Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .338 Federal with .338 | 250gr | Barnes Banded Solid 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 Winchester 748.
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>> | 84% | 53,911 psi | 90% | 2103 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,214 psi | 87% | 2152 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,114 psi | 90% | 2224 fps | 97.9% |
| Accurate 2230 | <<locked>> | 86% | 50,734 psi | 84% | 2192 fps | 97.7% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,172 psi | 90% | 2211 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,108 psi | 78% | 2159 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,736 psi | 88% | 2241 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,743 psi | 73% | 2142 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,808 psi | 86% | 2087 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,228 psi | 87% | 2100 fps | 99.9% |
| ADI AR 2206Hᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,230 psi | 90% | 2247 fps | 98.7% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 86% | 52,315 psi | 87% | 2106 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2208ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,209 psi | 77% | 2126 fps | 96.6% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,432 psi | 89% | 2215 fps | 100% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,085 psi | 90% | 2218 fps | 99.4% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 98% | 51,982 psi | 86% | 2211 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,938 psi | 86% | 2264 fps | 99% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MRᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,705 psi | 84% | 2277 fps | 97% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,787 psi | 73% | 2139 fps | 97.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,808 psi | 88% | 2165 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,950 psi | 80% | 2192 fps | 97.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,664 psi | 89% | 2119 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,316 psi | 89% | 2126 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,331 psi | 90% | 2264 fps | 97.7% |
| Bofors RP3ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,294 psi | 72% | 2146 fps | 97.9% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,186 psi | 90% | 2178 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 98% | 51,967 psi | 86% | 2247 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,230 psi | 90% | 2316 fps | 98.3% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,735 psi | 86% | 2195 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,040 psi | 88% | 2221 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,650 psi | 89% | 2119 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 98% | 51,213 psi | 85% | 2218 fps | 98.7% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolutionᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,284 psi | 82% | 2238 fps | 98.8% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,402 psi | 55% | 1270 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGETᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,258 psi | 88% | 2224 fps | 98.9% |
| IMR 3031ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,431 psi | 87% | 2254 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,573 psi | 81% | 2149 fps | 97.3% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,114 psi | 90% | 2133 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4227 | <<locked>> | 82% | 53,621 psi | 89% | 2067 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,950 psi | 81% | 2218 fps | 98.1% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,085 psi | 90% | 2218 fps | 99.4% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 86% | 51,300 psi | 85% | 2182 fps | 99.8% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,662 psi | 84% | 2175 fps | 99.6% |
| Lovex D073.6ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,851 psi | 86% | 2231 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex S053 | <<locked>> | 82% | 52,460 psi | 87% | 2021 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,837 psi | 88% | 2162 fps | 98.4% |
| Lovex S062ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,268 psi | 79% | 2152 fps | 98.8% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,924 psi | 88% | 2146 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,142 psi | 88% | 2211 fps | 99.4% |
| Norma 202ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,084 psi | 88% | 2221 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203Bᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,934 psi | 78% | 2182 fps | 97.6% |
| Ramshot Big Gameᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,601 psi | 79% | 2198 fps | 97.3% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 96% | 51,924 psi | 86% | 2188 fps | 95.7% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,447 psi | 89% | 2247 fps | 98.5% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,272 psi | 89% | 2192 fps | 98.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,243 psi | 55% | 1296 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 36 | <<locked>> | 82% | 53,838 psi | 89% | 2100 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,343 psi | 85% | 2182 fps | 99.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,270 psi | 84% | 2277 fps | 97.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,192 psi | 70% | 2175 fps | 98.8% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,244 psi | 90% | 2201 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,980 psi | 83% | 2165 fps | 99% |
| Rottweil R 903ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,132 psi | 67% | 2090 fps | 96.9% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 86% | 51,300 psi | 85% | 2182 fps | 99.8% |
| Shooters World Match Rifleᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,851 psi | 86% | 2231 fps | 99.9% |
| Shooters World Precisionᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,268 psi | 79% | 2152 fps | 98.8% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,880 psi | 86% | 2156 fps | 98.9% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,476 psi | 89% | 1906 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,911 psi | 90% | 2224 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,902 psi | 71% | 2136 fps | 96.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,012 psi | 90% | 2178 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,779 psi | 88% | 2205 fps | 96.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,591 psi | 87% | 2228 fps | 98.4% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,156 psi | 88% | 2139 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,672 psi | 76% | 2064 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,054 psi | 86% | 2218 fps | 99.4% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 98% | 51,517 psi | 86% | 2139 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 98% | 51,793 psi | 86% | 2205 fps | 98.1% |
| Somchem S355ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,829 psi | 69% | 2100 fps | 97% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 86% | 52,359 psi | 87% | 2067 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,069 psi | 88% | 2123 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,402 psi | 87% | 2129 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,892 psi | 80% | 2152 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,183 psi | 83% | 2165 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,132 psi | 67% | 2051 fps | 97.9% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 96% | 51,808 psi | 86% | 2185 fps | 99.2% |
| Vihtavuori N540ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,385 psi | 80% | 2165 fps | 99.9% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,098 psi | 88% | 2260 fps | 99.8% |
| Winchester StaBALL Matchᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,866 psi | 86% | 2234 fps | 98.8% |
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% | 47,601 psi | 79% | 2034 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,894 psi | 53% | 1870 fps | 99.5% |
| Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,829 psi | 69% | 2054 fps | 95.4% |
| Accurate 2230 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,075 psi | 68% | 2054 fps | 95.7% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,171 psi | 57% | 1936 fps | 98% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,439 psi | 41% | 1785 fps | 98.2% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,253 psi | 47% | 1870 fps | 95.7% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 82% | 24,787 psi | 41% | 1804 fps | 95.7% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,611 psi | 67% | 1942 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,002 psi | 68% | 1952 fps | 98.9% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,710 psi | 63% | 2014 fps | 95.3% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,395 psi | 72% | 2005 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 96% | 40,843 psi | 68% | 2044 fps | 95.2% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,261 psi | 64% | 2014 fps | 99.6% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 82% | 33,214 psi | 55% | 1913 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,341 psi | 49% | 1890 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | 31.7 gr | 80% | 35,070 psi | 58% | 2008 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 96% | 44,411 psi | 74% | 2185 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 92% | 34,374 psi | 57% | 1985 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,709 psi | 61% | 1955 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 94% | 39,972 psi | 66% | 2073 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,788 psi | 74% | 2018 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,827 psi | 65% | 1942 fps | 99.7% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 94% | 44,585 psi | 74% | 2136 fps | 95.7% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 92% | 33,214 psi | 55% | 1982 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,605 psi | 56% | 1880 fps | 96.1% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 82% | 30,327 psi | 50% | 1913 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | 38 gr | 88% | 41,365 psi | 69% | 2133 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,317 psi | 59% | 1965 fps | 99.2% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,534 psi | 59% | 1978 fps | 98.5% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,730 psi | 74% | 2011 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 86% | 35,549 psi | 59% | 1985 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 90% | 36,071 psi | 60% | 2031 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,642 psi | 41% | 1129 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 88% | 36,956 psi | 61% | 1991 fps | 95.6% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,934 psi | 46% | 1870 fps | 98.2% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 94% | 40,480 psi | 67% | 2037 fps | 95.5% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,145 psi | 63% | 1936 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4227 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,633 psi | 84% | 2034 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 90% | 35,998 psi | 60% | 2021 fps | 95% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 82% | 33,214 psi | 55% | 1913 fps | 95.3% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,785 psi | 69% | 2057 fps | 99% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,808 psi | 56% | 1932 fps | 96.7% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,701 psi | 44% | 1834 fps | 95% |
| Lovex S053 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,617 psi | 82% | 1991 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,231 psi | 62% | 1939 fps | 95% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 88% | 32,692 psi | 54% | 1923 fps | 95.4% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,437 psi | 69% | 2008 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 84% | 32,677 psi | 54% | 1906 fps | 95.3% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,500 psi | 47% | 1844 fps | 96.6% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 92% | 36,753 psi | 61% | 2028 fps | 95.1% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 94% | 39,334 psi | 65% | 2073 fps | 95.2% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,878 psi | 81% | 2149 fps | 95% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,667 psi | 64% | 2041 fps | 95.5% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,566 psi | 64% | 1985 fps | 95.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,642 psi | 41% | 1158 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 36 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,966 psi | 85% | 2070 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,940 psi | 58% | 1942 fps | 97.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,568 psi | 69% | 2149 fps | 95.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 92% | 32,808 psi | 55% | 1995 fps | 95.8% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,111 psi | 53% | 1877 fps | 97.4% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 86% | 32,967 psi | 55% | 1906 fps | 95.3% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 96% | 35,143 psi | 58% | 2008 fps | 95.5% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,785 psi | 69% | 2057 fps | 99% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,701 psi | 44% | 1834 fps | 95% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 88% | 32,692 psi | 54% | 1923 fps | 95.4% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,144 psi | 62% | 1952 fps | 96.1% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,629 psi | 76% | 1824 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,943 psi | 65% | 2024 fps | 99% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 98% | 40,393 psi | 67% | 2096 fps | 95.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,391 psi | 62% | 1962 fps | 99.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 94% | 45,977 psi | 76% | 2119 fps | 95% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 90% | 38,406 psi | 64% | 2028 fps | 95.4% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,893 psi | 51% | 1818 fps | 97.2% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,005 psi | 42% | 1713 fps | 96% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,648 psi | 54% | 1926 fps | 95.6% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,066 psi | 50% | 1821 fps | 97.8% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,784 psi | 66% | 2041 fps | 95.6% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 94% | 34,838 psi | 58% | 1985 fps | 95.1% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,497 psi | 72% | 1969 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,157 psi | 58% | 1890 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,632 psi | 51% | 1827 fps | 99.2% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,730 psi | 43% | 1795 fps | 98.4% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,108 psi | 45% | 1798 fps | 96.3% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 92% | 31,357 psi | 52% | 1900 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 82% | 32,967 psi | 55% | 1906 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,860 psi | 43% | 1781 fps | 95% |
| Winchester 748 | 34 gr | 82% | 31,473 psi | 52% | 1929 fps | 95.7% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 88% | 35,215 psi | 59% | 1988 fps | 95.1% |
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.
This overview compares 101 powders for .338 Federal loaded with the .338 | 250gr | Barnes Banded Solid. Hodgdon CFE223 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,316 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,270 fps to 2,316 fps. Accurate 2495 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 101 of the 101 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (415 MPa), the top charges use 50–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 250.0 gr projectile in 0.338" calls for a 1:14.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 2495, Accurate 4064, ADI AR 2206H 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, Winchester 748 rank at the top here: for .338 Federal with the .338 | 250gr | Barnes Banded Solid they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, Hodgdon Hybrid 100V, IMR 4166 Enduron, Lovex S065 burn incompletely and react more sensitively to barrel length and temperature. Always begin at the start load and work up in small increments while checking case and primer for pressure signs.