Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 6 mm ARC with .243 | 85gr | Barnes XLC BT bullet and 51 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Hodgdon BL-C2, Accurate 2520 and IMR 3031.
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: 24"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,006 psi | 88% | 2736 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 86% | 44,498 psi | 86% | 2733 fps | 98.3% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,411 psi | 87% | 2789 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 92% | 45,861 psi | 88% | 2815 fps | 98.2% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 98% | 44,527 psi | 86% | 2802 fps | 98.9% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 82% | 44,817 psi | 86% | 2644 fps | 99.3% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 82% | 45,208 psi | 87% | 2651 fps | 98% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 84% | 45,818 psi | 88% | 2788 fps | 99.3% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 90% | 44,860 psi | 86% | 2746 fps | 96.2% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 92% | 45,223 psi | 87% | 2813 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,108 psi | 89% | 2824 fps | 96.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,369 psi | 89% | 2759 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 84% | 46,180 psi | 89% | 2685 fps | 99.6% |
| Bofors RP3ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,267 psi | 89% | 2834 fps | 96.3% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 88% | 44,817 psi | 86% | 2698 fps | 96.8% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 92% | 44,788 psi | 86% | 2805 fps | 96.9% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,789 psi | 90% | 2805 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 84% | 45,063 psi | 87% | 2777 fps | 98.6% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 82% | 46,122 psi | 89% | 2682 fps | 99.1% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,818 psi | 88% | 2844 fps | 96% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,403 psi | 66% | 1736 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 98% | 46,659 psi | 90% | 2866 fps | 99.8% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 84% | 44,730 psi | 86% | 2689 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 90% | 44,860 psi | 86% | 2745 fps | 96.2% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 86% | 44,454 psi | 85% | 2734 fps | 97.1% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 94% | 45,411 psi | 87% | 2807 fps | 98.1% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 96% | 44,280 psi | 85% | 2750 fps | 96.2% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,021 psi | 90% | 2784 fps | 96.8% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,673 psi | 90% | 2804 fps | 98.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,766 psi | 67% | 1779 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 86% | 44,585 psi | 86% | 2741 fps | 97.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,730 psi | 86% | 2854 fps | 97% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,398 psi | 89% | 2755 fps | 98.6% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 94% | 44,454 psi | 85% | 2727 fps | 96.1% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 94% | 45,411 psi | 87% | 2807 fps | 98.1% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 96% | 44,280 psi | 85% | 2750 fps | 96.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 84% | 46,702 psi | 90% | 2797 fps | 98.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,818 psi | 90% | 2766 fps | 99.8% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,717 psi | 90% | 2709 fps | 98.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 98% | 44,947 psi | 86% | 2695 fps | 99.2% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 88% | 45,194 psi | 87% | 2775 fps | 96.6% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 92% | 45,890 psi | 88% | 2714 fps | 99.2% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 82% | 45,063 psi | 87% | 2639 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 88% | 45,629 psi | 88% | 2692 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 94% | 45,179 psi | 87% | 2700 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 96% | 44,817 psi | 86% | 2776 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,774 psi | 88% | 2765 fps | 99% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,065 psi | 90% | 2800 fps | 96.9% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,876 psi | 88% | 2795 fps | 98.7% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,470 psi | 89% | 2839 fps | 97.5% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,673 psi | 90% | 2820 fps | 95.8% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
Start Load - Barrel Length: 24"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,592 psi | 67% | 2510 fps | 98.6% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,912 psi | 71% | 2579 fps | 96.5% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,050 psi | 54% | 2408 fps | 97% |
| Accurate 2520 | 25.3 gr | 84% | 35,128 psi | 68% | 2595 fps | 95.4% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 86% | 31,604 psi | 61% | 2516 fps | 95.6% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,076 psi | 81% | 2592 fps | 98.9% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,424 psi | 82% | 2598 fps | 97.4% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,219 psi | 77% | 2680 fps | 98.5% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,192 psi | 81% | 2690 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,285 psi | 60% | 2520 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 98% | 45,005 psi | 86% | 2779 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,088 psi | 75% | 2621 fps | 99.8% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,553 psi | 78% | 2582 fps | 98.9% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 98% | 43,178 psi | 83% | 2780 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,059 psi | 77% | 2602 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | 26.8 gr | 88% | 39,479 psi | 76% | 2700 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,606 psi | 66% | 2553 fps | 97.1% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,755 psi | 76% | 2673 fps | 97.5% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,714 psi | 84% | 2638 fps | 98.8% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 94% | 43,163 psi | 83% | 2792 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,135 psi | 48% | 1554 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031 | 21.4 gr | 80% | 28,021 psi | 54% | 2427 fps | 95.3% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,639 psi | 76% | 2594 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,192 psi | 81% | 2691 fps | 95.4% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,927 psi | 71% | 2579 fps | 95% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 86% | 35,491 psi | 68% | 2603 fps | 95.5% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,061 psi | 81% | 2707 fps | 95.6% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,959 psi | 81% | 2686 fps | 95.5% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 82% | 32,663 psi | 63% | 2506 fps | 95.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,469 psi | 49% | 1597 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,999 psi | 71% | 2582 fps | 95.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 96% | 39,407 psi | 76% | 2739 fps | 95.2% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,027 psi | 67% | 2512 fps | 95.8% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,264 psi | 81% | 2682 fps | 95.5% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 86% | 35,491 psi | 68% | 2603 fps | 95.5% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,061 psi | 81% | 2707 fps | 95.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,278 psi | 79% | 2693 fps | 97.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,870 psi | 75% | 2615 fps | 98.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,837 psi | 63% | 2419 fps | 95.2% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 84% | 30,139 psi | 58% | 2375 fps | 95.5% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,914 psi | 77% | 2669 fps | 95.2% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,590 psi | 63% | 2434 fps | 96.2% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,699 psi | 82% | 2599 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,564 psi | 70% | 2516 fps | 99.4% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,806 psi | 59% | 2396 fps | 97.4% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,905 psi | 54% | 2392 fps | 96.7% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 84% | 32,489 psi | 62% | 2484 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,408 psi | 80% | 2691 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 86% | 34,069 psi | 65% | 2546 fps | 95.7% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,609 psi | 74% | 2678 fps | 95.4% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 86% | 43,888 psi | 84% | 2767 fps | 95.1% |
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 82 powders for 6 mm ARC loaded with the .243 | 85gr | Barnes XLC BT. ReloadSwiss RS 52 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,892 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,736 fps to 2,892 fps. Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 82 of the 82 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (359 MPa), the top charges use 66–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 85.0 gr projectile in 0.243" calls for a 1:9.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5, Alliant Reloder-17, Bofors RP3 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 BL-C2, Accurate 2520, IMR 3031 rank at the top here: for 6 mm ARC with the .243 | 85gr | Barnes XLC BT they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, Accurate 2200, Accurate 2230, ADI AR 2206H 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.