Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .500 N.E. 3'' with .511 | 600gr | Peregrine VRG-3 bullet and 48 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are ReloadSwiss RS 60, Rottweil R 903 and Lovex D073.6.
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: 26"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,143 psi | 89% | 1893 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,463 psi | 90% | 1923 fps | 99.2% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 92% | 35,998 psi | 89% | 1952 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,709 psi | 90% | 1962 fps | 99.1% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 94% | 36,187 psi | 89% | 1975 fps | 99.7% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 86% | 35,549 psi | 88% | 1926 fps | 95.9% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,549 psi | 88% | 1903 fps | 97.2% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 86% | 35,694 psi | 88% | 1946 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 92% | 34,621 psi | 85% | 1939 fps | 96.8% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 94% | 35,737 psi | 88% | 1972 fps | 97.3% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,839 psi | 88% | 1870 fps | 97.8% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 86% | 35,056 psi | 86% | 1952 fps | 97.9% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 86% | 35,708 psi | 88% | 1936 fps | 96.6% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 90% | 36,318 psi | 89% | 1985 fps | 97.2% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,040 psi | 81% | 1234 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 86% | 34,969 psi | 86% | 1906 fps | 96.2% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 88% | 36,376 psi | 90% | 1978 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 90% | 36,260 psi | 89% | 1972 fps | 96.4% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,549 psi | 88% | 1903 fps | 97.2% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,260 psi | 89% | 1923 fps | 98.3% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 88% | 35,070 psi | 86% | 1946 fps | 98.8% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 90% | 34,940 psi | 86% | 1913 fps | 97.3% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 86% | 34,519 psi | 85% | 1893 fps | 97.1% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 86% | 34,577 psi | 85% | 1909 fps | 99.1% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 90% | 34,722 psi | 86% | 1939 fps | 95.8% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,535 psi | 90% | 1952 fps | 96.1% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,506 psi | 90% | 1900 fps | 95.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,040 psi | 81% | 1263 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 94% | 35,215 psi | 87% | 2001 fps | 98.3% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,810 psi | 88% | 1900 fps | 99.1% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 88% | 34,882 psi | 86% | 1893 fps | 97.1% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 96% | 35,679 psi | 88% | 1965 fps | 96.9% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 88% | 35,070 psi | 86% | 1946 fps | 98.8% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 90% | 34,940 psi | 86% | 1913 fps | 97.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 88% | 36,535 psi | 90% | 1942 fps | 96.1% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 84% | 34,853 psi | 86% | 1841 fps | 99% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 92% | 36,100 psi | 89% | 1877 fps | 99.7% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,128 psi | 87% | 1923 fps | 97.5% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,071 psi | 89% | 1880 fps | 99.6% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 94% | 35,012 psi | 86% | 1936 fps | 96.4% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 84% | 34,708 psi | 85% | 1847 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 90% | 35,360 psi | 87% | 1926 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 88% | 34,911 psi | 86% | 1900 fps | 99.3% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 96% | 35,839 psi | 88% | 1929 fps | 97.9% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,360 psi | 87% | 1900 fps | 97.3% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 90% | 35,694 psi | 88% | 1929 fps | 99.2% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,158 psi | 89% | 1965 fps | 98.3% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 88% | 35,433 psi | 87% | 1942 fps | 96.5% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
Start Load - Barrel Length: 26"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,778 psi | 78% | 1824 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,982 psi | 84% | 1883 fps | 98.8% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 23,772 psi | 59% | 1736 fps | 98.9% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,602 psi | 73% | 1841 fps | 97.4% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 22,640 psi | 56% | 1716 fps | 95.9% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 84% | 33,330 psi | 82% | 1886 fps | 95.1% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,198 psi | 77% | 1827 fps | 95.8% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,254 psi | 72% | 1841 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 88% | 30,385 psi | 75% | 1860 fps | 95.3% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 88% | 29,095 psi | 72% | 1854 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,649 psi | 83% | 1834 fps | 97.2% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,384 psi | 70% | 1827 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 82% | 31,314 psi | 77% | 1857 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 86% | 31,937 psi | 79% | 1903 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,250 psi | 60% | 1099 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 84% | 32,808 psi | 81% | 1867 fps | 95.5% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,876 psi | 69% | 1827 fps | 99% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 88% | 33,939 psi | 84% | 1932 fps | 95.6% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,198 psi | 77% | 1827 fps | 95.8% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,823 psi | 83% | 1883 fps | 97.8% |
| Lovex D073.6 | 74.1 gr | 80% | 26,426 psi | 65% | 1788 fps | 96.3% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,906 psi | 71% | 1804 fps | 95.2% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,514 psi | 70% | 1781 fps | 95% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,398 psi | 70% | 1798 fps | 97.6% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 88% | 32,532 psi | 80% | 1900 fps | 95% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 84% | 34,200 psi | 84% | 1913 fps | 95.3% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,200 psi | 84% | 1860 fps | 95.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,250 psi | 60% | 1129 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | 83 gr | 88% | 28,921 psi | 71% | 1870 fps | 95.7% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,546 psi | 78% | 1824 fps | 98.2% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 82% | 28,848 psi | 71% | 1781 fps | 95% |
| Rottweil R 903 | 81.8 gr | 92% | 31,111 psi | 77% | 1886 fps | 95.5% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,426 psi | 65% | 1788 fps | 96.3% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,906 psi | 71% | 1804 fps | 95.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 86% | 34,272 psi | 84% | 1906 fps | 95.4% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,661 psi | 76% | 1772 fps | 98.1% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,729 psi | 61% | 1670 fps | 97.1% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,822 psi | 81% | 1883 fps | 96.8% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,921 psi | 74% | 1775 fps | 98.6% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 92% | 32,779 psi | 81% | 1900 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,574 psi | 75% | 1778 fps | 99.7% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,411 psi | 63% | 1749 fps | 99.1% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,890 psi | 66% | 1752 fps | 97.4% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 88% | 27,659 psi | 68% | 1781 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,821 psi | 76% | 1821 fps | 95.8% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,643 psi | 63% | 1742 fps | 96.3% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,573 psi | 73% | 1844 fps | 96.3% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 86% | 33,170 psi | 82% | 1903 fps | 95.8% |
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 75 powders for .500 N.E. 3'' loaded with the .511 | 600gr | Peregrine VRG-3. ReloadSwiss RS 60 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,001 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,234 fps to 2,001 fps. Accurate 4350 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 75 of the 75 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (280 MPa), the top charges use 74–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. Accurate 4350, Alliant Reloder-16, Hodgdon Hybrid 100V 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. ReloadSwiss RS 60, Rottweil R 903, Lovex D073.6 rank at the top here: for .500 N.E. 3'' with the .511 | 600gr | Peregrine VRG-3 they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, Accurate 4350, Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR, Alliant Reloder-16 burn incompletely and react more sensitively to barrel length and temperature. Hodgdon TrailBoss stay subsonic at start load. Always begin at the start load and work up in small increments while checking case and primer for pressure signs.