Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 6 mm ARC with .243 | 85gr | Lehigh Defense Controlled Chaos bullet and 53 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Hodgdon BL-C2, Winchester 748 and Alliant AR-Comp.
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>> | 94% | 46,180 psi | 89% | 2749 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 90% | 44,309 psi | 85% | 2740 fps | 98% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 98% | 46,021 psi | 88% | 2841 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,774 psi | 88% | 2818 fps | 98% |
| Accurate 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,161 psi | 77% | 2733 fps | 98% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,122 psi | 89% | 2667 fps | 99.3% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,557 psi | 90% | 2677 fps | 98% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 84% | 45,977 psi | 88% | 2710 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,862 psi | 90% | 2808 fps | 99.3% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 94% | 45,266 psi | 87% | 2753 fps | 96% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,484 psi | 87% | 2825 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,731 psi | 90% | 2772 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 82% | 44,454 psi | 85% | 2671 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 86% | 44,599 psi | 86% | 2657 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 92% | 45,730 psi | 88% | 2717 fps | 96.7% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,585 psi | 88% | 2822 fps | 96.8% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 92% | 44,672 psi | 86% | 2772 fps | 99.1% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,006 psi | 88% | 2795 fps | 98.6% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 84% | 44,817 psi | 86% | 2657 fps | 98.7% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolutionᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,717 psi | 90% | 2858 fps | 95.9% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,721 psi | 63% | 1716 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,874 psi | 84% | 2822 fps | 99.5% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 88% | 45,208 psi | 87% | 2703 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 94% | 45,266 psi | 87% | 2753 fps | 96% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 84% | 44,860 psi | 86% | 2756 fps | 97.6% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 90% | 44,454 psi | 85% | 2740 fps | 96.9% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 98% | 45,266 psi | 87% | 2812 fps | 97.9% |
| Lovex S062ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,251 psi | 85% | 2756 fps | 95.9% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,905 psi | 90% | 2753 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 98% | 46,862 psi | 90% | 2785 fps | 96.5% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 98% | 46,514 psi | 89% | 2805 fps | 98.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,764 psi | 63% | 1759 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 90% | 45,397 psi | 87% | 2759 fps | 97.5% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 94% | 45,411 psi | 87% | 2749 fps | 98.2% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 98% | 44,106 psi | 85% | 2726 fps | 95.8% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 84% | 44,860 psi | 86% | 2756 fps | 97.6% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 98% | 45,266 psi | 87% | 2812 fps | 97.9% |
| Shooters World Precisionᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,251 psi | 85% | 2756 fps | 95.9% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 82% | 45,571 psi | 88% | 2451 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 86% | 44,440 psi | 85% | 2759 fps | 98.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 88% | 44,599 psi | 86% | 2730 fps | 99.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 94% | 44,541 psi | 86% | 2674 fps | 98.2% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,656 psi | 82% | 2657 fps | 98.7% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 92% | 45,948 psi | 88% | 2792 fps | 96.6% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,919 psi | 88% | 2720 fps | 99.1% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 86% | 45,614 psi | 88% | 2654 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,311 psi | 89% | 2707 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 98% | 45,643 psi | 88% | 2710 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N135ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,295 psi | 85% | 2772 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N140ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,267 psi | 89% | 2776 fps | 98.9% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 92% | 44,991 psi | 86% | 2762 fps | 96.1% |
| Vihtavuori N540ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,890 psi | 88% | 2795 fps | 98.5% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 92% | 44,585 psi | 86% | 2805 fps | 96.9% |
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% | 29,791 psi | 57% | 2408 fps | 97% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 82% | 33,881 psi | 65% | 2526 fps | 95.2% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,179 psi | 48% | 2372 fps | 95.3% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 88% | 34,679 psi | 67% | 2598 fps | 95% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 92% | 31,241 psi | 60% | 2536 fps | 95.3% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,363 psi | 74% | 2520 fps | 98% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,754 psi | 75% | 2526 fps | 96.2% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,727 psi | 78% | 2625 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,114 psi | 69% | 2598 fps | 97.3% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,308 psi | 81% | 2697 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | 21.3 gr | 80% | 27,180 psi | 52% | 2418 fps | 98.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,258 psi | 66% | 2530 fps | 99.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,930 psi | 81% | 2625 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,666 psi | 70% | 2507 fps | 97.9% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,480 psi | 78% | 2615 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | 27 gr | 92% | 39,610 psi | 76% | 2707 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,647 psi | 59% | 2461 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,954 psi | 67% | 2572 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,885 psi | 77% | 2562 fps | 97.8% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 98% | 43,656 psi | 84% | 2799 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 23,960 psi | 46% | 1529 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 86% | 28,631 psi | 55% | 2464 fps | 95.4% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,056 psi | 69% | 2526 fps | 99.8% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,308 psi | 81% | 2697 fps | 95.2% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,856 psi | 75% | 2638 fps | 96.1% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 86% | 38,667 psi | 74% | 2628 fps | 95.3% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 92% | 36,825 psi | 71% | 2648 fps | 95.8% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,771 psi | 80% | 2707 fps | 95.2% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,957 psi | 75% | 2612 fps | 99.9% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,307 psi | 79% | 2680 fps | 95% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 88% | 33,895 psi | 65% | 2549 fps | 95.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,134 psi | 46% | 1572 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,362 psi | 72% | 2598 fps | 95.4% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 84% | 33,837 psi | 65% | 2507 fps | 95.2% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,655 psi | 80% | 2677 fps | 95.1% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,856 psi | 75% | 2638 fps | 96.1% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 92% | 36,825 psi | 71% | 2648 fps | 95.8% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,771 psi | 80% | 2707 fps | 95.2% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,439 psi | 83% | 2421 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,230 psi | 70% | 2592 fps | 96.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,606 psi | 67% | 2530 fps | 97.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 34,722 psi | 67% | 2477 fps | 95.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 29,704 psi | 57% | 2372 fps | 95% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,059 psi | 77% | 2677 fps | 95% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 84% | 31,676 psi | 61% | 2428 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,087 psi | 73% | 2530 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,271 psi | 62% | 2431 fps | 98.5% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,876 psi | 52% | 2303 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 82% | 25,425 psi | 49% | 2339 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 88% | 31,995 psi | 61% | 2484 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,930 psi | 81% | 2703 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 90% | 33,750 psi | 65% | 2549 fps | 95.3% |
| Winchester 748 | 26.1 gr | 88% | 38,885 psi | 75% | 2687 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 53 powders for 6 mm ARC loaded with the .243 | 85gr | Lehigh Defense Controlled Chaos. Hodgdon LEVERevolution delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,858 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,716 fps to 2,858 fps. Accurate 4064 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 53 of the 53 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (359 MPa), the top charges use 63–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 85.0 gr projectile in 0.243" calls for a 1:8.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 4064, Hodgdon LEVERevolution, Hodgdon TrailBoss 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, Winchester 748, Alliant AR-Comp rank at the top here: for 6 mm ARC with the .243 | 85gr | Lehigh Defense Controlled Chaos they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. Always begin at the start load and work up in small increments while checking case and primer for pressure signs.