Load data for .338 Lapua Mag. Ackley Improved + .338 | 175gr | Barnes X S

.338 Lapua Mag. Ackley Improved cartridge drawing
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Load Specifications

Bullet Manufacturer:Barnes
Bullet Weight:175 gr
Bullet Diameter:0.338"
Bullet Length:<<locked>>
Case Length (l3):2.724"
Cartridge Length (C.O.L.):<<locked>>
Case Capacity:124.89 Grains of Water
Primer Size:Large Rifle Magnum (LRM)
Barrel Length:27"
Max. allowed Pressure:69,618 psi
Recommended Twist Rate:1:16.0

Load data in caliber .338 Lapua Mag. Ackley Improved with .338 | 175gr | Barnes X S bullet and 94 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are IMR 7828 SSC, Vihtavuori N560 and Norma MRP.

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: 27"

PowderChargeFRMaxP%V(0)z
Accurate 2700<<locked>>84%59,799 psi86%3235 fps99.7%
Accurate 3100<<locked>>96%60,263 psi87%3304 fps100%
Accurate 4350<<locked>>88%61,293 psi88%3350 fps100%
Accurate MAGPRO<<locked>>96%58,987 psi85%3402 fps97.2%
ADI APS 450<<locked>>84%62,932 psi90%2638 fps100%
ADI AR 2208<<locked>>84%60,814 psi87%3294 fps100%
ADI AR 2209<<locked>>94%60,974 psi88%3392 fps99.5%
ADI AR 2213<<locked>>98%62,961 psi90%3461 fps99.1%
ADI AR 2217ᴾ<<locked>>100%49,850 psi72%3212 fps97.2%
ADI AR 2225ᴾ<<locked>>100%45,005 psi65%3179 fps99%
Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5<<locked>>84%62,816 psi90%3323 fps100%
Alliant Reloder-15<<locked>>82%62,845 psi90%3350 fps100%
Alliant Reloder-16<<locked>>90%60,829 psi87%3396 fps100%
Alliant Reloder-17<<locked>>86%62,859 psi90%3419 fps100%
Alliant Reloder-19<<locked>>94%60,524 psi87%3379 fps99.5%
Alliant Reloder-22<<locked>>96%59,074 psi85%3396 fps99.5%
Alliant Reloder-23<<locked>>98%60,220 psi87%3363 fps100%
Alliant Reloder-25ᴾ<<locked>>100%55,753 psi80%3369 fps100%
Alliant Reloder-26<<locked>>94%61,482 psi88%3471 fps100%
Baschieri & Pellagri 109<<locked>>98%60,611 psi87%3337 fps96.3%
Bofors RP15ᴾ<<locked>>100%61,743 psi89%3438 fps99.6%
Bofors RP3<<locked>>82%60,901 psi87%3294 fps100%
Bofors RP30ᴾ<<locked>>100%52,272 psi75%3304 fps98.1%
Bofors RP5<<locked>>96%59,074 psi85%3396 fps99.5%
Bofors RP7<<locked>>88%62,859 psi90%3340 fps99.9%
Hodgdon H1000ᴾ<<locked>>100%51,169 psi74%3241 fps98.1%
Hodgdon H380<<locked>>82%60,568 psi87%3314 fps100%
Hodgdon H414<<locked>>84%59,379 psi85%3353 fps99.9%
Hodgdon H4350<<locked>>90%62,845 psi90%3379 fps99.7%
Hodgdon H4831ᴾ<<locked>>100%61,917 psi89%3373 fps98.4%
Hodgdon H4831 SC<<locked>>96%61,569 psi88%3369 fps98.4%
Hodgdon Hybrid 100V<<locked>>92%61,496 psi88%3307 fps100%
Hodgdon LEVERevolution<<locked>>82%62,192 psi89%3343 fps100%
Hodgdon Retumboᴾ<<locked>>100%54,795 psi79%3442 fps99.7%
Hodgdon Superformance<<locked>>86%58,987 psi85%3373 fps99.8%
Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ<<locked>>100%37,188 psi53%2106 fps100%
Hodgdon VARGET<<locked>>82%60,205 psi86%3281 fps100%
IMR 4064<<locked>>84%59,915 psi86%3268 fps100%
IMR 4166 Enduron<<locked>>86%61,627 psi89%3304 fps99.9%
IMR 4350<<locked>>90%60,510 psi87%3317 fps99.8%
IMR 4451 Enduron<<locked>>86%60,176 psi86%3304 fps99.9%
IMR 4831<<locked>>94%62,047 psi89%3343 fps100%
IMR 4955 Enduron<<locked>>94%59,640 psi86%3307 fps98.3%
IMR 7828 SSC<<locked>>96%60,974 psi88%3442 fps99%
Lovex S062<<locked>>82%61,148 psi88%3268 fps100%
Lovex S065<<locked>>88%61,308 psi88%3304 fps100%
Lovex S070<<locked>>88%59,582 psi86%3301 fps99.9%
Lovex S071ᴾ<<locked>>100%57,537 psi83%3264 fps100%
Norma 203B<<locked>>82%62,236 psi89%3333 fps100%
Norma 204<<locked>>90%61,917 psi89%3379 fps99.5%
Norma 217ᴾ<<locked>>100%40,799 psi59%3107 fps97.4%
Norma MRP<<locked>>94%59,117 psi85%3425 fps99.9%
Norma URP<<locked>>90%62,482 psi90%3376 fps100%
Ramshot Grand<<locked>>94%61,221 psi88%3448 fps99.2%
Ramshot Hunter<<locked>>90%61,366 psi88%3379 fps100%
Ramshot Magnum<<locked>>96%58,523 psi84%3356 fps99.8%
ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ<<locked>>100%38,130 psi55%2156 fps100%
ReloadSwiss RS 50<<locked>>82%59,930 psi86%3291 fps100%
ReloadSwiss RS 60<<locked>>84%62,120 psi89%3406 fps100%
ReloadSwiss RS 62<<locked>>88%60,901 psi87%3366 fps100%
ReloadSwiss RS 70<<locked>>90%62,990 psi90%3455 fps100%
ReloadSwiss RS 76ᴾ<<locked>>100%55,898 psi80%3435 fps100%
ReloadSwiss RS 80ᴾ<<locked>>100%51,097 psi73%3307 fps96.5%
Rottweil R 903<<locked>>84%61,076 psi88%3291 fps100%
Rottweil R 904<<locked>>94%62,178 psi89%3356 fps98.9%
Rottweil R 905<<locked>>94%60,292 psi87%3373 fps99.5%
Rottweil R 907<<locked>>88%62,859 psi90%3340 fps99.9%
Shooters World Long Rifle<<locked>>88%61,308 psi88%3304 fps100%
Shooters World Precision<<locked>>82%61,148 psi88%3268 fps100%
Shooters World SW4350<<locked>>88%59,582 psi86%3301 fps99.9%
SNPE Vectan SP 11<<locked>>84%62,091 psi89%3346 fps100%
SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000<<locked>>84%59,944 psi86%3136 fps100%
SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000<<locked>>88%60,901 psi87%3251 fps99.9%
SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000<<locked>>94%59,814 psi86%3366 fps99.5%
Somchem S355<<locked>>84%60,176 psi86%3278 fps100%
Somchem S361<<locked>>92%60,597 psi87%3284 fps98.2%
Somchem S365<<locked>>90%59,379 psi85%3323 fps100%
Somchem S385<<locked>>94%61,192 psi88%3340 fps99.8%
Unknown powder<<locked>>88%62,656 psi90%3379 fps100%
Vihtavuori N133<<locked>>82%61,989 psi89%3156 fps100%
Vihtavuori N140<<locked>>82%62,613 psi90%3228 fps100%
Vihtavuori N150<<locked>>90%62,004 psi89%3251 fps100%
Vihtavuori N160<<locked>>86%59,263 psi85%3284 fps100%
Vihtavuori N165ᴾ<<locked>>100%62,178 psi89%3333 fps99.8%
Vihtavuori N540<<locked>>82%62,685 psi90%3261 fps100%
Vihtavuori N550<<locked>>86%59,959 psi86%3340 fps100%
Vihtavuori N555<<locked>>94%59,379 psi85%3346 fps100%
Vihtavuori N560<<locked>>96%59,321 psi85%3425 fps98.4%
Vihtavuori N565ᴾ<<locked>>100%59,161 psi85%3392 fps98.6%
Vihtavuori N568ᴾ<<locked>>100%51,880 psi75%3310 fps96%
Winchester 6.5 StaBALL<<locked>>88%60,263 psi87%3255 fps100%
Winchester 760<<locked>>84%59,379 psi85%3353 fps99.9%
Winchester StaBALL HDᴾ<<locked>>100%62,627 psi90%3520 fps100%
Winchester Supreme 780<<locked>>92%58,798 psi84%3297 fps99.3%

Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.

Start Load - Barrel Length: 27"

PowderChargeFRMaxP%V(0)z
Accurate 2700<<locked>>80%52,692 psi76%3117 fps99%
Accurate 3100<<locked>>80%36,071 psi52%2844 fps96.9%
Accurate 4350<<locked>>80%47,239 psi68%3117 fps99.9%
Accurate MAGPRO<<locked>>92%51,445 psi74%3264 fps95.5%
ADI APS 450<<locked>>80%58,958 psi85%2579 fps100%
ADI AR 2208<<locked>>80%54,056 psi78%3186 fps100%
ADI AR 2209<<locked>>82%41,524 psi60%3022 fps95.8%
ADI AR 2213<<locked>>88%45,455 psi65%3136 fps95.6%
ADI AR 2217<<locked>>96%43,888 psi63%3081 fps95.5%
ADI AR 2225<<locked>>92%35,143 psi50%2920 fps95.6%
Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5<<locked>>80%55,521 psi80%3215 fps100%
Alliant Reloder-15<<locked>>80%59,016 psi85%3294 fps100%
Alliant Reloder-16<<locked>>80%44,353 psi64%3114 fps99.9%
Alliant Reloder-17<<locked>>80%51,155 psi73%3241 fps100%
Alliant Reloder-19<<locked>>80%39,102 psi56%2956 fps95.1%
Alliant Reloder-22<<locked>>84%40,030 psi57%3018 fps95.6%
Alliant Reloder-23<<locked>>80%34,084 psi49%2867 fps99.3%
Alliant Reloder-25<<locked>>82%31,850 psi46%2822 fps96%
Alliant Reloder-26<<locked>>80%37,159 psi53%3012 fps98.7%
Baschieri & Pellagri 109<<locked>>96%57,014 psi82%3274 fps95.5%
Bofors RP15<<locked>>86%39,813 psi57%3012 fps95.3%
Bofors RP3<<locked>>80%57,130 psi82%3238 fps100%
Bofors RP30<<locked>>94%42,859 psi62%3110 fps95.8%
Bofors RP5<<locked>>84%40,030 psi57%3018 fps95.6%
Bofors RP7<<locked>>80%49,240 psi71%3107 fps98.6%
Hodgdon H1000<<locked>>94%42,308 psi61%3051 fps95.6%
Hodgdon H380<<locked>>80%56,840 psi82%3255 fps100%
Hodgdon H414<<locked>>80%52,156 psi75%3232 fps99.4%
Hodgdon H4350<<locked>>80%46,543 psi67%3087 fps97.5%
Hodgdon H4831<<locked>>92%48,240 psi69%3136 fps95.8%
Hodgdon H4831 SC<<locked>>88%47,558 psi68%3120 fps95.6%
Hodgdon Hybrid 100V<<locked>>80%42,221 psi61%2989 fps100%
Hodgdon LEVERevolution<<locked>>80%58,349 psi84%3291 fps100%
Hodgdon Retumbo<<locked>>88%37,420 psi54%3031 fps95.1%
Hodgdon Superformance<<locked>>80%47,747 psi69%3176 fps98.7%
Hodgdon TrailBoss<<locked>>80%28,007 psi40%1890 fps100%
Hodgdon VARGET<<locked>>80%56,811 psi82%3228 fps100%
IMR 4064<<locked>>80%53,185 psi76%3163 fps100%
IMR 4166 Enduron<<locked>>80%51,779 psi74%3136 fps99.3%
IMR 4350<<locked>>80%44,585 psi64%3025 fps97.7%
IMR 4451 Enduron<<locked>>80%50,212 psi72%3130 fps99%
IMR 4831<<locked>>80%40,799 psi59%2969 fps99.3%
IMR 4955 Enduron<<locked>>86%46,804 psi67%3071 fps95.6%
IMR 7828 SSC99.2 gr86%43,729 psi63%3110 fps95.2%
Lovex S062<<locked>>80%57,754 psi83%3219 fps100%
Lovex S065<<locked>>80%48,486 psi70%3084 fps99.6%
Lovex S070<<locked>>80%46,804 psi67%3071 fps98.7%
Lovex S071<<locked>>80%31,430 psi45%2717 fps95.1%
Norma 203B<<locked>>80%58,392 psi84%3278 fps100%
Norma 204<<locked>>80%44,585 psi64%3064 fps96.6%
Norma 217<<locked>>96%36,042 psi52%2979 fps95.5%
Norma MRP93.7 gr80%36,796 psi53%2969 fps96%
Norma URP<<locked>>80%45,745 psi66%3094 fps99.8%
Ramshot Grand<<locked>>84%42,772 psi61%3097 fps95.3%
Ramshot Hunter<<locked>>80%44,498 psi64%3084 fps98.9%
Ramshot Magnum<<locked>>84%37,782 psi54%2946 fps95.7%
ReloadSwiss RS 14<<locked>>80%28,572 psi41%1936 fps100%
ReloadSwiss RS 50<<locked>>80%56,144 psi81%3232 fps99.9%
ReloadSwiss RS 60<<locked>>80%54,056 psi78%3291 fps100%
ReloadSwiss RS 62<<locked>>80%46,760 psi67%3130 fps99.8%
ReloadSwiss RS 70<<locked>>80%44,701 psi64%3143 fps99.7%
ReloadSwiss RS 76<<locked>>86%34,635 psi50%2940 fps95.1%
ReloadSwiss RS 80<<locked>>98%47,485 psi68%3235 fps95.5%
Rottweil R 903<<locked>>80%53,896 psi77%3182 fps100%
Rottweil R 904<<locked>>82%42,917 psi62%2995 fps95%
Rottweil R 905<<locked>>80%38,537 psi55%2940 fps95.1%
Rottweil R 907<<locked>>80%49,240 psi71%3107 fps98.6%
Shooters World Long Rifle<<locked>>80%48,486 psi70%3084 fps99.6%
Shooters World Precision<<locked>>80%57,754 psi83%3219 fps100%
Shooters World SW4350<<locked>>80%46,804 psi67%3071 fps98.7%
SNPE Vectan SP 11<<locked>>80%54,592 psi78%3235 fps100%
SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000<<locked>>80%53,171 psi76%3041 fps100%
SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000<<locked>>80%47,427 psi68%3022 fps98.7%
SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000<<locked>>82%40,712 psi58%2999 fps95.8%
Somchem S355<<locked>>80%53,490 psi77%3176 fps100%
Somchem S361<<locked>>84%46,847 psi67%3041 fps95.4%
Somchem S365<<locked>>80%42,830 psi62%3051 fps100%
Somchem S385<<locked>>80%39,436 psi57%2930 fps96.3%
Unknown powder<<locked>>80%48,689 psi70%3150 fps99.8%
Vihtavuori N133<<locked>>80%58,624 psi84%3114 fps100%
Vihtavuori N140<<locked>>80%58,987 psi85%3179 fps100%
Vihtavuori N150<<locked>>80%46,122 psi66%3005 fps100%
Vihtavuori N160<<locked>>80%49,023 psi70%3117 fps100%
Vihtavuori N165<<locked>>84%37,753 psi54%2877 fps95.4%
Vihtavuori N540<<locked>>80%58,958 psi85%3212 fps100%
Vihtavuori N550<<locked>>80%49,777 psi72%3169 fps100%
Vihtavuori N555<<locked>>80%38,247 psi55%2956 fps99.3%
Vihtavuori N560100.9 gr88%45,600 psi66%3166 fps95.3%
Vihtavuori N565<<locked>>92%45,614 psi66%3140 fps95.7%
Vihtavuori N568<<locked>>98%48,573 psi70%3241 fps95.1%
Winchester 6.5 StaBALL<<locked>>80%46,079 psi66%3035 fps100%
Winchester 760<<locked>>80%52,156 psi75%3232 fps99.4%
Winchester StaBALL HD<<locked>>80%30,676 psi44%2887 fps99.5%
Winchester Supreme 780<<locked>>80%38,986 psi56%2913 fps95.1%

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.

<<locked>> you need an access license to unlock this data.

This overview compares 98 powders for .338 Lapua Mag. Ackley Improved loaded with the .338 | 175gr | Barnes X S. Winchester StaBALL HD delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,520 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 2,106 fps to 3,520 fps. ADI AR 2217 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 98 of the 98 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.

Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (480 MPa), the top charges use 53–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 175.0 gr projectile in 0.338" calls for a 1:16.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. ADI AR 2217, ADI AR 2225, Alliant Reloder-25 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. IMR 7828 SSC, Vihtavuori N560, Norma MRP rank at the top here: for .338 Lapua Mag. Ackley Improved with the .338 | 175gr | Barnes X S they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, Alliant Reloder-33, IMR 7977 Enduron, IMR 8133 Enduron 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.

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