.8% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,777 psi | 90% | 3107 fps | 99.2% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,095 psi | 87% | 3215 fps | 99.1% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 84% | 46,949 psi | 85% | 3074 fps | 99.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,166 psi | 85% | 3091 fps | 99% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,995 psi | 90% | 3225 fps | 99.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,529 psi | 86% | 3192 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-23ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,772 psi | 79% | 3107 fps | 99.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 98% | 46,601 psi | 84% | 3232 fps | 98.4% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,195 psi | 85% | 3087 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,066 psi | 87% | 3097 fps | 98.2% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,051 psi | 87% | 3146 fps | 96.3% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,731 psi | 85% | 3091 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,791 psi | 88% | 3150 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,766 psi | 65% | 2031 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,313 psi | 89% | 3091 fps | 99.3% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,849 psi | 88% | 3058 fps | 96.4% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,182 psi | 89% | 3087 fps | 96.3% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,603 psi | 90% | 3153 fps | 99% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,370 psi | 88% | 3127 fps | 99.5% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,385 psi | 89% | 3091 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,849 psi | 88% | 3084 fps | 97.7% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,009 psi | 90% | 3127 fps | 96.9% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,748 psi | 90% | 3140 fps | 99.6% |
| Norma MRPᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,501 psi | 90% | 3251 fps | 96.5% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,283 psi | 87% | 3150 fps | 98.6% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 82% | 46,731 psi | 85% | 3094 fps | 99.2% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,079 psi | 85% | 3133 fps | 96.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,274 psi | 66% | 2077 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,153 psi | 87% | 3071 fps | 96.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,195 psi | 85% | 3199 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,820 psi | 88% | 3179 fps | 98.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,790 psi | 86% | 3196 fps | 98.2% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,225 psi | 87% | 3051 fps | 99.9% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,398 psi | 86% | 3084 fps | 99.7% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,849 psi | 88% | 3084 fps | 97.7% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,385 psi | 89% | 3091 fps | 99.9% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,009 psi | 90% | 3127 fps | 96.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,820 psi | 88% | 3143 fps | 99.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,298 psi | 89% | 2995 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,820 psi | 88% | 3031 fps | 96.4% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,950 psi | 87% | 3087 fps | 99.6% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,792 psi | 90% | 3212 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,240 psi | 89% | 3133 fps | 95.9% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,124 psi | 87% | 3025 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,631 psi | 88% | 3035 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,066 psi | 89% | 3068 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,094 psi | 85% | 3087 fps | 98.4% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,050 psi | 85% | 3025 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,530 psi | 90% | 3150 fps | 98.7% |
| Vihtavuori N555ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,052 psi | 89% | 3202 fps | 99.3% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,920 psi | 85% | 3058 fps | 99.7% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,385 psi | 88% | 3153 fps | 96.3% |
| Winchester StaBALL HDᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 39,697 psi | 72% | 3130 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% | 45,455 psi | 82% | 2979 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 3100 | <<locked>> | 96% | 40,640 psi | 74% | 2956 fps | 95.2% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,004 psi | 78% | 2972 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,898 psi | 67% | 2897 fps | 95.8% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,249 psi | 75% | 2930 fps | 97.7% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,889 psi | 81% | 3146 fps | 98.5% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,205 psi | 75% | 2956 fps | 99% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,382 psi | 80% | 3031 fps | 98.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,347 psi | 66% | 2907 fps | 95.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | 40.4 gr | 80% | 36,085 psi | 65% | 2923 fps | 97.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 90% | 31,836 psi | 58% | 2795 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | 47.6 gr | 92% | 37,434 psi | 68% | 3009 fps | 95.4% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,350 psi | 75% | 2966 fps | 99.1% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,945 psi | 76% | 2966 fps | 96.8% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 88% | 44,904 psi | 81% | 3081 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 82% | 31,662 psi | 57% | 2736 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,571 psi | 82% | 3084 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,760 psi | 48% | 1821 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,294 psi | 78% | 2969 fps | 98.4% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,050 psi | 83% | 2999 fps | 95.6% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,412 psi | 84% | 3031 fps | 95.6% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,491 psi | 64% | 2844 fps | 95.4% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,513 psi | 82% | 3068 fps | 99.1% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,439 psi | 79% | 2976 fps | 99.5% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,596 psi | 73% | 2910 fps | 95.5% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 88% | 44,106 psi | 80% | 3002 fps | 95.3% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,772 psi | 79% | 3018 fps | 98.8% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 98% | 46,180 psi | 84% | 3182 fps | 95.5% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,014 psi | 67% | 2897 fps | 95.7% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,685 psi | 79% | 3031 fps | 98.7% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,162 psi | 74% | 3005 fps | 95.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,006 psi | 49% | 1860 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,177 psi | 76% | 2946 fps | 95.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,363 psi | 69% | 3002 fps | 99.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,593 psi | 66% | 2910 fps | 95.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | 44.1 gr | 86% | 39,001 psi | 71% | 2986 fps | 95.5% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,382 psi | 82% | 2995 fps | 99.7% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,986 psi | 71% | 2904 fps | 98.4% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,596 psi | 73% | 2910 fps | 95.5% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,439 psi | 79% | 2976 fps | 99.5% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 44,106 psi | 80% | 3002 fps | 95.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,827 psi | 72% | 2953 fps | 97.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,886 psi | 74% | 2841 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 45,629 psi | 83% | 2969 fps | 95.6% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,378 psi | 71% | 2904 fps | 98.3% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,037 psi | 53% | 2717 fps | 96.1% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,325 psi | 84% | 3074 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,194 psi | 82% | 2976 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,730 psi | 83% | 2982 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,768 psi | 68% | 2835 fps | 99% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,897 psi | 65% | 2835 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,034 psi | 80% | 2966 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,058 psi | 69% | 2900 fps | 95.8% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 90% | 34,838 psi | 63% | 2884 fps | 95.8% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,330 psi | 60% | 2746 fps | 96.8% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 88% | 45,194 psi | 82% | 3087 fps | 95.5% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 92% | 30,298 psi | 55% | 2822 fps | 95.3% |
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 57 powders for .243 Ackley Improved loaded with the .243 | 85gr | Frontier PH HPFB. Norma MRP delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,251 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 2,031 fps to 3,251 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 1:9.5 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 HPFB 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.