Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .338 Federal with .338 | 280gr | Rhino Solid Shank bullet and 90 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% | 52,736 psi | 88% | 1942 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 94% | 51,474 psi | 86% | 1991 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 86% | 52,866 psi | 88% | 2057 fps | 98.5% |
| Accurate 2230 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,214 psi | 88% | 2070 fps | 98.8% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,287 psi | 89% | 2047 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,835 psi | 83% | 2034 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,693 psi | 89% | 2087 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,340 psi | 77% | 2024 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,780 psi | 89% | 1959 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,244 psi | 90% | 1975 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,345 psi | 89% | 2087 fps | 99.2% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,259 psi | 90% | 1969 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2208ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,196 psi | 80% | 2008 fps | 97.9% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,692 psi | 88% | 2051 fps | 100% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,417 psi | 89% | 2060 fps | 99.7% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 96% | 51,184 psi | 85% | 2044 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,447 psi | 90% | 2136 fps | 99.7% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MRᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,924 psi | 88% | 2162 fps | 98.4% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,180 psi | 77% | 2024 fps | 99% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,880 psi | 86% | 1998 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,488 psi | 84% | 2073 fps | 98.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-17ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,089 psi | 68% | 2008 fps | 97.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,605 psi | 87% | 1955 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,025 psi | 86% | 1962 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,895 psi | 88% | 2096 fps | 98.3% |
| Bofors RP3ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,629 psi | 76% | 2031 fps | 99% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,084 psi | 88% | 2018 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,302 psi | 90% | 2119 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,997 psi | 88% | 2149 fps | 98.9% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 90% | 50,894 psi | 85% | 2031 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,996 psi | 86% | 2057 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H380ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,022 psi | 80% | 2034 fps | 96.8% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,402 psi | 87% | 1955 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,650 psi | 89% | 2096 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolutionᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,880 psi | 86% | 2119 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,446 psi | 56% | 1175 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,272 psi | 87% | 2064 fps | 99.3% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 98% | 51,909 psi | 86% | 2087 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,734 psi | 84% | 2031 fps | 98.5% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,417 psi | 89% | 1972 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,634 psi | 86% | 2100 fps | 99.1% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,417 psi | 89% | 2060 fps | 99.7% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,128 psi | 90% | 2057 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,272 psi | 89% | 2054 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 98% | 51,547 psi | 86% | 2073 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 96% | 51,764 psi | 86% | 2001 fps | 98.9% |
| Lovex S062ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,545 psi | 82% | 2034 fps | 99.5% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 86% | 51,967 psi | 86% | 1982 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,069 psi | 87% | 2047 fps | 99.7% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,098 psi | 87% | 2057 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203Bᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,472 psi | 82% | 2067 fps | 98.8% |
| Ramshot Big Gameᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,792 psi | 83% | 2083 fps | 98.6% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,273 psi | 90% | 2070 fps | 97.1% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,663 psi | 87% | 2087 fps | 99% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,909 psi | 86% | 2028 fps | 98.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,750 psi | 56% | 1207 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,737 psi | 89% | 2057 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,982 psi | 88% | 2156 fps | 98.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,932 psi | 73% | 2064 fps | 99.7% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,534 psi | 89% | 2041 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,185 psi | 87% | 2041 fps | 99.7% |
| Rottweil R 903ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,511 psi | 71% | 1982 fps | 98.3% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,128 psi | 90% | 2057 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 98% | 51,547 psi | 86% | 2073 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precisionᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,545 psi | 82% | 2034 fps | 99.5% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,027 psi | 90% | 2031 fps | 99.6% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,141 psi | 87% | 1749 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,098 psi | 88% | 2060 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,005 psi | 75% | 2028 fps | 97.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,040 psi | 88% | 2011 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 96% | 51,503 psi | 86% | 2047 fps | 97.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 98% | 51,677 psi | 86% | 2067 fps | 98.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,127 psi | 87% | 1978 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,935 psi | 80% | 1946 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,389 psi | 90% | 2093 fps | 99.9% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,650 psi | 89% | 2011 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,201 psi | 90% | 2083 fps | 99.1% |
| Somchem S355ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,034 psi | 73% | 1988 fps | 98.3% |
| Somchem S365ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 31,589 psi | 52% | 1854 fps | 95.9% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,186 psi | 90% | 1929 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,257 psi | 87% | 1962 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 96% | 51,561 psi | 86% | 1972 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,647 psi | 84% | 2024 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,707 psi | 88% | 2041 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,264 psi | 70% | 1942 fps | 99% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,128 psi | 90% | 2060 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N540ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,763 psi | 84% | 2041 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALLᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 39,117 psi | 65% | 1893 fps | 96.7% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,127 psi | 87% | 2096 fps | 100% |
| Winchester StaBALL Matchᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,317 psi | 90% | 2113 fps | 99.6% |
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% | 49,400 psi | 82% | 1906 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,620 psi | 56% | 1768 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,468 psi | 72% | 1939 fps | 96.9% |
| Accurate 2230 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,279 psi | 72% | 1949 fps | 97.3% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,897 psi | 60% | 1831 fps | 99.1% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,933 psi | 43% | 1693 fps | 99.3% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,328 psi | 52% | 1788 fps | 97.8% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,613 psi | 41% | 1677 fps | 96.7% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,337 psi | 70% | 1831 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,728 psi | 71% | 1841 fps | 99.6% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 84% | 34,882 psi | 58% | 1834 fps | 95.6% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,310 psi | 75% | 1877 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 92% | 38,072 psi | 63% | 1867 fps | 95.6% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,379 psi | 67% | 1903 fps | 100% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,648 psi | 54% | 1772 fps | 96.3% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,748 psi | 51% | 1781 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | 30 gr | 80% | 36,999 psi | 61% | 1903 fps | 97.1% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,756 psi | 68% | 1991 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 86% | 29,965 psi | 50% | 1772 fps | 95% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,508 psi | 64% | 1841 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 90% | 36,869 psi | 61% | 1886 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 94% | 34,142 psi | 57% | 1890 fps | 95% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,427 psi | 77% | 1890 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,582 psi | 67% | 1831 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,435 psi | 64% | 1903 fps | 95.2% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 88% | 30,864 psi | 51% | 1808 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,969 psi | 58% | 1775 fps | 97.5% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,776 psi | 49% | 1775 fps | 96.1% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | 33.5 gr | 82% | 35,621 psi | 59% | 1900 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,014 psi | 61% | 1857 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,043 psi | 62% | 1867 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,235 psi | 70% | 1959 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,601 psi | 77% | 1893 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 82% | 32,750 psi | 54% | 1801 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 84% | 31,227 psi | 52% | 1808 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,831 psi | 41% | 1047 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 82% | 31,966 psi | 53% | 1772 fps | 95% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,501 psi | 49% | 1775 fps | 99.3% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 88% | 35,186 psi | 58% | 1818 fps | 95% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,856 psi | 66% | 1818 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 86% | 33,243 psi | 55% | 1837 fps | 95.2% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,648 psi | 54% | 1772 fps | 96.3% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,714 psi | 73% | 1939 fps | 99.7% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,679 psi | 59% | 1831 fps | 98.1% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,181 psi | 47% | 1742 fps | 96.8% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 82% | 34,316 psi | 57% | 1759 fps | 95.2% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 82% | 28,689 psi | 48% | 1716 fps | 95% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,308 psi | 72% | 1883 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,110 psi | 50% | 1729 fps | 95.5% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,907 psi | 50% | 1745 fps | 98% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 88% | 34,040 psi | 57% | 1844 fps | 95.4% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 90% | 36,100 psi | 60% | 1886 fps | 95.4% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 90% | 44,875 psi | 75% | 1955 fps | 95.2% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,375 psi | 59% | 1854 fps | 95.6% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,505 psi | 59% | 1804 fps | 95.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,918 psi | 41% | 1073 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,709 psi | 61% | 1841 fps | 98.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 88% | 35,969 psi | 60% | 1919 fps | 95.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 86% | 28,369 psi | 47% | 1775 fps | 95.1% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,692 psi | 56% | 1775 fps | 98.6% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 82% | 30,487 psi | 51% | 1729 fps | 95.6% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 90% | 30,835 psi | 51% | 1798 fps | 95.2% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,714 psi | 73% | 1939 fps | 99.7% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,181 psi | 47% | 1742 fps | 96.8% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 82% | 28,689 psi | 48% | 1716 fps | 95% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,624 psi | 64% | 1841 fps | 97.5% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,137 psi | 78% | 1703 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,553 psi | 67% | 1906 fps | 99.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 92% | 35,172 psi | 58% | 1877 fps | 95.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,218 psi | 65% | 1850 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,105 psi | 70% | 1929 fps | 95.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 84% | 33,388 psi | 55% | 1808 fps | 95% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,314 psi | 54% | 1716 fps | 98.4% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,136 psi | 43% | 1621 fps | 97.6% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,403 psi | 57% | 1827 fps | 97.2% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,415 psi | 52% | 1719 fps | 98.9% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 84% | 34,258 psi | 57% | 1818 fps | 95.1% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 90% | 32,329 psi | 54% | 1808 fps | 95.4% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 98% | 29,646 psi | 49% | 1811 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,353 psi | 75% | 1844 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,811 psi | 61% | 1778 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,155 psi | 53% | 1722 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,166 psi | 45% | 1699 fps | 99.4% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,355 psi | 47% | 1703 fps | 97.8% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 88% | 28,935 psi | 48% | 1729 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,256 psi | 54% | 1765 fps | 96.2% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,992 psi | 45% | 1690 fps | 96.8% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 96% | 34,476 psi | 57% | 1818 fps | 95.1% |
| Winchester 748 | 31.4 gr | 80% | 30,995 psi | 51% | 1791 fps | 96.7% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 84% | 32,372 psi | 54% | 1808 fps | 95.4% |
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 109 powders for .338 Federal loaded with the .338 | 280gr | Rhino Solid Shank. Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,162 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,175 fps to 2,162 fps. Accurate 2495 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 109 of the 109 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 280.0 gr projectile in 0.338" calls for a 1:14.0 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 | 280gr | Rhino Solid Shank 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. Hodgdon TrailBoss, ReloadSwiss RS 14 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.