Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .243 Ackley Improved with .243 | 90gr | Nosler Expansion Tip bullet and 66 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% | 47,384 psi | 86% | 2936 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2700 | <<locked>> | 84% | 50,009 psi | 90% | 2986 fps | 96.2% |
| Accurate 3100ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,484 psi | 82% | 2989 fps | 97.1% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,819 psi | 87% | 2989 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,935 psi | 87% | 3064 fps | 98.9% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,269 psi | 89% | 3022 fps | 99.4% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,471 psi | 86% | 3123 fps | 99.3% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,647 psi | 90% | 3048 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,879 psi | 90% | 3064 fps | 99.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,545 psi | 90% | 3140 fps | 99.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,717 psi | 85% | 3100 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-23ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,134 psi | 78% | 3022 fps | 99.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-26ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,066 psi | 89% | 3212 fps | 99.2% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,574 psi | 90% | 3051 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,980 psi | 90% | 3025 fps | 96.5% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,152 psi | 85% | 3002 fps | 98.4% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,572 psi | 86% | 3064 fps | 96.6% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,371 psi | 89% | 3061 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,008 psi | 87% | 3054 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,224 psi | 85% | 3081 fps | 96.1% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,607 psi | 64% | 1962 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,690 psi | 90% | 3031 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,675 psi | 88% | 3002 fps | 99.4% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,312 psi | 87% | 2972 fps | 96.7% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,616 psi | 86% | 2999 fps | 95.9% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,892 psi | 88% | 3009 fps | 96.7% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,037 psi | 89% | 3068 fps | 99.2% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,688 psi | 86% | 3035 fps | 99.6% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,588 psi | 88% | 3002 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,399 psi | 88% | 3002 fps | 98% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,023 psi | 89% | 3035 fps | 97.1% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,937 psi | 90% | 3015 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,153 psi | 89% | 3051 fps | 99.7% |
| Norma MRPᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,791 psi | 88% | 3166 fps | 96.8% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,340 psi | 86% | 3058 fps | 98.8% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,429 psi | 89% | 3071 fps | 99.7% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,748 psi | 90% | 3110 fps | 97.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,085 psi | 65% | 2008 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,718 psi | 86% | 2989 fps | 97.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,777 psi | 90% | 3166 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,051 psi | 87% | 3091 fps | 98.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,195 psi | 85% | 3110 fps | 98.4% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,601 psi | 86% | 2963 fps | 99.9% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,821 psi | 90% | 3051 fps | 99.9% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,980 psi | 90% | 3025 fps | 96.5% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,399 psi | 88% | 3002 fps | 98% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,588 psi | 88% | 3002 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,023 psi | 89% | 3035 fps | 97.1% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,182 psi | 87% | 3054 fps | 99.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,879 psi | 90% | 3038 fps | 99.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,660 psi | 88% | 2907 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,124 psi | 87% | 2946 fps | 96.7% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,963 psi | 85% | 2992 fps | 99.7% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,052 psi | 89% | 3123 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,602 psi | 88% | 3048 fps | 96.2% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,543 psi | 86% | 2936 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,950 psi | 87% | 2946 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,240 psi | 87% | 2976 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,603 psi | 90% | 3058 fps | 99.1% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,429 psi | 89% | 2989 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,646 psi | 88% | 3058 fps | 98.8% |
| Vihtavuori N555ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,935 psi | 87% | 3107 fps | 99.4% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,647 psi | 90% | 3035 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,572 psi | 86% | 3064 fps | 96.6% |
| Winchester StaBALL HDᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 38,870 psi | 70% | 3045 fps | 99.7% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,617 psi | 90% | 3045 fps | 99.9% |
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% | 44,353 psi | 80% | 2884 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2700 | <<locked>> | 82% | 46,659 psi | 84% | 2923 fps | 95.4% |
| Accurate 3100 | <<locked>> | 96% | 39,610 psi | 72% | 2867 fps | 95.4% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,959 psi | 76% | 2881 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,027 psi | 65% | 2808 fps | 96% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,770 psi | 74% | 2848 fps | 98% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,164 psi | 80% | 3054 fps | 98.7% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,640 psi | 74% | 2871 fps | 99.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,613 psi | 79% | 2943 fps | 98.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 82% | 33,460 psi | 61% | 2759 fps | 95.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | 39.1 gr | 80% | 35,201 psi | 64% | 2835 fps | 97.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 90% | 31,227 psi | 57% | 2717 fps | 95.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 92% | 36,448 psi | 66% | 2920 fps | 95.6% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,408 psi | 73% | 2874 fps | 99.2% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,934 psi | 85% | 2966 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,147 psi | 74% | 2877 fps | 97.1% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 88% | 44,266 psi | 80% | 2995 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,848 psi | 52% | 2589 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,020 psi | 81% | 2999 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 88% | 43,990 psi | 80% | 3012 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,585 psi | 48% | 1759 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,630 psi | 84% | 2972 fps | 99.7% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,786 psi | 77% | 2884 fps | 98.6% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,411 psi | 82% | 2913 fps | 95.9% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 90% | 44,425 psi | 80% | 2936 fps | 95% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,917 psi | 78% | 2884 fps | 95.1% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 84% | 34,751 psi | 63% | 2759 fps | 95.7% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,715 psi | 81% | 2976 fps | 99.2% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,786 psi | 77% | 2887 fps | 99.6% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,842 psi | 72% | 2822 fps | 95.8% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 88% | 43,207 psi | 78% | 2913 fps | 95.6% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,862 psi | 85% | 2959 fps | 99.9% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,975 psi | 78% | 2930 fps | 99% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 98% | 45,382 psi | 82% | 3094 fps | 95.8% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,361 psi | 66% | 2815 fps | 96% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,844 psi | 78% | 2943 fps | 98.8% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,538 psi | 73% | 2920 fps | 95.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,803 psi | 49% | 1798 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,553 psi | 75% | 2861 fps | 95.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,550 psi | 68% | 2910 fps | 99.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | 41 gr | 84% | 35,766 psi | 65% | 2822 fps | 95.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | 42.7 gr | 86% | 38,174 psi | 69% | 2900 fps | 95.7% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,657 psi | 81% | 2907 fps | 99.8% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,971 psi | 69% | 2812 fps | 98.5% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,934 psi | 85% | 2966 fps | 95.7% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,842 psi | 72% | 2822 fps | 95.8% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,786 psi | 77% | 2887 fps | 99.6% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 43,207 psi | 78% | 2913 fps | 95.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,160 psi | 71% | 2867 fps | 98.1% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,543 psi | 84% | 2979 fps | 99.4% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,292 psi | 73% | 2759 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,047 psi | 76% | 2822 fps | 95% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,696 psi | 70% | 2818 fps | 98.5% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,152 psi | 51% | 2625 fps | 96.2% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,556 psi | 82% | 2989 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,469 psi | 80% | 2884 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,962 psi | 81% | 2894 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,883 psi | 67% | 2749 fps | 99.1% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,172 psi | 64% | 2749 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,337 psi | 78% | 2881 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 82% | 34,824 psi | 63% | 2753 fps | 95.1% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 90% | 34,185 psi | 62% | 2802 fps | 96.1% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,576 psi | 59% | 2661 fps | 97% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 88% | 44,585 psi | 81% | 3002 fps | 95.8% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 92% | 29,457 psi | 53% | 2736 fps | 95.6% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,238 psi | 84% | 2982 fps | 99.7% |
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 91 powders for .243 Ackley Improved loaded with the .243 | 90gr | Nosler Expansion Tip. Alliant Reloder-26 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,212 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,962 fps to 3,212 fps. Accurate 3100 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 91 of the 91 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (381 MPa), the top charges use 64–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 90.0 gr projectile in 0.243" calls for a 1:8.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 3100, Accurate MAGPRO, ADI AR 2213 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 | 90gr | Nosler Expansion Tip they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, Accurate High Country, Accurate MAGPRO, ADI AR 2209 burn incompletely and react more sensitively to barrel length and temperature. Always begin at the start load and work up in small increments while checking case and primer for pressure signs.