Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 6 mm ARC (bolt action rifles only) with .243 | 80gr | Berger Varmint bullet and 62 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Hodgdon H322, Shooters World AR Plus and Lovex D073.4.
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: 22"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 1680 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,072 psi | 90% | 2887 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,751 psi | 87% | 2933 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,808 psi | 85% | 2946 fps | 98.9% |
| Accurate 2495ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,223 psi | 73% | 2861 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,461 psi | 86% | 2992 fps | 98.7% |
| Accurate 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,989 psi | 68% | 2822 fps | 97.8% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,345 psi | 86% | 2854 fps | 99.7% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,824 psi | 87% | 2867 fps | 98.7% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,548 psi | 86% | 2897 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,622 psi | 90% | 3015 fps | 99.8% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,968 psi | 85% | 2953 fps | 97.1% |
| Alliant AR-Compᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,447 psi | 86% | 3012 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,476 psi | 86% | 3058 fps | 96.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,288 psi | 88% | 2959 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,405 psi | 89% | 2913 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,535 psi | 90% | 2897 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,767 psi | 90% | 2949 fps | 98.1% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,012 psi | 87% | 3025 fps | 97.9% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,853 psi | 87% | 2989 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,998 psi | 89% | 3009 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,216 psi | 89% | 2904 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon H4895ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,403 psi | 86% | 2995 fps | 96.5% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,605 psi | 53% | 1781 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGETᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,054 psi | 84% | 2949 fps | 96% |
| IMR 3031ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,894 psi | 82% | 3005 fps | 99.8% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,463 psi | 89% | 2933 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4227 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,361 psi | 89% | 2861 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,968 psi | 85% | 2953 fps | 97.1% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,490 psi | 86% | 2966 fps | 98.5% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,692 psi | 85% | 2943 fps | 97.9% |
| Lovex D073.6ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,618 psi | 82% | 2963 fps | 98.3% |
| Lovex S053 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,737 psi | 87% | 2802 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,839 psi | 88% | 2927 fps | 96% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,462 psi | 88% | 2940 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,459 psi | 83% | 2930 fps | 96.9% |
| Norma 202ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,605 psi | 83% | 2953 fps | 99% |
| Ramshot Wild Boarᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,796 psi | 90% | 3025 fps | 96.1% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,288 psi | 89% | 2956 fps | 95.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,619 psi | 53% | 1821 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 36 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,317 psi | 89% | 2894 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,939 psi | 85% | 2953 fps | 98.3% |
| Rottweil R 901ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,014 psi | 90% | 2992 fps | 99.3% |
| Rottweil R 902ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,573 psi | 78% | 2867 fps | 96.2% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,490 psi | 86% | 2966 fps | 98.5% |
| Shooters World Match Rifleᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,618 psi | 82% | 2963 fps | 98.3% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,201 psi | 87% | 2923 fps | 96.8% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,447 psi | 88% | 2651 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,257 psi | 84% | 2959 fps | 98.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,622 psi | 90% | 2979 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,317 psi | 89% | 2913 fps | 99.2% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,556 psi | 72% | 2753 fps | 98.6% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,520 psi | 88% | 2999 fps | 97.7% |
| Somchem S335ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,127 psi | 86% | 2900 fps | 99.5% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,563 psi | 86% | 2848 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,636 psi | 88% | 2904 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,433 psi | 88% | 2910 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,412 psi | 75% | 2871 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N140ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,037 psi | 79% | 2884 fps | 98.8% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,679 psi | 87% | 2953 fps | 97.2% |
| Vihtavuori N540ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,123 psi | 76% | 2864 fps | 98.1% |
| Winchester 748ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,303 psi | 89% | 3051 fps | 98.3% |
| Winchester StaBALL Matchᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,720 psi | 82% | 2949 fps | 95.8% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
Start Load - Barrel Length: 22"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 1680 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,369 psi | 75% | 2736 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,647 psi | 49% | 2480 fps | 96.6% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,695 psi | 61% | 2664 fps | 95.7% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 84% | 26,614 psi | 43% | 2438 fps | 95.3% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,434 psi | 60% | 2700 fps | 95.2% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 94% | 34,751 psi | 56% | 2664 fps | 95.7% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,204 psi | 63% | 2602 fps | 97.7% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,552 psi | 64% | 2605 fps | 95.8% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,989 psi | 68% | 2713 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,999 psi | 60% | 2674 fps | 96.9% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,731 psi | 75% | 2844 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,224 psi | 46% | 2497 fps | 98.2% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,847 psi | 76% | 2936 fps | 95.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,317 psi | 57% | 2612 fps | 98.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,352 psi | 70% | 2720 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,594 psi | 61% | 2582 fps | 97.6% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 90% | 44,077 psi | 71% | 2746 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 94% | 43,932 psi | 71% | 2848 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon H322 | 23.8 gr | 80% | 33,881 psi | 55% | 2598 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,637 psi | 59% | 2664 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,207 psi | 70% | 2697 fps | 98% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,065 psi | 76% | 2884 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,047 psi | 39% | 1591 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,834 psi | 79% | 2894 fps | 95.2% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 84% | 30,545 psi | 49% | 2566 fps | 95.4% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,941 psi | 60% | 2608 fps | 99.7% |
| IMR 4227 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,037 psi | 79% | 2766 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,731 psi | 75% | 2844 fps | 95.7% |
| Lovex D073.4 | 25.5 gr | 80% | 40,059 psi | 65% | 2720 fps | 95.7% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,161 psi | 65% | 2717 fps | 95% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 92% | 38,218 psi | 62% | 2730 fps | 95.4% |
| Lovex S053 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,269 psi | 78% | 2720 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 98% | 51,517 psi | 83% | 2871 fps | 95.3% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,842 psi | 64% | 2690 fps | 99.8% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,701 psi | 74% | 2828 fps | 95.5% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 88% | 35,288 psi | 57% | 2635 fps | 95.2% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,301 psi | 84% | 2969 fps | 95.4% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,011 psi | 84% | 2904 fps | 95.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,207 psi | 39% | 1634 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 36 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,197 psi | 79% | 2802 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,973 psi | 66% | 2733 fps | 95.8% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,796 psi | 59% | 2628 fps | 95.4% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 98% | 45,542 psi | 73% | 2812 fps | 95.4% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | 25.5 gr | 80% | 40,059 psi | 65% | 2720 fps | 95.7% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 92% | 38,218 psi | 62% | 2730 fps | 95.4% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,050 psi | 76% | 2805 fps | 95.2% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,425 psi | 72% | 2510 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,724 psi | 61% | 2680 fps | 95.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,636 psi | 57% | 2612 fps | 97.4% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 35,665 psi | 58% | 2552 fps | 95.2% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 32,750 psi | 53% | 2503 fps | 95.4% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 90% | 44,063 psi | 71% | 2815 fps | 95.4% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 84% | 32,866 psi | 53% | 2507 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,105 psi | 68% | 2671 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,634 psi | 54% | 2516 fps | 98.3% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,254 psi | 47% | 2415 fps | 95.8% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 84% | 27,963 psi | 45% | 2461 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 90% | 35,491 psi | 57% | 2618 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 92% | 44,063 psi | 71% | 2785 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 92% | 36,492 psi | 59% | 2651 fps | 95.4% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,322 psi | 68% | 2818 fps | 95.5% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,543 psi | 77% | 2894 fps | 95% |
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 89 powders for 6 mm ARC (bolt action rifles only) loaded with the .243 | 80gr | Berger Varmint. Alliant Power Pro 1200-R delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,058 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,781 fps to 3,058 fps. Accurate 2495 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 89 of the 89 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (427 MPa), the top charges use 53–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 80.0 gr projectile in 0.243" calls for a 1:11.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 2495, Accurate 4064, ADI AR 2206H 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 H322, Shooters World AR Plus, Lovex D073.4 rank at the top here: for 6 mm ARC (bolt action rifles only) with the .243 | 80gr | Berger Varmint they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, ADI AR 2208, Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR, Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 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.