Load data for .243 Win. + .243 | 85gr | Barnes X BT

.243 Win. cartridge drawing
Barnes logo

Load Specifications

Bullet Manufacturer:Barnes
Bullet Weight:85 gr
Bullet Diameter:0.243"
Bullet Length:<<locked>>
Case Length (l3):2.044"
Cartridge Length (C.O.L.):<<locked>>
Case Capacity:54 Grains of Water
Primer Size:Large Rifle (LR)
Barrel Length:24"
Max. allowed Pressure:60,191 psi
Recommended Twist Rate:1:9.5

Load data in caliber .243 Win. with .243 | 85gr | Barnes X BT bullet and 81 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Alliant Reloder-16, ReloadSwiss RS 70 and Somchem S365.

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"

PowderChargeFRMaxP%V(0)z
Accurate 2495<<locked>>82%52,924 psi88%2959 fps100%
Accurate 2700<<locked>>88%54,186 psi90%2976 fps96.8%
Accurate 3100ᴾ<<locked>>100%50,488 psi84%3005 fps97.9%
Accurate 4064<<locked>>84%52,997 psi88%3009 fps100%
Accurate 4350<<locked>>92%52,141 psi87%3074 fps99.3%
ADI AR 2206H<<locked>>82%54,389 psi90%3068 fps99.9%
ADI AR 2208<<locked>>86%51,851 psi86%3009 fps99.5%
Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR<<locked>>84%54,027 psi90%3182 fps99.8%
Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5<<locked>>86%52,881 psi88%3045 fps100%
Alliant Reloder-15<<locked>>84%53,026 psi88%3061 fps99.7%
Alliant Reloder-16<<locked>>94%52,315 psi87%3123 fps99.6%
Alliant Reloder-17<<locked>>90%53,432 psi89%3156 fps100%
Alliant Reloder-23ᴾ<<locked>>100%46,876 psi78%3028 fps99.8%
Alliant Reloder-25ᴾ<<locked>>100%41,365 psi69%2920 fps96.3%
Alliant Reloder-26ᴾ<<locked>>100%53,432 psi89%3212 fps99.6%
Baschieri & Pellagri 107<<locked>>82%53,911 psi90%3071 fps99.5%
Bofors RP3<<locked>>86%53,708 psi89%3061 fps100%
Bofors RP7<<locked>>90%53,345 psi89%3022 fps96.9%
Hodgdon H380<<locked>>86%53,940 psi90%3061 fps99.2%
Hodgdon H414<<locked>>88%51,793 psi86%3074 fps97.3%
Hodgdon H4350<<locked>>92%52,344 psi87%3041 fps96%
Hodgdon Hybrid 100V<<locked>>96%52,591 psi87%3051 fps100%
Hodgdon LEVERevolution<<locked>>84%51,401 psi85%3054 fps100%
Hodgdon Superformance<<locked>>92%54,433 psi90%3140 fps97.5%
Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ<<locked>>100%36,158 psi60%1972 fps100%
Hodgdon VARGET<<locked>>84%51,445 psi85%3009 fps99.9%
IMR 3031<<locked>>84%53,809 psi89%3045 fps100%
IMR 4064<<locked>>88%54,201 psi90%3038 fps99.8%
IMR 4166 Enduron<<locked>>88%53,258 psi88%3002 fps97.4%
IMR 4350<<locked>>94%53,563 psi89%3041 fps97%
IMR 4451 Enduron<<locked>>90%54,375 psi90%3045 fps97.6%
IMR 4831<<locked>>98%53,432 psi89%3077 fps99.5%
IMR 4895<<locked>>84%54,375 psi90%3094 fps99.9%
Lovex S060<<locked>>82%53,345 psi89%2989 fps99.9%
Lovex S062<<locked>>84%51,895 psi86%2999 fps100%
Lovex S065<<locked>>90%51,648 psi86%2995 fps98.3%
Lovex S070<<locked>>92%52,895 psi88%3035 fps97.6%
Lovex S071ᴾ<<locked>>100%42,148 psi70%2854 fps95.9%
Norma 201<<locked>>82%53,693 psi89%3018 fps100%
Norma 202<<locked>>82%53,896 psi90%3015 fps100%
Norma 203B<<locked>>84%52,402 psi87%3048 fps99.8%
Norma 204<<locked>>94%54,041 psi90%3087 fps95.8%
Norma MRPᴾ<<locked>>100%52,257 psi87%3156 fps97.4%
Norma URP<<locked>>94%54,273 psi90%3114 fps99.5%
Ramshot Big Game<<locked>>84%52,634 psi87%3064 fps99.8%
Ramshot Hunter<<locked>>94%52,794 psi88%3097 fps98.3%
ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ<<locked>>100%36,796 psi61%2018 fps100%
ReloadSwiss RS 50<<locked>>86%54,070 psi90%3041 fps98.1%
ReloadSwiss RS 52<<locked>>82%53,272 psi89%3123 fps99.7%
ReloadSwiss RS 60<<locked>>88%53,214 psi88%3159 fps100%
ReloadSwiss RS 62<<locked>>92%51,605 psi86%3084 fps99.1%
ReloadSwiss RS 70<<locked>>94%53,853 psi89%3163 fps99.3%
Rottweil R 902<<locked>>84%54,128 psi90%3015 fps100%
Rottweil R 903<<locked>>88%53,882 psi90%3054 fps100%
Rottweil R 907<<locked>>90%53,345 psi89%3022 fps96.9%
Shooters World Long Rifle<<locked>>90%51,648 psi86%2995 fps98.3%
Shooters World Precision<<locked>>84%51,895 psi86%2999 fps100%
Shooters World SW4350<<locked>>92%52,895 psi88%3035 fps97.6%
SNPE Vectan SP 11<<locked>>86%51,459 psi85%3051 fps99.8%
SNPE Vectan SP 9<<locked>>82%52,736 psi88%3031 fps99.8%
SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000<<locked>>82%53,911 psi90%2946 fps100%
SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000<<locked>>86%51,619 psi86%2904 fps100%
SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000<<locked>>90%51,459 psi85%2940 fps97.1%
SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000ᴾ<<locked>>100%54,201 psi90%3114 fps96.3%
Somchem S335<<locked>>82%54,114 psi90%2949 fps100%
Somchem S355<<locked>>88%53,592 psi89%3048 fps100%
Somchem S365<<locked>>96%52,779 psi88%3114 fps100%
Somchem S385<<locked>>98%52,301 psi87%3041 fps96.8%
Unknown powder<<locked>>90%51,314 psi85%3058 fps98.7%
Vihtavuori N133<<locked>>84%53,722 psi89%2930 fps100%
Vihtavuori N135<<locked>>84%53,853 psi89%2982 fps100%
Vihtavuori N140<<locked>>84%53,330 psi89%2979 fps100%
Vihtavuori N150<<locked>>92%52,011 psi86%2982 fps100%
Vihtavuori N160<<locked>>90%51,996 psi86%3028 fps99.2%
Vihtavuori N540<<locked>>84%53,374 psi89%3009 fps100%
Vihtavuori N550<<locked>>90%52,489 psi87%3081 fps99.2%
Vihtavuori N555ᴾ<<locked>>100%52,359 psi87%3114 fps99.7%
Winchester 6.5 StaBALL<<locked>>92%52,692 psi88%3015 fps100%
Winchester 760<<locked>>88%51,793 psi86%3074 fps97.3%
Winchester StaBALL HDᴾ<<locked>>100%42,496 psi71%3058 fps100%
Winchester Supreme 780<<locked>>98%54,230 psi90%3058 fps96%

Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.

Start Load - Barrel Length: 24"

PowderChargeFRMaxP%V(0)z
Accurate 2495<<locked>>80%49,690 psi83%2913 fps100%
Accurate 2700<<locked>>84%47,688 psi79%2864 fps95.3%
Accurate 3100<<locked>>94%41,249 psi69%2835 fps95.6%
Accurate 4064<<locked>>80%46,920 psi78%2910 fps100%
Accurate 4350<<locked>>80%35,302 psi59%2733 fps95.4%
ADI AR 2206H<<locked>>80%51,184 psi85%3015 fps99.7%
ADI AR 2208<<locked>>80%43,453 psi72%2851 fps98.3%
Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR<<locked>>80%46,978 psi78%3054 fps99%
Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5<<locked>>80%43,947 psi73%2887 fps99.4%
Alliant Reloder-15<<locked>>80%46,905 psi78%2953 fps99%
Alliant Reloder-1635.4 gr80%34,258 psi57%2726 fps95%
Alliant Reloder-17<<locked>>80%38,348 psi64%2858 fps98.4%
Alliant Reloder-23<<locked>>86%30,690 psi51%2641 fps95.3%
Alliant Reloder-25<<locked>>98%38,957 psi65%2861 fps95.3%
Alliant Reloder-26<<locked>>90%37,840 psi63%2887 fps96%
Baschieri & Pellagri 107<<locked>>80%50,473 psi84%3012 fps99.2%
Bofors RP3<<locked>>80%44,512 psi74%2900 fps99.5%
Bofors RP7<<locked>>86%47,268 psi79%2913 fps95.4%
Hodgdon H380<<locked>>80%44,831 psi74%2897 fps97.7%
Hodgdon H414<<locked>>84%45,455 psi76%2956 fps95.7%
Hodgdon H4350<<locked>>90%49,298 psi82%2986 fps95.2%
Hodgdon Hybrid 100V<<locked>>80%32,053 psi53%2631 fps96.1%
Hodgdon LEVERevolution<<locked>>80%45,353 psi75%2949 fps99.7%
Hodgdon Superformance<<locked>>88%47,108 psi78%3005 fps95.7%
Hodgdon TrailBoss<<locked>>80%27,253 psi45%1775 fps100%
Hodgdon VARGET<<locked>>80%45,759 psi76%2907 fps99.4%
IMR 3031<<locked>>80%47,645 psi79%2953 fps100%
IMR 4064<<locked>>80%42,612 psi71%2828 fps98.3%
IMR 4166 Enduron<<locked>>82%44,788 psi74%2844 fps95.3%
IMR 4350<<locked>>90%47,471 psi79%2933 fps95.6%
IMR 4451 Enduron<<locked>>84%45,513 psi76%2881 fps95.5%
IMR 4831<<locked>>84%35,012 psi58%2710 fps95.4%
IMR 4895<<locked>>80%48,066 psi80%2986 fps99.5%
Lovex S060<<locked>>80%50,256 psi83%2940 fps99.7%
Lovex S062<<locked>>80%46,267 psi77%2900 fps99.8%
Lovex S065<<locked>>82%40,901 psi68%2785 fps95.7%
Lovex S070<<locked>>86%44,135 psi73%2871 fps95.5%
Lovex S071<<locked>>98%39,494 psi66%2795 fps95%
Norma 201<<locked>>80%50,531 psi84%2969 fps100%
Norma 202<<locked>>80%50,691 psi84%2966 fps100%
Norma 203B<<locked>>80%46,354 psi77%2940 fps99.3%
Norma 204<<locked>>92%50,691 psi84%3028 fps95%
Norma MRP<<locked>>96%45,774 psi76%3031 fps95.7%
Norma URP<<locked>>80%34,896 psi58%2723 fps95.1%
Ramshot Big Game<<locked>>80%45,905 psi76%2946 fps99.1%
Ramshot Hunter<<locked>>86%41,089 psi68%2871 fps95.4%
ReloadSwiss RS 14<<locked>>80%27,630 psi46%1814 fps100%
ReloadSwiss RS 50<<locked>>80%44,599 psi74%2867 fps96%
ReloadSwiss RS 52<<locked>>80%49,588 psi82%3061 fps99.3%
ReloadSwiss RS 60<<locked>>80%40,582 psi67%2923 fps100%
ReloadSwiss RS 62<<locked>>82%37,072 psi62%2795 fps95.7%
ReloadSwiss RS 7040.7 gr84%38,870 psi65%2854 fps95.7%
Rottweil R 902<<locked>>80%48,240 psi80%2920 fps99.9%
Rottweil R 903<<locked>>80%41,959 psi70%2841 fps99%
Rottweil R 907<<locked>>86%47,268 psi79%2913 fps95.4%
Shooters World Long Rifle<<locked>>82%40,901 psi68%2785 fps95.7%
Shooters World Precision<<locked>>80%46,267 psi77%2900 fps99.8%
Shooters World SW4350<<locked>>86%44,135 psi73%2871 fps95.5%
SNPE Vectan SP 11<<locked>>80%42,177 psi70%2877 fps98.5%
SNPE Vectan SP 9<<locked>>80%49,313 psi82%2972 fps99.6%
SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000<<locked>>80%50,952 psi85%2900 fps100%
SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000<<locked>>80%43,033 psi71%2762 fps100%
SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000<<locked>>86%45,513 psi76%2831 fps95.7%
SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000<<locked>>98%50,792 psi84%3054 fps95.5%
Somchem S335<<locked>>80%50,995 psi85%2904 fps100%
Somchem S355<<locked>>80%42,279 psi70%2841 fps98.9%
Somchem S36536.2 gr80%31,705 psi53%2680 fps97.5%
Somchem S385<<locked>>94%46,166 psi77%2930 fps95.2%
Unknown powder<<locked>>80%37,507 psi62%2779 fps95.3%
Vihtavuori N133<<locked>>80%48,080 psi80%2844 fps100%
Vihtavuori N135<<locked>>80%47,805 psi79%2890 fps100%
Vihtavuori N140<<locked>>80%47,485 psi79%2887 fps100%
Vihtavuori N150<<locked>>80%36,260 psi60%2684 fps98.8%
Vihtavuori N160<<locked>>80%37,449 psi62%2746 fps96%
Vihtavuori N540<<locked>>80%47,282 psi79%2910 fps100%
Vihtavuori N550<<locked>>80%38,392 psi64%2802 fps96.2%
Vihtavuori N555<<locked>>86%33,489 psi56%2726 fps95.5%
Winchester 6.5 StaBALL<<locked>>80%35,592 psi59%2684 fps97.8%
Winchester 760<<locked>>84%45,455 psi76%2956 fps95.7%
Winchester StaBALL HD<<locked>>88%29,385 psi49%2667 fps95.1%
Winchester Supreme 780<<locked>>96%50,415 psi84%2992 fps95.1%

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.

<<locked>> you need an access license to unlock this data.

This overview compares 81 powders for .243 Win. loaded with the .243 | 85gr | Barnes X BT. Alliant Reloder-26 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,212 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,972 fps to 3,212 fps. Accurate 3100 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 81 of the 81 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.

Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (415 MPa), the top charges use 60–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 85.0 gr projectile in 0.243" calls for a 1:9.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 3100, Alliant Reloder-23, Alliant Reloder-25 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-16, ReloadSwiss RS 70, Somchem S365 rank at the top here: for .243 Win. with the .243 | 85gr | Barnes X BT 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.

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