Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 6 mm ARC (bolt action rifles only) with .243 | 90gr | Barnes X S bullet and 80 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, Winchester 748 and Hodgdon BL-C2.
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: 22"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 1680 | <<locked>> | 82% | 53,766 psi | 87% | 2654 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,113 psi | 86% | 2720 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,070 psi | 87% | 2785 fps | 95.8% |
| Accurate 2230 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,694 psi | 88% | 2795 fps | 96.3% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,463 psi | 89% | 2782 fps | 99.6% |
| Accurate 2495ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,591 psi | 85% | 2769 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,912 psi | 90% | 2828 fps | 99.4% |
| Accurate 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,776 psi | 79% | 2743 fps | 99.4% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,607 psi | 88% | 2677 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,071 psi | 89% | 2690 fps | 99.3% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,042 psi | 89% | 2815 fps | 97% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,187 psi | 89% | 2707 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,693 psi | 87% | 2782 fps | 99.9% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,476 psi | 88% | 2779 fps | 98.1% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,869 psi | 90% | 2835 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,521 psi | 90% | 2884 fps | 97.8% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,659 psi | 77% | 2723 fps | 96.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,345 psi | 86% | 2736 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,793 psi | 84% | 2785 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,795 psi | 87% | 2684 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,345 psi | 86% | 2674 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP3ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,427 psi | 76% | 2726 fps | 96.6% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,476 psi | 88% | 2736 fps | 98.5% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,765 psi | 85% | 2808 fps | 98.4% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,143 psi | 87% | 2877 fps | 96.1% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,434 psi | 89% | 2808 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,243 psi | 86% | 2782 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,258 psi | 86% | 2674 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,463 psi | 89% | 2831 fps | 97.6% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolutionᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,200 psi | 86% | 2844 fps | 97.6% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,721 psi | 54% | 1657 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,519 psi | 86% | 2782 fps | 97.2% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,345 psi | 86% | 2838 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,837 psi | 84% | 2733 fps | 95.7% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,548 psi | 86% | 2700 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4227 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,985 psi | 90% | 2661 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,881 psi | 85% | 2818 fps | 96.7% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,476 psi | 88% | 2779 fps | 98.1% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,230 psi | 89% | 2789 fps | 99.2% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,492 psi | 90% | 2785 fps | 98.9% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,127 psi | 86% | 2802 fps | 99.2% |
| Lovex S053 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,216 psi | 89% | 2612 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,927 psi | 90% | 2753 fps | 97.1% |
| Lovex S062ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,343 psi | 83% | 2746 fps | 97.7% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,317 psi | 88% | 2723 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,317 psi | 88% | 2776 fps | 98.1% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,577 psi | 86% | 2785 fps | 99.6% |
| Norma 203Bᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,807 psi | 82% | 2772 fps | 96.2% |
| Ramshot Big Gameᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,648 psi | 83% | 2792 fps | 95.8% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,056 psi | 87% | 2808 fps | 96.7% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,156 psi | 86% | 2733 fps | 96.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,026 psi | 55% | 1699 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,781 psi | 88% | 2782 fps | 99.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,636 psi | 88% | 2897 fps | 96.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,542 psi | 73% | 2749 fps | 97.4% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,028 psi | 90% | 2782 fps | 99.6% |
| Rottweil R 902ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,157 psi | 87% | 2762 fps | 98% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,230 psi | 89% | 2789 fps | 99.2% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,127 psi | 86% | 2802 fps | 99.2% |
| Shooters World Precisionᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,343 psi | 83% | 2746 fps | 97.7% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,608 psi | 90% | 2753 fps | 97.8% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,724 psi | 90% | 2464 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,317 psi | 88% | 2792 fps | 99.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,041 psi | 87% | 2749 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,272 psi | 86% | 2785 fps | 96.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,853 psi | 87% | 2697 fps | 99.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,994 psi | 79% | 2635 fps | 99.6% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,866 psi | 85% | 2776 fps | 98.1% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,550 psi | 90% | 2740 fps | 99.9% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,898 psi | 90% | 2805 fps | 96.9% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,085 psi | 89% | 2657 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,592 psi | 86% | 2684 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,999 psi | 90% | 2733 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,779 psi | 84% | 2753 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,809 psi | 87% | 2759 fps | 99.7% |
| Vihtavuori N150ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,772 psi | 71% | 2612 fps | 96.5% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,347 psi | 89% | 2785 fps | 98.2% |
| Vihtavuori N540ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,083 psi | 84% | 2753 fps | 99.4% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,359 psi | 86% | 2825 fps | 98.7% |
| Winchester StaBALL Matchᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,086 psi | 90% | 2844 fps | 97.7% |
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% | 50,444 psi | 81% | 2608 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,650 psi | 57% | 2411 fps | 98.8% |
| Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 84% | 50,560 psi | 82% | 2726 fps | 95% |
| Accurate 2230 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,155 psi | 83% | 2740 fps | 95.6% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,247 psi | 62% | 2487 fps | 96.8% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,790 psi | 46% | 2310 fps | 97.2% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,375 psi | 57% | 2467 fps | 95.5% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 30,560 psi | 49% | 2369 fps | 95% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,163 psi | 70% | 2493 fps | 99.1% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,511 psi | 70% | 2500 fps | 97.7% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,093 psi | 74% | 2667 fps | 95% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,818 psi | 76% | 2589 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,611 psi | 67% | 2582 fps | 98.7% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,611 psi | 66% | 2536 fps | 95% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,329 psi | 52% | 2425 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | 23.6 gr | 84% | 43,627 psi | 70% | 2674 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,424 psi | 68% | 2625 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,263 psi | 65% | 2520 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,037 psi | 79% | 2740 fps | 95.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,848 psi | 77% | 2595 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,524 psi | 67% | 2480 fps | 99% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,930 psi | 68% | 2628 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 82% | 38,464 psi | 62% | 2448 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | 25.7 gr | 86% | 38,290 psi | 62% | 2549 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,807 psi | 82% | 2822 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,116 psi | 61% | 2510 fps | 98% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,725 psi | 62% | 2526 fps | 97.2% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,253 psi | 76% | 2579 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 90% | 43,540 psi | 70% | 2628 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 94% | 44,034 psi | 71% | 2684 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,527 psi | 41% | 1490 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 92% | 44,701 psi | 72% | 2631 fps | 95.2% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,140 psi | 50% | 2398 fps | 96.8% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,124 psi | 79% | 2687 fps | 95.1% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,611 psi | 66% | 2490 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4227 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,924 psi | 85% | 2618 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,021 psi | 76% | 2720 fps | 95.4% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,611 psi | 66% | 2536 fps | 95% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,368 psi | 73% | 2628 fps | 97.8% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,898 psi | 61% | 2480 fps | 95.3% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 84% | 34,345 psi | 55% | 2454 fps | 95.1% |
| Lovex S053 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,301 psi | 84% | 2572 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,340 psi | 76% | 2612 fps | 95.3% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,741 psi | 66% | 2552 fps | 95.2% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,339 psi | 73% | 2585 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,466 psi | 65% | 2530 fps | 95% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 82% | 33,460 psi | 54% | 2405 fps | 95.6% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,167 psi | 78% | 2730 fps | 95.6% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,443 psi | 78% | 2740 fps | 95.1% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,630 psi | 77% | 2700 fps | 95.3% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 90% | 50,067 psi | 81% | 2680 fps | 95.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,469 psi | 41% | 1519 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,203 psi | 62% | 2487 fps | 95.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 98% | 51,169 psi | 83% | 2841 fps | 95.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 96% | 40,248 psi | 65% | 2635 fps | 95.6% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,056 psi | 58% | 2415 fps | 96.1% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,770 psi | 66% | 2530 fps | 95.1% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,368 psi | 73% | 2628 fps | 97.8% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 34,345 psi | 55% | 2454 fps | 95.1% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,741 psi | 66% | 2552 fps | 95.2% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,917 psi | 69% | 2543 fps | 95.2% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,935 psi | 77% | 2362 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,279 psi | 68% | 2585 fps | 97.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,030 psi | 65% | 2513 fps | 99.1% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,007 psi | 76% | 2680 fps | 95.1% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,736 psi | 54% | 2326 fps | 95.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 82% | 29,124 psi | 47% | 2234 fps | 95% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,698 psi | 66% | 2559 fps | 95.4% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,170 psi | 53% | 2333 fps | 96.4% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,197 psi | 79% | 2703 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,731 psi | 75% | 2543 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,058 psi | 61% | 2425 fps | 99.6% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,373 psi | 54% | 2339 fps | 98.2% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,790 psi | 46% | 2303 fps | 97% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 82% | 31,546 psi | 51% | 2339 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 96% | 38,812 psi | 63% | 2516 fps | 95.1% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,785 psi | 66% | 2536 fps | 95.1% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 84% | 32,561 psi | 53% | 2379 fps | 95% |
| Winchester 748 | 25.2 gr | 86% | 38,870 psi | 63% | 2559 fps | 95.5% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,253 psi | 75% | 2687 fps | 95.7% |
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.
This overview compares 93 powders for 6 mm ARC (bolt action rifles only) loaded with the .243 | 90gr | Barnes X S. ReloadSwiss RS 52 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,897 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,657 fps to 2,897 fps. Accurate 2495 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 93 of the 93 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (427 MPa), the top charges use 54–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 90.0 gr projectile in 0.243" calls for a 1:9.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 2495, Accurate 4064, ADI AR 2208 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, Winchester 748, Hodgdon BL-C2 rank at the top here: for 6 mm ARC (bolt action rifles only) with the .243 | 90gr | Barnes X S they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, ADI AR 2208, Alliant Reloder-17, Hodgdon H380 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.