Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .338 Federal with .338 | 230gr | Norma ORYX bullet and 89 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Hodgdon CFE223, Alliant Power Pro 1200-R and ReloadSwiss RS 52.
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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You can find more information in our FAQ: How can I use the Personalized Load Calculator?
Max Load - Barrel Length: 24"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 1680 | <<locked>> | 82% | 53,519 psi | 89% | 2260 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,620 psi | 87% | 2320 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,998 psi | 90% | 2395 fps | 98.1% |
| Accurate 2230 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,317 psi | 90% | 2402 fps | 98.4% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,198 psi | 85% | 2339 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,300 psi | 85% | 2362 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 94% | 51,779 psi | 86% | 2385 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,572 psi | 79% | 2349 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,389 psi | 90% | 2280 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 86% | 51,605 psi | 86% | 2257 fps | 99.9% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 96% | 51,300 psi | 85% | 2379 fps | 98.4% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,141 psi | 87% | 2264 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2208ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,110 psi | 82% | 2326 fps | 97.3% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,548 psi | 89% | 2382 fps | 100% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,302 psi | 90% | 2388 fps | 99.5% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,446 psi | 87% | 2379 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,112 psi | 87% | 2434 fps | 99.1% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MRᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,201 psi | 90% | 2503 fps | 98% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,181 psi | 78% | 2343 fps | 98.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,968 psi | 88% | 2329 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,779 psi | 86% | 2405 fps | 98.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-17ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,148 psi | 70% | 2323 fps | 96.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,156 psi | 88% | 2277 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,171 psi | 88% | 2283 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 96% | 50,981 psi | 85% | 2388 fps | 97.3% |
| Bofors RP3ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,065 psi | 78% | 2356 fps | 98.6% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,085 psi | 90% | 2343 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,286 psi | 87% | 2415 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,418 psi | 90% | 2490 fps | 98.5% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,040 psi | 86% | 2362 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,881 psi | 88% | 2385 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H380ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,371 psi | 82% | 2359 fps | 96.2% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,388 psi | 89% | 2283 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 96% | 51,605 psi | 86% | 2388 fps | 98.9% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolutionᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,982 psi | 88% | 2454 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,736 psi | 56% | 1385 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,476 psi | 89% | 2395 fps | 99% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,345 psi | 89% | 2428 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,648 psi | 86% | 2356 fps | 98% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,085 psi | 90% | 2297 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,968 psi | 88% | 2434 fps | 98.7% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,302 psi | 90% | 2388 fps | 99.5% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,285 psi | 85% | 2346 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 90% | 50,981 psi | 85% | 2343 fps | 99.6% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,692 psi | 88% | 2405 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,881 psi | 88% | 2329 fps | 98.5% |
| Lovex S062ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,488 psi | 84% | 2356 fps | 99.2% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 86% | 52,982 psi | 88% | 2306 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,447 psi | 89% | 2379 fps | 99.5% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,359 psi | 89% | 2388 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203Bᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,807 psi | 84% | 2395 fps | 98.4% |
| Ramshot Big Gameᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,053 psi | 85% | 2415 fps | 98.1% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,069 psi | 87% | 2356 fps | 95.9% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,621 psi | 89% | 2418 fps | 98.6% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,881 psi | 88% | 2352 fps | 98.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,866 psi | 56% | 1421 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,242 psi | 85% | 2346 fps | 99.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 98% | 50,850 psi | 84% | 2454 fps | 97.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,107 psi | 75% | 2388 fps | 99.4% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 94% | 51,532 psi | 86% | 2333 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,403 psi | 89% | 2372 fps | 99.4% |
| Rottweil R 903ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,656 psi | 73% | 2297 fps | 97.8% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,285 psi | 85% | 2346 fps | 99.9% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,692 psi | 88% | 2405 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precisionᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,488 psi | 84% | 2356 fps | 99.2% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,648 psi | 86% | 2316 fps | 99% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,837 psi | 88% | 2047 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,824 psi | 89% | 2388 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,267 psi | 77% | 2352 fps | 97.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,085 psi | 90% | 2343 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,692 psi | 88% | 2372 fps | 96.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,011 psi | 88% | 2398 fps | 98.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,403 psi | 89% | 2303 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,834 psi | 81% | 2260 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,170 psi | 87% | 2385 fps | 99.5% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 96% | 51,764 psi | 86% | 2303 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,199 psi | 87% | 2375 fps | 98.3% |
| Somchem S355ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,092 psi | 75% | 2303 fps | 97.8% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,127 psi | 87% | 2221 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,040 psi | 88% | 2283 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,866 psi | 88% | 2297 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,735 psi | 86% | 2352 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,969 psi | 90% | 2369 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,381 psi | 72% | 2251 fps | 98.6% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 94% | 51,764 psi | 86% | 2349 fps | 99.3% |
| Vihtavuori N540ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,156 psi | 87% | 2369 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALLᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,030 psi | 67% | 2188 fps | 96% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,287 psi | 89% | 2431 fps | 99.8% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,315 psi | 87% | 2408 fps | 99% |
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% | 49,966 psi | 83% | 2218 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,243 psi | 57% | 2054 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,309 psi | 74% | 2251 fps | 96.2% |
| Accurate 2230 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,193 psi | 73% | 2260 fps | 96.6% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,680 psi | 61% | 2123 fps | 98.6% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,687 psi | 44% | 1962 fps | 98.8% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,981 psi | 53% | 2070 fps | 97.1% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,324 psi | 42% | 1939 fps | 95.8% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,830 psi | 71% | 2126 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,178 psi | 72% | 2139 fps | 99.3% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,797 psi | 63% | 2165 fps | 95.5% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,224 psi | 77% | 2192 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,176 psi | 68% | 2205 fps | 95.5% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,872 psi | 68% | 2208 fps | 99.8% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,330 psi | 55% | 2054 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,430 psi | 52% | 2070 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | 36.5 gr | 80% | 37,753 psi | 63% | 2205 fps | 96.3% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 94% | 44,527 psi | 74% | 2352 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 90% | 34,534 psi | 57% | 2133 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,146 psi | 65% | 2142 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,190 psi | 67% | 2231 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 96% | 37,115 psi | 62% | 2228 fps | 95% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,326 psi | 79% | 2205 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,104 psi | 68% | 2123 fps | 99.9% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,756 psi | 69% | 2247 fps | 95.1% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 90% | 33,794 psi | 56% | 2133 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,607 psi | 59% | 2060 fps | 96.8% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,472 psi | 51% | 2054 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | 42.7 gr | 86% | 41,466 psi | 69% | 2293 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,492 psi | 62% | 2149 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,058 psi | 63% | 2169 fps | 99% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 98% | 46,035 psi | 76% | 2313 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,166 psi | 78% | 2201 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,708 psi | 59% | 2133 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 86% | 33,808 psi | 56% | 2136 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,932 psi | 41% | 1234 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,985 psi | 61% | 2139 fps | 95.7% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,921 psi | 50% | 2054 fps | 98.8% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,567 psi | 67% | 2188 fps | 95.6% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,422 psi | 67% | 2119 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 88% | 36,260 psi | 60% | 2172 fps | 95.1% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,330 psi | 55% | 2054 fps | 95.4% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,802 psi | 74% | 2257 fps | 99.4% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,318 psi | 60% | 2119 fps | 97.5% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,892 psi | 48% | 2014 fps | 96% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,912 psi | 61% | 2080 fps | 95.1% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 86% | 32,996 psi | 55% | 2067 fps | 95.5% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,280 psi | 74% | 2198 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 82% | 32,822 psi | 55% | 2047 fps | 95.4% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,560 psi | 51% | 2021 fps | 97.3% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 90% | 37,028 psi | 62% | 2178 fps | 95.3% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 92% | 39,581 psi | 66% | 2234 fps | 95.5% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,791 psi | 81% | 2310 fps | 95.2% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 86% | 38,769 psi | 64% | 2195 fps | 95.6% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 82% | 38,638 psi | 64% | 2136 fps | 95.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,889 psi | 41% | 1263 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,391 psi | 62% | 2133 fps | 98.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | 42.4 gr | 90% | 39,291 psi | 65% | 2267 fps | 95.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 88% | 30,908 psi | 51% | 2100 fps | 95.1% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,142 psi | 57% | 2057 fps | 98% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 84% | 33,054 psi | 55% | 2047 fps | 95.4% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 92% | 33,678 psi | 56% | 2123 fps | 95.1% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,802 psi | 74% | 2257 fps | 99.4% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,892 psi | 48% | 2014 fps | 96% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 86% | 32,996 psi | 55% | 2067 fps | 95.5% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,378 psi | 65% | 2136 fps | 96.8% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,587 psi | 79% | 1988 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,640 psi | 69% | 2218 fps | 99.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 94% | 38,174 psi | 63% | 2215 fps | 95.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,755 psi | 66% | 2149 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,209 psi | 77% | 2283 fps | 95.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,638 psi | 64% | 2182 fps | 95.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,764 psi | 54% | 1991 fps | 97.8% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,527 psi | 44% | 1877 fps | 96.8% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,954 psi | 58% | 2113 fps | 96.4% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,111 psi | 53% | 1998 fps | 98.4% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,362 psi | 62% | 2149 fps | 95% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 92% | 35,099 psi | 58% | 2133 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,238 psi | 77% | 2152 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,289 psi | 62% | 2067 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,605 psi | 54% | 2001 fps | 99.5% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,601 psi | 46% | 1969 fps | 98.9% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,877 psi | 48% | 1969 fps | 97% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 90% | 31,618 psi | 53% | 2044 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,996 psi | 55% | 2047 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,528 psi | 46% | 1952 fps | 95.9% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 98% | 37,753 psi | 63% | 2149 fps | 95.2% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,647 psi | 53% | 2073 fps | 95.9% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 86% | 35,230 psi | 59% | 2136 fps | 95.3% |
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 89 powders for .338 Federal loaded with the .338 | 230gr | Norma ORYX. Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,503 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,385 fps to 2,503 fps. Accurate 2495 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 89 of the 89 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (415 MPa), the top charges use 56–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 230.0 gr projectile in 0.338" calls for a 1:6.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 2495, Accurate 4064, ADI AR 2208 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 CFE223, Alliant Power Pro 1200-R, ReloadSwiss RS 52 rank at the top here: for .338 Federal with the .338 | 230gr | Norma ORYX 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.