Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .243 Ackley Improved with .243 | 95gr | Norma FMJ bullet and 59 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>> | 98% | 49,922 psi | 90% | 3009 fps | 98.7% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,240 psi | 87% | 3005 fps | 99.5% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,472 psi | 88% | 2946 fps | 99.7% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,734 psi | 90% | 3048 fps | 96.3% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,690 psi | 90% | 3045 fps | 96.4% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,690 psi | 90% | 3045 fps | 96.4% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,921 psi | 89% | 2969 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,458 psi | 90% | 3077 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,995 psi | 90% | 3094 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,052 psi | 89% | 3035 fps | 96.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,617 psi | 90% | 3091 fps | 96.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 98% | 46,847 psi | 85% | 3031 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,685 psi | 79% | 2995 fps | 98.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,719 psi | 90% | 3163 fps | 99.7% |
| Bofors RP15ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,559 psi | 88% | 3068 fps | 96.2% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,429 psi | 89% | 2982 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,617 psi | 90% | 3091 fps | 96.6% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,400 psi | 89% | 2963 fps | 97.3% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,442 psi | 86% | 3002 fps | 97.5% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,282 psi | 86% | 2956 fps | 96.1% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,472 psi | 90% | 2999 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,934 psi | 85% | 3022 fps | 97.1% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,303 psi | 66% | 1946 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,094 psi | 85% | 2936 fps | 96.8% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,906 psi | 87% | 2933 fps | 97.4% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,965 psi | 89% | 3002 fps | 99.6% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,805 psi | 87% | 2933 fps | 98.6% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,023 psi | 89% | 2976 fps | 98% |
| Lovex S071ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,353 psi | 80% | 2907 fps | 97.7% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,921 psi | 89% | 3110 fps | 97.8% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,645 psi | 86% | 2995 fps | 99.4% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,705 psi | 90% | 3048 fps | 98.7% |
| Ramshot Magnumᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,441 psi | 84% | 3002 fps | 96.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,898 psi | 67% | 1988 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,893 psi | 90% | 2976 fps | 98.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,647 psi | 90% | 3091 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,182 psi | 87% | 3025 fps | 99.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,963 psi | 85% | 3051 fps | 99.1% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,603 psi | 90% | 2982 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,341 psi | 87% | 3022 fps | 96.3% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,400 psi | 89% | 2963 fps | 97.3% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,805 psi | 87% | 2933 fps | 98.6% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,023 psi | 89% | 2976 fps | 98% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,776 psi | 86% | 2982 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,848 psi | 87% | 2831 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,485 psi | 86% | 2881 fps | 97.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,906 psi | 87% | 3015 fps | 96.1% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,951 psi | 90% | 2982 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,995 psi | 90% | 3061 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,878 psi | 88% | 2995 fps | 97.2% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,688 psi | 86% | 2900 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,298 psi | 89% | 2992 fps | 99.5% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,254 psi | 87% | 2969 fps | 96.7% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,762 psi | 88% | 2995 fps | 99.4% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,313 psi | 89% | 3061 fps | 99.8% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,762 psi | 88% | 2956 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,442 psi | 86% | 3002 fps | 97.5% |
| Winchester StaBALL HDᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,455 psi | 82% | 3146 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,791 psi | 88% | 2986 fps | 96.1% |
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>> | 90% | 37,782 psi | 68% | 2766 fps | 95.8% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,651 psi | 66% | 2759 fps | 97.2% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,701 psi | 83% | 2890 fps | 99.4% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,543 psi | 84% | 2986 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,456 psi | 84% | 2982 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,456 psi | 84% | 2982 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,122 psi | 83% | 2920 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,868 psi | 65% | 2772 fps | 97.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,451 psi | 73% | 2904 fps | 99.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 92% | 45,948 psi | 83% | 2972 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,369 psi | 84% | 3025 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 82% | 27,934 psi | 51% | 2556 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 94% | 36,129 psi | 65% | 2808 fps | 95.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | 45.5 gr | 86% | 34,461 psi | 62% | 2808 fps | 96% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 98% | 45,701 psi | 83% | 3009 fps | 95.3% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,209 psi | 84% | 2923 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,369 psi | 84% | 3025 fps | 95.7% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,872 psi | 74% | 2782 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,220 psi | 75% | 2867 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 82% | 44,295 psi | 80% | 2894 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,257 psi | 60% | 2657 fps | 97.9% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,524 psi | 73% | 2881 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,151 psi | 49% | 1742 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,626 psi | 75% | 2822 fps | 95.3% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,105 psi | 76% | 2815 fps | 95.9% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,389 psi | 64% | 2713 fps | 96.9% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,856 psi | 72% | 2766 fps | 96.8% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,611 psi | 73% | 2799 fps | 95.8% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 94% | 36,506 psi | 66% | 2733 fps | 95.3% |
| Norma MRP | 46.3 gr | 90% | 39,943 psi | 72% | 2913 fps | 95.2% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,550 psi | 66% | 2756 fps | 97% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 82% | 37,869 psi | 69% | 2799 fps | 95.6% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 98% | 43,265 psi | 78% | 2936 fps | 95.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,485 psi | 50% | 1778 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,789 psi | 85% | 2917 fps | 97.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,989 psi | 78% | 2966 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,405 psi | 66% | 2776 fps | 96.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | 42 gr | 80% | 35,520 psi | 64% | 2779 fps | 95.9% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,656 psi | 79% | 2871 fps | 99.8% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 92% | 45,121 psi | 82% | 2956 fps | 95.4% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,872 psi | 74% | 2782 fps | 95% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,856 psi | 72% | 2766 fps | 96.8% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,611 psi | 73% | 2799 fps | 95.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,744 psi | 81% | 2923 fps | 99.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,049 psi | 82% | 2782 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,943 psi | 70% | 2703 fps | 95.1% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 92% | 44,701 psi | 81% | 2949 fps | 95.2% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,063 psi | 80% | 2871 fps | 99.8% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,982 psi | 60% | 2707 fps | 99% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,772 psi | 77% | 2874 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,018 psi | 76% | 2795 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,884 psi | 69% | 2756 fps | 97.4% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,078 psi | 82% | 2907 fps | 95.9% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,507 psi | 68% | 2759 fps | 97.1% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 82% | 30,763 psi | 56% | 2641 fps | 95.6% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,130 psi | 67% | 2723 fps | 99.1% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,798 psi | 70% | 2812 fps | 95% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 86% | 28,152 psi | 51% | 2648 fps | 96.3% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 94% | 45,513 psi | 82% | 2923 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 59 powders for .243 Ackley Improved loaded with the .243 | 95gr | Norma FMJ. Alliant Reloder-26 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,163 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,946 fps to 3,163 fps. Alliant Reloder-25 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 59 of the 59 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (381 MPa), the top charges use 66–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 95.0 gr projectile in 0.243" calls for a 1:12.0 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 | Norma FMJ 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.