Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 8 x 57 IRS with .323 | 160gr | Fox Classic Hunter bullet and 49 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are ReloadSwiss RS 60, IMR 3031 and Accurate 4064.
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>> | 88% | 43,265 psi | 90% | 2635 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,524 psi | 87% | 2628 fps | 98.6% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,365 psi | 86% | 2664 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,018 psi | 88% | 2677 fps | 98.4% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,495 psi | 87% | 2690 fps | 99.1% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,293 psi | 88% | 2644 fps | 96.7% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 90% | 43,279 psi | 90% | 2713 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,554 psi | 89% | 2730 fps | 96.2% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,814 psi | 87% | 2687 fps | 96.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,075 psi | 86% | 2605 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 96% | 40,915 psi | 85% | 2680 fps | 96.2% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,395 psi | 89% | 2602 fps | 97.3% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,757 psi | 89% | 2710 fps | 97.5% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,656 psi | 89% | 2671 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,292 psi | 84% | 2628 fps | 98.5% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,815 psi | 89% | 2687 fps | 96.1% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,915 psi | 85% | 2697 fps | 96% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,373 psi | 70% | 1699 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,002 psi | 86% | 2697 fps | 99.8% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,583 psi | 89% | 2589 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,293 psi | 88% | 2644 fps | 96.7% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,307 psi | 86% | 2625 fps | 97.4% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,859 psi | 90% | 2703 fps | 98.5% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,047 psi | 88% | 2654 fps | 96.8% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,481 psi | 87% | 2631 fps | 96.6% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,437 psi | 87% | 2651 fps | 98.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,286 psi | 70% | 1739 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,192 psi | 88% | 2641 fps | 98% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 98% | 42,467 psi | 89% | 2772 fps | 97.9% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,511 psi | 89% | 2638 fps | 98.7% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,669 psi | 87% | 2625 fps | 96.6% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,859 psi | 90% | 2703 fps | 98.5% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,047 psi | 88% | 2654 fps | 96.8% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,003 psi | 88% | 2598 fps | 96.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,872 psi | 87% | 2618 fps | 99.8% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,408 psi | 87% | 2562 fps | 98.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 43,062 psi | 90% | 2605 fps | 99.5% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,801 psi | 89% | 2674 fps | 97.2% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 90% | 43,062 psi | 90% | 2612 fps | 99.4% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 98% | 42,221 psi | 88% | 2680 fps | 95.9% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,553 psi | 87% | 2562 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,205 psi | 86% | 2569 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,627 psi | 89% | 2674 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,814 psi | 87% | 2635 fps | 99.1% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 98% | 40,669 psi | 85% | 2625 fps | 96.9% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,612 psi | 89% | 2644 fps | 96.8% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 94% | 43,062 psi | 90% | 2674 fps | 98.9% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,799 psi | 85% | 2677 fps | 97.3% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,917 psi | 90% | 2697 fps | 96.1% |
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% | 33,562 psi | 70% | 2441 fps | 99% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,926 psi | 75% | 2516 fps | 97.3% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,585 psi | 53% | 2303 fps | 97% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,531 psi | 66% | 2451 fps | 95.3% |
| Accurate 4064 | 43.6 gr | 84% | 27,891 psi | 58% | 2379 fps | 95.2% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,260 psi | 78% | 2539 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,748 psi | 64% | 2457 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 82% | 39,900 psi | 83% | 2674 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 94% | 39,001 psi | 81% | 2631 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,537 psi | 81% | 2556 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 94% | 38,319 psi | 80% | 2628 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,244 psi | 74% | 2451 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 34,592 psi | 72% | 2536 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,304 psi | 78% | 2562 fps | 98.7% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,637 psi | 79% | 2572 fps | 97.9% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,045 psi | 84% | 2631 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 90% | 38,305 psi | 80% | 2638 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,540 psi | 51% | 1516 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031 | 41 gr | 80% | 29,443 psi | 62% | 2431 fps | 97.3% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,914 psi | 83% | 2539 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,260 psi | 78% | 2539 fps | 95.2% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,795 psi | 75% | 2513 fps | 95.9% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 84% | 32,547 psi | 68% | 2487 fps | 95.7% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 90% | 36,941 psi | 77% | 2549 fps | 95.3% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,492 psi | 76% | 2526 fps | 95.1% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,878 psi | 62% | 2388 fps | 95.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,569 psi | 51% | 1555 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,854 psi | 77% | 2533 fps | 96.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | 51.2 gr | 92% | 34,867 psi | 73% | 2589 fps | 95% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,315 psi | 70% | 2438 fps | 96.4% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 88% | 36,854 psi | 77% | 2526 fps | 95.2% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 32,547 psi | 68% | 2487 fps | 95.7% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 90% | 36,941 psi | 77% | 2549 fps | 95.3% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,262 psi | 82% | 2546 fps | 95.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,247 psi | 82% | 2569 fps | 99.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,126 psi | 67% | 2365 fps | 96.2% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 82% | 27,615 psi | 58% | 2270 fps | 95.6% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 82% | 37,202 psi | 78% | 2562 fps | 95.6% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,430 psi | 66% | 2369 fps | 96.9% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 96% | 39,668 psi | 83% | 2631 fps | 95.1% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,724 psi | 77% | 2470 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,039 psi | 67% | 2379 fps | 98.6% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,905 psi | 56% | 2326 fps | 97.4% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,181 psi | 59% | 2326 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 94% | 35,621 psi | 74% | 2520 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,101 psi | 78% | 2533 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 84% | 30,937 psi | 65% | 2411 fps | 95.6% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,650 psi | 74% | 2562 fps | 95.7% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,132 psi | 84% | 2644 fps | 95.3% |
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 76 powders for 8 x 57 IRS loaded with the .323 | 160gr | Fox Classic Hunter. ReloadSwiss RS 60 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,772 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,699 fps to 2,772 fps. Alliant Reloder-17 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 76 of the 76 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (330 MPa), the top charges use 67–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 160.0 gr projectile in 0.323" calls for a 1:13.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Alliant Reloder-17, Hodgdon Hybrid 100V, 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. ReloadSwiss RS 60, IMR 3031, Accurate 4064 rank at the top here: for 8 x 57 IRS with the .323 | 160gr | Fox Classic Hunter they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, ADI AR 2208, Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR, Alliant Reloder-15 burn incompletely and react more sensitively to barrel length and temperature. Always begin at the start load and work up in small increments while checking case and primer for pressure signs.