Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .338 Lapua Mag. Ackley Improved with .338 | 230gr | Winchester FailSafe bullet and 79 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.
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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 2700 | <<locked>> | 82% | 62,613 psi | 90% | 2940 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 3100 | <<locked>> | 92% | 60,423 psi | 87% | 2963 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 61,076 psi | 88% | 2986 fps | 100% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 92% | 60,220 psi | 87% | 3091 fps | 99.5% |
| ADI APS 450 | <<locked>> | 82% | 61,221 psi | 88% | 2316 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 90% | 61,917 psi | 89% | 3058 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 92% | 60,162 psi | 86% | 3077 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2217ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 58,247 psi | 84% | 3045 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2218ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,792 psi | 73% | 3025 fps | 97.3% |
| ADI AR 2225ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,779 psi | 76% | 3009 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 86% | 61,989 psi | 89% | 3035 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 90% | 61,221 psi | 88% | 3045 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 92% | 60,350 psi | 87% | 3068 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 94% | 61,975 psi | 89% | 3015 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 98% | 62,134 psi | 89% | 3094 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 88% | 59,088 psi | 85% | 3064 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-33ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,869 psi | 80% | 3081 fps | 98.3% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 109 | <<locked>> | 94% | 60,756 psi | 87% | 3031 fps | 98.9% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 94% | 59,466 psi | 85% | 3054 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP30ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 61,989 psi | 89% | 3117 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 92% | 60,350 psi | 87% | 3068 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 84% | 62,134 psi | 89% | 2982 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H1000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 59,930 psi | 86% | 3064 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 86% | 62,946 psi | 90% | 3028 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 96% | 62,830 psi | 90% | 3054 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 92% | 62,250 psi | 89% | 3048 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 88% | 62,207 psi | 89% | 2949 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | <<locked>> | 98% | 61,148 psi | 88% | 3189 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 82% | 59,538 psi | 86% | 3028 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,507 psi | 54% | 1864 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 82% | 62,874 psi | 90% | 2946 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 82% | 60,829 psi | 87% | 2943 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 86% | 60,408 psi | 87% | 2972 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 82% | 59,524 psi | 86% | 2946 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 90% | 62,526 psi | 90% | 2989 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 90% | 59,770 psi | 86% | 2982 fps | 99.8% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 92% | 62,656 psi | 90% | 3120 fps | 100% |
| IMR 7977 Enduron | <<locked>> | 98% | 62,091 psi | 89% | 2976 fps | 96.2% |
| IMR 8133 Enduronᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,211 psi | 69% | 2923 fps | 99.4% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 84% | 60,568 psi | 87% | 2943 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 86% | 62,845 psi | 90% | 2999 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 98% | 61,670 psi | 89% | 2979 fps | 100% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 86% | 62,120 psi | 89% | 3038 fps | 100% |
| Norma 217ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,878 psi | 70% | 2949 fps | 100% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 90% | 60,597 psi | 87% | 3084 fps | 100% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 86% | 62,874 psi | 90% | 3015 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 88% | 58,566 psi | 84% | 3064 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 86% | 61,873 psi | 89% | 3028 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 92% | 60,046 psi | 86% | 3035 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 38,522 psi | 55% | 1909 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 84% | 61,250 psi | 88% | 3009 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 84% | 59,785 psi | 86% | 3038 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | <<locked>> | 98% | 62,700 psi | 90% | 3182 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 80ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 61,975 psi | 89% | 3156 fps | 99.9% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 90% | 62,482 psi | 90% | 3022 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 90% | 61,148 psi | 88% | 3038 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 84% | 62,134 psi | 89% | 2982 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 60,568 psi | 87% | 2943 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 86% | 62,845 psi | 90% | 2999 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 82% | 62,410 psi | 90% | 2812 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 84% | 59,727 psi | 86% | 2900 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 60,727 psi | 87% | 3031 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 88% | 60,234 psi | 87% | 2959 fps | 99.8% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 86% | 60,350 psi | 87% | 2963 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 90% | 61,351 psi | 88% | 3002 fps | 100% |
| Unknown powder | <<locked>> | 84% | 62,830 psi | 90% | 3018 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 86% | 61,627 psi | 89% | 2887 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 82% | 59,263 psi | 85% | 2930 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 94% | 59,292 psi | 85% | 2959 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N170ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,027 psi | 78% | 2917 fps | 96.3% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 82% | 59,886 psi | 86% | 2979 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 90% | 60,307 psi | 87% | 2995 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 92% | 60,756 psi | 87% | 3104 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 96% | 60,626 psi | 87% | 3077 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N568ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 62,091 psi | 89% | 3150 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N570ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 59,785 psi | 86% | 3156 fps | 98.6% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 84% | 60,278 psi | 87% | 2900 fps | 100% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 94% | 62,178 psi | 89% | 3117 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 88% | 59,001 psi | 85% | 2969 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 2700 | <<locked>> | 80% | 58,566 psi | 84% | 2887 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 3100 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,379 psi | 58% | 2644 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,359 psi | 77% | 2877 fps | 100% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,465 psi | 57% | 2710 fps | 95.2% |
| ADI APS 450 | <<locked>> | 80% | 59,335 psi | 85% | 2290 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,338 psi | 64% | 2772 fps | 99.1% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,726 psi | 57% | 2713 fps | 97.2% |
| ADI AR 2217 | <<locked>> | 84% | 33,881 psi | 49% | 2569 fps | 95.4% |
| ADI AR 2218 | <<locked>> | 96% | 43,903 psi | 63% | 2877 fps | 95% |
| ADI AR 2225 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,050 psi | 39% | 2415 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,097 psi | 73% | 2881 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,324 psi | 64% | 2766 fps | 99.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,364 psi | 58% | 2720 fps | 98.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,131 psi | 56% | 2664 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,707 psi | 48% | 2598 fps | 99.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,758 psi | 63% | 2825 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-33 | <<locked>> | 94% | 44,570 psi | 64% | 2877 fps | 95.7% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 109 | <<locked>> | 84% | 44,251 psi | 64% | 2743 fps | 95.6% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,507 psi | 54% | 2654 fps | 97.7% |
| Bofors RP30 | <<locked>> | 82% | 33,547 psi | 48% | 2589 fps | 95.7% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,364 psi | 58% | 2720 fps | 98.5% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,694 psi | 79% | 2874 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H1000 | <<locked>> | 82% | 32,430 psi | 47% | 2533 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,373 psi | 75% | 2874 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,420 psi | 54% | 2605 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,582 psi | 60% | 2697 fps | 97.1% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,051 psi | 69% | 2756 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | 90.3 gr | 80% | 32,953 psi | 47% | 2631 fps | 97% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,347 psi | 80% | 2972 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,210 psi | 41% | 1670 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 59,219 psi | 85% | 2900 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 57,377 psi | 82% | 2894 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,053 psi | 72% | 2815 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,956 psi | 80% | 2897 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,832 psi | 66% | 2743 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,584 psi | 63% | 2707 fps | 97.7% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,872 psi | 59% | 2749 fps | 97.6% |
| IMR 7977 Enduron | <<locked>> | 96% | 58,218 psi | 84% | 2920 fps | 95.4% |
| IMR 8133 Enduron | <<locked>> | 90% | 34,258 psi | 49% | 2625 fps | 95.8% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,722 psi | 77% | 2844 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,054 psi | 75% | 2844 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,795 psi | 50% | 2523 fps | 99% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,662 psi | 73% | 2864 fps | 99.7% |
| Norma 217 | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,181 psi | 40% | 2474 fps | 95.3% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,612 psi | 61% | 2792 fps | 99.7% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,793 psi | 74% | 2861 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,946 psi | 62% | 2802 fps | 98.5% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,676 psi | 73% | 2867 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,666 psi | 54% | 2657 fps | 98.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,819 psi | 41% | 1706 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,490 psi | 77% | 2900 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,924 psi | 75% | 2927 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | 96.6 gr | 80% | 32,010 psi | 46% | 2602 fps | 97.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 80 | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,274 psi | 52% | 2687 fps | 95.1% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,324 psi | 65% | 2746 fps | 98.5% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,859 psi | 63% | 2756 fps | 99.2% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,694 psi | 79% | 2874 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,722 psi | 77% | 2844 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,054 psi | 75% | 2844 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 58,813 psi | 84% | 2769 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,533 psi | 75% | 2799 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,511 psi | 63% | 2749 fps | 99.1% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,311 psi | 67% | 2736 fps | 98.2% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,385 psi | 71% | 2812 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,382 psi | 64% | 2733 fps | 99.6% |
| Unknown powder | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,201 psi | 79% | 2910 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,271 psi | 74% | 2749 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,492 psi | 80% | 2877 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,492 psi | 54% | 2582 fps | 98.2% |
| Vihtavuori N170 | <<locked>> | 98% | 50,691 psi | 73% | 2858 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 80% | 56,130 psi | 81% | 2927 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,482 psi | 62% | 2740 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | 91.8 gr | 80% | 40,451 psi | 58% | 2740 fps | 96.9% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,114 psi | 50% | 2598 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N568 | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,724 psi | 54% | 2707 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N570 | <<locked>> | 92% | 44,628 psi | 64% | 2887 fps | 95.2% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,460 psi | 75% | 2799 fps | 100% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,390 psi | 52% | 2717 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,396 psi | 64% | 2733 fps | 99.1% |
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 86 powders for .338 Lapua Mag. Ackley Improved loaded with the .338 | 230gr | Winchester FailSafe. 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. Accurate 8700 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 86 of the 86 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. Accurate 8700, ADI AR 2217, ADI AR 2218 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 | Winchester FailSafe they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, Accurate 8700, Lovex D100, Ramshot LRT 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.