Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .243 Ackley Improved with .243 | 87gr | Berger VLD Hunting bullet and 60 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Alliant Reloder-26, Alliant Reloder-16 and Somchem S365.
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% | 49,734 psi | 90% | 3022 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 3100ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,037 psi | 87% | 3081 fps | 97.5% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,007 psi | 85% | 3018 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,615 psi | 84% | 3087 fps | 98.6% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,659 psi | 86% | 3038 fps | 99.1% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,037 psi | 89% | 3202 fps | 99.4% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,109 psi | 87% | 3068 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,370 psi | 88% | 3087 fps | 99.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,921 psi | 87% | 3156 fps | 99.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,530 psi | 88% | 3186 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-23ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,020 psi | 81% | 3107 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,630 psi | 86% | 3228 fps | 98.8% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,457 psi | 88% | 3081 fps | 99.9% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,588 psi | 88% | 3048 fps | 96% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,979 psi | 89% | 3084 fps | 98.6% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,371 psi | 89% | 3146 fps | 96.9% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,066 psi | 87% | 3087 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,777 psi | 90% | 3133 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,979 psi | 89% | 3163 fps | 96.4% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,013 psi | 65% | 2014 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,181 psi | 85% | 3022 fps | 99.2% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,922 psi | 90% | 3051 fps | 96.9% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,255 psi | 89% | 3077 fps | 96.2% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,152 psi | 85% | 3022 fps | 96.1% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,558 psi | 86% | 3087 fps | 98.9% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,617 psi | 90% | 3120 fps | 99.7% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,311 psi | 86% | 3022 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,862 psi | 85% | 3018 fps | 97.5% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,008 psi | 87% | 3058 fps | 96.7% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,688 psi | 86% | 3071 fps | 99.5% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,137 psi | 85% | 3176 fps | 96.2% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,255 psi | 89% | 3140 fps | 99% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,645 psi | 86% | 3084 fps | 99.4% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,008 psi | 87% | 3123 fps | 97.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,535 psi | 66% | 2060 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,298 psi | 89% | 3068 fps | 97.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,182 psi | 87% | 3186 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,908 psi | 90% | 3169 fps | 98.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,008 psi | 89% | 3192 fps | 98.7% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,052 psi | 89% | 3038 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,312 psi | 87% | 3071 fps | 99.8% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,588 psi | 88% | 3048 fps | 96% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,862 psi | 85% | 3018 fps | 97.5% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,311 psi | 86% | 3022 fps | 99.9% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,008 psi | 87% | 3058 fps | 96.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 84% | 46,847 psi | 85% | 3074 fps | 99.4% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,094 psi | 85% | 2930 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,647 psi | 90% | 3022 fps | 96.9% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,834 psi | 88% | 3074 fps | 99.8% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,776 psi | 86% | 3146 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,052 psi | 89% | 3012 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,487 psi | 90% | 3022 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,966 psi | 90% | 3051 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,022 psi | 87% | 3077 fps | 98.7% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,877 psi | 87% | 3009 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,543 psi | 86% | 3081 fps | 98.5% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,108 psi | 85% | 3133 fps | 99.2% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,761 psi | 86% | 3048 fps | 99.9% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,371 psi | 89% | 3146 fps | 96.9% |
| Winchester StaBALL HDᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,524 psi | 73% | 3127 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% | 46,717 psi | 85% | 2969 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 3100 | <<locked>> | 94% | 38,986 psi | 71% | 2890 fps | 95% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,193 psi | 80% | 2966 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,389 psi | 64% | 2831 fps | 95.6% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,235 psi | 76% | 2923 fps | 98.2% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,774 psi | 83% | 3136 fps | 98.9% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,308 psi | 77% | 2953 fps | 99.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,223 psi | 82% | 3022 fps | 98.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | 38.5 gr | 82% | 34,838 psi | 63% | 2838 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,854 psi | 67% | 2920 fps | 98% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 88% | 30,603 psi | 55% | 2733 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | 46.7 gr | 90% | 35,723 psi | 65% | 2936 fps | 95% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,206 psi | 76% | 2956 fps | 99.3% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 86% | 45,455 psi | 82% | 2982 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,728 psi | 77% | 2956 fps | 97.3% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 86% | 43,076 psi | 78% | 3015 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,139 psi | 55% | 2667 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,485 psi | 84% | 3074 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 88% | 45,759 psi | 83% | 3097 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,731 psi | 48% | 1801 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,367 psi | 80% | 2963 fps | 98.8% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,775 psi | 85% | 2989 fps | 96.1% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,108 psi | 83% | 3015 fps | 95.4% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 84% | 44,164 psi | 80% | 2956 fps | 95.3% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 82% | 34,098 psi | 62% | 2782 fps | 95.2% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,354 psi | 84% | 3058 fps | 99.4% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,556 psi | 81% | 2969 fps | 99.7% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 82% | 38,943 psi | 70% | 2844 fps | 95.3% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,032 psi | 76% | 2933 fps | 95% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,570 psi | 81% | 3009 fps | 99.1% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 96% | 44,005 psi | 80% | 3107 fps | 95.2% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,259 psi | 64% | 2828 fps | 95.4% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,527 psi | 81% | 3022 fps | 99% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,945 psi | 76% | 2995 fps | 95.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,267 psi | 49% | 1847 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,207 psi | 78% | 2943 fps | 95.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,175 psi | 71% | 2995 fps | 99.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,128 psi | 64% | 2844 fps | 95% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,202 psi | 67% | 2917 fps | 95.1% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,166 psi | 84% | 2982 fps | 99.8% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,798 psi | 72% | 2897 fps | 98.7% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 86% | 45,455 psi | 82% | 2982 fps | 95.1% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 82% | 38,943 psi | 70% | 2844 fps | 95.3% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,556 psi | 81% | 2969 fps | 99.7% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,032 psi | 76% | 2933 fps | 95% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,886 psi | 74% | 2949 fps | 98.4% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,597 psi | 75% | 2828 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 43,656 psi | 79% | 2904 fps | 95.4% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,393 psi | 73% | 2900 fps | 98.7% |
| Somchem S365 | 38.4 gr | 80% | 29,704 psi | 54% | 2713 fps | 96.8% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,064 psi | 83% | 2959 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,557 psi | 84% | 2969 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,493 psi | 70% | 2825 fps | 99.3% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,418 psi | 62% | 2769 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,802 psi | 81% | 2953 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,303 psi | 66% | 2828 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 88% | 33,504 psi | 61% | 2822 fps | 95.5% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,939 psi | 61% | 2740 fps | 97.3% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 86% | 43,076 psi | 78% | 3015 fps | 95.1% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 92% | 30,966 psi | 56% | 2831 fps | 96.4% |
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 60 powders for .243 Ackley Improved loaded with the .243 | 87gr | Berger VLD Hunting. Alliant Reloder-26 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,228 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 2,014 fps to 3,228 fps. Accurate 3100 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 60 of the 60 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 87.0 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. Alliant Reloder-26, Alliant Reloder-16, Somchem S365 rank at the top here: for .243 Ackley Improved with the .243 | 87gr | Berger VLD Hunting 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.