Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .338 Lapua Mag. Ackley Improved with .338 | 250gr | Peregrine VRG-3 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 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 2700 | <<locked>> | 82% | 62,801 psi | 90% | 2831 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 3100 | <<locked>> | 92% | 60,307 psi | 87% | 2851 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 61,221 psi | 88% | 2871 fps | 100% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 92% | 60,495 psi | 87% | 2986 fps | 99.8% |
| ADI APS 450 | <<locked>> | 82% | 61,250 psi | 88% | 2215 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 90% | 62,279 psi | 89% | 2949 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 92% | 60,553 psi | 87% | 2969 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2217ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 58,682 psi | 84% | 2940 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2218ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,865 psi | 73% | 2933 fps | 98.1% |
| ADI AR 2225ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,040 psi | 76% | 2907 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 86% | 62,497 psi | 90% | 2923 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 90% | 61,670 psi | 89% | 2936 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 92% | 60,669 psi | 87% | 2959 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 94% | 62,366 psi | 90% | 2904 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 98% | 62,540 psi | 90% | 2982 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 88% | 59,277 psi | 85% | 2953 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-33ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,173 psi | 81% | 2982 fps | 98.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-50ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,094 psi | 68% | 2828 fps | 96.7% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 109 | <<locked>> | 94% | 61,032 psi | 88% | 2933 fps | 99.4% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 94% | 59,770 psi | 86% | 2946 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP30ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 62,207 psi | 89% | 3009 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 92% | 60,669 psi | 87% | 2959 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 84% | 62,294 psi | 89% | 2871 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H1000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 60,437 psi | 87% | 2963 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 59,611 psi | 86% | 2871 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 94% | 59,277 psi | 85% | 2897 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 92% | 62,656 psi | 90% | 2940 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 88% | 62,468 psi | 90% | 2838 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | <<locked>> | 98% | 61,743 psi | 89% | 3081 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 82% | 59,741 psi | 86% | 2920 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,521 psi | 54% | 1781 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 82% | 61,163 psi | 88% | 2835 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 86% | 60,742 psi | 87% | 2861 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 82% | 59,843 psi | 86% | 2838 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 90% | 62,758 psi | 90% | 2877 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 90% | 60,002 psi | 86% | 2877 fps | 100% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 90% | 58,769 psi | 84% | 2953 fps | 100% |
| IMR 7977 Enduron | <<locked>> | 98% | 62,497 psi | 90% | 2881 fps | 96.9% |
| IMR 8133 Enduronᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,283 psi | 69% | 2825 fps | 99.7% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 84% | 60,829 psi | 87% | 2831 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 86% | 62,961 psi | 90% | 2887 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 98% | 61,859 psi | 89% | 2871 fps | 100% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 86% | 62,569 psi | 90% | 2930 fps | 100% |
| Norma 217ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,008 psi | 70% | 2844 fps | 100% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 90% | 60,959 psi | 88% | 2976 fps | 100% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 84% | 59,219 psi | 85% | 2854 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 88% | 58,958 psi | 85% | 2959 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 86% | 62,221 psi | 89% | 2920 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 92% | 60,365 psi | 87% | 2927 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 38,435 psi | 55% | 1821 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 84% | 61,482 psi | 88% | 2897 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 84% | 60,336 psi | 87% | 2930 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | <<locked>> | 96% | 58,537 psi | 84% | 3015 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 80ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 62,308 psi | 90% | 3051 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 90% | 62,874 psi | 90% | 2917 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 90% | 61,351 psi | 88% | 2927 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 84% | 62,294 psi | 89% | 2871 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 60,829 psi | 87% | 2831 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 86% | 62,961 psi | 90% | 2887 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 82% | 62,830 psi | 90% | 2703 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 84% | 59,944 psi | 86% | 2792 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 60,930 psi | 88% | 2923 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 88% | 60,524 psi | 87% | 2858 fps | 99.9% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 86% | 60,597 psi | 87% | 2851 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 90% | 61,569 psi | 88% | 2890 fps | 100% |
| Unknown powder | <<locked>> | 82% | 59,176 psi | 85% | 2854 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 86% | 61,844 psi | 89% | 2776 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 82% | 59,393 psi | 85% | 2818 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 94% | 59,495 psi | 85% | 2854 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N170ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,114 psi | 78% | 2818 fps | 97% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 82% | 59,944 psi | 86% | 2864 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 90% | 60,220 psi | 87% | 2881 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 92% | 61,177 psi | 88% | 2999 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 96% | 60,814 psi | 87% | 2969 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N568ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 62,627 psi | 90% | 3048 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N570ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 60,147 psi | 86% | 3054 fps | 99.1% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 84% | 60,568 psi | 87% | 2792 fps | 100% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 94% | 62,685 psi | 90% | 3005 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 88% | 59,219 psi | 85% | 2864 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% | 58,740 psi | 84% | 2779 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 3100 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,045 psi | 58% | 2543 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,258 psi | 77% | 2766 fps | 100% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | 92.1 gr | 80% | 39,392 psi | 57% | 2618 fps | 96.1% |
| ADI APS 450 | <<locked>> | 80% | 59,292 psi | 85% | 2188 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,556 psi | 64% | 2674 fps | 99.5% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,798 psi | 57% | 2618 fps | 97.9% |
| ADI AR 2217 | <<locked>> | 82% | 31,473 psi | 45% | 2418 fps | 95.2% |
| ADI AR 2218 | <<locked>> | 96% | 43,888 psi | 63% | 2789 fps | 96.1% |
| ADI AR 2225 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,731 psi | 38% | 2329 fps | 96.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,372 psi | 74% | 2776 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,396 psi | 64% | 2667 fps | 99.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,335 psi | 58% | 2625 fps | 99% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,001 psi | 56% | 2562 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,663 psi | 48% | 2507 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,830 psi | 63% | 2723 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-33 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,365 psi | 59% | 2720 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-50 | <<locked>> | 98% | 43,671 psi | 63% | 2762 fps | 95.7% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 109 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,553 psi | 60% | 2595 fps | 95.5% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,478 psi | 54% | 2562 fps | 98.3% |
| Bofors RP30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,980 psi | 45% | 2431 fps | 95.4% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,335 psi | 58% | 2625 fps | 99% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,824 psi | 79% | 2769 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H1000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,211 psi | 43% | 2385 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,460 psi | 75% | 2766 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,376 psi | 54% | 2513 fps | 96.6% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,640 psi | 60% | 2602 fps | 97.8% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,124 psi | 69% | 2651 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | 87.1 gr | 80% | 32,822 psi | 47% | 2543 fps | 97.9% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,492 psi | 80% | 2861 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,123 psi | 40% | 1591 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 57,682 psi | 83% | 2785 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,285 psi | 72% | 2713 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 56,275 psi | 81% | 2789 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,861 psi | 66% | 2641 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,700 psi | 63% | 2612 fps | 98.3% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,031 psi | 59% | 2654 fps | 98.3% |
| IMR 7977 Enduron | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,853 psi | 79% | 2769 fps | 95.4% |
| IMR 8133 Enduron | <<locked>> | 88% | 31,836 psi | 46% | 2477 fps | 95.6% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,621 psi | 77% | 2736 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,141 psi | 75% | 2740 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,389 psi | 49% | 2425 fps | 99.3% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,995 psi | 73% | 2766 fps | 99.9% |
| Norma 217 | <<locked>> | 84% | 27,833 psi | 40% | 2382 fps | 96.1% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,656 psi | 61% | 2690 fps | 99.9% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,982 psi | 75% | 2753 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,120 psi | 62% | 2707 fps | 99.1% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,952 psi | 73% | 2762 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,594 psi | 54% | 2566 fps | 99.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,863 psi | 41% | 1631 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,635 psi | 77% | 2792 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,228 psi | 75% | 2822 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | 93.2 gr | 80% | 31,821 psi | 46% | 2513 fps | 98.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 80 | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,114 psi | 52% | 2595 fps | 96% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,469 psi | 65% | 2648 fps | 99% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,932 psi | 63% | 2657 fps | 99.5% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,824 psi | 79% | 2769 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,621 psi | 77% | 2736 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,141 psi | 75% | 2740 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 59,001 psi | 85% | 2657 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,518 psi | 75% | 2690 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,598 psi | 63% | 2651 fps | 99.5% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,296 psi | 67% | 2638 fps | 98.7% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,574 psi | 71% | 2707 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,309 psi | 64% | 2635 fps | 99.8% |
| Unknown powder | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,361 psi | 80% | 2802 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,300 psi | 74% | 2641 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,593 psi | 80% | 2769 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,449 psi | 54% | 2490 fps | 98.8% |
| Vihtavuori N170 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,500 psi | 68% | 2707 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 80% | 56,173 psi | 81% | 2815 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,337 psi | 62% | 2635 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,437 psi | 58% | 2644 fps | 97.7% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,925 psi | 50% | 2507 fps | 96.2% |
| Vihtavuori N568 | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,652 psi | 54% | 2615 fps | 95.8% |
| Vihtavuori N570 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,597 psi | 60% | 2730 fps | 95.1% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,707 psi | 76% | 2694 fps | 100% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,564 psi | 53% | 2618 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,338 psi | 64% | 2635 fps | 99.5% |
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 85 powders for .338 Lapua Mag. Ackley Improved loaded with the .338 | 250gr | Peregrine VRG-3. Hodgdon Retumbo delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,081 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,781 fps to 3,081 fps. Accurate 8700 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 85 of the 85 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 250.0 gr projectile in 0.338" calls for a 1:13.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. 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, Accurate MAGPRO rank at the top here: for .338 Lapua Mag. Ackley Improved with the .338 | 250gr | Peregrine VRG-3 they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, Accurate 8700, Ramshot LRT, SNPE Vectan SP 13 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.