Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .338 Federal with .338 | 250gr | Swift A-Frame 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>> | 82% | 52,431 psi | 87% | 2103 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,070 psi | 90% | 2188 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 86% | 52,620 psi | 87% | 2224 fps | 98% |
| Accurate 2230 | <<locked>> | 86% | 52,489 psi | 87% | 2231 fps | 98.3% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,823 psi | 88% | 2211 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,240 psi | 82% | 2195 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,432 psi | 89% | 2257 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,701 psi | 76% | 2185 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,142 psi | 88% | 2119 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,577 psi | 89% | 2136 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,200 psi | 88% | 2254 fps | 98.8% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,751 psi | 89% | 2136 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2208ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,834 psi | 79% | 2165 fps | 97.2% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,895 psi | 86% | 2211 fps | 100% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,736 psi | 88% | 2221 fps | 99.4% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,896 psi | 90% | 2244 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,838 psi | 89% | 2303 fps | 99.3% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MRᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,794 psi | 88% | 2329 fps | 97.8% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,585 psi | 76% | 2178 fps | 98.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,561 psi | 86% | 2165 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,053 psi | 83% | 2238 fps | 97.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-17ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,828 psi | 68% | 2159 fps | 96.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,996 psi | 86% | 2119 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,605 psi | 86% | 2123 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,489 psi | 87% | 2260 fps | 97.7% |
| Bofors RP3ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,049 psi | 75% | 2185 fps | 98.5% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,504 psi | 87% | 2178 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,085 psi | 90% | 2290 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,620 psi | 87% | 2316 fps | 98.3% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,954 psi | 90% | 2234 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,300 psi | 85% | 2218 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H380ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,688 psi | 79% | 2192 fps | 96% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,938 psi | 86% | 2119 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,505 psi | 89% | 2264 fps | 99.2% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolutionᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,155 psi | 85% | 2280 fps | 99.2% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,330 psi | 55% | 1280 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 98% | 51,764 psi | 86% | 2224 fps | 98.9% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 98% | 51,329 psi | 85% | 2257 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,328 psi | 84% | 2192 fps | 97.9% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,895 psi | 88% | 2136 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,184 psi | 85% | 2264 fps | 98.6% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,736 psi | 88% | 2221 fps | 99.4% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,476 psi | 89% | 2221 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,605 psi | 87% | 2215 fps | 99.8% |
| Lovex D073.6ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,172 psi | 90% | 2274 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S053 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,012 psi | 90% | 2051 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 96% | 51,503 psi | 86% | 2165 fps | 98.4% |
| Lovex S062ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,081 psi | 82% | 2192 fps | 99.2% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 86% | 51,764 psi | 86% | 2149 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 98% | 51,822 psi | 86% | 2211 fps | 99.4% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 98% | 51,793 psi | 86% | 2221 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203Bᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,037 psi | 81% | 2228 fps | 98.3% |
| Ramshot Big Gameᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,647 psi | 82% | 2247 fps | 98% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,780 psi | 89% | 2231 fps | 96.4% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 96% | 51,866 psi | 86% | 2247 fps | 98.5% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,372 psi | 85% | 2188 fps | 98.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,533 psi | 56% | 1312 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,953 psi | 88% | 2218 fps | 99.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,417 psi | 87% | 2323 fps | 98.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,685 psi | 73% | 2221 fps | 99.3% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,127 psi | 88% | 2208 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,895 psi | 86% | 2205 fps | 99.4% |
| Rottweil R 903ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,843 psi | 70% | 2133 fps | 97.6% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,476 psi | 89% | 2221 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Match Rifleᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,172 psi | 90% | 2274 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precisionᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,081 psi | 82% | 2192 fps | 99.2% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,780 psi | 89% | 2198 fps | 99.3% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,851 psi | 86% | 1903 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,272 psi | 87% | 2221 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,570 psi | 74% | 2182 fps | 97.1% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,707 psi | 88% | 2178 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 96% | 51,039 psi | 85% | 2205 fps | 96.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 98% | 51,459 psi | 85% | 2231 fps | 98.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 51,837 psi | 86% | 2142 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,137 psi | 78% | 2100 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,186 psi | 90% | 2260 fps | 99.7% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,403 psi | 89% | 2178 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,751 psi | 89% | 2244 fps | 98.6% |
| Somchem S355ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,497 psi | 72% | 2142 fps | 97.7% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,766 psi | 89% | 2093 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,648 psi | 86% | 2123 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,462 psi | 90% | 2169 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,661 psi | 83% | 2185 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,025 psi | 86% | 2201 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,669 psi | 69% | 2090 fps | 98.4% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,708 psi | 89% | 2228 fps | 99.5% |
| Vihtavuori N540ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,444 psi | 84% | 2205 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 96% | 51,547 psi | 86% | 2260 fps | 99.8% |
| Winchester StaBALL Matchᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,911 psi | 90% | 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% | 48,979 psi | 81% | 2064 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,069 psi | 55% | 1906 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,337 psi | 72% | 2096 fps | 96.1% |
| Accurate 2230 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,801 psi | 71% | 2100 fps | 96.5% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,462 psi | 59% | 1972 fps | 98.5% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,759 psi | 43% | 1827 fps | 98.8% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,111 psi | 52% | 1929 fps | 97.1% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,439 psi | 41% | 1804 fps | 95.8% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,032 psi | 70% | 1982 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,424 psi | 70% | 1991 fps | 99.3% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,593 psi | 61% | 2011 fps | 95.3% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,889 psi | 75% | 2037 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 94% | 39,972 psi | 66% | 2051 fps | 95.3% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,697 psi | 66% | 2054 fps | 99.8% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,372 psi | 54% | 1909 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,414 psi | 51% | 1926 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | 32.9 gr | 80% | 36,637 psi | 61% | 2051 fps | 96.3% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 94% | 43,134 psi | 72% | 2185 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 90% | 33,562 psi | 56% | 1985 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,029 psi | 63% | 1988 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 92% | 38,972 psi | 65% | 2073 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 98% | 38,203 psi | 63% | 2113 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,064 psi | 77% | 2047 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,219 psi | 67% | 1978 fps | 99.9% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,625 psi | 67% | 2093 fps | 95% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 90% | 32,489 psi | 54% | 1982 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,795 psi | 58% | 1916 fps | 96.8% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,515 psi | 49% | 1909 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | 38.5 gr | 86% | 40,219 psi | 67% | 2133 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,419 psi | 61% | 1998 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,738 psi | 61% | 2014 fps | 98.9% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 98% | 44,440 psi | 74% | 2149 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,311 psi | 77% | 2051 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 84% | 34,563 psi | 57% | 1982 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 86% | 32,895 psi | 55% | 1985 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,845 psi | 41% | 1145 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 86% | 35,839 psi | 60% | 1988 fps | 95.6% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,182 psi | 48% | 1913 fps | 98.8% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 92% | 39,407 psi | 65% | 2034 fps | 95.5% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,523 psi | 66% | 1972 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 88% | 35,215 psi | 59% | 2021 fps | 95.1% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,372 psi | 54% | 1909 fps | 95.3% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,294 psi | 72% | 2093 fps | 99.3% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,317 psi | 59% | 1972 fps | 97.4% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,891 psi | 46% | 1873 fps | 95.9% |
| Lovex S053 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,198 psi | 85% | 2024 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,172 psi | 60% | 1936 fps | 95% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 86% | 32,111 psi | 53% | 1926 fps | 95.5% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,120 psi | 72% | 2044 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 82% | 31,894 psi | 53% | 1903 fps | 95.3% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,472 psi | 49% | 1877 fps | 97.2% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 90% | 35,897 psi | 60% | 2024 fps | 95.2% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 92% | 38,363 psi | 64% | 2077 fps | 95.3% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,500 psi | 79% | 2149 fps | 95.1% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,362 psi | 62% | 2034 fps | 95.4% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 82% | 37,637 psi | 63% | 1988 fps | 95.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,845 psi | 41% | 1171 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,216 psi | 60% | 1982 fps | 98% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 90% | 37,942 psi | 63% | 2106 fps | 95% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 90% | 31,879 psi | 53% | 1995 fps | 95.9% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,199 psi | 55% | 1909 fps | 98% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 84% | 32,155 psi | 53% | 1903 fps | 95.4% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 94% | 34,563 psi | 57% | 2014 fps | 95.7% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,294 psi | 72% | 2093 fps | 99.3% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,891 psi | 46% | 1873 fps | 95.9% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 86% | 32,111 psi | 53% | 1926 fps | 95.5% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,348 psi | 64% | 1988 fps | 96.8% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,905 psi | 78% | 1850 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,263 psi | 67% | 2060 fps | 99.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 94% | 37,130 psi | 62% | 2060 fps | 95% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,667 psi | 64% | 1998 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 92% | 44,425 psi | 74% | 2116 fps | 95% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,391 psi | 62% | 2028 fps | 95.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,908 psi | 53% | 1850 fps | 97.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,831 psi | 43% | 1745 fps | 96.7% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,055 psi | 57% | 1969 fps | 96.4% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,299 psi | 52% | 1857 fps | 98.4% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,595 psi | 64% | 2037 fps | 95.7% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 92% | 34,055 psi | 57% | 1985 fps | 95.1% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,976 psi | 75% | 1998 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,347 psi | 60% | 1923 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,705 psi | 53% | 1860 fps | 99.5% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,774 psi | 44% | 1831 fps | 98.9% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,949 psi | 46% | 1831 fps | 97% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 90% | 30,603 psi | 51% | 1900 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,879 psi | 53% | 1900 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,818 psi | 45% | 1821 fps | 95.9% |
| Winchester 748 | 34.4 gr | 80% | 30,632 psi | 51% | 1926 fps | 95.8% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 86% | 34,330 psi | 57% | 1991 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 89 powders for .338 Federal loaded with the .338 | 250gr | Swift A-Frame. Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,329 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,280 fps to 2,329 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 55–90 %, 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 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, Winchester 748 rank at the top here: for .338 Federal with the .338 | 250gr | Swift A-Frame 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.