Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 7.21 Firebird with .284 | 120gr | CutEdge ER Raptor bullet and 70 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Hodgdon Retumbo, ReloadSwiss RS 80 and Vihtavuori N568.
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: 26"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 3100 | <<locked>> | 90% | 58,276 psi | 87% | 3376 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 82% | 58,276 psi | 87% | 3409 fps | 100% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 88% | 57,580 psi | 86% | 3488 fps | 98.8% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 88% | 59,770 psi | 90% | 3484 fps | 99.9% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 90% | 58,450 psi | 88% | 3497 fps | 99.5% |
| ADI AR 2217 | <<locked>> | 98% | 57,217 psi | 86% | 3458 fps | 99.7% |
| ADI AR 2218ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,867 psi | 81% | 3488 fps | 96.7% |
| ADI AR 2225ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,782 psi | 84% | 3471 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 84% | 59,669 psi | 89% | 3478 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 88% | 59,219 psi | 89% | 3468 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 90% | 58,668 psi | 88% | 3484 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,420 psi | 85% | 3386 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,840 psi | 85% | 3458 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 86% | 57,392 psi | 86% | 3481 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-33ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 59,988 psi | 90% | 3553 fps | 97.9% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 109 | <<locked>> | 92% | 59,219 psi | 89% | 3442 fps | 97.9% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 92% | 57,812 psi | 87% | 3471 fps | 99.9% |
| Bofors RP30 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,695 psi | 85% | 3465 fps | 99.6% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 90% | 58,668 psi | 88% | 3484 fps | 99.9% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 82% | 59,234 psi | 89% | 3409 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H1000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 58,900 psi | 88% | 3488 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 82% | 59,988 psi | 90% | 3474 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 88% | 57,421 psi | 86% | 3419 fps | 99% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,246 psi | 84% | 3399 fps | 98.8% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 86% | 59,712 psi | 90% | 3383 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | <<locked>> | 96% | 60,104 psi | 90% | 3619 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,318 psi | 56% | 2257 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 58,189 psi | 87% | 3396 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 84% | 58,711 psi | 88% | 3399 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 88% | 57,624 psi | 86% | 3396 fps | 99.1% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,579 psi | 85% | 3471 fps | 99.4% |
| IMR 8133 Enduronᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,908 psi | 76% | 3369 fps | 98.9% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 82% | 58,059 psi | 87% | 3373 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 84% | 60,234 psi | 90% | 3432 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 96% | 59,872 psi | 90% | 3399 fps | 100% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 84% | 59,712 psi | 90% | 3461 fps | 99.9% |
| Norma 217ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,750 psi | 78% | 3396 fps | 99.9% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 88% | 58,798 psi | 88% | 3504 fps | 100% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,507 psi | 85% | 3389 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 90% | 58,015 psi | 87% | 3497 fps | 99.7% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 84% | 59,553 psi | 89% | 3455 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,492 psi | 85% | 3409 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 38,261 psi | 57% | 2310 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 82% | 58,827 psi | 88% | 3432 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 82% | 57,798 psi | 87% | 3465 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | <<locked>> | 94% | 57,435 psi | 86% | 3537 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 80 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,710 psi | 85% | 3484 fps | 98.9% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,347 psi | 84% | 3383 fps | 99.3% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 88% | 58,871 psi | 88% | 3458 fps | 99.9% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 82% | 59,234 psi | 89% | 3409 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 82% | 58,059 psi | 87% | 3373 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 60,234 psi | 90% | 3432 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 82% | 57,087 psi | 86% | 3317 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 58,465 psi | 88% | 3451 fps | 99.9% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 86% | 58,189 psi | 87% | 3366 fps | 99.1% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 84% | 58,044 psi | 87% | 3389 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 88% | 59,306 psi | 89% | 3419 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 82% | 58,073 psi | 87% | 3376 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 92% | 59,408 psi | 89% | 3402 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N170 | <<locked>> | 96% | 58,987 psi | 88% | 3412 fps | 96.1% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 82% | 57,334 psi | 86% | 3379 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 88% | 58,131 psi | 87% | 3419 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 88% | 58,247 psi | 87% | 3504 fps | 99.2% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 94% | 59,248 psi | 89% | 3488 fps | 99.5% |
| Vihtavuori N568 | <<locked>> | 96% | 57,058 psi | 86% | 3488 fps | 98.5% |
| Vihtavuori N570 | <<locked>> | 98% | 58,392 psi | 88% | 3560 fps | 97.2% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 82% | 58,073 psi | 87% | 3314 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 82% | 60,176 psi | 90% | 3478 fps | 100% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,492 psi | 85% | 3474 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 90% | 59,698 psi | 89% | 3419 fps | 99.9% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
Start Load - Barrel Length: 26"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 3100 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,814 psi | 61% | 3048 fps | 99.1% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,201 psi | 81% | 3343 fps | 100% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,757 psi | 64% | 3179 fps | 95.1% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,266 psi | 68% | 3209 fps | 98.2% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,495 psi | 61% | 3127 fps | 95.7% |
| ADI AR 2217 | <<locked>> | 88% | 39,755 psi | 60% | 3094 fps | 95.9% |
| ADI AR 2218 | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,966 psi | 75% | 3399 fps | 95.5% |
| ADI AR 2225 | <<locked>> | 84% | 31,430 psi | 47% | 2897 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,040 psi | 78% | 3353 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,121 psi | 68% | 3199 fps | 98.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,104 psi | 62% | 3130 fps | 97.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,813 psi | 60% | 3077 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,301 psi | 51% | 2982 fps | 98.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,324 psi | 68% | 3258 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-33 | <<locked>> | 96% | 51,198 psi | 77% | 3386 fps | 95.9% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 109 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,544 psi | 73% | 3238 fps | 95.4% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,218 psi | 57% | 3054 fps | 96.1% |
| Bofors RP30 | <<locked>> | 86% | 39,639 psi | 59% | 3107 fps | 96% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,104 psi | 62% | 3130 fps | 97.2% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,506 psi | 83% | 3350 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon H1000 | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,768 psi | 57% | 3045 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,970 psi | 84% | 3409 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,250 psi | 65% | 3136 fps | 95.9% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,337 psi | 63% | 3117 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,849 psi | 73% | 3209 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | 84.2 gr | 82% | 35,926 psi | 54% | 3084 fps | 96.1% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,905 psi | 42% | 2031 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,952 psi | 76% | 3271 fps | 99.7% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,227 psi | 77% | 3274 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,324 psi | 66% | 3133 fps | 96.5% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,160 psi | 59% | 3100 fps | 95.2% |
| IMR 8133 Enduron | <<locked>> | 92% | 38,145 psi | 57% | 3081 fps | 95.2% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,433 psi | 82% | 3314 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,939 psi | 79% | 3307 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,911 psi | 52% | 2900 fps | 97.6% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,909 psi | 78% | 3323 fps | 99.2% |
| Norma 217 | <<locked>> | 88% | 33,170 psi | 50% | 2963 fps | 95.4% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,787 psi | 66% | 3215 fps | 99% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,852 psi | 79% | 3327 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,146 psi | 59% | 3107 fps | 95.6% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,909 psi | 78% | 3323 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,143 psi | 53% | 2959 fps | 96.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,660 psi | 43% | 2080 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,882 psi | 82% | 3366 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,592 psi | 80% | 3396 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,880 psi | 49% | 2972 fps | 96% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 80 | 99.8 gr | 90% | 44,657 psi | 67% | 3241 fps | 96.1% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,151 psi | 69% | 3182 fps | 97.5% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,599 psi | 67% | 3186 fps | 98.2% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,506 psi | 83% | 3350 fps | 99.9% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,433 psi | 82% | 3314 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,939 psi | 79% | 3307 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,301 psi | 80% | 3255 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,266 psi | 66% | 3179 fps | 98.1% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,297 psi | 71% | 3163 fps | 97.2% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,386 psi | 76% | 3268 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,034 psi | 68% | 3156 fps | 98.9% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,186 psi | 81% | 3317 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,189 psi | 59% | 3009 fps | 97.3% |
| Vihtavuori N170 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,810 psi | 82% | 3340 fps | 95.1% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,577 psi | 80% | 3317 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,092 psi | 66% | 3166 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,540 psi | 65% | 3205 fps | 96.1% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,452 psi | 62% | 3127 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N568 | 96.5 gr | 90% | 45,571 psi | 68% | 3258 fps | 95.8% |
| Vihtavuori N570 | <<locked>> | 94% | 50,140 psi | 75% | 3396 fps | 95.1% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,085 psi | 81% | 3258 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 80% | 56,159 psi | 84% | 3412 fps | 100% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,608 psi | 56% | 3120 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,553 psi | 62% | 3074 fps | 97.4% |
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 70 powders for 7.21 Firebird loaded with the .284 | 120gr | CutEdge ER Raptor. Hodgdon Retumbo delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,619 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 2,257 fps to 3,619 fps. ADI AR 2218 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 70 of the 70 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (460 MPa), the top charges use 56–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 120.0 gr projectile in 0.284" calls for a 1:9.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. ADI AR 2218, ADI AR 2225, Alliant Reloder-33 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 Retumbo, ReloadSwiss RS 80, Vihtavuori N568 rank at the top here: for 7.21 Firebird with the .284 | 120gr | CutEdge ER Raptor 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.