Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .338 Federal with .338 | 250gr | Nosler Partition RN 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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Max Load - Barrel Length: 24"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 1680 | <<locked>> | 82% | 52,272 psi | 87% | 2100 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,911 psi | 90% | 2185 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 86% | 52,446 psi | 87% | 2221 fps | 97.9% |
| Accurate 2230 | <<locked>> | 86% | 52,736 psi | 88% | 2231 fps | 98.3% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,692 psi | 88% | 2208 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,095 psi | 82% | 2192 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,316 psi | 89% | 2254 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,571 psi | 76% | 2182 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,982 psi | 88% | 2116 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,490 psi | 89% | 2133 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,040 psi | 88% | 2251 fps | 98.7% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,577 psi | 89% | 2133 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2208ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,732 psi | 79% | 2162 fps | 97.2% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,735 psi | 86% | 2211 fps | 100% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,605 psi | 87% | 2218 fps | 99.4% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,722 psi | 89% | 2244 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,664 psi | 89% | 2300 fps | 99.3% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MRᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,330 psi | 87% | 2323 fps | 97.7% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,469 psi | 76% | 2175 fps | 98.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,372 psi | 85% | 2162 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,937 psi | 83% | 2234 fps | 97.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-17ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,727 psi | 68% | 2156 fps | 96.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,880 psi | 86% | 2116 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,503 psi | 86% | 2119 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,402 psi | 87% | 2260 fps | 97.6% |
| Bofors RP3ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,933 psi | 75% | 2182 fps | 98.4% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,373 psi | 87% | 2175 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,882 psi | 90% | 2287 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,518 psi | 87% | 2313 fps | 98.3% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,795 psi | 89% | 2234 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,169 psi | 85% | 2215 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H380ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,543 psi | 79% | 2188 fps | 96% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,779 psi | 86% | 2116 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,388 psi | 89% | 2264 fps | 99.2% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolutionᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,068 psi | 85% | 2280 fps | 99.2% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,431 psi | 56% | 1283 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 98% | 51,648 psi | 86% | 2221 fps | 98.9% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 98% | 51,169 psi | 85% | 2254 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,212 psi | 83% | 2188 fps | 97.9% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,692 psi | 88% | 2133 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,010 psi | 85% | 2260 fps | 98.6% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,605 psi | 87% | 2218 fps | 99.4% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,316 psi | 89% | 2221 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,489 psi | 87% | 2215 fps | 99.8% |
| Lovex D073.6ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,012 psi | 90% | 2270 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S053 | <<locked>> | 82% | 53,853 psi | 89% | 2051 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 96% | 51,416 psi | 85% | 2162 fps | 98.4% |
| Lovex S062ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,965 psi | 81% | 2192 fps | 99.1% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 86% | 51,648 psi | 86% | 2146 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 98% | 51,692 psi | 86% | 2208 fps | 99.4% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 98% | 51,663 psi | 86% | 2221 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203Bᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,921 psi | 81% | 2224 fps | 98.2% |
| Ramshot Big Gameᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,153 psi | 82% | 2238 fps | 97.9% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,650 psi | 89% | 2228 fps | 96.4% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 96% | 51,721 psi | 86% | 2244 fps | 98.5% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,271 psi | 85% | 2185 fps | 98.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,620 psi | 56% | 1316 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,823 psi | 88% | 2215 fps | 99.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,301 psi | 87% | 2320 fps | 98.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,613 psi | 72% | 2218 fps | 99.3% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,011 psi | 88% | 2205 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,779 psi | 86% | 2201 fps | 99.4% |
| Rottweil R 903ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,698 psi | 69% | 2129 fps | 97.5% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,316 psi | 89% | 2221 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Match Rifleᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,012 psi | 90% | 2270 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precisionᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,965 psi | 81% | 2192 fps | 99.1% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,650 psi | 89% | 2195 fps | 99.3% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,462 psi | 90% | 1926 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,127 psi | 87% | 2218 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,498 psi | 74% | 2178 fps | 97.1% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,518 psi | 87% | 2175 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 96% | 50,894 psi | 85% | 2201 fps | 96.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 98% | 51,358 psi | 85% | 2231 fps | 98.4% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 51,721 psi | 86% | 2139 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,355 psi | 79% | 2100 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,650 psi | 89% | 2254 fps | 99.7% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,287 psi | 89% | 2175 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,621 psi | 89% | 2244 fps | 98.6% |
| Somchem S355ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,381 psi | 72% | 2136 fps | 97.6% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,548 psi | 89% | 2090 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,924 psi | 86% | 2126 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,317 psi | 90% | 2165 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,937 psi | 83% | 2188 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,895 psi | 86% | 2198 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,568 psi | 69% | 2087 fps | 98.4% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,577 psi | 89% | 2224 fps | 99.5% |
| Vihtavuori N540ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,256 psi | 83% | 2201 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 96% | 51,430 psi | 85% | 2257 fps | 99.8% |
| Winchester StaBALL Matchᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,824 psi | 89% | 2277 fps | 99.2% |
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% | 48,805 psi | 81% | 2064 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,243 psi | 55% | 1906 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,192 psi | 72% | 2093 fps | 96.1% |
| Accurate 2230 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,627 psi | 71% | 2096 fps | 96.4% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,331 psi | 59% | 1969 fps | 98.5% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,614 psi | 43% | 1821 fps | 98.7% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,966 psi | 51% | 1926 fps | 97% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,323 psi | 40% | 1801 fps | 95.7% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,858 psi | 70% | 1975 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,250 psi | 70% | 1985 fps | 99.2% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,463 psi | 61% | 2008 fps | 95.3% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,715 psi | 74% | 2031 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 94% | 39,856 psi | 66% | 2047 fps | 95.3% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,885 psi | 66% | 2054 fps | 99.8% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,256 psi | 54% | 1906 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,298 psi | 50% | 1923 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | 32.8 gr | 80% | 36,463 psi | 61% | 2047 fps | 96.2% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 94% | 43,047 psi | 72% | 2185 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 90% | 33,446 psi | 56% | 1982 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,855 psi | 63% | 1985 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 92% | 38,856 psi | 65% | 2070 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 98% | 38,101 psi | 63% | 2110 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,890 psi | 76% | 2044 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,103 psi | 67% | 1975 fps | 99.9% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 92% | 43,294 psi | 72% | 2133 fps | 95.7% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 90% | 32,401 psi | 54% | 1978 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,693 psi | 58% | 1913 fps | 96.7% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,457 psi | 49% | 1906 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | 38.4 gr | 86% | 40,103 psi | 67% | 2129 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,245 psi | 60% | 1995 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,593 psi | 61% | 2011 fps | 98.9% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 98% | 44,295 psi | 74% | 2146 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,151 psi | 77% | 2044 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 84% | 34,476 psi | 57% | 1978 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 88% | 35,027 psi | 58% | 2028 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,613 psi | 41% | 1142 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 86% | 35,708 psi | 59% | 1985 fps | 95.5% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,080 psi | 48% | 1909 fps | 98.7% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 92% | 39,262 psi | 65% | 2031 fps | 95.4% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,349 psi | 65% | 1969 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 88% | 35,085 psi | 58% | 2018 fps | 95% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,256 psi | 54% | 1906 fps | 95.3% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,120 psi | 72% | 2090 fps | 99.3% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,172 psi | 58% | 1969 fps | 97.4% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,775 psi | 46% | 1870 fps | 95.8% |
| Lovex S053 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,010 psi | 85% | 2021 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,056 psi | 60% | 1932 fps | 95% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 86% | 31,981 psi | 53% | 1923 fps | 95.4% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,946 psi | 71% | 2041 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 82% | 31,778 psi | 53% | 1900 fps | 95.3% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,385 psi | 49% | 1873 fps | 97.1% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 90% | 35,766 psi | 59% | 2024 fps | 95.1% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 92% | 38,276 psi | 64% | 2073 fps | 95.3% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 94% | 50,256 psi | 83% | 2185 fps | 95.7% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,550 psi | 62% | 2037 fps | 95.5% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 82% | 37,521 psi | 62% | 1982 fps | 95.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,932 psi | 41% | 1175 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,129 psi | 60% | 1978 fps | 98% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,205 psi | 67% | 2146 fps | 95.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 90% | 31,792 psi | 53% | 1991 fps | 95.8% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,069 psi | 55% | 1906 fps | 97.9% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 84% | 32,068 psi | 53% | 1900 fps | 95.3% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 94% | 34,447 psi | 57% | 2011 fps | 95.6% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,120 psi | 72% | 2090 fps | 99.3% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,775 psi | 46% | 1870 fps | 95.8% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 86% | 31,981 psi | 53% | 1923 fps | 95.4% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,232 psi | 64% | 1985 fps | 96.7% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,717 psi | 78% | 1847 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,103 psi | 67% | 2057 fps | 99.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 94% | 37,043 psi | 62% | 2057 fps | 95% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,537 psi | 64% | 1995 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 92% | 44,324 psi | 74% | 2113 fps | 95% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,275 psi | 62% | 2024 fps | 95.4% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,792 psi | 53% | 1847 fps | 97.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,730 psi | 43% | 1742 fps | 96.7% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,924 psi | 56% | 1965 fps | 96.3% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,154 psi | 52% | 1854 fps | 98.3% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,493 psi | 64% | 2034 fps | 95.6% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 92% | 33,939 psi | 56% | 1982 fps | 95.1% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,759 psi | 74% | 1995 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,172 psi | 60% | 1919 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,575 psi | 52% | 1857 fps | 99.5% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,643 psi | 44% | 1827 fps | 98.8% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,862 psi | 46% | 1827 fps | 96.9% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 90% | 30,501 psi | 51% | 1896 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,734 psi | 53% | 1896 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,745 psi | 44% | 1818 fps | 95.8% |
| Winchester 748 | 34.3 gr | 80% | 30,530 psi | 51% | 1923 fps | 95.7% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 86% | 34,229 psi | 57% | 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 105 powders for .338 Federal loaded with the .338 | 250gr | Nosler Partition RN. Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,323 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,283 fps to 2,323 fps. Accurate 2495 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 105 of the 105 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (415 MPa), the top charges use 52–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 250.0 gr projectile in 0.338" calls for a 1:15.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 2495, Accurate 2700, Accurate 4064 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 | Nosler Partition RN they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, Accurate 2700, Accurate 4350, Alliant Reloder-16 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.