Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .243 Ackley Improved with .245 | 101gr | Peregrine VRG-3 bullet and 62 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 Alliant Reloder-16.
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% | 48,501 psi | 88% | 2907 fps | 98.8% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,268 psi | 86% | 2910 fps | 99.6% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,761 psi | 86% | 2848 fps | 99.8% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,820 psi | 88% | 2949 fps | 96.6% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,762 psi | 88% | 2946 fps | 96.6% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,762 psi | 88% | 2946 fps | 96.6% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,138 psi | 87% | 2871 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,559 psi | 88% | 2976 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,124 psi | 89% | 2995 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,109 psi | 87% | 2936 fps | 96.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,544 psi | 88% | 2989 fps | 96.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-23ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,936 psi | 89% | 2989 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,670 psi | 77% | 2900 fps | 98.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,747 psi | 88% | 3064 fps | 99.8% |
| Bofors RP15ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,790 psi | 86% | 2976 fps | 96.5% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,559 psi | 88% | 2884 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,544 psi | 88% | 2989 fps | 96.8% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,515 psi | 88% | 2864 fps | 97.5% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,023 psi | 89% | 2897 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,806 psi | 90% | 2966 fps | 98.3% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,864 psi | 90% | 2927 fps | 97.2% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,878 psi | 88% | 2904 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,385 psi | 89% | 2989 fps | 98% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,274 psi | 66% | 1873 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,385 psi | 89% | 2900 fps | 97.7% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,094 psi | 85% | 2838 fps | 97.6% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,254 psi | 87% | 2910 fps | 99.7% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,166 psi | 85% | 2841 fps | 98.8% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,877 psi | 87% | 2874 fps | 98.1% |
| Lovex S071ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,062 psi | 78% | 2805 fps | 97.8% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,632 psi | 90% | 2943 fps | 96.6% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,863 psi | 87% | 3012 fps | 98% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,980 psi | 90% | 2956 fps | 99.8% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,675 psi | 88% | 2949 fps | 98.8% |
| Ramshot Magnumᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,368 psi | 82% | 2907 fps | 96.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,854 psi | 67% | 1919 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,081 psi | 89% | 2881 fps | 98.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,675 psi | 88% | 2992 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,268 psi | 86% | 2930 fps | 99.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,371 psi | 89% | 3015 fps | 99.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,727 psi | 76% | 2917 fps | 96.4% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,776 psi | 88% | 2884 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,253 psi | 86% | 2920 fps | 96.5% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,515 psi | 88% | 2864 fps | 97.5% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,166 psi | 85% | 2841 fps | 98.8% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,877 psi | 87% | 2874 fps | 98.1% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 82% | 46,949 psi | 85% | 2884 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 82% | 46,992 psi | 85% | 2733 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,676 psi | 90% | 2841 fps | 98.3% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,966 psi | 90% | 2976 fps | 97.1% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,820 psi | 88% | 2877 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,747 psi | 88% | 2956 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,819 psi | 87% | 2900 fps | 97.4% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,036 psi | 85% | 2808 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,602 psi | 88% | 2897 fps | 99.6% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,123 psi | 85% | 2871 fps | 96.9% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,790 psi | 86% | 2897 fps | 99.5% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,095 psi | 87% | 2959 fps | 99.9% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,225 psi | 87% | 2867 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,806 psi | 90% | 2966 fps | 98.3% |
| Winchester StaBALL HDᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,193 psi | 80% | 3041 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,703 psi | 86% | 2887 fps | 96.3% |
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% | 34,185 psi | 62% | 2608 fps | 95% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,520 psi | 64% | 2661 fps | 97.3% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,904 psi | 81% | 2795 fps | 99.6% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 92% | 45,498 psi | 82% | 2884 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 92% | 45,774 psi | 83% | 2887 fps | 95.8% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 92% | 45,774 psi | 83% | 2887 fps | 95.8% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,208 psi | 82% | 2818 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | 36.9 gr | 80% | 35,012 psi | 63% | 2677 fps | 97.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,581 psi | 72% | 2808 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 92% | 45,194 psi | 82% | 2877 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,409 psi | 77% | 2864 fps | 95% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 82% | 27,064 psi | 49% | 2467 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 94% | 35,128 psi | 64% | 2713 fps | 95.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | 42.8 gr | 84% | 31,198 psi | 56% | 2648 fps | 95% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 98% | 44,541 psi | 81% | 2910 fps | 95.5% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,223 psi | 82% | 2825 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,409 psi | 77% | 2864 fps | 95% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,958 psi | 72% | 2690 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,716 psi | 83% | 2835 fps | 99.1% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,826 psi | 68% | 2713 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 82% | 43,772 psi | 79% | 2805 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,547 psi | 59% | 2572 fps | 98.1% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 82% | 39,726 psi | 72% | 2789 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,035 psi | 49% | 1677 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,785 psi | 74% | 2726 fps | 95.5% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,394 psi | 75% | 2723 fps | 96.2% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,185 psi | 62% | 2615 fps | 96.9% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,928 psi | 70% | 2671 fps | 97% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,086 psi | 67% | 2644 fps | 95.2% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 94% | 35,230 psi | 64% | 2635 fps | 95.4% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,195 psi | 84% | 2877 fps | 95.7% |
| Norma MRP | 44.5 gr | 90% | 38,856 psi | 70% | 2815 fps | 95.3% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,650 psi | 65% | 2661 fps | 97.2% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,999 psi | 67% | 2703 fps | 95.9% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 98% | 42,076 psi | 76% | 2838 fps | 95.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,340 psi | 49% | 1713 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,861 psi | 83% | 2818 fps | 98% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,119 psi | 76% | 2867 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,389 psi | 64% | 2680 fps | 96.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,722 psi | 63% | 2687 fps | 96.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | <<locked>> | 98% | 38,885 psi | 70% | 2841 fps | 95.1% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,554 psi | 77% | 2769 fps | 99.8% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 92% | 43,932 psi | 80% | 2854 fps | 95.5% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,958 psi | 72% | 2690 fps | 95.2% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,928 psi | 70% | 2671 fps | 97% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,086 psi | 67% | 2644 fps | 95.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,772 psi | 79% | 2825 fps | 99.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,092 psi | 80% | 2684 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,072 psi | 69% | 2612 fps | 95.4% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 92% | 43,569 psi | 79% | 2848 fps | 95.4% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,062 psi | 78% | 2772 fps | 99.8% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,039 psi | 58% | 2612 fps | 99.1% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,843 psi | 76% | 2779 fps | 95.8% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,089 psi | 74% | 2700 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,043 psi | 67% | 2664 fps | 97.6% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,133 psi | 74% | 2753 fps | 95.1% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,434 psi | 66% | 2661 fps | 97.2% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 82% | 29,747 psi | 54% | 2546 fps | 95.7% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,405 psi | 66% | 2635 fps | 99.2% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,826 psi | 68% | 2713 fps | 95.2% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 86% | 27,296 psi | 49% | 2559 fps | 96.5% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 94% | 44,324 psi | 80% | 2825 fps | 95.4% |
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 62 powders for .243 Ackley Improved loaded with the .245 | 101gr | Peregrine VRG-3. Alliant Reloder-26 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,064 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,873 fps to 3,064 fps. Alliant Reloder-23 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 62 of the 62 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 101.0 gr projectile in 0.245" calls for a 1:9.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Alliant Reloder-23, Alliant Reloder-25, Bofors RP15 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, Alliant Reloder-16 rank at the top here: for .243 Ackley Improved with the .245 | 101gr | Peregrine VRG-3 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.