Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .243 Ackley Improved with .243 | 85gr | Lehigh Defense Controlled Chaos bullet and 61 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 ReloadSwiss RS 62.
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% | 47,848 psi | 87% | 3018 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 3100ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,455 psi | 82% | 3054 fps | 96.5% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,080 psi | 87% | 3068 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,645 psi | 86% | 3130 fps | 98.5% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,095 psi | 89% | 3091 fps | 99.1% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,065 psi | 85% | 3189 fps | 98.8% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,124 psi | 89% | 3114 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,356 psi | 89% | 3130 fps | 99.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,037 psi | 89% | 3202 fps | 99.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,661 psi | 90% | 3232 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-23ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,989 psi | 78% | 3084 fps | 99.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-26ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,602 psi | 88% | 3271 fps | 98.7% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,501 psi | 90% | 3127 fps | 99.9% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,792 psi | 90% | 3091 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,050 psi | 85% | 3071 fps | 97.9% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,762 psi | 88% | 3127 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,703 psi | 86% | 3123 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,694 psi | 65% | 2021 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,487 psi | 90% | 3100 fps | 99.7% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,544 psi | 88% | 3071 fps | 99.1% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,211 psi | 87% | 3038 fps | 96% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,269 psi | 87% | 3064 fps | 95.9% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,617 psi | 88% | 3130 fps | 98.7% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,601 psi | 86% | 3104 fps | 99.3% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,602 psi | 88% | 3074 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,921 psi | 87% | 3061 fps | 97.4% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,805 psi | 88% | 3094 fps | 96.5% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,660 psi | 88% | 3114 fps | 99.4% |
| Norma MRPᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,109 psi | 87% | 3219 fps | 96% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,934 psi | 85% | 3120 fps | 98.3% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,008 psi | 89% | 3136 fps | 99.4% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,153 psi | 89% | 3169 fps | 97.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,201 psi | 66% | 2067 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,210 psi | 85% | 3048 fps | 96.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,763 psi | 90% | 3199 fps | 99.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,588 psi | 90% | 3241 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,514 psi | 86% | 3150 fps | 98.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,688 psi | 84% | 3166 fps | 97.8% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,427 psi | 86% | 3031 fps | 99.8% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,719 psi | 90% | 3123 fps | 99.8% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,792 psi | 90% | 3091 fps | 95.8% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,921 psi | 87% | 3061 fps | 97.4% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,602 psi | 88% | 3074 fps | 99.9% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,805 psi | 88% | 3094 fps | 96.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,819 psi | 87% | 3120 fps | 99.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,661 psi | 90% | 3107 fps | 99.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,530 psi | 88% | 2979 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,964 psi | 87% | 3009 fps | 96.1% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,908 psi | 90% | 3120 fps | 99.7% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,762 psi | 88% | 3192 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,224 psi | 85% | 3009 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,834 psi | 87% | 3018 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,051 psi | 87% | 3045 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,168 psi | 89% | 3123 fps | 98.6% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,269 psi | 89% | 3058 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,617 psi | 88% | 3127 fps | 98.4% |
| Vihtavuori N555ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,703 psi | 86% | 3173 fps | 99% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,095 psi | 89% | 3094 fps | 99.8% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,123 psi | 85% | 3120 fps | 95.9% |
| Winchester StaBALL HDᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 38,522 psi | 70% | 3091 fps | 99.2% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,342 psi | 89% | 3114 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% | 44,570 psi | 81% | 2959 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 3100 | <<locked>> | 98% | 42,192 psi | 76% | 2986 fps | 95.6% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,105 psi | 76% | 2953 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,897 psi | 65% | 2867 fps | 95.3% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,495 psi | 73% | 2907 fps | 97.4% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,888 psi | 79% | 3117 fps | 98.2% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,466 psi | 73% | 2936 fps | 98.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,337 psi | 78% | 3005 fps | 98.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,723 psi | 65% | 2884 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | 39.6 gr | 80% | 35,244 psi | 64% | 2900 fps | 97.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 90% | 31,125 psi | 56% | 2769 fps | 95.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 94% | 39,175 psi | 71% | 3051 fps | 96% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,567 psi | 73% | 2943 fps | 98.8% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,862 psi | 85% | 3031 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,234 psi | 75% | 2946 fps | 96.5% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 82% | 30,777 psi | 56% | 2707 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,483 psi | 80% | 3058 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,527 psi | 48% | 1808 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,195 psi | 84% | 3038 fps | 99.4% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,540 psi | 77% | 2946 fps | 98.1% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,078 psi | 82% | 2972 fps | 95.2% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 86% | 45,469 psi | 82% | 3005 fps | 95.2% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 84% | 34,838 psi | 63% | 2822 fps | 95% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,411 psi | 80% | 3041 fps | 98.9% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,670 psi | 77% | 2956 fps | 99.4% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,943 psi | 72% | 2887 fps | 95.2% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 90% | 45,934 psi | 83% | 3038 fps | 95.7% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,699 psi | 77% | 2992 fps | 98.5% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 98% | 45,165 psi | 82% | 3153 fps | 95% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,071 psi | 65% | 2871 fps | 95.2% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,685 psi | 77% | 3009 fps | 98.4% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 90% | 43,149 psi | 78% | 3045 fps | 95.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,064 psi | 49% | 1854 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 82% | 44,150 psi | 80% | 2986 fps | 95.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,325 psi | 84% | 3130 fps | 98.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,478 psi | 68% | 2972 fps | 99.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | 42.5 gr | 86% | 38,319 psi | 69% | 2953 fps | 95.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | 44.2 gr | 88% | 40,698 psi | 74% | 3025 fps | 96% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,585 psi | 81% | 2976 fps | 99.6% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,942 psi | 69% | 2874 fps | 98% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,862 psi | 85% | 3031 fps | 95% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,943 psi | 72% | 2887 fps | 95.2% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,670 psi | 77% | 2956 fps | 99.4% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 90% | 45,934 psi | 83% | 3038 fps | 95.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,117 psi | 71% | 2933 fps | 97.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,427 psi | 84% | 3048 fps | 99.1% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,118 psi | 73% | 2822 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 44,773 psi | 81% | 2943 fps | 95.2% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,624 psi | 70% | 2884 fps | 98% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,210 psi | 51% | 2684 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,251 psi | 80% | 2953 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,643 psi | 81% | 2959 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,767 psi | 67% | 2808 fps | 98.7% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,565 psi | 68% | 2874 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,352 psi | 78% | 2949 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,144 psi | 67% | 2874 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 90% | 33,895 psi | 61% | 2858 fps | 95.3% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,663 psi | 59% | 2720 fps | 96.3% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 88% | 44,251 psi | 80% | 3061 fps | 95% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 94% | 31,589 psi | 57% | 2864 fps | 96.1% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,064 psi | 83% | 3048 fps | 99.4% |
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 61 powders for .243 Ackley Improved loaded with the .243 | 85gr | Lehigh Defense Controlled Chaos. Alliant Reloder-26 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,271 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 2,021 fps to 3,271 fps. Accurate 3100 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 61 of the 61 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 1:8.5 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, ReloadSwiss RS 62 rank at the top here: for .243 Ackley Improved with the .243 | 85gr | Lehigh Defense Controlled Chaos 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.