Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 8 x 57 IRS with .323 | 179gr | CutEdge ESP Raptor bullet and 54 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are IMR 3031, Winchester 748 and ReloadSwiss RS 60.
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.
A valid access license is required to use the Personalized Load Calculator.
You can find more information in our FAQ: How can I use the Personalized Load Calculator?
Max Load - Barrel Length: 23.62"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,075 psi | 86% | 2402 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,785 psi | 87% | 2441 fps | 98.8% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,452 psi | 87% | 2474 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,163 psi | 88% | 2484 fps | 98.6% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,365 psi | 86% | 2497 fps | 99.3% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 92% | 43,004 psi | 90% | 2487 fps | 95.7% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,365 psi | 86% | 2451 fps | 99.5% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,975 psi | 90% | 2461 fps | 97.1% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 92% | 43,308 psi | 90% | 2513 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 86% | 43,308 psi | 90% | 2543 fps | 96.7% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,713 psi | 87% | 2490 fps | 96.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,539 psi | 87% | 2415 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,887 psi | 88% | 2362 fps | 99.7% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,176 psi | 86% | 2497 fps | 96.5% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 88% | 43,178 psi | 90% | 2421 fps | 97.7% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 92% | 43,178 psi | 90% | 2523 fps | 97.8% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 86% | 43,192 psi | 90% | 2480 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,031 psi | 86% | 2448 fps | 98.8% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 92% | 43,207 psi | 90% | 2497 fps | 96.5% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,510 psi | 87% | 2510 fps | 96.4% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,040 psi | 69% | 1542 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,235 psi | 88% | 2461 fps | 96% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,307 psi | 86% | 2507 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 84% | 43,178 psi | 90% | 2398 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,975 psi | 90% | 2461 fps | 97.1% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,684 psi | 87% | 2441 fps | 97.8% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 94% | 43,033 psi | 90% | 2510 fps | 98.7% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,351 psi | 88% | 2467 fps | 97.1% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,858 psi | 87% | 2444 fps | 96.9% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,814 psi | 87% | 2464 fps | 99% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,040 psi | 69% | 1578 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,743 psi | 89% | 2454 fps | 98.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,699 psi | 89% | 2575 fps | 98.1% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,931 psi | 90% | 2448 fps | 99% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,119 psi | 88% | 2441 fps | 97% |
| Rottweil R 903ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,814 psi | 85% | 2480 fps | 96% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 94% | 43,033 psi | 90% | 2510 fps | 98.7% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,351 psi | 88% | 2467 fps | 97.1% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,960 psi | 90% | 2421 fps | 96.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,974 psi | 88% | 2454 fps | 98.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,453 psi | 89% | 2428 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,930 psi | 88% | 2379 fps | 98.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,002 psi | 86% | 2379 fps | 99.4% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 88% | 43,308 psi | 90% | 2490 fps | 97.5% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,930 psi | 86% | 2382 fps | 99.3% |
| Somchem S355ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,395 psi | 89% | 2490 fps | 96.2% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,250 psi | 88% | 2379 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,684 psi | 87% | 2382 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,989 psi | 90% | 2484 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,322 psi | 88% | 2451 fps | 99.3% |
| Vihtavuori N150ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,814 psi | 85% | 2438 fps | 97.2% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,931 psi | 90% | 2454 fps | 97.2% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 94% | 40,698 psi | 85% | 2438 fps | 98.7% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,249 psi | 86% | 2487 fps | 97.7% |
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% | 31,807 psi | 66% | 2224 fps | 98.9% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,997 psi | 71% | 2290 fps | 97% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 23,917 psi | 50% | 2100 fps | 96.8% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,675 psi | 62% | 2231 fps | 95% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 86% | 27,862 psi | 58% | 2215 fps | 95.7% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,422 psi | 84% | 2438 fps | 95% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,754 psi | 81% | 2402 fps | 99.1% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,971 psi | 79% | 2365 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,211 psi | 61% | 2241 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 82% | 37,695 psi | 79% | 2434 fps | 95% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 94% | 36,738 psi | 77% | 2395 fps | 95% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,695 psi | 77% | 2329 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,218 psi | 82% | 2316 fps | 99.4% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 96% | 38,247 psi | 80% | 2441 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,694 psi | 75% | 2277 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 86% | 34,896 psi | 73% | 2365 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,505 psi | 74% | 2339 fps | 98.5% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,650 psi | 74% | 2346 fps | 97.7% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,130 psi | 80% | 2402 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 92% | 38,769 psi | 81% | 2457 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,323 psi | 51% | 1375 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,682 psi | 83% | 2411 fps | 95.3% |
| IMR 3031 | 35.6 gr | 80% | 27,992 psi | 58% | 2218 fps | 97.1% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,406 psi | 80% | 2320 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,971 psi | 79% | 2365 fps | 95.7% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,881 psi | 71% | 2290 fps | 95.6% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 84% | 30,458 psi | 64% | 2260 fps | 95.3% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 90% | 35,056 psi | 73% | 2326 fps | 95% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 88% | 36,883 psi | 77% | 2349 fps | 95.5% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,369 psi | 59% | 2178 fps | 95.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,178 psi | 51% | 1404 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,099 psi | 73% | 2310 fps | 96.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | 45.3 gr | 94% | 35,070 psi | 73% | 2405 fps | 95.4% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,792 psi | 66% | 2224 fps | 96.2% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 90% | 37,130 psi | 78% | 2346 fps | 95.6% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 98% | 38,159 psi | 80% | 2431 fps | 95.2% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 30,458 psi | 64% | 2260 fps | 95.3% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 90% | 35,056 psi | 73% | 2326 fps | 95% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,304 psi | 78% | 2316 fps | 95% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,146 psi | 82% | 2405 fps | 98.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,463 psi | 78% | 2339 fps | 99.4% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,719 psi | 64% | 2156 fps | 96% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 82% | 26,426 psi | 55% | 2070 fps | 95.4% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,186 psi | 74% | 2336 fps | 95.2% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,950 psi | 63% | 2159 fps | 96.7% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 98% | 39,755 psi | 83% | 2441 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,070 psi | 73% | 2251 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,560 psi | 64% | 2172 fps | 98.5% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,469 psi | 53% | 2119 fps | 97.2% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 82% | 28,660 psi | 60% | 2169 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 94% | 33,634 psi | 70% | 2297 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,360 psi | 74% | 2310 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,327 psi | 61% | 2201 fps | 95.3% |
| Winchester 748 | 40.4 gr | 84% | 33,692 psi | 70% | 2333 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 54 powders for 8 x 57 IRS loaded with the .323 | 179gr | CutEdge ESP Raptor. ReloadSwiss RS 60 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,575 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,542 fps to 2,575 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 54 of the 54 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (330 MPa), the top charges use 69–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 179.0 gr projectile in 0.323" calls for a 1:9.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Hodgdon TrailBoss, ReloadSwiss RS 14, ReloadSwiss RS 60 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. IMR 3031, Winchester 748, ReloadSwiss RS 60 rank at the top here: for 8 x 57 IRS with the .323 | 179gr | CutEdge ESP 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.