Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .500 N.E. 3'' with .512 | 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% | 36,100 psi | 89% | 1890 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,419 psi | 90% | 1923 fps | 99.2% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 92% | 35,940 psi | 89% | 1952 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,680 psi | 90% | 1959 fps | 99.1% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 94% | 36,158 psi | 89% | 1975 fps | 99.7% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 86% | 35,505 psi | 87% | 1926 fps | 95.9% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,520 psi | 87% | 1903 fps | 97.2% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 86% | 35,650 psi | 88% | 1946 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 92% | 34,548 psi | 85% | 1936 fps | 96.8% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 94% | 35,723 psi | 88% | 1972 fps | 97.3% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,795 psi | 88% | 1870 fps | 97.8% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 86% | 35,027 psi | 86% | 1952 fps | 97.9% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 86% | 35,636 psi | 88% | 1936 fps | 96.6% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 90% | 36,303 psi | 89% | 1982 fps | 97.2% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,098 psi | 82% | 1234 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 86% | 34,940 psi | 86% | 1906 fps | 96.2% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 88% | 36,187 psi | 89% | 1975 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 90% | 36,230 psi | 89% | 1972 fps | 96.3% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,520 psi | 87% | 1903 fps | 97.2% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,230 psi | 89% | 1923 fps | 98.3% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 88% | 35,027 psi | 86% | 1946 fps | 98.8% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 90% | 34,925 psi | 86% | 1913 fps | 97.3% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 86% | 34,461 psi | 85% | 1890 fps | 97.1% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 86% | 34,548 psi | 85% | 1909 fps | 99.1% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 90% | 34,679 psi | 85% | 1936 fps | 95.8% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,521 psi | 90% | 1952 fps | 96.1% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,477 psi | 90% | 1900 fps | 95.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,938 psi | 81% | 1263 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 94% | 35,085 psi | 86% | 1998 fps | 98.2% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,636 psi | 88% | 1896 fps | 99.1% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 88% | 34,853 psi | 86% | 1890 fps | 97.1% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 96% | 35,636 psi | 88% | 1962 fps | 96.9% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 88% | 35,027 psi | 86% | 1946 fps | 98.8% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 90% | 34,925 psi | 86% | 1913 fps | 97.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 88% | 36,506 psi | 90% | 1942 fps | 96.1% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 84% | 34,809 psi | 86% | 1841 fps | 99% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 92% | 36,013 psi | 89% | 1877 fps | 99.7% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,085 psi | 86% | 1919 fps | 97.5% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,042 psi | 89% | 1877 fps | 99.6% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 94% | 34,998 psi | 86% | 1936 fps | 96.4% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 84% | 34,664 psi | 85% | 1844 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 90% | 35,317 psi | 87% | 1923 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 88% | 34,853 psi | 86% | 1896 fps | 99.3% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 96% | 35,824 psi | 88% | 1929 fps | 97.9% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,186 psi | 87% | 1896 fps | 97.2% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 90% | 35,621 psi | 88% | 1926 fps | 99.2% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,114 psi | 89% | 1965 fps | 98.3% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 88% | 35,418 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% | 31,734 psi | 78% | 1821 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,953 psi | 84% | 1883 fps | 98.8% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 23,728 psi | 58% | 1732 fps | 98.8% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,559 psi | 73% | 1841 fps | 97.4% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 22,597 psi | 56% | 1713 fps | 95.9% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 84% | 33,301 psi | 82% | 1886 fps | 95.1% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,154 psi | 77% | 1827 fps | 95.8% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,211 psi | 72% | 1841 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 88% | 30,356 psi | 75% | 1860 fps | 95.3% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 88% | 29,066 psi | 72% | 1854 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,576 psi | 83% | 1831 fps | 97.2% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,355 psi | 70% | 1827 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 82% | 31,285 psi | 77% | 1857 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 86% | 31,923 psi | 79% | 1903 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,279 psi | 60% | 1099 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 84% | 32,779 psi | 81% | 1867 fps | 95.4% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,847 psi | 69% | 1827 fps | 99% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 88% | 33,910 psi | 84% | 1932 fps | 95.6% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,154 psi | 77% | 1827 fps | 95.8% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,794 psi | 83% | 1883 fps | 97.8% |
| Lovex D073.6 | 74 gr | 80% | 26,397 psi | 65% | 1788 fps | 96.2% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,834 psi | 71% | 1801 fps | 95.1% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 82% | 30,327 psi | 75% | 1818 fps | 95.7% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,355 psi | 70% | 1798 fps | 97.6% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 88% | 32,460 psi | 80% | 1900 fps | 95% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 84% | 34,171 psi | 84% | 1913 fps | 95.3% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,127 psi | 84% | 1860 fps | 95% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,279 psi | 60% | 1129 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | 82.9 gr | 88% | 28,906 psi | 71% | 1867 fps | 95.6% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,502 psi | 78% | 1824 fps | 98.2% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 82% | 28,790 psi | 71% | 1781 fps | 95% |
| Rottweil R 903 | 81.7 gr | 92% | 31,067 psi | 77% | 1883 fps | 95.4% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,397 psi | 65% | 1788 fps | 96.2% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,834 psi | 71% | 1801 fps | 95.1% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 86% | 34,113 psi | 84% | 1903 fps | 95.3% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,618 psi | 75% | 1768 fps | 98% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,685 psi | 61% | 1670 fps | 97.1% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,793 psi | 81% | 1880 fps | 96.8% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,878 psi | 74% | 1775 fps | 98.6% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 92% | 32,764 psi | 81% | 1896 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,530 psi | 75% | 1778 fps | 99.7% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,367 psi | 62% | 1745 fps | 99.1% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,774 psi | 66% | 1749 fps | 97.3% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 88% | 27,586 psi | 68% | 1778 fps | 95.1% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,792 psi | 76% | 1821 fps | 95.8% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,614 psi | 63% | 1739 fps | 96.3% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,544 psi | 73% | 1844 fps | 96.3% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 86% | 33,141 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 .512 | 600gr | Peregrine VRG-3. Hodgdon CFE223 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 1,998 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,234 fps to 1,998 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 .512 | 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.