Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 8 x 51 mm Mauser with .321 | 180gr | Frontier PH HPFB bullet and 48 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Accurate 2520, ADI AR 2219 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: 23.62"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 96% | 44,585 psi | 90% | 2310 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,873 psi | 87% | 2306 fps | 97.9% |
| Accurate 2495ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 38,537 psi | 78% | 2290 fps | 99.6% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,743 psi | 87% | 2346 fps | 97.5% |
| Accurate 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,911 psi | 73% | 2260 fps | 97.2% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 86% | 43,279 psi | 88% | 2208 fps | 99% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 86% | 43,714 psi | 89% | 2215 fps | 97.5% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,540 psi | 86% | 2247 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 88% | 43,163 psi | 88% | 2326 fps | 98.9% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 96% | 44,005 psi | 89% | 2316 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 98% | 43,830 psi | 89% | 2375 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,743 psi | 87% | 2293 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 84% | 44,135 psi | 90% | 2254 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 88% | 43,990 psi | 89% | 2244 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,119 psi | 85% | 2244 fps | 95.9% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 98% | 43,511 psi | 88% | 2372 fps | 96.4% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 92% | 44,338 psi | 90% | 2346 fps | 99.1% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,395 psi | 86% | 2320 fps | 98% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,279 psi | 86% | 2201 fps | 98.4% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,387 psi | 66% | 1411 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,469 psi | 90% | 2405 fps | 99.6% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,453 psi | 86% | 2241 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 96% | 44,005 psi | 89% | 2316 fps | 95.7% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 86% | 43,598 psi | 88% | 2320 fps | 97.4% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 92% | 43,004 psi | 87% | 2310 fps | 96.6% |
| Lovex D073.6ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,366 psi | 88% | 2369 fps | 97.6% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,801 psi | 87% | 2277 fps | 100% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 98% | 42,496 psi | 86% | 2323 fps | 98.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,111 psi | 65% | 1444 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 92% | 44,135 psi | 90% | 2323 fps | 97.3% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 96% | 44,077 psi | 89% | 2313 fps | 98.1% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 86% | 43,598 psi | 88% | 2320 fps | 97.4% |
| Shooters World Match Rifleᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,366 psi | 88% | 2369 fps | 97.6% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 82% | 43,395 psi | 88% | 2034 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 88% | 43,424 psi | 88% | 2329 fps | 98.1% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 90% | 43,743 psi | 89% | 2300 fps | 99.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 43,323 psi | 88% | 2244 fps | 98% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 39,262 psi | 80% | 2198 fps | 98.1% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 94% | 44,454 psi | 90% | 2352 fps | 96.3% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 98% | 44,585 psi | 90% | 2290 fps | 98.9% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,699 psi | 87% | 2208 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 92% | 43,700 psi | 89% | 2254 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,569 psi | 86% | 2251 fps | 99.6% |
| Vihtavuori N135ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,074 psi | 81% | 2297 fps | 99.6% |
| Vihtavuori N140ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,888 psi | 87% | 2306 fps | 98.4% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 96% | 44,309 psi | 90% | 2316 fps | 95.9% |
| Vihtavuori N540ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,046 psi | 83% | 2293 fps | 97.5% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,206 psi | 86% | 2343 fps | 96.3% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
Start Load - Barrel Length: 23.62"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,238 psi | 55% | 1988 fps | 96.4% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 84% | 32,924 psi | 67% | 2129 fps | 95.2% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 86% | 24,105 psi | 49% | 1991 fps | 95.7% |
| Accurate 2520 | 34.2 gr | 90% | 34,722 psi | 70% | 2205 fps | 95.4% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 94% | 29,718 psi | 60% | 2133 fps | 95.1% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,071 psi | 73% | 2087 fps | 97.6% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,477 psi | 74% | 2090 fps | 95.7% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,811 psi | 77% | 2172 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | 29.8 gr | 80% | 33,112 psi | 67% | 2142 fps | 96.6% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,452 psi | 84% | 2277 fps | 95.1% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | 27.9 gr | 80% | 25,092 psi | 51% | 1995 fps | 98% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,459 psi | 64% | 2090 fps | 98.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,030 psi | 79% | 2172 fps | 99.9% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,895 psi | 69% | 2073 fps | 97.3% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,740 psi | 81% | 2201 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 96% | 40,930 psi | 83% | 2329 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,385 psi | 62% | 2080 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 82% | 32,547 psi | 66% | 2136 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,740 psi | 81% | 2162 fps | 97.9% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 23,670 psi | 48% | 1253 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 84% | 27,209 psi | 55% | 2054 fps | 95% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,634 psi | 68% | 2087 fps | 99.6% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,452 psi | 84% | 2277 fps | 95.1% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,404 psi | 72% | 2175 fps | 95.2% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,347 psi | 76% | 2215 fps | 95.1% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 94% | 35,201 psi | 71% | 2228 fps | 95.5% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,549 psi | 72% | 2156 fps | 99.8% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 90% | 32,953 psi | 67% | 2149 fps | 95.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 23,598 psi | 48% | 1286 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,448 psi | 74% | 2188 fps | 95.3% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 86% | 33,054 psi | 67% | 2110 fps | 95.2% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,404 psi | 72% | 2175 fps | 95.2% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 94% | 35,201 psi | 71% | 2228 fps | 95.5% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,118 psi | 83% | 2005 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,272 psi | 67% | 2142 fps | 95.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,184 psi | 65% | 2093 fps | 97.3% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 34,040 psi | 69% | 2083 fps | 95.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 29,225 psi | 59% | 2001 fps | 95% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,510 psi | 84% | 2303 fps | 95.5% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,167 psi | 59% | 2008 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,000 psi | 77% | 2139 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,487 psi | 62% | 2021 fps | 98.3% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,513 psi | 54% | 1939 fps | 95.8% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 84% | 24,598 psi | 50% | 1965 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 90% | 31,517 psi | 64% | 2096 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,640 psi | 84% | 2274 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 94% | 34,055 psi | 69% | 2165 fps | 95.5% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 94% | 39,755 psi | 81% | 2300 fps | 95.6% |
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 48 powders for 8 x 51 mm Mauser loaded with the .321 | 180gr | Frontier PH HPFB. IMR 3031 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,405 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,411 fps to 2,405 fps. Accurate 2495 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 48 of the 48 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (340 MPa), the top charges use 65–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 180.0 gr projectile in 0.321" calls for a 1:13.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 2495, Accurate 4064, 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. Accurate 2520, ADI AR 2219, Alliant AR-Comp rank at the top here: for 8 x 51 mm Mauser with the .321 | 180gr | Frontier PH HPFB 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.