Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .243 Ackley Improved with .243 | 87gr | Hornady SP bullet and 54 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Alliant Reloder-26, ReloadSwiss RS 70 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 2700 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,008 psi | 89% | 3022 fps | 96% |
| Accurate 3100ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,066 psi | 89% | 3104 fps | 97.9% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,022 psi | 87% | 3038 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,877 psi | 87% | 3114 fps | 98.9% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,820 psi | 88% | 3064 fps | 99.3% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,066 psi | 89% | 3091 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,284 psi | 89% | 3107 fps | 99.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,066 psi | 89% | 3182 fps | 99.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,412 psi | 84% | 3146 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-23ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,325 psi | 84% | 3136 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-25ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,611 psi | 73% | 3022 fps | 96.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,240 psi | 89% | 3264 fps | 99.2% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,414 psi | 89% | 3100 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,356 psi | 89% | 3068 fps | 96.3% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 82% | 46,949 psi | 85% | 3051 fps | 98.3% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,239 psi | 85% | 3104 fps | 96.5% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,255 psi | 89% | 3110 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,998 psi | 65% | 2021 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,095 psi | 87% | 3045 fps | 99.4% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,137 psi | 85% | 3041 fps | 95.8% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,906 psi | 87% | 3041 fps | 96.5% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,718 psi | 88% | 3110 fps | 99.1% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,283 psi | 87% | 3045 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,964 psi | 87% | 3045 fps | 97.9% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,747 psi | 88% | 3077 fps | 97% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,660 psi | 88% | 3094 fps | 99.6% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,718 psi | 88% | 3215 fps | 96.8% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,123 psi | 85% | 3100 fps | 98.7% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,820 psi | 88% | 3110 fps | 99.6% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,400 psi | 89% | 3153 fps | 97.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,521 psi | 66% | 2067 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 82% | 46,920 psi | 85% | 3025 fps | 97% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,371 psi | 89% | 3212 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,645 psi | 86% | 3133 fps | 98.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,746 psi | 85% | 3150 fps | 98.3% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,588 psi | 90% | 3097 fps | 99.9% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,356 psi | 89% | 3068 fps | 96.3% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,964 psi | 87% | 3045 fps | 97.9% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,283 psi | 87% | 3045 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,747 psi | 88% | 3077 fps | 97% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,688 psi | 86% | 3094 fps | 99.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,022 psi | 87% | 2949 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,427 psi | 86% | 2982 fps | 96.5% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,763 psi | 90% | 3094 fps | 99.9% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,052 psi | 89% | 3169 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,544 psi | 88% | 3097 fps | 96.1% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,834 psi | 87% | 3018 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,182 psi | 89% | 3104 fps | 99% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,052 psi | 89% | 3031 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,588 psi | 88% | 3104 fps | 98.8% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,327 psi | 87% | 3159 fps | 99.4% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,008 psi | 89% | 3074 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,239 psi | 85% | 3104 fps | 96.5% |
| Winchester StaBALL HDᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,901 psi | 76% | 3169 fps | 100% |
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 2700 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,963 psi | 83% | 2959 fps | 95.2% |
| Accurate 3100 | <<locked>> | 94% | 40,016 psi | 72% | 2917 fps | 95.4% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,933 psi | 81% | 2982 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,779 psi | 61% | 2789 fps | 95% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,801 psi | 77% | 2940 fps | 98.4% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,265 psi | 78% | 2972 fps | 99.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,166 psi | 84% | 3045 fps | 99.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,504 psi | 61% | 2805 fps | 95% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,608 psi | 68% | 2943 fps | 98.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 88% | 31,430 psi | 57% | 2762 fps | 96% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 98% | 38,043 psi | 69% | 2953 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | 47.6 gr | 90% | 36,593 psi | 66% | 2966 fps | 95.6% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,149 psi | 78% | 2979 fps | 99.5% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,557 psi | 84% | 3009 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,932 psi | 80% | 2989 fps | 97.7% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 86% | 44,150 psi | 80% | 3041 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,893 psi | 56% | 2694 fps | 95.9% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,890 psi | 49% | 1811 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,991 psi | 81% | 2982 fps | 99% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 44,193 psi | 80% | 2982 fps | 95% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 84% | 45,194 psi | 82% | 2986 fps | 95.7% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 82% | 34,911 psi | 63% | 2802 fps | 95.6% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,194 psi | 82% | 2986 fps | 99.8% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 82% | 39,755 psi | 72% | 2864 fps | 95.7% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 86% | 43,091 psi | 78% | 2959 fps | 95.5% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,527 psi | 82% | 3031 fps | 99.3% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,208 psi | 82% | 3140 fps | 95.8% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,100 psi | 65% | 2848 fps | 95.8% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,701 psi | 83% | 3051 fps | 99.2% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,205 psi | 73% | 2959 fps | 95.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,166 psi | 49% | 1850 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,034 psi | 80% | 2963 fps | 96.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,001 psi | 72% | 3018 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | 42.3 gr | 82% | 35,984 psi | 65% | 2867 fps | 95.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | 44.1 gr | 84% | 38,043 psi | 69% | 2943 fps | 95.6% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,712 psi | 74% | 2917 fps | 99% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,557 psi | 84% | 3009 fps | 95.6% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 82% | 39,755 psi | 72% | 2864 fps | 95.7% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,194 psi | 82% | 2986 fps | 99.8% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 86% | 43,091 psi | 78% | 2959 fps | 95.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,771 psi | 76% | 2972 fps | 98.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,525 psi | 77% | 2851 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,843 psi | 76% | 2867 fps | 95% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,046 psi | 74% | 2917 fps | 98.9% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,472 psi | 55% | 2736 fps | 97.2% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 94% | 45,455 psi | 82% | 3035 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,349 psi | 71% | 2848 fps | 99.5% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,215 psi | 64% | 2795 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,977 psi | 83% | 2976 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,911 psi | 63% | 2795 fps | 95.1% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 86% | 32,227 psi | 58% | 2789 fps | 95.1% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,780 psi | 63% | 2766 fps | 97.7% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 86% | 44,150 psi | 80% | 3041 fps | 95.6% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 90% | 29,863 psi | 54% | 2792 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 54 powders for .243 Ackley Improved loaded with the .243 | 87gr | Hornady SP. Alliant Reloder-26 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,264 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 2,021 fps to 3,264 fps. Accurate 3100 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 54 of the 54 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 1:11.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 3100, Alliant Reloder-23, Alliant Reloder-25 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, ReloadSwiss RS 70, ReloadSwiss RS 62 rank at the top here: for .243 Ackley Improved with the .243 | 87gr | Hornady SP 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.