Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .338 Lapua Mag. Ackley Improved with .338 | 230gr | Norma ORYX bullet and 82 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Hodgdon Retumbo, ReloadSwiss RS 76 and Vihtavuori N560.
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.
A valid access license is required to use the Personalized Load Calculator.
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>> | 94% | 61,902 psi | 89% | 2976 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 86% | 62,729 psi | 90% | 2999 fps | 100% |
| Accurate High Country | <<locked>> | 90% | 59,712 psi | 86% | 3091 fps | 100% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 92% | 60,742 psi | 87% | 3097 fps | 99.7% |
| ADI APS 450 | <<locked>> | 82% | 61,119 psi | 88% | 2297 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 82% | 62,047 psi | 89% | 2940 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 90% | 59,451 psi | 85% | 3015 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 94% | 61,685 psi | 89% | 3091 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2217ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,579 psi | 80% | 2999 fps | 99.9% |
| ADI AR 2218ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,283 psi | 69% | 2963 fps | 96.2% |
| ADI AR 2225ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,140 psi | 72% | 2963 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 90% | 59,741 psi | 86% | 3012 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 86% | 59,640 psi | 86% | 2999 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 82% | 61,046 psi | 88% | 3012 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 92% | 62,772 psi | 90% | 3058 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 94% | 61,757 psi | 89% | 3081 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 94% | 59,364 psi | 85% | 2979 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 98% | 59,074 psi | 85% | 3051 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 90% | 60,510 psi | 87% | 3081 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-33ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,620 psi | 76% | 3025 fps | 97.5% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 109 | <<locked>> | 96% | 62,265 psi | 89% | 3045 fps | 98.9% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 96% | 60,669 psi | 87% | 3064 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP30ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 58,943 psi | 85% | 3068 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 94% | 61,757 psi | 89% | 3081 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 84% | 60,118 psi | 86% | 2943 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H1000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 61,424 psi | 88% | 3077 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 84% | 60,249 psi | 87% | 3005 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 62,511 psi | 90% | 3015 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 92% | 61,134 psi | 88% | 3022 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 92% | 59,857 psi | 86% | 3005 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 88% | 59,843 psi | 86% | 2913 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumboᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 62,236 psi | 89% | 3202 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 84% | 61,438 psi | 88% | 3051 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,391 psi | 54% | 1847 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 62,192 psi | 89% | 2986 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 84% | 61,453 psi | 88% | 2963 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 88% | 62,787 psi | 90% | 2986 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 92% | 61,424 psi | 88% | 2995 fps | 99.8% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 94% | 59,567 psi | 86% | 3071 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 8133 Enduronᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,571 psi | 65% | 2874 fps | 98.9% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 86% | 62,395 psi | 90% | 2956 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 86% | 60,684 psi | 87% | 2963 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 98% | 59,277 psi | 85% | 2943 fps | 100% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 86% | 59,886 psi | 86% | 2999 fps | 100% |
| Norma 217ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,093 psi | 66% | 2900 fps | 99.9% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 92% | 62,149 psi | 89% | 3104 fps | 100% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 86% | 60,524 psi | 87% | 2979 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 94% | 60,974 psi | 88% | 3094 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 86% | 59,596 psi | 86% | 2992 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 96% | 59,350 psi | 85% | 3018 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 38,290 psi | 55% | 1890 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 86% | 62,975 psi | 90% | 3025 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 86% | 61,583 psi | 88% | 3058 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | <<locked>> | 98% | 59,219 psi | 85% | 3136 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 80ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 58,334 psi | 84% | 3100 fps | 99.7% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 82% | 62,091 psi | 89% | 2933 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 90% | 60,307 psi | 87% | 2982 fps | 99.9% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 92% | 62,700 psi | 90% | 3051 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 84% | 60,118 psi | 86% | 2943 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 86% | 62,395 psi | 90% | 2956 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 86% | 60,684 psi | 87% | 2963 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 82% | 60,756 psi | 87% | 2785 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 61,598 psi | 88% | 2913 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 92% | 62,250 psi | 89% | 3048 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 82% | 61,250 psi | 88% | 2923 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 90% | 62,091 psi | 89% | 2976 fps | 99.8% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 88% | 61,873 psi | 89% | 2976 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 90% | 59,016 psi | 85% | 2963 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 84% | 62,656 psi | 90% | 2887 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 86% | 62,308 psi | 90% | 2963 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 96% | 62,874 psi | 90% | 2999 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N170ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 61,830 psi | 89% | 3025 fps | 97.5% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 86% | 61,583 psi | 88% | 2976 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 92% | 61,569 psi | 88% | 3009 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 92% | 61,627 psi | 89% | 3107 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 98% | 61,873 psi | 89% | 3087 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N568ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 59,088 psi | 85% | 3100 fps | 99.5% |
| Vihtavuori N570ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,898 psi | 80% | 3097 fps | 97.8% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 86% | 62,062 psi | 89% | 2917 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 84% | 60,408 psi | 87% | 3009 fps | 100% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 94% | 58,653 psi | 84% | 3074 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 92% | 59,074 psi | 85% | 2963 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% | 38,711 psi | 56% | 2605 fps | 99.5% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,372 psi | 74% | 2841 fps | 100% |
| Accurate High Country | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,090 psi | 60% | 2782 fps | 97.8% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,740 psi | 57% | 2720 fps | 95.9% |
| ADI APS 450 | <<locked>> | 80% | 59,161 psi | 85% | 2267 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 58,363 psi | 84% | 2890 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,656 psi | 61% | 2733 fps | 98.7% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,116 psi | 55% | 2667 fps | 96.4% |
| ADI AR 2217 | <<locked>> | 86% | 34,635 psi | 50% | 2579 fps | 95.5% |
| ADI AR 2218 | <<locked>> | 98% | 44,918 psi | 65% | 2890 fps | 95% |
| ADI AR 2225 | <<locked>> | 82% | 27,644 psi | 40% | 2428 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,091 psi | 62% | 2733 fps | 98.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,023 psi | 70% | 2844 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 80% | 56,927 psi | 82% | 2956 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,714 psi | 61% | 2726 fps | 98.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,580 psi | 55% | 2677 fps | 97.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,347 psi | 54% | 2628 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,271 psi | 46% | 2556 fps | 99% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,495 psi | 60% | 2785 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-33 | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,411 psi | 65% | 2890 fps | 95.7% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 109 | <<locked>> | 86% | 45,527 psi | 65% | 2759 fps | 95.6% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,897 psi | 52% | 2612 fps | 97% |
| Bofors RP30 | <<locked>> | 84% | 34,113 psi | 49% | 2598 fps | 95.7% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,580 psi | 55% | 2677 fps | 97.9% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,098 psi | 76% | 2841 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H1000 | <<locked>> | 82% | 32,982 psi | 47% | 2539 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,663 psi | 76% | 2894 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,969 psi | 79% | 2907 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,698 psi | 58% | 2671 fps | 96.6% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,914 psi | 57% | 2654 fps | 96.3% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,151 psi | 66% | 2720 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | 86.9 gr | 80% | 31,444 psi | 45% | 2579 fps | 96% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,026 psi | 76% | 2930 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,021 psi | 40% | 1654 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,399 psi | 70% | 2779 fps | 99.8% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,273 psi | 78% | 2861 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,530 psi | 70% | 2782 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,090 psi | 60% | 2667 fps | 97.1% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,753 psi | 53% | 2648 fps | 96.1% |
| IMR 8133 Enduron | <<locked>> | 92% | 34,824 psi | 50% | 2638 fps | 95.8% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,953 psi | 75% | 2808 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,328 psi | 72% | 2808 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,373 psi | 48% | 2484 fps | 98.5% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,878 psi | 70% | 2828 fps | 99.5% |
| Norma 217 | <<locked>> | 86% | 28,543 psi | 41% | 2484 fps | 95.3% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,611 psi | 58% | 2746 fps | 99.3% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,893 psi | 72% | 2825 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,506 psi | 52% | 2654 fps | 96.4% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,849 psi | 70% | 2831 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,663 psi | 47% | 2536 fps | 96.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,747 psi | 41% | 1693 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,358 psi | 74% | 2864 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,647 psi | 71% | 2887 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | 93 gr | 80% | 30,487 psi | 44% | 2552 fps | 96.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 80 | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,028 psi | 53% | 2703 fps | 95.2% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 80% | 58,117 psi | 83% | 2881 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,729 psi | 63% | 2707 fps | 98% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,105 psi | 60% | 2713 fps | 98.7% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,098 psi | 76% | 2841 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,953 psi | 75% | 2808 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,328 psi | 72% | 2808 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 57,261 psi | 82% | 2740 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,792 psi | 73% | 2759 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,771 psi | 60% | 2710 fps | 98.6% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 80% | 57,609 psi | 83% | 2874 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,570 psi | 64% | 2697 fps | 97.6% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,369 psi | 68% | 2779 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,627 psi | 61% | 2694 fps | 99.3% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,172 psi | 79% | 2795 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,430 psi | 74% | 2815 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,130 psi | 53% | 2569 fps | 98% |
| Vihtavuori N170 | <<locked>> | 94% | 50,372 psi | 72% | 2844 fps | 95.1% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,618 psi | 73% | 2818 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,742 psi | 60% | 2703 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | 90.2 gr | 80% | 40,553 psi | 58% | 2736 fps | 96.8% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,839 psi | 51% | 2615 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N568 | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,435 psi | 55% | 2720 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N570 | <<locked>> | 94% | 44,991 psi | 65% | 2897 fps | 95.1% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,546 psi | 73% | 2766 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,852 psi | 76% | 2897 fps | 100% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,214 psi | 49% | 2674 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,044 psi | 56% | 2621 fps | 97.9% |
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 82 powders for .338 Lapua Mag. Ackley Improved loaded with the .338 | 230gr | Norma ORYX. Hodgdon Retumbo delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,202 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,847 fps to 3,202 fps. ADI AR 2217 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 82 of the 82 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (480 MPa), the top charges use 54–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 230.0 gr projectile in 0.338" calls for a 1:6.0 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. Hodgdon Retumbo, ReloadSwiss RS 76, Vihtavuori N560 rank at the top here: for .338 Lapua Mag. Ackley Improved with the .338 | 230gr | Norma ORYX 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.