Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 6 mm ARC with .243 | 89gr | Merlin Virtus bullet and 60 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Winchester 748, Accurate 2495 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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Max Load - Barrel Length: 24"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,804 psi | 90% | 2710 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 90% | 45,310 psi | 87% | 2713 fps | 98.7% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 96% | 43,613 psi | 84% | 2749 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,601 psi | 90% | 2785 fps | 98.6% |
| Accurate 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,060 psi | 79% | 2703 fps | 98.7% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,717 psi | 90% | 2628 fps | 99.6% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 84% | 44,541 psi | 86% | 2595 fps | 98.1% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 84% | 46,615 psi | 90% | 2667 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 86% | 44,889 psi | 86% | 2726 fps | 99.4% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 94% | 45,934 psi | 88% | 2720 fps | 96.8% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,311 psi | 89% | 2782 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,151 psi | 89% | 2812 fps | 96.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 88% | 44,599 psi | 86% | 2687 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 82% | 45,426 psi | 87% | 2638 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 86% | 45,179 psi | 87% | 2621 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,253 psi | 89% | 2680 fps | 97.5% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,311 psi | 89% | 2789 fps | 97.6% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 92% | 45,440 psi | 87% | 2736 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 86% | 44,106 psi | 85% | 2713 fps | 98.7% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 84% | 45,426 psi | 87% | 2625 fps | 99.2% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,412 psi | 89% | 2766 fps | 96.2% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 98% | 44,759 psi | 86% | 2779 fps | 96.2% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,416 psi | 62% | 1677 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGETᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,876 psi | 90% | 2749 fps | 96.2% |
| IMR 3031ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,179 psi | 87% | 2792 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,485 psi | 89% | 2671 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,108 psi | 90% | 2808 fps | 95.9% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 94% | 45,934 psi | 88% | 2720 fps | 96.8% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 84% | 45,411 psi | 87% | 2717 fps | 98.2% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 90% | 44,947 psi | 86% | 2707 fps | 97.6% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 98% | 46,601 psi | 89% | 2785 fps | 98.6% |
| Lovex S062ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,846 psi | 86% | 2720 fps | 96.7% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 84% | 44,570 psi | 86% | 2667 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 96% | 44,701 psi | 86% | 2703 fps | 96.7% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,049 psi | 87% | 2733 fps | 98.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,430 psi | 62% | 1719 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,079 psi | 88% | 2723 fps | 98.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,277 psi | 77% | 2720 fps | 96.1% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 94% | 45,643 psi | 88% | 2707 fps | 98.7% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 98% | 45,092 psi | 87% | 2700 fps | 96.7% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 84% | 45,411 psi | 87% | 2717 fps | 98.2% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 98% | 46,601 psi | 89% | 2785 fps | 98.6% |
| Shooters World Precisionᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,846 psi | 86% | 2720 fps | 96.7% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,818 psi | 90% | 2694 fps | 96.5% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 82% | 46,050 psi | 88% | 2408 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 86% | 45,078 psi | 87% | 2723 fps | 98.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 88% | 45,339 psi | 87% | 2694 fps | 99.8% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 94% | 45,049 psi | 87% | 2638 fps | 98.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,816 psi | 84% | 2631 fps | 99.3% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,586 psi | 89% | 2756 fps | 97.3% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,456 psi | 89% | 2684 fps | 99.5% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,238 psi | 89% | 2612 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,920 psi | 90% | 2667 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 98% | 46,325 psi | 89% | 2674 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,643 psi | 88% | 2743 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 98% | 44,382 psi | 85% | 2697 fps | 99% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 92% | 45,701 psi | 88% | 2730 fps | 97% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 98% | 43,976 psi | 84% | 2717 fps | 98.6% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 92% | 45,281 psi | 87% | 2772 fps | 97.7% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 90% | 45,600 psi | 88% | 2756 fps | 96% |
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% | 29,849 psi | 57% | 2372 fps | 97.7% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,039 psi | 62% | 2441 fps | 95.3% |
| Accurate 2495 | 21.7 gr | 80% | 25,005 psi | 48% | 2329 fps | 95.9% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 86% | 32,605 psi | 63% | 2510 fps | 95% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 90% | 29,457 psi | 57% | 2448 fps | 95.3% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,798 psi | 75% | 2487 fps | 98.6% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,175 psi | 75% | 2493 fps | 97% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,249 psi | 79% | 2579 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,579 psi | 70% | 2562 fps | 98% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,495 psi | 78% | 2618 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,282 psi | 52% | 2382 fps | 99% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 88% | 43,439 psi | 84% | 2762 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,592 psi | 66% | 2493 fps | 99.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,322 psi | 81% | 2585 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,043 psi | 71% | 2470 fps | 98.5% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 86% | 38,638 psi | 74% | 2533 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | 26.6 gr | 90% | 37,869 psi | 73% | 2628 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,879 psi | 59% | 2428 fps | 96.2% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,737 psi | 69% | 2549 fps | 96.8% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,379 psi | 78% | 2530 fps | 98.4% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 94% | 43,308 psi | 83% | 2710 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,800 psi | 80% | 2720 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,091 psi | 46% | 1506 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 98% | 44,280 psi | 85% | 2703 fps | 95.5% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 84% | 27,137 psi | 52% | 2382 fps | 95.5% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,521 psi | 70% | 2490 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 98% | 43,859 psi | 84% | 2749 fps | 95% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,495 psi | 78% | 2618 fps | 95.4% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,218 psi | 75% | 2602 fps | 96.9% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,666 psi | 70% | 2546 fps | 95.4% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 88% | 32,605 psi | 63% | 2510 fps | 95% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 96% | 39,856 psi | 77% | 2625 fps | 95.4% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,088 psi | 75% | 2569 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 92% | 39,320 psi | 76% | 2598 fps | 95.2% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 86% | 32,256 psi | 62% | 2470 fps | 95.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 23,801 psi | 46% | 1535 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,650 psi | 68% | 2520 fps | 95.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 98% | 38,029 psi | 73% | 2667 fps | 95.2% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 82% | 31,850 psi | 61% | 2418 fps | 95.2% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 94% | 39,624 psi | 76% | 2598 fps | 95.3% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,218 psi | 75% | 2602 fps | 96.9% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 88% | 32,605 psi | 63% | 2510 fps | 95% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 96% | 39,856 psi | 77% | 2625 fps | 95.4% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 86% | 43,569 psi | 84% | 2635 fps | 95.8% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,888 psi | 84% | 2379 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,028 psi | 71% | 2566 fps | 97.1% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,491 psi | 68% | 2503 fps | 98.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 82% | 31,024 psi | 60% | 2349 fps | 95% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 28,123 psi | 54% | 2297 fps | 95.1% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,826 psi | 73% | 2589 fps | 95% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,282 psi | 54% | 2303 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,580 psi | 74% | 2487 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,474 psi | 62% | 2395 fps | 99% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,006 psi | 52% | 2270 fps | 96.4% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 23,946 psi | 46% | 2257 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 86% | 30,414 psi | 58% | 2405 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,059 psi | 77% | 2625 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 88% | 31,734 psi | 61% | 2461 fps | 95.3% |
| Winchester 748 | 25.6 gr | 86% | 36,767 psi | 71% | 2598 fps | 95.3% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,525 psi | 82% | 2700 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 60 powders for 6 mm ARC loaded with the .243 | 89gr | Merlin Virtus. Alliant Power Pro 1200-R delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,812 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,677 fps to 2,812 fps. Accurate 4064 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 60 of the 60 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (359 MPa), the top charges use 62–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 89.0 gr projectile in 0.243" calls for a 1:8.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 4064, Hodgdon TrailBoss, Hodgdon VARGET 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. Winchester 748, Accurate 2495, Hodgdon BL-C2 rank at the top here: for 6 mm ARC with the .243 | 89gr | Merlin Virtus 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.