Load data for .338 Win Mag. + .338 | 225gr | Barnes XLC S

.338 Win Mag. cartridge drawing
Barnes logo

Load Specifications

Bullet Manufacturer:Barnes
Bullet Weight:225 gr
Bullet Diameter:0.338"
Bullet Length:<<locked>>
Case Length (l3):2.5"
Cartridge Length (C.O.L.):<<locked>>
Case Capacity:86 Grains of Water
Primer Size:Large Rifle (LR)
Barrel Length:24"
Max. allowed Pressure:62,366 psi
Recommended Twist Rate:1:14.0

Load data in caliber .338 Win Mag. with .338 | 225gr | Barnes XLC S bullet and 94 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Alliant Reloder-17, ReloadSwiss RS 60 and ReloadSwiss RS 70.

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"

PowderChargeFRMaxP%V(0)z
Accurate 2015<<locked>>82%55,245 psi89%2523 fps100%
Accurate 2495<<locked>>86%55,085 psi88%2559 fps100%
Accurate 2520<<locked>>82%55,463 psi89%2608 fps100%
Accurate 2700<<locked>>88%55,854 psi90%2592 fps97.4%
Accurate 3100ᴾ<<locked>>100%44,556 psi71%2520 fps97.1%
Accurate 4064<<locked>>88%54,810 psi88%2602 fps100%
Accurate 4350<<locked>>96%53,577 psi86%2677 fps99.7%
ADI AR 2206H<<locked>>84%53,780 psi86%2615 fps100%
ADI AR 2208<<locked>>90%54,563 psi87%2615 fps99.9%
ADI Benchmark 8208<<locked>>84%55,840 psi90%2612 fps100%
Alliant AR-Comp<<locked>>82%53,809 psi86%2546 fps100%
Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR<<locked>>86%52,707 psi85%2720 fps99.8%
Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5<<locked>>90%54,984 psi88%2641 fps100%
Alliant Reloder-15<<locked>>88%55,390 psi89%2661 fps99.9%
Alliant Reloder-16<<locked>>98%53,969 psi87%2720 fps99.9%
Alliant Reloder-17<<locked>>94%55,027 psi88%2753 fps100%
Alliant Reloder-23ᴾ<<locked>>100%42,047 psi67%2543 fps99.5%
Alliant Reloder-26ᴾ<<locked>>100%46,717 psi75%2694 fps98.9%
Baschieri & Pellagri 107<<locked>>84%53,142 psi85%2628 fps99.7%
Bofors RP3<<locked>>90%55,796 psi89%2657 fps100%
Bofors RP7<<locked>>94%55,506 psi89%2628 fps97.6%
Hodgdon Benchmark<<locked>>82%54,186 psi87%2549 fps100%
Hodgdon BL-C2<<locked>>84%55,564 psi89%2644 fps100%
Hodgdon H380<<locked>>88%53,026 psi85%2618 fps99.3%
Hodgdon H414<<locked>>96%55,622 psi89%2717 fps98.3%
Hodgdon H4350<<locked>>94%55,999 psi90%2674 fps97.1%
Hodgdon H4895<<locked>>84%54,375 psi87%2625 fps100%
Hodgdon Hybrid 100Vᴾ<<locked>>100%53,838 psi86%2651 fps100%
Hodgdon LEVERevolution<<locked>>86%53,345 psi86%2654 fps100%
Hodgdon Superformance<<locked>>96%55,985 psi90%2749 fps98%
Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ<<locked>>100%36,042 psi58%1594 fps100%
Hodgdon VARGET<<locked>>86%55,201 psi89%2625 fps100%
IMR 3031<<locked>>84%54,433 psi87%2608 fps100%
IMR 4064<<locked>>88%54,230 psi87%2602 fps99.9%
IMR 4166 Enduron<<locked>>86%53,838 psi86%2575 fps97.8%
IMR 4350<<locked>>98%55,332 psi89%2648 fps97.6%
IMR 4451 Enduron<<locked>>92%53,766 psi86%2605 fps97.8%
IMR 4831<<locked>>98%53,737 psi86%2664 fps99.7%
IMR 4895<<locked>>86%53,563 psi86%2641 fps100%
IMR 8208 XBR<<locked>>84%55,840 psi90%2612 fps100%
Lovex D073.6<<locked>>84%53,882 psi86%2598 fps100%
Lovex S060<<locked>>86%56,289 psi90%2589 fps100%
Lovex S062<<locked>>88%54,462 psi87%2602 fps100%
Lovex S065<<locked>>94%53,766 psi86%2605 fps98.9%
Lovex S070<<locked>>96%54,505 psi87%2638 fps98.2%
Norma 201<<locked>>86%56,362 psi90%2615 fps100%
Norma 202<<locked>>84%53,316 psi85%2569 fps100%
Norma 203B<<locked>>88%54,665 psi88%2648 fps100%
Norma 204<<locked>>98%55,854 psi90%2694 fps96.5%
Norma MRPᴾ<<locked>>100%46,630 psi75%2651 fps96.3%
Norma URP<<locked>>98%55,434 psi89%2703 fps99.7%
Ramshot Big Game<<locked>>88%54,824 psi88%2671 fps100%
Ramshot Hunter<<locked>>98%54,128 psi87%2703 fps98.7%
Ramshot TAC<<locked>>84%55,956 psi90%2631 fps99.2%
Ramshot Wild Boar<<locked>>84%55,811 psi89%2651 fps100%
ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ<<locked>>100%36,796 psi59%1634 fps100%
ReloadSwiss RS 50<<locked>>90%56,420 psi90%2648 fps98.7%
ReloadSwiss RS 52<<locked>>86%55,854 psi90%2723 fps100%
ReloadSwiss RS 60<<locked>>92%54,766 psi88%2749 fps100%
ReloadSwiss RS 62<<locked>>98%56,202 psi90%2743 fps99.7%
ReloadSwiss RS 70<<locked>>98%55,288 psi89%2762 fps99.6%
Rottweil R 901<<locked>>82%54,650 psi88%2552 fps100%
Rottweil R 902<<locked>>86%53,766 psi86%2569 fps100%
Rottweil R 903<<locked>>92%55,651 psi89%2651 fps100%
Rottweil R 907<<locked>>94%55,506 psi89%2628 fps97.6%
Shooters World Long Rifle<<locked>>94%53,766 psi86%2605 fps98.9%
Shooters World Match Rifle<<locked>>84%53,882 psi86%2598 fps100%
Shooters World Precision<<locked>>88%54,462 psi87%2602 fps100%
Shooters World SW4350<<locked>>96%54,505 psi87%2638 fps98.2%
SNPE Vectan SP 11<<locked>>90%53,214 psi85%2654 fps100%
SNPE Vectan SP 7<<locked>>84%54,882 psi88%2618 fps99.4%
SNPE Vectan SP 9<<locked>>86%55,434 psi89%2638 fps100%
SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000<<locked>>84%54,172 psi87%2507 fps100%
SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000<<locked>>90%54,157 psi87%2507 fps100%
SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000<<locked>>94%53,679 psi86%2559 fps97.8%
Somchem S335<<locked>>84%53,809 psi86%2510 fps100%
Somchem S341<<locked>>84%54,143 psi87%2605 fps100%
Somchem S355<<locked>>92%55,898 psi90%2648 fps100%
Somchem S365ᴾ<<locked>>100%53,432 psi86%2710 fps100%
Somchem S385ᴾ<<locked>>100%50,024 psi80%2602 fps96.6%
Vihtavuori N133<<locked>>84%54,331 psi87%2493 fps100%
Vihtavuori N135<<locked>>86%53,200 psi85%2536 fps100%
Vihtavuori N140<<locked>>86%53,534 psi86%2546 fps100%
Vihtavuori N150<<locked>>92%53,534 psi86%2579 fps100%
Vihtavuori N160<<locked>>96%54,491 psi87%2654 fps99.6%
Vihtavuori N530<<locked>>84%56,362 psi90%2612 fps100%
Vihtavuori N540<<locked>>88%55,129 psi88%2592 fps100%
Vihtavuori N550<<locked>>96%53,679 psi86%2661 fps99.5%
Vihtavuori N555ᴾ<<locked>>100%46,398 psi74%2615 fps99.4%
Winchester 6.5 StaBALL<<locked>>96%54,317 psi87%2631 fps100%
Winchester 748<<locked>>82%53,040 psi85%2615 fps100%
Winchester 760<<locked>>96%55,622 psi89%2717 fps98.3%
Winchester StaBALL HDᴾ<<locked>>100%38,029 psi61%2562 fps99.6%
Winchester StaBALL Match<<locked>>86%55,245 psi89%2644 fps100%

Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.

Start Load - Barrel Length: 24"

PowderChargeFRMaxP%V(0)z
Accurate 2015<<locked>>80%52,098 psi84%2480 fps100%
Accurate 2495<<locked>>80%46,137 psi74%2434 fps100%
Accurate 2520<<locked>>80%52,054 psi83%2562 fps100%
Accurate 2700<<locked>>82%46,427 psi74%2444 fps95.5%
Accurate 3100<<locked>>96%39,291 psi63%2425 fps95.7%
Accurate 4064<<locked>>80%43,584 psi70%2434 fps100%
Accurate 4350<<locked>>80%32,198 psi52%2280 fps95.2%
ADI AR 2206H<<locked>>80%47,761 psi77%2520 fps99.7%
ADI AR 2208<<locked>>80%40,857 psi66%2388 fps98.3%
ADI Benchmark 8208<<locked>>80%49,647 psi80%2523 fps100%
Alliant AR-Comp<<locked>>80%50,604 psi81%2507 fps100%
Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR<<locked>>80%43,424 psi70%2559 fps98.8%
Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5<<locked>>80%40,959 psi66%2415 fps99.4%
Alliant Reloder-15<<locked>>80%43,569 psi70%2467 fps98.9%
Alliant Reloder-16<<locked>>80%32,053 psi51%2280 fps95%
Alliant Reloder-1756.4 gr80%35,534 psi57%2398 fps98.2%
Alliant Reloder-23<<locked>>88%29,979 psi48%2257 fps95.8%
Alliant Reloder-26<<locked>>92%36,114 psi58%2467 fps95.8%
Baschieri & Pellagri 107<<locked>>80%46,746 psi75%2526 fps99%
Bofors RP3<<locked>>80%41,002 psi66%2425 fps99.5%
Bofors RP7<<locked>>86%43,976 psi71%2438 fps95.1%
Hodgdon Benchmark<<locked>>80%51,227 psi82%2507 fps100%
Hodgdon BL-C2<<locked>>80%48,907 psi78%2549 fps100%
Hodgdon H380<<locked>>80%41,481 psi67%2425 fps97.5%
Hodgdon H414<<locked>>86%40,770 psi65%2464 fps95%
Hodgdon H4350<<locked>>88%46,963 psi75%2530 fps95.1%
Hodgdon H4895<<locked>>80%48,269 psi77%2533 fps99.9%
Hodgdon Hybrid 100V<<locked>>80%29,805 psi48%2198 fps96.1%
Hodgdon LEVERevolution<<locked>>80%44,179 psi71%2510 fps99.8%
Hodgdon Superformance<<locked>>90%45,672 psi73%2579 fps95.7%
Hodgdon TrailBoss<<locked>>80%27,079 psi43%1424 fps100%
Hodgdon VARGET<<locked>>80%46,180 psi74%2487 fps99.7%
IMR 3031<<locked>>80%48,153 psi77%2520 fps100%
IMR 4064<<locked>>80%42,931 psi69%2418 fps98.8%
IMR 4166 Enduron<<locked>>80%45,208 psi72%2434 fps96.1%
IMR 4350<<locked>>90%43,642 psi70%2457 fps95%
IMR 4451 Enduron<<locked>>84%42,525 psi68%2415 fps95.2%
IMR 4831<<locked>>82%33,069 psi53%2290 fps95.6%
IMR 4895<<locked>>80%44,657 psi72%2497 fps99.4%
IMR 8208 XBR<<locked>>80%49,647 psi80%2523 fps100%
Lovex D073.6<<locked>>80%47,718 psi77%2510 fps100%
Lovex S060<<locked>>80%47,471 psi76%2457 fps99.6%
Lovex S062<<locked>>80%43,294 psi69%2425 fps99.8%
Lovex S065<<locked>>82%38,130 psi61%2333 fps95.6%
Lovex S070<<locked>>86%40,669 psi65%2402 fps95.1%
Norma 201<<locked>>80%47,427 psi76%2484 fps100%
Norma 202<<locked>>80%47,456 psi76%2484 fps100%
Norma 203B<<locked>>80%42,975 psi69%2461 fps99.2%
Norma 204<<locked>>94%49,124 psi79%2592 fps95%
Norma MRP<<locked>>98%43,772 psi70%2595 fps95.5%
Norma URP<<locked>>80%32,300 psi52%2277 fps95%
Ramshot Big Game<<locked>>80%42,308 psi68%2470 fps99%
Ramshot Hunter<<locked>>88%39,871 psi64%2454 fps95.6%
Ramshot TAC<<locked>>80%49,472 psi79%2533 fps98.4%
Ramshot Wild Boar<<locked>>80%49,168 psi79%2552 fps99.8%
ReloadSwiss RS 14<<locked>>80%27,630 psi44%1460 fps100%
ReloadSwiss RS 50<<locked>>80%41,611 psi67%2405 fps95.8%
ReloadSwiss RS 52<<locked>>80%45,919 psi74%2569 fps99.2%
ReloadSwiss RS 6056.4 gr80%37,608 psi60%2454 fps99.9%
ReloadSwiss RS 62<<locked>>82%33,707 psi54%2339 fps95.3%
ReloadSwiss RS 7060.1 gr84%35,621 psi57%2388 fps95%
Rottweil R 901<<locked>>80%51,851 psi83%2513 fps100%
Rottweil R 902<<locked>>80%45,281 psi73%2438 fps99.9%
Rottweil R 903<<locked>>80%38,899 psi62%2379 fps99%
Rottweil R 907<<locked>>86%43,976 psi71%2438 fps95.1%
Shooters World Long Rifle<<locked>>82%38,130 psi61%2333 fps95.6%
Shooters World Match Rifle<<locked>>80%47,718 psi77%2510 fps100%
Shooters World Precision<<locked>>80%43,294 psi69%2425 fps99.8%
Shooters World SW4350<<locked>>86%40,669 psi65%2402 fps95.1%
SNPE Vectan SP 11<<locked>>80%39,059 psi63%2415 fps98.4%
SNPE Vectan SP 7<<locked>>80%48,457 psi78%2520 fps98.7%
SNPE Vectan SP 9<<locked>>80%46,166 psi74%2493 fps99.5%
SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000<<locked>>80%48,124 psi77%2425 fps100%
SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000<<locked>>80%40,437 psi65%2306 fps100%
SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000<<locked>>86%42,061 psi67%2372 fps95.3%
Somchem S335<<locked>>80%48,022 psi77%2428 fps100%
Somchem S341<<locked>>80%47,688 psi76%2507 fps99.6%
Somchem S355<<locked>>80%39,407 psi63%2375 fps98.9%
Somchem S365<<locked>>80%29,196 psi47%2238 fps97.4%
Somchem S385<<locked>>96%44,309 psi71%2507 fps95.2%
Vihtavuori N133<<locked>>80%48,283 psi77%2411 fps100%
Vihtavuori N135<<locked>>80%44,672 psi72%2415 fps100%
Vihtavuori N140<<locked>>80%44,962 psi72%2421 fps100%
Vihtavuori N150<<locked>>80%37,478 psi60%2316 fps99.4%
Vihtavuori N160<<locked>>80%33,388 psi54%2274 fps95.4%
Vihtavuori N530<<locked>>80%49,922 psi80%2520 fps100%
Vihtavuori N540<<locked>>80%43,308 psi69%2415 fps100%
Vihtavuori N550<<locked>>80%33,083 psi53%2280 fps95%
Vihtavuori N555<<locked>>86%30,443 psi49%2283 fps95.2%
Winchester 6.5 StaBALL<<locked>>80%33,040 psi53%2251 fps97.5%
Winchester 748<<locked>>80%49,559 psi79%2562 fps100%
Winchester 760<<locked>>86%40,770 psi65%2464 fps95%
Winchester StaBALL HD<<locked>>90%28,398 psi46%2280 fps95.3%
Winchester StaBALL Match<<locked>>80%45,861 psi74%2503 fps99.7%

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.

<<locked>> you need an access license to unlock this data.

This overview compares 113 powders for .338 Win Mag. loaded with the .338 | 225gr | Barnes XLC S. ReloadSwiss RS 70 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,762 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,594 fps to 2,762 fps. Accurate 3100 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 113 of the 113 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.

Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (430 MPa), the top charges use 58–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 225.0 gr projectile in 0.338" calls for a 1:14.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 3100, ADI AR 2209, ADI AR 2213 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-17, ReloadSwiss RS 60, ReloadSwiss RS 70 rank at the top here: for .338 Win Mag. with the .338 | 225gr | Barnes XLC S they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, ADI AR 2213, Alliant Reloder-22, Bofors RP15 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.

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