Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 6 mm ARC (bolt action rifles only) with .243 | 85gr | Barnes Solid BT bullet and 66 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Alliant Power Pro 1200-R, Somchem S321 and Hodgdon H322.
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>> | 84% | 52,678 psi | 85% | 2733 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,592 psi | 86% | 2828 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,518 psi | 85% | 2838 fps | 99% |
| Accurate 2495ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,817 psi | 72% | 2756 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,939 psi | 85% | 2884 fps | 98.8% |
| Accurate 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,582 psi | 67% | 2720 fps | 98% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,243 psi | 86% | 2749 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,737 psi | 87% | 2762 fps | 98.9% |
| ADI AR 2206Hᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,895 psi | 85% | 2874 fps | 96% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,084 psi | 86% | 2785 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,998 psi | 89% | 2900 fps | 99.8% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,634 psi | 85% | 2844 fps | 97.2% |
| Alliant AR-Compᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,968 psi | 85% | 2900 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,388 psi | 86% | 2949 fps | 96.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,288 psi | 88% | 2854 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,201 psi | 89% | 2805 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,361 psi | 89% | 2792 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,898 psi | 90% | 2848 fps | 98.3% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,751 psi | 87% | 2917 fps | 98.1% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,113 psi | 86% | 2874 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,824 psi | 88% | 2900 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,998 psi | 89% | 2795 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon H4895ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,243 psi | 86% | 2890 fps | 96.7% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,677 psi | 53% | 1706 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGETᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,880 psi | 84% | 2844 fps | 96.3% |
| IMR 3031ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,401 psi | 81% | 2894 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,143 psi | 89% | 2822 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4227 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,071 psi | 89% | 2749 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,634 psi | 85% | 2844 fps | 97.2% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,417 psi | 86% | 2861 fps | 98.7% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,533 psi | 85% | 2841 fps | 98.1% |
| Lovex D073.6ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,024 psi | 81% | 2851 fps | 98.4% |
| Lovex S053 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,911 psi | 87% | 2697 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,447 psi | 88% | 2818 fps | 96.2% |
| Lovex S062ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,571 psi | 74% | 2743 fps | 95.9% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,491 psi | 88% | 2835 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,068 psi | 82% | 2822 fps | 97.1% |
| Norma 202ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,285 psi | 83% | 2844 fps | 99.1% |
| Ramshot Wild Boarᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,550 psi | 90% | 2920 fps | 96.4% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,303 psi | 89% | 2854 fps | 96.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,721 psi | 53% | 1745 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 36 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,405 psi | 89% | 2789 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,026 psi | 86% | 2851 fps | 98.6% |
| Rottweil R 901ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,347 psi | 89% | 2874 fps | 99.3% |
| Rottweil R 902ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,167 psi | 78% | 2762 fps | 96.4% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,417 psi | 86% | 2861 fps | 98.7% |
| Shooters World Match Rifleᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,024 psi | 81% | 2851 fps | 98.4% |
| Shooters World Precisionᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,571 psi | 74% | 2743 fps | 95.9% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,853 psi | 87% | 2815 fps | 97% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,360 psi | 88% | 2546 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,956 psi | 90% | 2910 fps | 99.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,042 psi | 89% | 2861 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,679 psi | 88% | 2802 fps | 99.3% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,990 psi | 71% | 2644 fps | 98.7% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,940 psi | 87% | 2887 fps | 97.8% |
| Somchem S335ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,794 psi | 85% | 2795 fps | 99.6% |
| Somchem S341ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,780 psi | 87% | 2861 fps | 95.8% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,113 psi | 86% | 2733 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,897 psi | 89% | 2802 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,809 psi | 87% | 2799 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,832 psi | 74% | 2762 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N140ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,820 psi | 79% | 2779 fps | 99% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,403 psi | 86% | 2848 fps | 97.4% |
| Vihtavuori N540ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,021 psi | 76% | 2766 fps | 98.3% |
| Winchester 748ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,897 psi | 89% | 2940 fps | 98.5% |
| Winchester StaBALL Matchᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,328 psi | 81% | 2844 fps | 96% |
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% | 46,093 psi | 74% | 2635 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,414 psi | 49% | 2388 fps | 96.8% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 82% | 34,824 psi | 56% | 2510 fps | 95.1% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 84% | 26,324 psi | 42% | 2349 fps | 95.6% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,260 psi | 60% | 2605 fps | 95.5% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 92% | 32,227 psi | 52% | 2516 fps | 95.1% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,407 psi | 64% | 2510 fps | 98% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,784 psi | 64% | 2516 fps | 96.2% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,487 psi | 80% | 2818 fps | 95.2% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,568 psi | 67% | 2605 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,695 psi | 59% | 2572 fps | 97.1% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 92% | 43,613 psi | 70% | 2687 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,036 psi | 45% | 2405 fps | 98.4% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | 25.4 gr | 90% | 46,427 psi | 75% | 2828 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,041 psi | 57% | 2513 fps | 99.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,134 psi | 70% | 2615 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,449 psi | 60% | 2490 fps | 97.8% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,365 psi | 67% | 2598 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,814 psi | 66% | 2694 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon H322 | 22.6 gr | 80% | 33,852 psi | 55% | 2507 fps | 96.2% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,243 psi | 55% | 2516 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,453 psi | 70% | 2602 fps | 98.3% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,543 psi | 75% | 2779 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,120 psi | 39% | 1522 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,486 psi | 78% | 2785 fps | 95.5% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 84% | 30,211 psi | 49% | 2470 fps | 95.7% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,825 psi | 59% | 2510 fps | 99.8% |
| IMR 4227 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,994 psi | 79% | 2661 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 92% | 43,613 psi | 70% | 2687 fps | 95.2% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,856 psi | 64% | 2621 fps | 96% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,001 psi | 65% | 2618 fps | 95.3% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 92% | 38,189 psi | 62% | 2635 fps | 95.7% |
| Lovex S053 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,138 psi | 78% | 2615 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 98% | 51,024 psi | 82% | 2762 fps | 95.5% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 98% | 42,583 psi | 69% | 2684 fps | 95% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,697 psi | 64% | 2592 fps | 99.9% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,670 psi | 69% | 2671 fps | 95% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 88% | 35,230 psi | 57% | 2543 fps | 95.6% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 98% | 51,924 psi | 84% | 2864 fps | 95.6% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 94% | 51,866 psi | 84% | 2799 fps | 95.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,294 psi | 39% | 1565 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 36 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,965 psi | 79% | 2697 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,290 psi | 62% | 2582 fps | 95.3% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 84% | 34,838 psi | 56% | 2493 fps | 95.1% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 96% | 43,033 psi | 69% | 2667 fps | 95.1% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,856 psi | 64% | 2621 fps | 96% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 92% | 38,189 psi | 62% | 2635 fps | 95.7% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 98% | 42,583 psi | 69% | 2684 fps | 95% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,963 psi | 76% | 2703 fps | 95.5% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,396 psi | 72% | 2411 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,536 psi | 61% | 2582 fps | 96.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,737 psi | 58% | 2520 fps | 97.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 35,665 psi | 58% | 2464 fps | 95.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 32,619 psi | 53% | 2411 fps | 95.8% |
| Somchem S321 | 27.4 gr | 90% | 44,179 psi | 71% | 2723 fps | 95.7% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 84% | 32,547 psi | 52% | 2415 fps | 95.6% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 98% | 50,256 psi | 81% | 2808 fps | 95.1% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,698 psi | 67% | 2566 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,765 psi | 54% | 2431 fps | 98.6% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,370 psi | 47% | 2336 fps | 96.3% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 82% | 25,991 psi | 42% | 2316 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 88% | 33,214 psi | 54% | 2474 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 92% | 43,888 psi | 71% | 2687 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 92% | 36,390 psi | 59% | 2562 fps | 95.7% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,901 psi | 68% | 2713 fps | 95.7% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,079 psi | 76% | 2789 fps | 95.2% |
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 | 85gr | Barnes Solid BT. Alliant Power Pro 1200-R delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,949 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,706 fps to 2,949 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 85.0 gr projectile in 0.243" calls for a 1:9.0 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. Alliant Power Pro 1200-R, Somchem S321, Hodgdon H322 rank at the top here: for 6 mm ARC (bolt action rifles only) with the .243 | 85gr | Barnes Solid BT 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.