Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .243 Ackley Improved with .243 | 95gr | Peregrine VLR-5 bullet and 64 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 Norma MRP.
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% | 48,907 psi | 89% | 2907 fps | 96.7% |
| Accurate 3100ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,805 psi | 88% | 2989 fps | 98.4% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,485 psi | 86% | 2910 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,587 psi | 86% | 2992 fps | 99.3% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,588 psi | 88% | 2943 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,240 psi | 89% | 3028 fps | 95.9% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,240 psi | 89% | 3028 fps | 95.9% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,747 psi | 88% | 2963 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,965 psi | 89% | 2982 fps | 99.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,052 psi | 89% | 3061 fps | 99.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,879 psi | 90% | 3091 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,588 psi | 88% | 3018 fps | 95.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-22ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,863 psi | 88% | 3071 fps | 96.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-23ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,050 psi | 83% | 3015 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,089 psi | 73% | 2907 fps | 97% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,834 psi | 88% | 3143 fps | 99.5% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,124 psi | 89% | 2976 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP5ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,863 psi | 88% | 3071 fps | 96.1% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,298 psi | 89% | 2953 fps | 97% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,705 psi | 90% | 2986 fps | 99.2% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,847 psi | 85% | 2986 fps | 97.1% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,950 psi | 89% | 2986 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,427 psi | 84% | 3005 fps | 96.6% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,013 psi | 65% | 1923 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,979 psi | 87% | 2923 fps | 99.7% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,746 psi | 85% | 2923 fps | 96.5% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,848 psi | 87% | 2927 fps | 97.1% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,312 psi | 87% | 2989 fps | 99.4% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,051 psi | 87% | 2920 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,485 psi | 86% | 2920 fps | 98.3% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,486 psi | 88% | 2959 fps | 97.6% |
| Lovex S071ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,118 psi | 73% | 2818 fps | 96.3% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,283 psi | 87% | 2966 fps | 99.8% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,124 psi | 87% | 3091 fps | 97.4% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,992 psi | 85% | 2982 fps | 99.1% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,617 psi | 88% | 2989 fps | 99.8% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,052 psi | 89% | 3031 fps | 98.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,550 psi | 66% | 1969 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,792 psi | 90% | 2969 fps | 98.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,429 psi | 89% | 3087 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,514 psi | 86% | 3012 fps | 99.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,821 psi | 90% | 3097 fps | 99.3% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,676 psi | 90% | 2933 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,356 psi | 89% | 2972 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,298 psi | 89% | 2953 fps | 97% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,485 psi | 86% | 2920 fps | 98.3% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,051 psi | 87% | 2920 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,486 psi | 88% | 2959 fps | 97.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,442 psi | 86% | 2972 fps | 99.8% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,892 psi | 87% | 2825 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,108 psi | 85% | 2867 fps | 97.1% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,472 psi | 90% | 2969 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,907 psi | 89% | 3045 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,196 psi | 87% | 2979 fps | 96.8% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,821 psi | 90% | 2900 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,674 psi | 86% | 2900 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,139 psi | 89% | 2986 fps | 99.4% |
| Vihtavuori N165ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,558 psi | 86% | 2949 fps | 96.2% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,486 psi | 88% | 2904 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,254 psi | 87% | 2982 fps | 99.2% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,848 psi | 87% | 3035 fps | 99.7% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,747 psi | 88% | 2953 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,181 psi | 85% | 2989 fps | 97.2% |
| Winchester StaBALL HDᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,249 psi | 75% | 3048 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% | 45,672 psi | 83% | 2844 fps | 95.9% |
| Accurate 3100 | <<locked>> | 92% | 36,637 psi | 66% | 2736 fps | 95.1% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,208 psi | 80% | 2851 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,315 psi | 60% | 2677 fps | 95.7% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,873 psi | 78% | 2828 fps | 98.9% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,238 psi | 84% | 2969 fps | 95.1% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,238 psi | 84% | 2969 fps | 95.1% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,946 psi | 78% | 2854 fps | 99.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,977 psi | 83% | 2923 fps | 99.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,185 psi | 60% | 2694 fps | 95.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,347 psi | 68% | 2828 fps | 98.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 94% | 45,643 psi | 83% | 2959 fps | 95% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 98% | 45,484 psi | 82% | 3002 fps | 95.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 86% | 28,993 psi | 52% | 2592 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 96% | 35,389 psi | 64% | 2782 fps | 95% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | 44.5 gr | 88% | 33,576 psi | 61% | 2782 fps | 95.2% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,830 psi | 78% | 2858 fps | 99.7% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 98% | 45,484 psi | 82% | 3002 fps | 95.1% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 84% | 43,207 psi | 78% | 2831 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,453 psi | 79% | 2867 fps | 98.2% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,930 psi | 74% | 2861 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,443 psi | 55% | 2582 fps | 96.6% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 86% | 43,265 psi | 78% | 2940 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,745 psi | 48% | 1719 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,034 psi | 81% | 2864 fps | 99.3% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 43,932 psi | 80% | 2864 fps | 95.7% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,047 psi | 76% | 2805 fps | 95.6% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,184 psi | 58% | 2631 fps | 95.3% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,788 psi | 81% | 2861 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,767 psi | 67% | 2690 fps | 95.5% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,914 psi | 72% | 2782 fps | 95.3% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 98% | 37,478 psi | 68% | 2756 fps | 95.4% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,339 psi | 82% | 2910 fps | 99.6% |
| Norma MRP | 46.2 gr | 94% | 41,974 psi | 76% | 2959 fps | 95.6% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,605 psi | 61% | 2680 fps | 95.7% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,353 psi | 82% | 2927 fps | 99.5% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,275 psi | 67% | 2782 fps | 95.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,006 psi | 49% | 1755 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,743 psi | 79% | 2848 fps | 96.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,798 psi | 72% | 2897 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,170 psi | 60% | 2694 fps | 95.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | 41.1 gr | 82% | 35,027 psi | 63% | 2759 fps | 95.3% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,659 psi | 84% | 2877 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,292 psi | 73% | 2799 fps | 99.3% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 84% | 43,207 psi | 78% | 2831 fps | 95.4% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,767 psi | 67% | 2690 fps | 95.5% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,788 psi | 81% | 2861 fps | 99.9% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,914 psi | 72% | 2782 fps | 95.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,495 psi | 75% | 2854 fps | 99.1% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,105 psi | 76% | 2726 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,220 psi | 75% | 2749 fps | 95.6% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,640 psi | 74% | 2799 fps | 99.3% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,052 psi | 54% | 2628 fps | 97.9% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,134 psi | 76% | 2858 fps | 95.1% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,688 psi | 84% | 2848 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,015 psi | 71% | 2733 fps | 99.7% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,998 psi | 63% | 2687 fps | 96.2% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 98% | 44,222 psi | 80% | 2884 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,571 psi | 82% | 2854 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,403 psi | 62% | 2680 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 86% | 31,763 psi | 57% | 2674 fps | 95.8% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,345 psi | 62% | 2654 fps | 98.2% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,930 psi | 74% | 2861 fps | 95.4% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 88% | 27,354 psi | 50% | 2615 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 64 powders for .243 Ackley Improved loaded with the .243 | 95gr | Peregrine VLR-5. Alliant Reloder-26 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,143 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,923 fps to 3,143 fps. Accurate 3100 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 64 of the 64 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 95.0 gr projectile in 0.243" calls for a 1:8.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 3100, Alliant Reloder-22, Alliant Reloder-23 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, Norma MRP rank at the top here: for .243 Ackley Improved with the .243 | 95gr | Peregrine VLR-5 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.