Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .243 Ackley Improved with .243 | 95gr | Barnes XLC S bullet and 51 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Alliant Reloder-26, Norma MRP and ReloadSwiss RS 70.
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 3100 | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,660 psi | 88% | 2963 fps | 98.3% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,152 psi | 85% | 2959 fps | 99.2% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,647 psi | 90% | 2940 fps | 99.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,456 psi | 86% | 3012 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,819 psi | 87% | 3035 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,124 psi | 87% | 3035 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,005 psi | 81% | 3002 fps | 98.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,761 psi | 86% | 3104 fps | 99.4% |
| Bofors RP15ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,603 psi | 90% | 3064 fps | 96.1% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,732 psi | 86% | 2897 fps | 96.7% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,646 psi | 88% | 2999 fps | 97.5% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,472 psi | 88% | 2953 fps | 96.1% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,688 psi | 86% | 2943 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,080 psi | 87% | 3018 fps | 97.1% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,796 psi | 67% | 1929 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,457 psi | 88% | 2933 fps | 96.9% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,907 psi | 89% | 2930 fps | 97.4% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,616 psi | 86% | 2953 fps | 99.3% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,385 psi | 89% | 2933 fps | 98.6% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,674 psi | 86% | 2920 fps | 97.4% |
| Lovex S071ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,412 psi | 84% | 2920 fps | 97.9% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,181 psi | 85% | 3054 fps | 97.2% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,863 psi | 88% | 2995 fps | 99.4% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,529 psi | 86% | 2982 fps | 98.1% |
| Ramshot Magnumᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,688 psi | 86% | 2999 fps | 96.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,492 psi | 68% | 1975 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,355 psi | 86% | 3031 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,792 psi | 90% | 3035 fps | 99.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,037 psi | 87% | 3045 fps | 99.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,237 psi | 80% | 3015 fps | 96.3% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,530 psi | 88% | 2933 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,400 psi | 89% | 3015 fps | 96.2% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,732 psi | 86% | 2897 fps | 96.7% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,385 psi | 89% | 2933 fps | 98.6% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,674 psi | 86% | 2920 fps | 97.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,110 psi | 89% | 2979 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,037 psi | 89% | 2825 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,820 psi | 88% | 2877 fps | 97.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,037 psi | 89% | 3009 fps | 96.1% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,559 psi | 88% | 2930 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,950 psi | 87% | 3009 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,181 psi | 85% | 2936 fps | 96.5% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,487 psi | 90% | 2907 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,543 psi | 86% | 2933 fps | 99.2% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,255 psi | 89% | 2963 fps | 96.6% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,108 psi | 85% | 2940 fps | 99% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,688 psi | 86% | 3009 fps | 99.6% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,777 psi | 90% | 2953 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,646 psi | 88% | 2999 fps | 97.5% |
| Winchester StaBALL HDᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,688 psi | 84% | 3150 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,748 psi | 90% | 2979 fps | 96% |
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 3100 | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,753 psi | 68% | 2736 fps | 95.5% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,957 psi | 70% | 2785 fps | 97.6% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,818 psi | 85% | 2887 fps | 99.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,304 psi | 68% | 2782 fps | 97.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,901 psi | 76% | 2913 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,282 psi | 51% | 2539 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 92% | 35,447 psi | 64% | 2759 fps | 95% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | 42.8 gr | 84% | 34,185 psi | 62% | 2776 fps | 95.5% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 98% | 46,804 psi | 85% | 3009 fps | 95.3% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,525 psi | 77% | 2792 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,234 psi | 73% | 2818 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 82% | 45,730 psi | 83% | 2897 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,128 psi | 64% | 2680 fps | 98.2% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,974 psi | 76% | 2890 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,615 psi | 50% | 1729 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,902 psi | 78% | 2822 fps | 95.4% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,410 psi | 79% | 2815 fps | 96% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,101 psi | 67% | 2726 fps | 97.2% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,669 psi | 75% | 2776 fps | 97.1% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,958 psi | 72% | 2756 fps | 95.3% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 92% | 36,535 psi | 66% | 2707 fps | 95.1% |
| Norma MRP | 44.5 gr | 90% | 41,408 psi | 75% | 2923 fps | 95.4% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,276 psi | 69% | 2772 fps | 97.3% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,970 psi | 67% | 2749 fps | 95% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 98% | 44,512 psi | 81% | 2933 fps | 95.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,050 psi | 51% | 1765 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,324 psi | 80% | 2972 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,218 psi | 69% | 2795 fps | 97.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | 40.4 gr | 80% | 37,101 psi | 67% | 2792 fps | 96.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,234 psi | 75% | 2940 fps | 95% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,745 psi | 83% | 2881 fps | 99.9% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,238 psi | 84% | 2953 fps | 95.4% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,525 psi | 77% | 2792 fps | 95.3% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,669 psi | 75% | 2776 fps | 97.1% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,958 psi | 72% | 2756 fps | 95.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,006 psi | 83% | 2923 fps | 99.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,195 psi | 84% | 2776 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,828 psi | 74% | 2713 fps | 95.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 92% | 45,818 psi | 83% | 2946 fps | 95.2% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,861 psi | 83% | 2877 fps | 99.8% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,896 psi | 63% | 2733 fps | 99.3% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,756 psi | 76% | 2825 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,700 psi | 79% | 2802 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,523 psi | 72% | 2766 fps | 97.6% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 94% | 43,468 psi | 79% | 2851 fps | 95.1% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,146 psi | 71% | 2769 fps | 97.3% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,922 psi | 56% | 2621 fps | 95.5% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,682 psi | 70% | 2736 fps | 99.3% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,234 psi | 73% | 2818 fps | 95.2% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,500 psi | 52% | 2631 fps | 96.2% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,499 psi | 84% | 2917 fps | 95.2% |
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 51 powders for .243 Ackley Improved loaded with the .243 | 95gr | Barnes XLC S. Winchester StaBALL HD delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,150 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,929 fps to 3,150 fps. Alliant Reloder-25 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 51 of the 51 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (381 MPa), the top charges use 67–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 95.0 gr projectile in 0.243" calls for a 1:9.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Alliant Reloder-25, Bofors RP15, 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, Norma MRP, ReloadSwiss RS 70 rank at the top here: for .243 Ackley Improved with the .243 | 95gr | Barnes XLC S 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.