Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .338 Lapua Mag. Ackley Improved with .338 | 225gr | Nosler Expansion Tip bullet and 83 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Winchester StaBALL HD, Vihtavuori N560 and Accurate MAGPRO.
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: 27"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 3100 | <<locked>> | 96% | 62,845 psi | 90% | 3018 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 86% | 59,886 psi | 86% | 2995 fps | 100% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 94% | 62,192 psi | 89% | 3150 fps | 99.7% |
| ADI APS 450 | <<locked>> | 82% | 61,134 psi | 88% | 2320 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 82% | 60,017 psi | 86% | 2946 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 92% | 61,032 psi | 88% | 3071 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 94% | 58,987 psi | 85% | 3084 fps | 99.8% |
| ADI AR 2217ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,011 psi | 76% | 2986 fps | 99.6% |
| ADI AR 2225ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,355 psi | 68% | 2946 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 82% | 61,772 psi | 89% | 2966 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 88% | 61,134 psi | 88% | 3051 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 84% | 62,700 psi | 90% | 3064 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 92% | 60,292 psi | 87% | 3054 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 94% | 58,972 psi | 85% | 3074 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 96% | 60,394 psi | 87% | 3025 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 60,307 psi | 87% | 3100 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 92% | 61,801 psi | 89% | 3133 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-33ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,676 psi | 71% | 3002 fps | 96.6% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 109 | <<locked>> | 96% | 59,973 psi | 86% | 3041 fps | 98.5% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 98% | 61,815 psi | 89% | 3114 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP30ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,753 psi | 80% | 3054 fps | 99.8% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 94% | 58,972 psi | 85% | 3074 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 86% | 61,670 psi | 89% | 2999 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H1000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 58,682 psi | 84% | 3071 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 86% | 61,685 psi | 89% | 3058 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 60,162 psi | 86% | 3015 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 94% | 62,845 psi | 90% | 3074 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 94% | 61,453 psi | 88% | 3058 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 90% | 61,119 psi | 88% | 2966 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumboᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 59,030 psi | 85% | 3189 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 84% | 58,755 psi | 84% | 3045 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,188 psi | 53% | 1864 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 59,901 psi | 86% | 2986 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 84% | 59,466 psi | 85% | 2969 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 88% | 60,060 psi | 86% | 2982 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 94% | 62,961 psi | 90% | 3048 fps | 99.8% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 96% | 61,032 psi | 88% | 3123 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 8133 Enduronᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,772 psi | 61% | 2848 fps | 98.1% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 86% | 60,133 psi | 86% | 2959 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 88% | 62,120 psi | 89% | 3015 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S071ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 59,930 psi | 86% | 2982 fps | 100% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 88% | 61,467 psi | 88% | 3051 fps | 100% |
| Norma 217ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,076 psi | 62% | 2874 fps | 99.6% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 92% | 59,030 psi | 85% | 3094 fps | 100% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 88% | 61,975 psi | 89% | 3031 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 96% | 62,439 psi | 90% | 3146 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 88% | 60,930 psi | 88% | 3045 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 98% | 60,698 psi | 87% | 3068 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 38,029 psi | 55% | 1906 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 82% | 62,526 psi | 90% | 3002 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 82% | 62,308 psi | 90% | 3048 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 86% | 60,162 psi | 86% | 3022 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 86% | 58,784 psi | 84% | 3054 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 60,408 psi | 87% | 3186 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 80ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,129 psi | 79% | 3081 fps | 99.2% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 82% | 59,335 psi | 85% | 2933 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 92% | 61,786 psi | 89% | 3035 fps | 99.9% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 92% | 60,002 psi | 86% | 3048 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 86% | 61,670 psi | 89% | 2999 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 86% | 60,133 psi | 86% | 2959 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 62,120 psi | 89% | 3015 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 82% | 61,351 psi | 88% | 2999 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 84% | 62,439 psi | 90% | 2835 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 59,379 psi | 85% | 2917 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 92% | 59,553 psi | 86% | 3041 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 84% | 62,729 psi | 90% | 2976 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 90% | 59,698 psi | 86% | 2972 fps | 99.5% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 88% | 58,958 psi | 85% | 2976 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 92% | 60,278 psi | 87% | 3012 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 84% | 60,365 psi | 87% | 2894 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 86% | 59,930 psi | 86% | 2966 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 96% | 60,031 psi | 86% | 2992 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N170ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 58,885 psi | 85% | 3012 fps | 96.7% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 88% | 62,975 psi | 90% | 3025 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 94% | 62,439 psi | 90% | 3054 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 92% | 58,668 psi | 84% | 3097 fps | 99.7% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 98% | 58,813 psi | 84% | 3077 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N568ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,869 psi | 80% | 3084 fps | 99% |
| Vihtavuori N570ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,663 psi | 76% | 3074 fps | 96.9% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 86% | 59,669 psi | 86% | 2920 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 86% | 61,859 psi | 89% | 3061 fps | 100% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 96% | 59,480 psi | 85% | 3120 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 94% | 60,640 psi | 87% | 3015 fps | 100% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
Start Load - Barrel Length: 27"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 3100 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,274 psi | 52% | 2585 fps | 99% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,689 psi | 70% | 2835 fps | 100% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | 93.7 gr | 82% | 40,306 psi | 58% | 2762 fps | 95.7% |
| ADI APS 450 | <<locked>> | 80% | 58,987 psi | 85% | 2287 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 56,391 psi | 81% | 2897 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,611 psi | 58% | 2720 fps | 98% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,158 psi | 52% | 2648 fps | 95.4% |
| ADI AR 2217 | <<locked>> | 88% | 35,027 psi | 50% | 2618 fps | 95.3% |
| ADI AR 2225 | <<locked>> | 86% | 29,515 psi | 42% | 2516 fps | 96.1% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 58,001 psi | 83% | 2917 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,804 psi | 67% | 2841 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,418 psi | 78% | 2956 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,654 psi | 58% | 2717 fps | 98.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,419 psi | 52% | 2657 fps | 97% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,070 psi | 50% | 2612 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,284 psi | 44% | 2530 fps | 98.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,870 psi | 56% | 2766 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-33 | <<locked>> | 98% | 45,905 psi | 66% | 2927 fps | 95.5% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 109 | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,673 psi | 67% | 2808 fps | 95.7% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,794 psi | 49% | 2589 fps | 95.9% |
| Bofors RP30 | <<locked>> | 86% | 34,156 psi | 49% | 2631 fps | 95.4% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,419 psi | 52% | 2657 fps | 97% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,995 psi | 73% | 2838 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon H1000 | <<locked>> | 84% | 33,315 psi | 48% | 2575 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,415 psi | 72% | 2890 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,866 psi | 76% | 2904 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,551 psi | 55% | 2654 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,956 psi | 55% | 2641 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,903 psi | 63% | 2717 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | <<locked>> | 82% | 31,662 psi | 45% | 2615 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,531 psi | 73% | 2920 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,876 psi | 40% | 1667 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,427 psi | 67% | 2772 fps | 99.6% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,373 psi | 75% | 2861 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,195 psi | 66% | 2779 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,292 psi | 58% | 2657 fps | 96.3% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 82% | 37,347 psi | 54% | 2690 fps | 96% |
| IMR 8133 Enduron | <<locked>> | 94% | 34,780 psi | 50% | 2667 fps | 95.5% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,850 psi | 72% | 2808 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,109 psi | 69% | 2802 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,053 psi | 45% | 2457 fps | 97.6% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,775 psi | 67% | 2818 fps | 99.1% |
| Norma 217 | <<locked>> | 90% | 30,284 psi | 44% | 2566 fps | 95.9% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,276 psi | 55% | 2730 fps | 98.7% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,630 psi | 68% | 2818 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,258 psi | 49% | 2625 fps | 95.1% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,644 psi | 67% | 2825 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,487 psi | 44% | 2503 fps | 95.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,442 psi | 41% | 1706 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 80% | 58,610 psi | 84% | 2949 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 80% | 58,102 psi | 83% | 2995 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,878 psi | 70% | 2858 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,239 psi | 68% | 2884 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,529 psi | 41% | 2513 fps | 95.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 80 | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,176 psi | 58% | 2805 fps | 96% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,622 psi | 80% | 2884 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,800 psi | 60% | 2697 fps | 97.3% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,943 psi | 57% | 2700 fps | 98% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,995 psi | 73% | 2838 fps | 99.9% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,850 psi | 72% | 2808 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,109 psi | 69% | 2802 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 80% | 57,435 psi | 83% | 2946 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,317 psi | 79% | 2749 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,675 psi | 70% | 2756 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,610 psi | 57% | 2694 fps | 97.9% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,303 psi | 79% | 2877 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,627 psi | 61% | 2684 fps | 96.8% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,889 psi | 64% | 2772 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,393 psi | 58% | 2680 fps | 98.8% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,968 psi | 76% | 2799 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,197 psi | 71% | 2815 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,099 psi | 50% | 2552 fps | 97.1% |
| Vihtavuori N170 | <<locked>> | 96% | 51,227 psi | 74% | 2887 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,385 psi | 70% | 2818 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,247 psi | 56% | 2690 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | 89.7 gr | 80% | 38,363 psi | 55% | 2720 fps | 95.8% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,027 psi | 52% | 2648 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N568 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,640 psi | 60% | 2822 fps | 95.9% |
| Vihtavuori N570 | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,008 psi | 70% | 3009 fps | 96% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,414 psi | 70% | 2766 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,560 psi | 73% | 2894 fps | 100% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | 88.8 gr | 80% | 31,531 psi | 45% | 2644 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,985 psi | 53% | 2605 fps | 97.1% |
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 88 powders for .338 Lapua Mag. Ackley Improved loaded with the .338 | 225gr | Nosler Expansion Tip. Hodgdon Retumbo delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,189 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,864 fps to 3,189 fps. ADI AR 2217 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 88 of the 88 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 225.0 gr projectile in 0.338" calls for a 1:12.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. ADI AR 2217, ADI AR 2218, ADI AR 2225 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. Winchester StaBALL HD, Vihtavuori N560, Accurate MAGPRO rank at the top here: for .338 Lapua Mag. Ackley Improved with the .338 | 225gr | Nosler Expansion Tip they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, ADI AR 2218, Alliant Reloder-50, Lovex D100 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.