Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 6 mm ARC with .243 | 88gr | Berger Varmint bullet and 59 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>> | 92% | 45,774 psi | 88% | 2707 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 88% | 44,469 psi | 85% | 2710 fps | 97.5% |
| Accurate 2495ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,325 psi | 89% | 2782 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 94% | 45,353 psi | 87% | 2779 fps | 98.4% |
| Accurate 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,569 psi | 84% | 2751 fps | 98.9% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 84% | 45,484 psi | 87% | 2625 fps | 99.5% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 84% | 45,861 psi | 88% | 2635 fps | 98.4% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 82% | 45,585 psi | 88% | 2665 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,311 psi | 89% | 2765 fps | 99.6% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 92% | 44,715 psi | 86% | 2713 fps | 96.5% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 94% | 45,049 psi | 87% | 2777 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 88% | 45,020 psi | 87% | 2805 fps | 96% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,758 psi | 84% | 2745 fps | 95.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,354 psi | 89% | 2728 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 82% | 46,615 psi | 90% | 2670 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,340 psi | 89% | 2655 fps | 99.7% |
| Bofors RP3ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,280 psi | 85% | 2751 fps | 95.9% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 90% | 44,628 psi | 86% | 2666 fps | 97.1% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 94% | 45,063 psi | 87% | 2782 fps | 97.3% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,876 psi | 90% | 2773 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 86% | 45,513 psi | 87% | 2754 fps | 98.9% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 84% | 46,833 psi | 90% | 2662 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 94% | 45,194 psi | 87% | 2758 fps | 95.9% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 98% | 45,934 psi | 88% | 2815 fps | 96.4% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,736 psi | 65% | 1701 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 98% | 45,527 psi | 87% | 2740 fps | 95.8% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 98% | 45,353 psi | 87% | 2788 fps | 99.8% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 86% | 44,759 psi | 86% | 2657 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 92% | 44,715 psi | 86% | 2713 fps | 96.5% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 82% | 43,918 psi | 84% | 2707 fps | 97.9% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,079 psi | 90% | 2754 fps | 98% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 96% | 44,802 psi | 86% | 2769 fps | 98.3% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 98% | 43,787 psi | 84% | 2714 fps | 96.4% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 84% | 46,079 psi | 88% | 2701 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,325 psi | 89% | 2745 fps | 97% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,485 psi | 89% | 2770 fps | 99.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,663 psi | 65% | 1743 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 88% | 44,933 psi | 86% | 2718 fps | 97.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,090 psi | 81% | 2769 fps | 96.7% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 92% | 45,034 psi | 86% | 2708 fps | 98.6% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 98% | 46,876 psi | 90% | 2742 fps | 97% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 82% | 43,918 psi | 84% | 2707 fps | 97.9% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 96% | 44,802 psi | 86% | 2769 fps | 98.3% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 98% | 43,787 psi | 84% | 2714 fps | 96.4% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 86% | 44,947 psi | 86% | 2674 fps | 96.1% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,021 psi | 90% | 2772 fps | 99% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,891 psi | 90% | 2733 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,543 psi | 89% | 2676 fps | 98.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,441 psi | 89% | 2666 fps | 99.4% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 90% | 45,353 psi | 87% | 2750 fps | 97% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 94% | 45,411 psi | 87% | 2679 fps | 99.3% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 84% | 45,237 psi | 87% | 2611 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 90% | 45,803 psi | 88% | 2665 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,092 psi | 87% | 2667 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 98% | 44,498 psi | 86% | 2740 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 98% | 45,716 psi | 88% | 2733 fps | 99.2% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,108 psi | 90% | 2770 fps | 97.2% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 98% | 46,949 psi | 90% | 2762 fps | 98.9% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,065 psi | 90% | 2818 fps | 98% |
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% | 31,198 psi | 60% | 2411 fps | 98% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,810 psi | 69% | 2537 fps | 95.1% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 23,815 psi | 46% | 2280 fps | 95.5% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 86% | 34,185 psi | 66% | 2556 fps | 95.5% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 88% | 29,269 psi | 56% | 2448 fps | 95.1% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,190 psi | 77% | 2526 fps | 98.8% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,553 psi | 78% | 2533 fps | 97.3% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,511 psi | 82% | 2614 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,985 psi | 73% | 2607 fps | 98.3% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 88% | 39,581 psi | 76% | 2612 fps | 95.1% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | 21.8 gr | 80% | 28,761 psi | 55% | 2433 fps | 99.4% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,003 psi | 81% | 2746 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 98% | 40,596 psi | 78% | 2690 fps | 95.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,868 psi | 69% | 2531 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,063 psi | 85% | 2627 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,276 psi | 74% | 2509 fps | 98.7% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,075 psi | 79% | 2693 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,492 psi | 72% | 2522 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | 26.4 gr | 88% | 36,695 psi | 71% | 2615 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,300 psi | 62% | 2474 fps | 96.7% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,115 psi | 71% | 2590 fps | 97.1% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,350 psi | 79% | 2562 fps | 98.6% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,293 psi | 81% | 2703 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 96% | 43,047 psi | 83% | 2759 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,381 psi | 47% | 1519 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,569 psi | 82% | 2684 fps | 95% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 82% | 26,963 psi | 52% | 2383 fps | 95.3% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,550 psi | 72% | 2524 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 88% | 39,581 psi | 76% | 2612 fps | 95.1% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,988 psi | 79% | 2648 fps | 97.3% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,810 psi | 69% | 2537 fps | 95.1% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 88% | 34,185 psi | 66% | 2555 fps | 95.5% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 94% | 38,653 psi | 74% | 2613 fps | 95% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,669 psi | 78% | 2607 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,915 psi | 79% | 2642 fps | 95.6% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 84% | 31,850 psi | 61% | 2468 fps | 95.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,178 psi | 46% | 1551 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,621 psi | 66% | 2505 fps | 95.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 98% | 39,102 psi | 75% | 2707 fps | 95.6% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 82% | 33,373 psi | 64% | 2462 fps | 95.7% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 92% | 38,972 psi | 75% | 2594 fps | 95% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,988 psi | 79% | 2648 fps | 97.3% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 88% | 34,185 psi | 66% | 2555 fps | 95.5% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 94% | 38,653 psi | 74% | 2613 fps | 95% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,974 psi | 81% | 2619 fps | 95.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,537 psi | 74% | 2610 fps | 97.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,608 psi | 70% | 2539 fps | 98.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 82% | 32,126 psi | 62% | 2386 fps | 95.4% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 29,443 psi | 57% | 2341 fps | 95.6% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 86% | 39,291 psi | 75% | 2632 fps | 95.4% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,515 psi | 57% | 2342 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,248 psi | 77% | 2530 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,634 psi | 65% | 2431 fps | 99.2% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,050 psi | 54% | 2307 fps | 96.8% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,150 psi | 48% | 2300 fps | 95.9% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 86% | 31,444 psi | 60% | 2439 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 86% | 38,711 psi | 74% | 2608 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 86% | 31,299 psi | 60% | 2458 fps | 95% |
| Winchester 748 | 26 gr | 86% | 38,072 psi | 73% | 2641 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 59 powders for 6 mm ARC loaded with the .243 | 88gr | Berger Varmint. Winchester 748 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,818 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,701 fps to 2,818 fps. Accurate 2495 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 59 of the 59 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (359 MPa), the top charges use 65–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 88.0 gr projectile in 0.243" calls for a 1:9.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 2495, Accurate 4064, Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 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 | 88gr | Berger Varmint 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.