Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .338 RCM with .338 | 185gr | Peregrine VRG-3 bullet and 89 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 Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR.
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.
A valid access license is required to use the Personalized Load Calculator.
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 1680 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,419 psi | 89% | 2687 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,723 psi | 88% | 2753 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,188 psi | 90% | 2848 fps | 98% |
| Accurate 2230 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,924 psi | 85% | 2799 fps | 97.9% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,388 psi | 86% | 2776 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,795 psi | 86% | 2799 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,578 psi | 88% | 2828 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,806 psi | 80% | 2782 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,376 psi | 90% | 2713 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,577 psi | 86% | 2687 fps | 99.9% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,679 psi | 86% | 2822 fps | 98.4% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,664 psi | 86% | 2690 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2208ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,605 psi | 83% | 2766 fps | 97.4% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,260 psi | 90% | 2831 fps | 100% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,563 psi | 86% | 2789 fps | 99.2% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,492 psi | 89% | 2828 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,447 psi | 87% | 2890 fps | 99.1% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,417 psi | 86% | 2917 fps | 97.5% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,777 psi | 80% | 2779 fps | 98.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,056 psi | 88% | 2769 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,418 psi | 87% | 2854 fps | 98.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-17ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,208 psi | 71% | 2756 fps | 96.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,795 psi | 88% | 2707 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,216 psi | 89% | 2710 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,621 psi | 86% | 2835 fps | 97.4% |
| Bofors RP3ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,588 psi | 80% | 2792 fps | 98.7% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,072 psi | 90% | 2782 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,303 psi | 89% | 2867 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,693 psi | 86% | 2904 fps | 98% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,404 psi | 87% | 2805 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,434 psi | 89% | 2828 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H380ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,098 psi | 84% | 2802 fps | 96.4% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,882 psi | 88% | 2713 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,041 psi | 87% | 2835 fps | 98.9% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolutionᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,144 psi | 90% | 2917 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,620 psi | 54% | 1670 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,057 psi | 90% | 2841 fps | 99% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,231 psi | 90% | 2884 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,360 psi | 87% | 2802 fps | 98.1% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,912 psi | 90% | 2733 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,767 psi | 89% | 2890 fps | 98.8% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,563 psi | 86% | 2789 fps | 99.2% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,679 psi | 86% | 2789 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,432 psi | 86% | 2779 fps | 99.7% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,869 psi | 90% | 2858 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,766 psi | 88% | 2762 fps | 98.5% |
| Lovex S062ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,069 psi | 85% | 2795 fps | 99.3% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,752 psi | 88% | 2740 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,854 psi | 90% | 2825 fps | 99.5% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,159 psi | 90% | 2838 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203Bᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,403 psi | 86% | 2844 fps | 98.5% |
| Ramshot Big Gameᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,172 psi | 87% | 2867 fps | 98.3% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,549 psi | 87% | 2799 fps | 96.1% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,866 psi | 85% | 2815 fps | 98.3% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,303 psi | 89% | 2795 fps | 98.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,750 psi | 54% | 1709 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,577 psi | 86% | 2785 fps | 99.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,983 psi | 87% | 2917 fps | 98.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,355 psi | 76% | 2835 fps | 99.5% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,362 psi | 90% | 2812 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,941 psi | 90% | 2815 fps | 99.5% |
| Rottweil R 903ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,151 psi | 74% | 2726 fps | 97.8% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,679 psi | 86% | 2789 fps | 99.9% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,869 psi | 90% | 2858 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precisionᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,069 psi | 85% | 2795 fps | 99.3% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,867 psi | 86% | 2753 fps | 99% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,809 psi | 86% | 2441 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 86% | 52,649 psi | 84% | 2782 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,631 psi | 78% | 2789 fps | 97.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,246 psi | 90% | 2789 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,564 psi | 89% | 2818 fps | 96.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,883 psi | 90% | 2848 fps | 98.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,376 psi | 89% | 2736 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,053 psi | 82% | 2680 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,810 psi | 88% | 2828 fps | 99.5% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,766 psi | 86% | 2733 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,911 psi | 88% | 2818 fps | 98.4% |
| Somchem S355ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,210 psi | 76% | 2726 fps | 97.8% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,606 psi | 86% | 2638 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,245 psi | 89% | 2717 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,955 psi | 88% | 2726 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,346 psi | 87% | 2792 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,200 psi | 85% | 2766 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,745 psi | 73% | 2671 fps | 98.6% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,259 psi | 87% | 2792 fps | 99.3% |
| Vihtavuori N540ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,969 psi | 88% | 2812 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALLᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,018 psi | 67% | 2598 fps | 96.2% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,489 psi | 84% | 2831 fps | 99.7% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,230 psi | 89% | 2858 fps | 99% |
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% | 51,648 psi | 83% | 2638 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,085 psi | 56% | 2431 fps | 99.7% |
| Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,847 psi | 74% | 2677 fps | 96.1% |
| Accurate 2230 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,847 psi | 74% | 2684 fps | 96.5% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,681 psi | 60% | 2510 fps | 98.4% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,079 psi | 43% | 2306 fps | 98.3% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,127 psi | 53% | 2448 fps | 96.8% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,715 psi | 41% | 2277 fps | 95% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,092 psi | 71% | 2530 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,454 psi | 71% | 2543 fps | 99.2% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 86% | 39,146 psi | 63% | 2562 fps | 95.2% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,587 psi | 76% | 2605 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,859 psi | 69% | 2615 fps | 95.4% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,525 psi | 68% | 2621 fps | 99.8% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,200 psi | 55% | 2431 fps | 95% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,358 psi | 52% | 2451 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | 46.7 gr | 80% | 39,015 psi | 63% | 2612 fps | 96% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | 58.5 gr | 94% | 46,818 psi | 75% | 2799 fps | 95.9% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 90% | 36,071 psi | 58% | 2526 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,306 psi | 65% | 2543 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,959 psi | 67% | 2641 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 96% | 38,783 psi | 62% | 2641 fps | 95.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,515 psi | 78% | 2618 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,699 psi | 68% | 2523 fps | 99.9% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 90% | 43,671 psi | 70% | 2664 fps | 95.1% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 90% | 35,114 psi | 56% | 2520 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,564 psi | 59% | 2441 fps | 96.5% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 82% | 33,968 psi | 54% | 2484 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | 54.7 gr | 86% | 43,366 psi | 70% | 2720 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,001 psi | 63% | 2552 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,378 psi | 63% | 2566 fps | 98.9% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,660 psi | 78% | 2746 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,617 psi | 78% | 2621 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,796 psi | 59% | 2523 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,637 psi | 60% | 2589 fps | 95.9% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,685 psi | 40% | 1486 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 86% | 38,130 psi | 61% | 2533 fps | 95.5% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,792 psi | 49% | 2428 fps | 98.5% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,105 psi | 68% | 2595 fps | 95.5% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,611 psi | 67% | 2520 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,190 psi | 64% | 2621 fps | 95.7% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,200 psi | 55% | 2431 fps | 95% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,499 psi | 75% | 2677 fps | 99.3% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,478 psi | 60% | 2507 fps | 97.2% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,704 psi | 48% | 2375 fps | 95.5% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,393 psi | 65% | 2516 fps | 95.6% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 86% | 34,011 psi | 55% | 2444 fps | 95.2% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,324 psi | 73% | 2605 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,795 psi | 57% | 2470 fps | 95.8% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,285 psi | 50% | 2385 fps | 96.9% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 90% | 38,508 psi | 62% | 2575 fps | 95.1% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,249 psi | 66% | 2644 fps | 95.5% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,981 psi | 82% | 2740 fps | 95.3% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,248 psi | 65% | 2595 fps | 95.5% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 82% | 39,871 psi | 64% | 2530 fps | 95.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,700 psi | 40% | 1522 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,479 psi | 62% | 2523 fps | 97.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,031 psi | 66% | 2687 fps | 95.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 90% | 33,997 psi | 55% | 2539 fps | 95.9% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,795 psi | 56% | 2431 fps | 97.6% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 84% | 33,953 psi | 54% | 2421 fps | 95% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 94% | 37,579 psi | 60% | 2562 fps | 95.7% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,499 psi | 75% | 2677 fps | 99.3% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,704 psi | 48% | 2375 fps | 95.5% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 86% | 34,011 psi | 55% | 2444 fps | 95.2% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,944 psi | 66% | 2539 fps | 96.7% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,486 psi | 78% | 2375 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,047 psi | 69% | 2625 fps | 99.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 94% | 40,016 psi | 64% | 2625 fps | 95.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,046 psi | 66% | 2556 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,240 psi | 77% | 2707 fps | 95.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,364 psi | 65% | 2585 fps | 95.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,562 psi | 54% | 2359 fps | 97.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,079 psi | 43% | 2221 fps | 96.3% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,347 psi | 58% | 2503 fps | 96.2% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,808 psi | 53% | 2359 fps | 98.1% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,669 psi | 67% | 2602 fps | 95.8% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 92% | 36,492 psi | 59% | 2523 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,659 psi | 76% | 2559 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,276 psi | 61% | 2454 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,504 psi | 54% | 2372 fps | 99.4% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,384 psi | 46% | 2326 fps | 98.6% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,602 psi | 47% | 2326 fps | 96.6% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 90% | 32,764 psi | 53% | 2418 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,866 psi | 54% | 2421 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,326 psi | 45% | 2306 fps | 95.4% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 98% | 39,392 psi | 63% | 2546 fps | 95.3% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,619 psi | 52% | 2451 fps | 95.5% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,622 psi | 59% | 2530 fps | 95.1% |
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 104 powders for .338 RCM loaded with the .338 | 185gr | Peregrine VRG-3. Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,917 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,670 fps to 2,917 fps. Accurate 2495 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 104 of the 104 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (430 MPa), the top charges use 54–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 185.0 gr projectile in 0.338" calls for a 1:16.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 2495, Accurate 4064, Accurate 4350 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, Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR rank at the top here: for .338 RCM with the .338 | 185gr | Peregrine VRG-3 they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, Accurate 2700, Accurate 4350, Alliant Reloder-16 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.