Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .338 Federal with .338 | 180gr | Impala LW CFN bullet and 55 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Hodgdon H322, SNPE Vectan SP 10 and ADI AR 2219.
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 1680 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,664 psi | 89% | 2523 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2015ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,201 psi | 90% | 2605 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,069 psi | 88% | 2615 fps | 98.7% |
| Accurate 2495ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,381 psi | 72% | 2516 fps | 99.6% |
| Accurate 2520ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,837 psi | 88% | 2654 fps | 98.4% |
| Accurate 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,437 psi | 67% | 2484 fps | 97.3% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,940 psi | 90% | 2526 fps | 99.6% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,433 psi | 90% | 2536 fps | 98.5% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,070 psi | 90% | 2569 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,909 psi | 86% | 2625 fps | 99.4% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,649 psi | 87% | 2612 fps | 96.6% |
| Alliant AR-Compᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,501 psi | 82% | 2628 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,765 psi | 88% | 2700 fps | 96.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 94% | 51,634 psi | 86% | 2589 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,881 psi | 88% | 2539 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,011 psi | 86% | 2523 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,881 psi | 88% | 2569 fps | 97.3% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,705 psi | 83% | 2631 fps | 96.8% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,258 psi | 88% | 2644 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,331 psi | 90% | 2664 fps | 99% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,881 psi | 88% | 2526 fps | 99.2% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,170 psi | 55% | 1539 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,311 psi | 79% | 2618 fps | 99.5% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,489 psi | 87% | 2556 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4227 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,910 psi | 88% | 2490 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBRᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,649 psi | 87% | 2612 fps | 96.6% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,838 psi | 89% | 2631 fps | 98.3% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,171 psi | 88% | 2615 fps | 97.6% |
| Lovex D073.6ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,702 psi | 78% | 2579 fps | 97.4% |
| Lovex S053 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,112 psi | 87% | 2444 fps | 100% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,707 psi | 88% | 2575 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,081 psi | 82% | 2556 fps | 96% |
| Norma 202ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,080 psi | 80% | 2572 fps | 98.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,301 psi | 55% | 1575 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 36 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,011 psi | 88% | 2526 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,895 psi | 88% | 2618 fps | 98.1% |
| Rottweil R 901ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,041 psi | 90% | 2615 fps | 98.8% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,838 psi | 89% | 2631 fps | 98.3% |
| Shooters World Match Rifleᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,702 psi | 78% | 2579 fps | 97.4% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,027 psi | 90% | 2582 fps | 96.3% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,721 psi | 88% | 2306 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,344 psi | 87% | 2628 fps | 98.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 94% | 51,996 psi | 86% | 2589 fps | 99.8% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,156 psi | 87% | 2533 fps | 98.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,134 psi | 70% | 2395 fps | 97.9% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,954 psi | 90% | 2654 fps | 97.2% |
| Somchem S335ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,459 psi | 84% | 2536 fps | 99.1% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,983 psi | 90% | 2523 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 96% | 51,982 psi | 86% | 2533 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,894 psi | 85% | 2533 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N135ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,381 psi | 72% | 2507 fps | 99.5% |
| Vihtavuori N140ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,701 psi | 76% | 2510 fps | 98.1% |
| Vihtavuori N530ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,098 psi | 88% | 2608 fps | 96.7% |
| Vihtavuori N540ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,179 psi | 73% | 2500 fps | 97.3% |
| Winchester 748ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,836 psi | 84% | 2644 fps | 97.2% |
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 1680 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,570 psi | 74% | 2388 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,821 psi | 51% | 2192 fps | 96.7% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,970 psi | 61% | 2343 fps | 95.3% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 82% | 26,063 psi | 43% | 2142 fps | 95.2% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 90% | 38,305 psi | 64% | 2415 fps | 95.3% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 94% | 34,098 psi | 57% | 2356 fps | 95.5% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,580 psi | 64% | 2277 fps | 97.4% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,856 psi | 65% | 2277 fps | 95.3% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,857 psi | 68% | 2375 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | 36.3 gr | 80% | 35,853 psi | 60% | 2339 fps | 96.4% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,789 psi | 78% | 2520 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,181 psi | 47% | 2198 fps | 98.1% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,705 psi | 83% | 2654 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,969 psi | 58% | 2297 fps | 98.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,221 psi | 70% | 2375 fps | 99.9% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,419 psi | 61% | 2260 fps | 97.1% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 92% | 44,701 psi | 74% | 2438 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 96% | 44,106 psi | 73% | 2539 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon H322 | 35.1 gr | 80% | 33,185 psi | 55% | 2277 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,433 psi | 59% | 2336 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,119 psi | 70% | 2352 fps | 97.6% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,932 psi | 41% | 1378 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 84% | 30,255 psi | 50% | 2257 fps | 95.2% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,911 psi | 60% | 2277 fps | 99.5% |
| IMR 4227 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,340 psi | 79% | 2411 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,789 psi | 78% | 2520 fps | 95.4% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,073 psi | 65% | 2385 fps | 95.2% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,350 psi | 69% | 2428 fps | 95.1% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 94% | 38,928 psi | 65% | 2441 fps | 95.5% |
| Lovex S053 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,746 psi | 78% | 2372 fps | 100% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,827 psi | 66% | 2372 fps | 99.8% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 98% | 46,253 psi | 77% | 2510 fps | 95.3% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 90% | 36,114 psi | 60% | 2352 fps | 95.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,918 psi | 41% | 1407 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 36 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,224 psi | 78% | 2444 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 86% | 39,305 psi | 65% | 2388 fps | 95.1% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,217 psi | 62% | 2323 fps | 95.4% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,073 psi | 65% | 2385 fps | 95.2% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 94% | 38,928 psi | 65% | 2441 fps | 95.5% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,937 psi | 85% | 2539 fps | 95.7% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,598 psi | 72% | 2188 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | 37.6 gr | 80% | 36,419 psi | 61% | 2346 fps | 95.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,012 psi | 58% | 2290 fps | 97.2% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,217 psi | 62% | 2283 fps | 95.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 92% | 33,678 psi | 56% | 2231 fps | 95.6% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 92% | 44,512 psi | 74% | 2510 fps | 95.2% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 84% | 32,619 psi | 54% | 2208 fps | 95.1% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,886 psi | 68% | 2336 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,634 psi | 56% | 2218 fps | 98.3% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,472 psi | 49% | 2133 fps | 95.9% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 84% | 27,963 psi | 46% | 2172 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 90% | 34,476 psi | 57% | 2293 fps | 95.1% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,297 psi | 79% | 2523 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 94% | 37,202 psi | 62% | 2369 fps | 95.4% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,743 psi | 71% | 2503 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 55 powders for .338 Federal loaded with the .338 | 180gr | Impala LW CFN. Alliant Power Pro 1200-R delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,700 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,539 fps to 2,700 fps. Accurate 2015 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 55 of the 55 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (415 MPa), the top charges use 55–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 180.0 gr projectile in 0.338" calls for a 1:15.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 2015, Accurate 2495, Accurate 2520 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. Hodgdon H322, SNPE Vectan SP 10, ADI AR 2219 rank at the top here: for .338 Federal with the .338 | 180gr | Impala LW CFN 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.