Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .338 Federal with .338 | 250gr | Rhino Penetrator bullet and 84 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 Somchem S321.
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>> | 84% | 51,242 psi | 85% | 2047 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,040 psi | 86% | 2123 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,447 psi | 90% | 2192 fps | 97.5% |
| Accurate 2230 | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,111 psi | 85% | 2162 fps | 97.3% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,085 psi | 90% | 2178 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,163 psi | 72% | 2087 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 98% | 51,053 psi | 85% | 2182 fps | 99.7% |
| Accurate 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,161 psi | 67% | 2070 fps | 99.4% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,359 psi | 87% | 2064 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,837 psi | 88% | 2073 fps | 99.8% |
| ADI AR 2206Hᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,879 psi | 85% | 2175 fps | 97.8% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,243 psi | 87% | 2080 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,867 psi | 89% | 2188 fps | 100% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,099 psi | 90% | 2185 fps | 99.1% |
| Alliant AR-Compᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,416 psi | 85% | 2182 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 94% | 51,619 psi | 86% | 2228 fps | 98.6% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,712 psi | 68% | 2064 fps | 96.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,721 psi | 88% | 2136 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,759 psi | 74% | 2116 fps | 96% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,896 psi | 90% | 2096 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,882 psi | 90% | 2100 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,894 psi | 85% | 2185 fps | 96.4% |
| Bofors RP3ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 39,740 psi | 66% | 2064 fps | 96.7% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,143 psi | 90% | 2146 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,735 psi | 86% | 2215 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,302 psi | 90% | 2280 fps | 97.8% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,025 psi | 86% | 2169 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,968 psi | 88% | 2192 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 86% | 51,053 psi | 85% | 2060 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4895ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,140 psi | 85% | 2185 fps | 98.3% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolutionᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,209 psi | 77% | 2162 fps | 97.8% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,677 psi | 54% | 1237 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGETᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,082 psi | 83% | 2152 fps | 98% |
| IMR 3031ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,907 psi | 81% | 2185 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,339 psi | 75% | 2073 fps | 96.1% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,288 psi | 90% | 2110 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4227 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,404 psi | 90% | 2044 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,658 psi | 76% | 2142 fps | 97% |
| IMR 8208 XBRᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,099 psi | 90% | 2185 fps | 99.1% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,503 psi | 86% | 2152 fps | 99.7% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 94% | 50,981 psi | 85% | 2149 fps | 99.3% |
| Lovex D073.6ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,370 psi | 80% | 2162 fps | 99.6% |
| Lovex S053 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,374 psi | 89% | 2005 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,939 psi | 88% | 2129 fps | 97.9% |
| Lovex S062ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,947 psi | 73% | 2077 fps | 97.8% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,127 psi | 88% | 2123 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,661 psi | 83% | 2136 fps | 98.7% |
| Norma 202ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,472 psi | 82% | 2149 fps | 99.9% |
| Norma 203Bᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,758 psi | 73% | 2106 fps | 96.5% |
| Ramshot Big Gameᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,802 psi | 74% | 2123 fps | 96% |
| Ramshot Wild Boarᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,534 psi | 89% | 2215 fps | 98% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,563 psi | 89% | 2159 fps | 97.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,880 psi | 55% | 1270 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 36 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,288 psi | 90% | 2077 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 94% | 51,474 psi | 86% | 2152 fps | 99.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,239 psi | 78% | 2198 fps | 96.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 39,653 psi | 66% | 2093 fps | 97.6% |
| Rottweil R 901ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,186 psi | 90% | 2172 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,963 psi | 78% | 2096 fps | 98.2% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,503 psi | 86% | 2152 fps | 99.7% |
| Shooters World Match Rifleᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,370 psi | 80% | 2162 fps | 99.6% |
| Shooters World Precisionᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,947 psi | 73% | 2077 fps | 97.8% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,315 psi | 87% | 2126 fps | 98.5% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,925 psi | 90% | 1883 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,128 psi | 90% | 2195 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,969 psi | 90% | 2149 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,953 psi | 88% | 2172 fps | 95.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,603 psi | 82% | 2156 fps | 97.4% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,359 psi | 89% | 2110 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,728 psi | 71% | 1998 fps | 99.7% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,199 psi | 87% | 2188 fps | 99.1% |
| Somchem S335ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,401 psi | 85% | 2110 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,025 psi | 86% | 2172 fps | 97.6% |
| Somchem S355ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 38,798 psi | 64% | 2024 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,301 psi | 87% | 2041 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,359 psi | 89% | 2096 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,475 psi | 87% | 2103 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,411 psi | 74% | 2083 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,818 psi | 78% | 2096 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N150ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,391 psi | 62% | 1978 fps | 96.7% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 98% | 51,721 psi | 86% | 2152 fps | 98.9% |
| Vihtavuori N540ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,063 psi | 75% | 2093 fps | 99.5% |
| Winchester 748ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,910 psi | 88% | 2224 fps | 99.6% |
| Winchester StaBALL Matchᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,646 psi | 81% | 2162 fps | 97.9% |
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% | 45,266 psi | 75% | 1978 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,994 psi | 50% | 1814 fps | 98.9% |
| Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 84% | 45,150 psi | 75% | 2070 fps | 95.6% |
| Accurate 2230 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,524 psi | 69% | 2031 fps | 95.2% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,952 psi | 53% | 1870 fps | 97% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 22,452 psi | 37% | 1719 fps | 97% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 82% | 29,530 psi | 49% | 1864 fps | 95.7% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 86% | 25,831 psi | 43% | 1808 fps | 95.7% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,798 psi | 64% | 1890 fps | 99.4% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,189 psi | 65% | 1893 fps | 98.2% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,074 psi | 67% | 2024 fps | 95.4% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,944 psi | 68% | 1949 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,260 psi | 60% | 1955 fps | 99% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 86% | 35,331 psi | 59% | 1923 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,441 psi | 46% | 1827 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | 31.3 gr | 84% | 37,463 psi | 62% | 2024 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 96% | 36,303 psi | 60% | 1991 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,563 psi | 57% | 1900 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 98% | 42,163 psi | 70% | 2077 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,322 psi | 70% | 1959 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,985 psi | 61% | 1886 fps | 99.3% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 96% | 44,773 psi | 74% | 2103 fps | 95% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 96% | 34,824 psi | 58% | 1985 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 82% | 33,939 psi | 56% | 1857 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 86% | 32,343 psi | 54% | 1926 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | 37.4 gr | 92% | 44,599 psi | 74% | 2149 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,272 psi | 55% | 1903 fps | 98.4% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,257 psi | 55% | 1909 fps | 97.5% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,801 psi | 71% | 1955 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 90% | 37,594 psi | 62% | 1991 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 92% | 36,056 psi | 60% | 1998 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,149 psi | 40% | 1102 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 92% | 39,131 psi | 65% | 1998 fps | 95.6% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,353 psi | 44% | 1808 fps | 97.1% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 98% | 42,728 psi | 71% | 2037 fps | 95.4% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,260 psi | 60% | 1883 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4227 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,573 psi | 81% | 1985 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 94% | 37,971 psi | 63% | 2024 fps | 95% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 86% | 35,331 psi | 59% | 1923 fps | 95.4% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,001 psi | 65% | 1988 fps | 98.1% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,734 psi | 53% | 1867 fps | 95.5% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,166 psi | 47% | 1844 fps | 95.1% |
| Lovex S053 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,442 psi | 79% | 1942 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,552 psi | 66% | 1946 fps | 95.1% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 92% | 34,490 psi | 57% | 1929 fps | 95.4% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,943 psi | 65% | 1949 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 88% | 34,679 psi | 58% | 1916 fps | 95.4% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,658 psi | 44% | 1778 fps | 95.2% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 96% | 38,870 psi | 65% | 2034 fps | 95.2% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 98% | 42,003 psi | 70% | 2080 fps | 95.3% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,176 psi | 68% | 2051 fps | 95.5% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,466 psi | 69% | 2001 fps | 95.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,149 psi | 40% | 1129 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 36 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,312 psi | 80% | 2014 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,054 psi | 55% | 1883 fps | 96.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 98% | 44,208 psi | 73% | 2156 fps | 95.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 96% | 34,867 psi | 58% | 2001 fps | 95.9% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,255 psi | 50% | 1814 fps | 96.3% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 90% | 34,780 psi | 58% | 1909 fps | 95.4% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,001 psi | 65% | 1988 fps | 98.1% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,166 psi | 47% | 1844 fps | 95.1% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 92% | 34,490 psi | 57% | 1929 fps | 95.4% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 82% | 37,289 psi | 62% | 1923 fps | 95.5% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,671 psi | 73% | 1778 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,463 psi | 61% | 1955 fps | 98.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,215 psi | 59% | 1903 fps | 99.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,371 psi | 82% | 2129 fps | 95.1% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 94% | 40,770 psi | 68% | 2034 fps | 95.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,196 psi | 49% | 1759 fps | 96.1% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 82% | 25,106 psi | 42% | 1690 fps | 95.5% |
| Somchem S321 | 32.9 gr | 82% | 32,851 psi | 55% | 1903 fps | 95% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,268 psi | 47% | 1759 fps | 96.7% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 92% | 39,900 psi | 66% | 2011 fps | 95% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 98% | 36,550 psi | 61% | 1988 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,089 psi | 68% | 1916 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,257 psi | 55% | 1834 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,935 psi | 48% | 1768 fps | 98.5% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,120 psi | 40% | 1736 fps | 97.3% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 82% | 27,021 psi | 45% | 1772 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 96% | 33,257 psi | 55% | 1906 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 86% | 35,201 psi | 58% | 1919 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 84% | 27,572 psi | 46% | 1798 fps | 95.3% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 84% | 31,502 psi | 52% | 1900 fps | 95.1% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 92% | 37,434 psi | 62% | 1998 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 84 powders for .338 Federal loaded with the .338 | 250gr | Rhino Penetrator. Hodgdon CFE223 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,280 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,237 fps to 2,280 fps. Accurate 2495 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 84 of the 84 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (415 MPa), the top charges use 54–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 250.0 gr projectile in 0.338" calls for a 1:13.0 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, Somchem S321 rank at the top here: for .338 Federal with the .338 | 250gr | Rhino Penetrator they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. Hodgdon TrailBoss stay subsonic at start load. Always begin at the start load and work up in small increments while checking case and primer for pressure signs.