Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .338 Federal with .338 | 250gr | Lapua Lock Base bullet and 88 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% | 53,853 psi | 89% | 2100 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,127 psi | 87% | 2152 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,056 psi | 90% | 2221 fps | 97.9% |
| Accurate 2230 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,099 psi | 90% | 2231 fps | 98.2% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,128 psi | 90% | 2208 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,963 psi | 78% | 2156 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 96% | 51,053 psi | 85% | 2211 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,656 psi | 73% | 2142 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,648 psi | 86% | 2083 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,127 psi | 87% | 2096 fps | 99.9% |
| ADI AR 2206Hᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,157 psi | 90% | 2247 fps | 98.6% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 86% | 52,199 psi | 87% | 2103 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2208ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,166 psi | 77% | 2123 fps | 96.5% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,345 psi | 89% | 2211 fps | 100% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,085 psi | 90% | 2218 fps | 99.4% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 98% | 51,895 psi | 86% | 2211 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,445 psi | 85% | 2257 fps | 98.9% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MRᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,676 psi | 84% | 2277 fps | 97% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,743 psi | 73% | 2136 fps | 97.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,678 psi | 88% | 2165 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,863 psi | 80% | 2188 fps | 97.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,490 psi | 89% | 2116 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,272 psi | 89% | 2123 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,882 psi | 90% | 2257 fps | 97.6% |
| Bofors RP3ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,888 psi | 71% | 2139 fps | 97.8% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,157 psi | 90% | 2178 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 98% | 51,416 psi | 85% | 2241 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,215 psi | 90% | 2313 fps | 98.3% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,605 psi | 86% | 2192 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,562 psi | 87% | 2215 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,519 psi | 89% | 2119 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 98% | 51,198 psi | 85% | 2218 fps | 98.7% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolutionᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,269 psi | 82% | 2234 fps | 98.8% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,185 psi | 55% | 1266 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGETᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,214 psi | 88% | 2221 fps | 98.8% |
| IMR 3031ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,359 psi | 87% | 2251 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,472 psi | 81% | 2149 fps | 97.3% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,998 psi | 90% | 2133 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4227 | <<locked>> | 82% | 53,896 psi | 90% | 2067 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,863 psi | 81% | 2215 fps | 98.1% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,085 psi | 90% | 2218 fps | 99.4% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 86% | 51,169 psi | 85% | 2178 fps | 99.8% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,969 psi | 90% | 2211 fps | 99.8% |
| Lovex D073.6ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,779 psi | 86% | 2231 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex S053 | <<locked>> | 82% | 52,721 psi | 88% | 2024 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,779 psi | 88% | 2159 fps | 98.3% |
| Lovex S062ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,905 psi | 78% | 2146 fps | 98.7% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,852 psi | 88% | 2146 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,055 psi | 88% | 2208 fps | 99.3% |
| Norma 202ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,982 psi | 88% | 2218 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203Bᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,847 psi | 78% | 2178 fps | 97.6% |
| Ramshot Big Gameᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,572 psi | 79% | 2198 fps | 97.3% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,432 psi | 89% | 2247 fps | 98.5% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,750 psi | 88% | 2185 fps | 98.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,388 psi | 55% | 1299 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 36 | <<locked>> | 82% | 53,722 psi | 89% | 2100 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,314 psi | 85% | 2182 fps | 99.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,256 psi | 83% | 2274 fps | 97.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,814 psi | 69% | 2165 fps | 98.7% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,172 psi | 90% | 2201 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,893 psi | 83% | 2162 fps | 99% |
| Rottweil R 903ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,045 psi | 67% | 2087 fps | 96.9% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 86% | 51,169 psi | 85% | 2178 fps | 99.8% |
| Shooters World Match Rifleᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,779 psi | 86% | 2231 fps | 99.9% |
| Shooters World Precisionᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,905 psi | 78% | 2146 fps | 98.7% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,866 psi | 86% | 2156 fps | 98.9% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,330 psi | 89% | 1903 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,795 psi | 89% | 2221 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,844 psi | 71% | 2136 fps | 96.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,882 psi | 90% | 2175 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,243 psi | 87% | 2198 fps | 96.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,533 psi | 87% | 2224 fps | 98.4% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,055 psi | 88% | 2136 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,658 psi | 76% | 2064 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 94% | 51,967 psi | 86% | 2218 fps | 99.4% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 98% | 51,503 psi | 86% | 2139 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 98% | 51,793 psi | 86% | 2201 fps | 98.1% |
| Somchem S355ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,742 psi | 69% | 2096 fps | 97% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 86% | 52,243 psi | 87% | 2064 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,011 psi | 88% | 2123 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,315 psi | 87% | 2129 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,863 psi | 80% | 2149 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,096 psi | 83% | 2162 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,059 psi | 67% | 2051 fps | 97.9% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 96% | 51,329 psi | 85% | 2178 fps | 99.2% |
| Vihtavuori N540ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,327 psi | 80% | 2162 fps | 99.9% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,547 psi | 87% | 2254 fps | 99.7% |
| 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% | 47,529 psi | 79% | 2031 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,792 psi | 53% | 1870 fps | 99.5% |
| Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,742 psi | 69% | 2051 fps | 95.4% |
| Accurate 2230 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,930 psi | 68% | 2054 fps | 95.6% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,040 psi | 57% | 1932 fps | 98% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,323 psi | 40% | 1781 fps | 98.2% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,544 psi | 49% | 1883 fps | 96.3% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 82% | 24,700 psi | 41% | 1801 fps | 95.6% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,509 psi | 67% | 1942 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,872 psi | 68% | 1949 fps | 98.8% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,579 psi | 62% | 2011 fps | 95.3% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,250 psi | 72% | 2001 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 96% | 40,814 psi | 68% | 2044 fps | 95.2% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,174 psi | 63% | 2014 fps | 99.6% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 82% | 33,127 psi | 55% | 1909 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,254 psi | 49% | 1890 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | 31.6 gr | 80% | 34,969 psi | 58% | 2005 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 96% | 44,396 psi | 74% | 2182 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 92% | 34,272 psi | 57% | 1982 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,593 psi | 61% | 1955 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 94% | 39,624 psi | 66% | 2067 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,672 psi | 74% | 2014 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,754 psi | 64% | 1939 fps | 99.7% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 94% | 44,556 psi | 74% | 2133 fps | 95.7% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 92% | 32,866 psi | 55% | 1975 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,518 psi | 56% | 1877 fps | 96.1% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 82% | 30,284 psi | 50% | 1909 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | 37.9 gr | 88% | 41,350 psi | 69% | 2133 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,215 psi | 59% | 1962 fps | 99.2% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,404 psi | 59% | 1975 fps | 98.5% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,614 psi | 74% | 2008 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 86% | 35,418 psi | 59% | 1982 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 90% | 35,752 psi | 59% | 2024 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,729 psi | 41% | 1132 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 88% | 36,869 psi | 61% | 1988 fps | 95.5% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,847 psi | 46% | 1867 fps | 98.1% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 94% | 40,059 psi | 67% | 2028 fps | 95.3% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,014 psi | 63% | 1936 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4227 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,517 psi | 84% | 2031 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 92% | 37,971 psi | 63% | 2054 fps | 95.6% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 82% | 33,127 psi | 55% | 1909 fps | 95.3% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,713 psi | 69% | 2054 fps | 98.9% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,707 psi | 56% | 1929 fps | 96.7% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,614 psi | 44% | 1834 fps | 95% |
| Lovex S053 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,458 psi | 82% | 1988 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,173 psi | 62% | 1936 fps | 95% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 88% | 32,634 psi | 54% | 1919 fps | 95.3% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,321 psi | 69% | 2005 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 84% | 32,605 psi | 54% | 1903 fps | 95.2% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,355 psi | 47% | 1841 fps | 96.5% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 92% | 36,405 psi | 60% | 2018 fps | 95% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 94% | 39,276 psi | 65% | 2070 fps | 95.2% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,319 psi | 64% | 2034 fps | 95.4% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,493 psi | 64% | 1985 fps | 95.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,714 psi | 41% | 1158 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 36 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,430 psi | 84% | 2064 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,867 psi | 58% | 1942 fps | 97.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,481 psi | 69% | 2146 fps | 95.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 92% | 32,561 psi | 54% | 1988 fps | 95.7% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,010 psi | 53% | 1873 fps | 97.4% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 86% | 32,895 psi | 55% | 1903 fps | 95.3% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 96% | 35,041 psi | 58% | 2005 fps | 95.5% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,713 psi | 69% | 2054 fps | 98.9% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,614 psi | 44% | 1834 fps | 95% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 88% | 32,634 psi | 54% | 1919 fps | 95.3% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,072 psi | 62% | 1949 fps | 96.1% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,455 psi | 76% | 1821 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,885 psi | 65% | 2021 fps | 99% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 98% | 40,379 psi | 67% | 2096 fps | 95.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,260 psi | 62% | 1959 fps | 99.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,994 psi | 81% | 2159 fps | 95.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 90% | 38,305 psi | 64% | 2024 fps | 95.4% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,792 psi | 51% | 1814 fps | 97.1% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,932 psi | 41% | 1709 fps | 96% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,590 psi | 54% | 1926 fps | 95.5% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,979 psi | 50% | 1818 fps | 97.8% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,740 psi | 66% | 2037 fps | 95.6% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 96% | 36,738 psi | 61% | 2018 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,366 psi | 72% | 1965 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,056 psi | 58% | 1886 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,545 psi | 51% | 1824 fps | 99.2% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,643 psi | 43% | 1791 fps | 98.3% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,992 psi | 45% | 1795 fps | 96.2% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 92% | 31,314 psi | 52% | 1900 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 82% | 32,895 psi | 55% | 1906 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,802 psi | 43% | 1781 fps | 95% |
| Winchester 748 | 33.9 gr | 82% | 31,415 psi | 52% | 1926 fps | 95.7% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 88% | 35,157 psi | 58% | 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 88 powders for .338 Federal loaded with the .338 | 250gr | Lapua Lock Base. Hodgdon CFE223 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,313 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,266 fps to 2,313 fps. Accurate 2495 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 88 of the 88 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 250.0 gr projectile in 0.338" calls for a 1:13.5 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 | Lapua Lock Base 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.