Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .338 Lapua Mag. with .338 | 185gr | Barnes MRX BT bullet and 79 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Alliant Reloder-26, Alliant Reloder-16 and Norma MRP.
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: 24"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 82% | 53,388 psi | 88% | 2913 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2700 | <<locked>> | 82% | 51,677 psi | 85% | 2923 fps | 97.6% |
| Accurate 3100ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,084 psi | 87% | 3015 fps | 99.2% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,969 psi | 89% | 2969 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,372 psi | 84% | 3015 fps | 99.8% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,607 psi | 90% | 3009 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,982 psi | 87% | 3061 fps | 97.1% |
| ADI AR 2213ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,215 psi | 89% | 3107 fps | 96.1% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 82% | 53,780 psi | 88% | 3127 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,822 psi | 85% | 2976 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 82% | 51,996 psi | 85% | 2995 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,547 psi | 86% | 3081 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,679 psi | 88% | 3107 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,330 psi | 86% | 3045 fps | 97.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-22ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,026 psi | 87% | 3100 fps | 97.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-23ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,951 psi | 82% | 3035 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,468 psi | 71% | 2943 fps | 98.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,780 psi | 88% | 3176 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP15ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,588 psi | 80% | 3018 fps | 96.3% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,417 psi | 86% | 2989 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP5ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,026 psi | 87% | 3100 fps | 97.4% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,156 psi | 86% | 2969 fps | 97.9% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,982 psi | 87% | 3005 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,824 psi | 88% | 3071 fps | 98.7% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,737 psi | 88% | 3031 fps | 97.6% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,837 psi | 87% | 3005 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,230 psi | 89% | 3048 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,317 psi | 89% | 3107 fps | 98.6% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,071 psi | 59% | 1926 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,100 psi | 90% | 3015 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,085 psi | 89% | 2992 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 82% | 53,272 psi | 87% | 2969 fps | 98.5% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,229 psi | 87% | 3002 fps | 98.2% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,041 psi | 89% | 3002 fps | 98.6% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,054 psi | 85% | 3009 fps | 99.8% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 82% | 53,359 psi | 88% | 3028 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,012 psi | 89% | 2982 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,853 psi | 88% | 2995 fps | 99.4% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,808 psi | 85% | 2982 fps | 98.5% |
| Lovex S071ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,801 psi | 72% | 2851 fps | 97.6% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,766 psi | 90% | 3038 fps | 100% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,998 psi | 89% | 3051 fps | 97.2% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,707 psi | 87% | 3127 fps | 98.6% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,085 psi | 89% | 3061 fps | 99.9% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 82% | 51,982 psi | 85% | 3005 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,939 psi | 87% | 3058 fps | 99.2% |
| Ramshot Magnumᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,238 psi | 76% | 2949 fps | 96.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,782 psi | 60% | 1972 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,069 psi | 87% | 2986 fps | 98.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,156 psi | 87% | 3100 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,401 psi | 84% | 3038 fps | 99.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,954 psi | 89% | 3127 fps | 99.9% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 82% | 52,605 psi | 86% | 2943 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 86% | 52,620 psi | 86% | 2986 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,679 psi | 90% | 3031 fps | 96.3% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,042 psi | 90% | 3091 fps | 97.8% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,156 psi | 86% | 2969 fps | 97.9% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,853 psi | 88% | 2995 fps | 99.4% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,012 psi | 89% | 2982 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,808 psi | 85% | 2982 fps | 98.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,302 psi | 89% | 3048 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,911 psi | 89% | 2881 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,621 psi | 88% | 2946 fps | 98.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,563 psi | 90% | 3084 fps | 97.7% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 86% | 52,750 psi | 87% | 2986 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,156 psi | 87% | 3064 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,069 psi | 85% | 3005 fps | 97.9% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 82% | 52,837 psi | 87% | 2907 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 82% | 53,388 psi | 88% | 2923 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,157 psi | 89% | 2963 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,576 psi | 86% | 3002 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N165ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,401 psi | 84% | 2976 fps | 97.5% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,085 psi | 90% | 2966 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,808 psi | 85% | 3005 fps | 99.7% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,170 psi | 86% | 3061 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,402 psi | 86% | 2969 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,012 psi | 89% | 3071 fps | 98.7% |
| Winchester StaBALL HDᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,121 psi | 74% | 3084 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,141 psi | 86% | 2995 fps | 97% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
Start Load - Barrel Length: 24"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,893 psi | 82% | 2861 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2700 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,298 psi | 79% | 2861 fps | 96.9% |
| Accurate 3100 | <<locked>> | 90% | 37,231 psi | 61% | 2710 fps | 95.7% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,297 psi | 78% | 2864 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,911 psi | 59% | 2703 fps | 97% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,136 psi | 74% | 2841 fps | 99.4% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,195 psi | 76% | 2933 fps | 95.4% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 98% | 50,662 psi | 83% | 3041 fps | 95.1% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,067 psi | 82% | 3064 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,469 psi | 75% | 2864 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,704 psi | 80% | 2940 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | 74.8 gr | 80% | 35,346 psi | 58% | 2720 fps | 97.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,248 psi | 66% | 2858 fps | 99.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 92% | 45,716 psi | 75% | 2920 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,282 psi | 76% | 2976 fps | 95.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,254 psi | 48% | 2562 fps | 96.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 94% | 35,578 psi | 58% | 2753 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | 88.7 gr | 86% | 34,011 psi | 56% | 2753 fps | 95.8% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 98% | 45,411 psi | 75% | 2953 fps | 95.3% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,658 psi | 75% | 2874 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,282 psi | 76% | 2976 fps | 95.8% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 82% | 43,033 psi | 71% | 2792 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,282 psi | 76% | 2884 fps | 98.9% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,002 psi | 67% | 2822 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 82% | 44,121 psi | 72% | 2851 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,779 psi | 54% | 2608 fps | 97.7% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,604 psi | 83% | 2989 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,205 psi | 66% | 2828 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,948 psi | 44% | 1726 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,488 psi | 85% | 2956 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,456 psi | 78% | 2877 fps | 99.7% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,806 psi | 82% | 2907 fps | 97.9% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,133 psi | 68% | 2769 fps | 95.2% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,872 psi | 69% | 2769 fps | 95.9% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,664 psi | 57% | 2657 fps | 96.6% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,009 psi | 82% | 2969 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,572 psi | 78% | 2877 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,117 psi | 64% | 2710 fps | 96.6% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 82% | 39,987 psi | 66% | 2749 fps | 95.7% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 94% | 35,737 psi | 59% | 2674 fps | 95.1% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,080 psi | 79% | 2923 fps | 99.9% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,920 psi | 77% | 2923 fps | 95.5% |
| Norma MRP | 90.2 gr | 90% | 39,537 psi | 65% | 2858 fps | 95.1% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,027 psi | 59% | 2707 fps | 96.9% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,544 psi | 80% | 2943 fps | 99.9% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 82% | 37,492 psi | 62% | 2749 fps | 95.6% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 98% | 42,917 psi | 70% | 2881 fps | 95.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,383 psi | 45% | 1765 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,383 psi | 76% | 2867 fps | 97.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,815 psi | 70% | 2920 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,897 psi | 59% | 2723 fps | 96.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,027 psi | 57% | 2723 fps | 95.7% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,284 psi | 81% | 2890 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,975 psi | 71% | 2815 fps | 99.7% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 94% | 51,198 psi | 84% | 2972 fps | 95.5% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 92% | 44,686 psi | 73% | 2900 fps | 95.3% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 82% | 43,033 psi | 71% | 2792 fps | 95.7% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,117 psi | 64% | 2710 fps | 96.6% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,572 psi | 78% | 2877 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 82% | 39,987 psi | 66% | 2749 fps | 95.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,338 psi | 73% | 2874 fps | 99.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,483 psi | 73% | 2736 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,392 psi | 63% | 2654 fps | 95% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 92% | 44,266 psi | 73% | 2897 fps | 95.2% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,308 psi | 71% | 2815 fps | 99.7% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,401 psi | 53% | 2654 fps | 98.8% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,366 psi | 70% | 2822 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,545 psi | 81% | 2858 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,024 psi | 82% | 2871 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,481 psi | 68% | 2746 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,405 psi | 61% | 2707 fps | 97.3% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 96% | 44,860 psi | 74% | 2858 fps | 95.9% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,341 psi | 79% | 2861 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,912 psi | 61% | 2707 fps | 96.9% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 82% | 30,095 psi | 49% | 2582 fps | 95.2% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,695 psi | 60% | 2677 fps | 99.1% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,147 psi | 68% | 2825 fps | 95.8% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 86% | 27,543 psi | 45% | 2589 fps | 95.9% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 94% | 45,179 psi | 74% | 2871 fps | 95.2% |
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 94 powders for .338 Lapua Mag. loaded with the .338 | 185gr | Barnes MRX BT. Alliant Reloder-26 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,176 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,926 fps to 3,176 fps. Accurate 3100 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 94 of the 94 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (420 MPa), the top charges use 56–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 185.0 gr projectile in 0.338" calls for a 1:13.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 3100, ADI AR 2213, 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. Alliant Reloder-26, Alliant Reloder-16, Norma MRP rank at the top here: for .338 Lapua Mag. with the .338 | 185gr | Barnes MRX BT they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, Accurate MAGPRO, ADI AR 2225, Baschieri & Pellagri 109 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.