Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .243 Ackley Improved with .243 | 85gr | MEN SPBT bullet and 57 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Alliant Reloder-17, Alliant Reloder-26 and Alliant Reloder-16.
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% | 49,153 psi | 89% | 3045 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 3100ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,195 psi | 85% | 3094 fps | 97.1% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,313 psi | 89% | 3091 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,342 psi | 89% | 3169 fps | 98.9% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,152 psi | 85% | 3058 fps | 98.9% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,689 psi | 88% | 3228 fps | 99.2% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,543 psi | 86% | 3091 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,790 psi | 86% | 3104 fps | 99.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,630 psi | 86% | 3179 fps | 99% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,124 psi | 87% | 3205 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-23ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,295 psi | 80% | 3120 fps | 99.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,050 psi | 85% | 3245 fps | 98.5% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,863 psi | 87% | 3100 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,370 psi | 88% | 3104 fps | 98.3% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,617 psi | 88% | 3159 fps | 96.5% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,311 psi | 86% | 3104 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,124 psi | 89% | 3156 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,708 psi | 65% | 2031 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,574 psi | 90% | 3097 fps | 99.4% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,414 psi | 89% | 3071 fps | 96.5% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,777 psi | 90% | 3104 fps | 96.5% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,847 psi | 85% | 3104 fps | 98.6% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,052 psi | 89% | 3140 fps | 99.6% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,719 psi | 90% | 3097 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,458 psi | 90% | 3097 fps | 97.8% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,369 psi | 86% | 3074 fps | 96.3% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,137 psi | 85% | 3091 fps | 99.3% |
| Norma MRPᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,966 psi | 90% | 3264 fps | 96.7% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,544 psi | 88% | 3156 fps | 98.7% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,326 psi | 86% | 3110 fps | 99.3% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,616 psi | 86% | 3146 fps | 97.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,506 psi | 66% | 2083 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,704 psi | 88% | 3087 fps | 97% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,471 psi | 86% | 3205 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,052 psi | 89% | 3186 fps | 98.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,269 psi | 87% | 3205 fps | 98.3% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,544 psi | 88% | 3061 fps | 99.9% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,037 psi | 87% | 3097 fps | 99.7% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,458 psi | 90% | 3097 fps | 97.8% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,719 psi | 90% | 3097 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,369 psi | 86% | 3074 fps | 96.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,443 psi | 89% | 3156 fps | 99.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,574 psi | 90% | 3002 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,008 psi | 89% | 3038 fps | 96.5% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,240 psi | 87% | 3094 fps | 99.7% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,992 psi | 85% | 3163 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,777 psi | 90% | 3143 fps | 96.1% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,544 psi | 88% | 3035 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,965 psi | 89% | 3045 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,327 psi | 89% | 3074 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,384 psi | 86% | 3094 fps | 98.5% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,326 psi | 86% | 3031 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,833 psi | 85% | 3097 fps | 98.2% |
| Vihtavuori N555ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,313 psi | 89% | 3209 fps | 99.3% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,413 psi | 86% | 3071 fps | 99.8% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,617 psi | 88% | 3159 fps | 96.5% |
| Winchester StaBALL HDᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,089 psi | 73% | 3143 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% | 46,166 psi | 84% | 2992 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 3100 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,133 psi | 74% | 2966 fps | 95.4% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,627 psi | 79% | 2986 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 82% | 34,867 psi | 63% | 2844 fps | 95.1% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,800 psi | 76% | 2943 fps | 97.9% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,208 psi | 82% | 3153 fps | 98.6% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,843 psi | 76% | 2972 fps | 99.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,715 psi | 81% | 3041 fps | 98.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | 38.7 gr | 82% | 34,418 psi | 62% | 2851 fps | 95% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | 40.7 gr | 80% | 36,361 psi | 66% | 2936 fps | 97.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 90% | 32,256 psi | 58% | 2808 fps | 95.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | 48 gr | 92% | 37,884 psi | 69% | 3022 fps | 95.7% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,684 psi | 75% | 2972 fps | 99.1% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,221 psi | 76% | 2976 fps | 97% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 88% | 45,440 psi | 82% | 3094 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 82% | 31,894 psi | 58% | 2746 fps | 96% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,890 psi | 83% | 3094 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,760 psi | 48% | 1824 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,932 psi | 80% | 2986 fps | 98.5% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,282 psi | 84% | 3005 fps | 95.7% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,630 psi | 84% | 3041 fps | 95.7% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,027 psi | 65% | 2858 fps | 95.7% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,832 psi | 83% | 3077 fps | 99.2% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,743 psi | 79% | 2982 fps | 99.6% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,843 psi | 74% | 2917 fps | 95.7% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 88% | 44,338 psi | 80% | 3012 fps | 95.5% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,077 psi | 80% | 3028 fps | 98.9% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 98% | 46,659 psi | 84% | 3196 fps | 95.8% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,304 psi | 68% | 2907 fps | 95.9% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,947 psi | 80% | 3041 fps | 98.8% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,640 psi | 75% | 3015 fps | 95.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,021 psi | 49% | 1864 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,714 psi | 77% | 2959 fps | 95.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,653 psi | 70% | 3009 fps | 99.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,130 psi | 67% | 2923 fps | 95.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 86% | 39,204 psi | 71% | 2995 fps | 95.6% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,701 psi | 83% | 3005 fps | 99.7% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,320 psi | 71% | 2913 fps | 98.5% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,843 psi | 74% | 2917 fps | 95.7% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,743 psi | 79% | 2982 fps | 99.6% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 44,338 psi | 80% | 3012 fps | 95.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,364 psi | 73% | 2966 fps | 98.1% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,191 psi | 75% | 2851 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,151 psi | 84% | 2979 fps | 95.8% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,958 psi | 72% | 2920 fps | 98.4% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,312 psi | 53% | 2723 fps | 96.3% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,833 psi | 85% | 3087 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,556 psi | 82% | 2982 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,064 psi | 83% | 2992 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,029 psi | 69% | 2844 fps | 99.1% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,419 psi | 66% | 2851 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,309 psi | 80% | 2972 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,810 psi | 65% | 2844 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 88% | 32,924 psi | 60% | 2835 fps | 95% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,533 psi | 61% | 2753 fps | 96.9% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 88% | 45,440 psi | 82% | 3094 fps | 95.6% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 92% | 30,690 psi | 56% | 2841 fps | 95.8% |
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 | MEN SPBT. Norma MRP delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,264 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 2,031 fps to 3,264 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 1:10.0 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. Alliant Reloder-17, Alliant Reloder-26, Alliant Reloder-16 rank at the top here: for .243 Ackley Improved with the .243 | 85gr | MEN SPBT 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.