Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .338 Lapua Mag. Ackley Improved with .338 | 250gr | Target Virtus bullet and 83 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Hodgdon Retumbo, Accurate High Country and ReloadSwiss RS 76.
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>> | 94% | 61,975 psi | 89% | 2864 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 58,900 psi | 85% | 2835 fps | 100% |
| Accurate High Country | <<locked>> | 90% | 60,046 psi | 86% | 2982 fps | 100% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 92% | 61,221 psi | 88% | 2992 fps | 99.9% |
| ADI APS 450 | <<locked>> | 82% | 61,293 psi | 88% | 2198 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 82% | 62,526 psi | 90% | 2828 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 90% | 59,959 psi | 86% | 2910 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 94% | 62,308 psi | 90% | 2986 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2217ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,999 psi | 80% | 2894 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2218ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,530 psi | 70% | 2874 fps | 97.2% |
| ADI AR 2225ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,473 psi | 73% | 2864 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 90% | 60,017 psi | 86% | 2907 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 86% | 60,191 psi | 86% | 2887 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 82% | 61,525 psi | 88% | 2897 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 90% | 59,306 psi | 85% | 2897 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 94% | 62,236 psi | 89% | 2972 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 94% | 59,785 psi | 86% | 2867 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 98% | 59,654 psi | 86% | 2943 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 90% | 60,945 psi | 88% | 2969 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-33ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,953 psi | 76% | 2927 fps | 98.2% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 109 | <<locked>> | 96% | 62,903 psi | 90% | 2946 fps | 99.4% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 96% | 61,134 psi | 88% | 2956 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP30ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 59,335 psi | 85% | 2963 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 94% | 62,236 psi | 89% | 2972 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 84% | 60,437 psi | 87% | 2838 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H1000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 62,120 psi | 89% | 2976 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 84% | 60,626 psi | 87% | 2894 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 62,859 psi | 90% | 2904 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 92% | 61,554 psi | 88% | 2917 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 92% | 60,336 psi | 87% | 2900 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 88% | 60,307 psi | 87% | 2805 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | <<locked>> | 98% | 58,726 psi | 84% | 3035 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 84% | 61,815 psi | 89% | 2940 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,434 psi | 54% | 1765 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 62,685 psi | 90% | 2877 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 84% | 61,815 psi | 89% | 2854 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 86% | 59,176 psi | 85% | 2825 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 92% | 61,815 psi | 89% | 2890 fps | 100% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 94% | 60,133 psi | 86% | 2963 fps | 100% |
| IMR 7977 Enduron | <<locked>> | 98% | 60,336 psi | 87% | 2835 fps | 96.2% |
| IMR 8133 Enduronᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,818 psi | 66% | 2779 fps | 99.4% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 86% | 62,642 psi | 90% | 2848 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 86% | 60,988 psi | 88% | 2851 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 98% | 59,176 psi | 85% | 2831 fps | 100% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 86% | 60,278 psi | 87% | 2890 fps | 100% |
| Norma 217ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,369 psi | 67% | 2802 fps | 100% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 92% | 62,511 psi | 90% | 2989 fps | 100% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 86% | 60,959 psi | 88% | 2867 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 94% | 61,670 psi | 89% | 2986 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 86% | 59,915 psi | 86% | 2884 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 96% | 59,944 psi | 86% | 2917 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 38,348 psi | 55% | 1808 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 84% | 59,205 psi | 85% | 2861 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 86% | 62,105 psi | 89% | 2946 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | <<locked>> | 98% | 59,814 psi | 86% | 3031 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 80ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 58,827 psi | 85% | 2999 fps | 99.9% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 82% | 62,250 psi | 89% | 2818 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 90% | 60,713 psi | 87% | 2877 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 90% | 59,001 psi | 85% | 2887 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 84% | 60,437 psi | 87% | 2838 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 86% | 62,642 psi | 90% | 2848 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 86% | 60,988 psi | 88% | 2851 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 82% | 61,003 psi | 88% | 2674 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 61,931 psi | 89% | 2808 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 92% | 62,656 psi | 90% | 2940 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 82% | 61,409 psi | 88% | 2808 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 90% | 62,526 psi | 90% | 2874 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 88% | 62,366 psi | 90% | 2867 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 90% | 59,408 psi | 85% | 2858 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 84% | 62,874 psi | 90% | 2776 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 86% | 62,859 psi | 90% | 2854 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 94% | 59,146 psi | 85% | 2841 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N170ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 61,989 psi | 89% | 2923 fps | 98.1% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 86% | 61,757 psi | 89% | 2864 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 92% | 61,873 psi | 89% | 2894 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 92% | 62,033 psi | 89% | 2999 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 98% | 62,207 psi | 89% | 2982 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N568ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 59,524 psi | 86% | 2999 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N570ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,318 psi | 81% | 2999 fps | 98.5% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 86% | 62,540 psi | 90% | 2808 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 84% | 60,800 psi | 87% | 2897 fps | 100% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 94% | 59,263 psi | 85% | 2963 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 92% | 59,437 psi | 85% | 2858 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% | 38,392 psi | 55% | 2503 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,314 psi | 74% | 2733 fps | 100% |
| Accurate High Country | 87.1 gr | 80% | 42,148 psi | 61% | 2684 fps | 98.5% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,813 psi | 57% | 2628 fps | 96.7% |
| ADI APS 450 | <<locked>> | 80% | 59,263 psi | 85% | 2169 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 58,827 psi | 85% | 2782 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,888 psi | 62% | 2638 fps | 99.2% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,174 psi | 55% | 2575 fps | 97.3% |
| ADI AR 2217 | <<locked>> | 84% | 32,329 psi | 46% | 2434 fps | 95.4% |
| ADI AR 2218 | <<locked>> | 98% | 45,107 psi | 65% | 2805 fps | 96.1% |
| ADI AR 2225 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,628 psi | 37% | 2287 fps | 95.1% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,192 psi | 62% | 2638 fps | 99.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,356 psi | 71% | 2740 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 80% | 57,363 psi | 82% | 2844 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,786 psi | 61% | 2631 fps | 99.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,595 psi | 55% | 2582 fps | 98.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,376 psi | 54% | 2530 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,198 psi | 46% | 2467 fps | 99.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,713 psi | 60% | 2684 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-33 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,134 psi | 61% | 2730 fps | 95.5% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 109 | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,844 psi | 62% | 2612 fps | 95.7% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,882 psi | 52% | 2520 fps | 97.7% |
| Bofors RP30 | <<locked>> | 82% | 31,720 psi | 46% | 2451 fps | 95.6% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,595 psi | 55% | 2582 fps | 98.5% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,243 psi | 76% | 2736 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H1000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,661 psi | 44% | 2392 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,011 psi | 76% | 2789 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,288 psi | 79% | 2799 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,799 psi | 59% | 2579 fps | 97.4% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,016 psi | 57% | 2562 fps | 97.2% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,412 psi | 67% | 2618 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | 84 gr | 80% | 31,415 psi | 45% | 2497 fps | 97.1% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,388 psi | 77% | 2825 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,963 psi | 40% | 1575 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,675 psi | 70% | 2677 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,621 psi | 78% | 2756 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,689 psi | 70% | 2680 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,250 psi | 61% | 2575 fps | 97.8% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,898 psi | 53% | 2559 fps | 97% |
| IMR 7977 Enduron | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,449 psi | 81% | 2779 fps | 95.5% |
| IMR 8133 Enduron | <<locked>> | 90% | 32,416 psi | 47% | 2490 fps | 95.7% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,069 psi | 75% | 2703 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,430 psi | 72% | 2703 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,025 psi | 47% | 2388 fps | 99% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,052 psi | 70% | 2723 fps | 99.8% |
| Norma 217 | <<locked>> | 84% | 26,368 psi | 38% | 2336 fps | 95% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,698 psi | 58% | 2648 fps | 99.7% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,125 psi | 72% | 2720 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,506 psi | 52% | 2562 fps | 97.3% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,994 psi | 70% | 2726 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,460 psi | 47% | 2444 fps | 97.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,703 psi | 41% | 1614 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,503 psi | 74% | 2756 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,067 psi | 72% | 2782 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | 89.9 gr | 80% | 30,385 psi | 44% | 2467 fps | 97.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 80 | <<locked>> | 88% | 36,912 psi | 53% | 2612 fps | 96.1% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 80% | 58,276 psi | 84% | 2769 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,874 psi | 63% | 2612 fps | 98.6% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,235 psi | 61% | 2618 fps | 99.2% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,243 psi | 76% | 2736 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,069 psi | 75% | 2703 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,430 psi | 72% | 2703 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 57,508 psi | 83% | 2635 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,952 psi | 73% | 2657 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,901 psi | 60% | 2615 fps | 99.1% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 80% | 57,754 psi | 83% | 2762 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,715 psi | 64% | 2602 fps | 98.2% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,601 psi | 68% | 2674 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,598 psi | 61% | 2595 fps | 99.6% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,390 psi | 80% | 2687 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,576 psi | 74% | 2707 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,057 psi | 53% | 2477 fps | 98.5% |
| Vihtavuori N170 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,137 psi | 68% | 2694 fps | 95.1% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,778 psi | 73% | 2713 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,669 psi | 60% | 2598 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,683 psi | 58% | 2644 fps | 97.6% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,344 psi | 48% | 2464 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N568 | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,377 psi | 55% | 2628 fps | 95.9% |
| Vihtavuori N570 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,032 psi | 60% | 2740 fps | 95% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,923 psi | 73% | 2664 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,171 psi | 76% | 2792 fps | 100% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,272 psi | 49% | 2572 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,088 psi | 56% | 2526 fps | 98.5% |
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 83 powders for .338 Lapua Mag. Ackley Improved loaded with the .338 | 250gr | Target Virtus. Hodgdon Retumbo delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,035 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,765 fps to 3,035 fps. ADI AR 2217 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 83 of the 83 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 1:11.0 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, Accurate High Country, ReloadSwiss RS 76 rank at the top here: for .338 Lapua Mag. Ackley Improved with the .338 | 250gr | Target Virtus 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.