Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .338 RCM with .338 | 185gr | CutEdge ER Raptor 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 CFE223, Alliant Power Pro 1200-R and Somchem S321.
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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Max Load - Barrel Length: 24"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 1680 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,231 psi | 90% | 2631 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,519 psi | 86% | 2677 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,101 psi | 90% | 2766 fps | 96.9% |
| Accurate 2230 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,649 psi | 84% | 2720 fps | 96.7% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,086 psi | 90% | 2746 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 2495ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,657 psi | 72% | 2621 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,317 psi | 87% | 2772 fps | 99.6% |
| Accurate 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,510 psi | 67% | 2595 fps | 99% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,374 psi | 86% | 2605 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,867 psi | 86% | 2618 fps | 99.5% |
| ADI AR 2206Hᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,808 psi | 85% | 2736 fps | 97.3% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,563 psi | 86% | 2635 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,434 psi | 89% | 2756 fps | 100% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,246 psi | 90% | 2756 fps | 98.8% |
| Alliant AR-Compᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,388 psi | 86% | 2749 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,229 psi | 85% | 2802 fps | 98.1% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,032 psi | 67% | 2585 fps | 96% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,998 psi | 87% | 2697 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,897 psi | 88% | 2648 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,448 psi | 89% | 2648 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,591 psi | 84% | 2740 fps | 95.9% |
| Bofors RP3ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,307 psi | 66% | 2589 fps | 95.9% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,811 psi | 89% | 2703 fps | 99.1% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,867 psi | 86% | 2779 fps | 99% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,231 psi | 90% | 2861 fps | 97.3% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,650 psi | 86% | 2733 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,853 psi | 88% | 2756 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,405 psi | 89% | 2648 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4895ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,113 psi | 85% | 2749 fps | 97.9% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolutionᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,747 psi | 77% | 2710 fps | 97.3% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,648 psi | 52% | 1594 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGETᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,808 psi | 83% | 2707 fps | 97.5% |
| IMR 3031ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,749 psi | 81% | 2753 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,593 psi | 89% | 2667 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4227 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,361 psi | 89% | 2592 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,529 psi | 76% | 2694 fps | 96.4% |
| IMR 8208 XBRᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,246 psi | 90% | 2756 fps | 98.8% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,142 psi | 85% | 2713 fps | 99.4% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,275 psi | 90% | 2749 fps | 99.4% |
| Lovex D073.6ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,096 psi | 80% | 2713 fps | 99.3% |
| Lovex S053 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,737 psi | 86% | 2539 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,505 psi | 87% | 2680 fps | 97.5% |
| Lovex S062ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,426 psi | 73% | 2612 fps | 97.2% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,099 psi | 87% | 2677 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,271 psi | 82% | 2687 fps | 98.2% |
| Norma 202ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,140 psi | 82% | 2703 fps | 99.7% |
| Norma 203Bᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,469 psi | 73% | 2644 fps | 95.8% |
| Ramshot Wild Boarᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,825 psi | 90% | 2785 fps | 97.7% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,998 psi | 88% | 2710 fps | 97.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,503 psi | 52% | 1631 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 36 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,550 psi | 89% | 2631 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,127 psi | 85% | 2710 fps | 99.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,718 psi | 78% | 2756 fps | 95.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,843 psi | 65% | 2618 fps | 96.9% |
| Rottweil R 901ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,158 psi | 88% | 2730 fps | 99.8% |
| Rottweil R 902ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,356 psi | 78% | 2631 fps | 97.7% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,142 psi | 85% | 2713 fps | 99.4% |
| Shooters World Match Rifleᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,096 psi | 80% | 2713 fps | 99.3% |
| Shooters World Precisionᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,426 psi | 73% | 2612 fps | 97.2% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,012 psi | 87% | 2680 fps | 98.2% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,621 psi | 88% | 2395 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,898 psi | 90% | 2762 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,347 psi | 89% | 2713 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,082 psi | 82% | 2703 fps | 96.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,868 psi | 88% | 2657 fps | 99.8% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,034 psi | 71% | 2516 fps | 99.5% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,172 psi | 87% | 2749 fps | 98.8% |
| Somchem S335ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,098 psi | 85% | 2657 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,853 psi | 86% | 2726 fps | 97.2% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,650 psi | 86% | 2585 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,737 psi | 88% | 2648 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,027 psi | 87% | 2654 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,934 psi | 74% | 2621 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,530 psi | 78% | 2638 fps | 99.6% |
| Vihtavuori N150ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 38,566 psi | 62% | 2480 fps | 96% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,447 psi | 86% | 2707 fps | 98.5% |
| Vihtavuori N540ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,963 psi | 75% | 2631 fps | 99.2% |
| Winchester 748ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,766 psi | 88% | 2795 fps | 99.3% |
| Winchester StaBALL Matchᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,299 psi | 81% | 2713 fps | 97.4% |
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 1680 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,035 psi | 74% | 2493 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,240 psi | 48% | 2274 fps | 98.1% |
| Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,994 psi | 79% | 2657 fps | 95.5% |
| Accurate 2230 | <<locked>> | 84% | 45,513 psi | 73% | 2605 fps | 95.1% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,314 psi | 52% | 2339 fps | 95.9% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 22,278 psi | 36% | 2133 fps | 95.3% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 86% | 32,866 psi | 53% | 2405 fps | 95.6% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 88% | 27,804 psi | 45% | 2300 fps | 95.1% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,218 psi | 63% | 2379 fps | 98.9% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,595 psi | 63% | 2385 fps | 97.4% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 94% | 43,497 psi | 70% | 2582 fps | 95.2% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,742 psi | 67% | 2467 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,680 psi | 59% | 2451 fps | 98.4% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,464 psi | 62% | 2461 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,673 psi | 44% | 2287 fps | 99.4% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | 43.7 gr | 86% | 40,944 psi | 66% | 2592 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 98% | 39,421 psi | 63% | 2536 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,853 psi | 56% | 2385 fps | 99.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,844 psi | 69% | 2474 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,507 psi | 60% | 2369 fps | 98.8% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,153 psi | 79% | 2687 fps | 95.1% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 98% | 38,595 psi | 62% | 2536 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,419 psi | 58% | 2375 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 88% | 35,447 psi | 57% | 2464 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | 50.9 gr | 92% | 45,745 psi | 73% | 2690 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,678 psi | 54% | 2385 fps | 97.6% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,895 psi | 54% | 2395 fps | 96.6% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,323 psi | 69% | 2464 fps | 99.2% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,017 psi | 66% | 2546 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 94% | 39,436 psi | 63% | 2556 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,062 psi | 39% | 1424 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,888 psi | 69% | 2559 fps | 95.6% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,542 psi | 43% | 2257 fps | 95.7% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,637 psi | 59% | 2375 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4227 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,211 psi | 79% | 2513 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 98% | 44,570 psi | 71% | 2641 fps | 95.7% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,464 psi | 62% | 2461 fps | 95.2% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,726 psi | 64% | 2493 fps | 97.4% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 82% | 34,418 psi | 55% | 2385 fps | 95.1% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 88% | 32,866 psi | 53% | 2405 fps | 95.6% |
| Lovex S053 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,950 psi | 77% | 2461 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 94% | 45,368 psi | 73% | 2536 fps | 95.6% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 94% | 37,492 psi | 60% | 2464 fps | 95.1% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,247 psi | 63% | 2451 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 90% | 37,275 psi | 60% | 2441 fps | 95% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 84% | 30,705 psi | 49% | 2323 fps | 95.6% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 98% | 42,656 psi | 68% | 2595 fps | 95.1% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 94% | 45,368 psi | 73% | 2625 fps | 95.6% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 90% | 45,324 psi | 73% | 2562 fps | 95.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,062 psi | 39% | 1460 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 36 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,979 psi | 79% | 2546 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,388 psi | 54% | 2356 fps | 95.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 98% | 45,687 psi | 73% | 2703 fps | 95% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 98% | 38,159 psi | 61% | 2559 fps | 95.9% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,153 psi | 48% | 2267 fps | 95% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 92% | 37,420 psi | 60% | 2438 fps | 95% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,726 psi | 64% | 2493 fps | 97.4% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 88% | 32,866 psi | 53% | 2405 fps | 95.6% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 94% | 37,492 psi | 60% | 2464 fps | 95.1% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,770 psi | 65% | 2467 fps | 95.4% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,034 psi | 71% | 2260 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,246 psi | 60% | 2457 fps | 97.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,563 psi | 57% | 2392 fps | 98.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 96% | 44,846 psi | 72% | 2605 fps | 95.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 82% | 31,241 psi | 50% | 2251 fps | 95.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 28,485 psi | 46% | 2201 fps | 95.7% |
| Somchem S321 | 47 gr | 86% | 38,276 psi | 61% | 2487 fps | 95.6% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,384 psi | 46% | 2201 fps | 95.5% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 94% | 43,976 psi | 71% | 2572 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,916 psi | 67% | 2425 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,431 psi | 54% | 2303 fps | 99.4% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,022 psi | 47% | 2215 fps | 97.6% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,047 psi | 39% | 2159 fps | 95.9% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,051 psi | 47% | 2260 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 98% | 36,129 psi | 58% | 2431 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,363 psi | 62% | 2457 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 88% | 31,749 psi | 51% | 2343 fps | 95.7% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 88% | 36,724 psi | 59% | 2487 fps | 95.8% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,104 psi | 66% | 2556 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 79 powders for .338 RCM loaded with the .338 | 185gr | CutEdge ER Raptor. Hodgdon CFE223 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,861 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,594 fps to 2,861 fps. Accurate 2495 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 79 of the 79 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (430 MPa), the top charges use 52–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 185.0 gr projectile in 0.338" calls for a 1:11.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 2495, Accurate 2520, Accurate 4064 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 CFE223, Alliant Power Pro 1200-R, Somchem S321 rank at the top here: for .338 RCM with the .338 | 185gr | CutEdge ER Raptor 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.