Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 8 x 57 IRS with .323 | 180gr | Hornady ECX bullet and 58 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are ReloadSwiss RS 60, Alliant Reloder-17 and Hodgdon LEVERevolution.
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>> | 84% | 42,902 psi | 90% | 2484 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,785 psi | 87% | 2523 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,597 psi | 87% | 2530 fps | 99.3% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,003 psi | 88% | 2556 fps | 99.8% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,018 psi | 88% | 2533 fps | 96.9% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 92% | 43,105 psi | 90% | 2533 fps | 96.3% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,626 psi | 87% | 2500 fps | 98% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 86% | 43,105 psi | 90% | 2552 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,669 psi | 87% | 2546 fps | 97.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,598 psi | 89% | 2566 fps | 96.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,684 psi | 87% | 2621 fps | 97.1% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,118 psi | 86% | 2549 fps | 97.7% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,423 psi | 87% | 2454 fps | 98.4% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,221 psi | 88% | 2562 fps | 98.6% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,279 psi | 88% | 2543 fps | 97.5% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100Vᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,724 psi | 79% | 2480 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 90% | 43,250 psi | 90% | 2612 fps | 98.2% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,881 psi | 71% | 1614 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,075 psi | 86% | 2503 fps | 97.1% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,089 psi | 86% | 2552 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,656 psi | 89% | 2520 fps | 96.5% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,828 psi | 85% | 2543 fps | 96.7% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,626 psi | 87% | 2500 fps | 98% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,772 psi | 89% | 2562 fps | 99.4% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 86% | 43,192 psi | 90% | 2484 fps | 97.1% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,887 psi | 88% | 2520 fps | 98.1% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,930 psi | 86% | 2487 fps | 97.9% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,249 psi | 86% | 2510 fps | 99.6% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,800 psi | 87% | 2552 fps | 96.9% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,553 psi | 87% | 2562 fps | 96.5% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,538 psi | 85% | 2513 fps | 96.4% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,525 psi | 89% | 2493 fps | 96.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,171 psi | 71% | 1654 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,336 psi | 86% | 2605 fps | 96.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,800 psi | 87% | 2638 fps | 99.2% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,163 psi | 88% | 2493 fps | 99.5% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,350 psi | 86% | 2487 fps | 98% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,031 psi | 86% | 2543 fps | 97.4% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,772 psi | 89% | 2562 fps | 99.4% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,887 psi | 88% | 2520 fps | 98.1% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 94% | 43,120 psi | 90% | 2602 fps | 97% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 88% | 43,221 psi | 90% | 2552 fps | 97.1% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 43,265 psi | 90% | 2464 fps | 99.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,757 psi | 89% | 2464 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,771 psi | 87% | 2523 fps | 98.3% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,366 psi | 89% | 2464 fps | 99.9% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,843 psi | 87% | 2516 fps | 96.7% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,177 psi | 88% | 2546 fps | 97.4% |
| Somchem S365ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,550 psi | 76% | 2523 fps | 97.1% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 86% | 43,265 psi | 90% | 2464 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,656 psi | 89% | 2523 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,582 psi | 87% | 2490 fps | 99.7% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 96% | 43,178 psi | 90% | 2536 fps | 98.7% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,582 psi | 87% | 2493 fps | 98% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,554 psi | 89% | 2526 fps | 99.6% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 98% | 42,163 psi | 88% | 2523 fps | 97.2% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 86% | 43,279 psi | 90% | 2585 fps | 99% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,540 psi | 89% | 2559 fps | 97.6% |
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% | 37,666 psi | 79% | 2388 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,849 psi | 62% | 2283 fps | 99.4% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,027 psi | 75% | 2421 fps | 98.3% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,268 psi | 59% | 2260 fps | 97% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 82% | 37,057 psi | 77% | 2431 fps | 95.4% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,654 psi | 85% | 2487 fps | 95.6% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,709 psi | 77% | 2398 fps | 96.7% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,128 psi | 73% | 2415 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 86% | 34,389 psi | 72% | 2398 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 88% | 39,885 psi | 83% | 2510 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | 52 gr | 92% | 36,637 psi | 77% | 2510 fps | 95.3% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 86% | 33,388 psi | 70% | 2388 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,841 psi | 81% | 2402 fps | 97.8% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,345 psi | 72% | 2402 fps | 96.7% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,853 psi | 73% | 2388 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 98% | 35,505 psi | 74% | 2431 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | 46.1 gr | 82% | 33,112 psi | 69% | 2395 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,092 psi | 52% | 1440 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,984 psi | 75% | 2398 fps | 95.6% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,373 psi | 70% | 2398 fps | 99.5% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,565 psi | 78% | 2418 fps | 95% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,679 psi | 75% | 2434 fps | 95% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,709 psi | 77% | 2398 fps | 96.7% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,460 psi | 68% | 2356 fps | 97.3% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 82% | 38,189 psi | 80% | 2388 fps | 95.8% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 82% | 32,445 psi | 68% | 2320 fps | 95.4% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,895 psi | 71% | 2339 fps | 95.9% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,881 psi | 71% | 2359 fps | 98.3% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,622 psi | 77% | 2448 fps | 95.3% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,957 psi | 81% | 2513 fps | 95.7% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 82% | 38,000 psi | 79% | 2461 fps | 95.6% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,900 psi | 83% | 2444 fps | 96% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,237 psi | 53% | 1476 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 86% | 38,653 psi | 81% | 2549 fps | 95.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | 47.5 gr | 84% | 30,110 psi | 63% | 2352 fps | 95% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,188 psi | 78% | 2395 fps | 98.8% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,039 psi | 67% | 2290 fps | 95.2% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 88% | 33,533 psi | 70% | 2385 fps | 95.1% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,460 psi | 68% | 2356 fps | 97.3% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 82% | 32,445 psi | 68% | 2320 fps | 95.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 90% | 37,884 psi | 79% | 2497 fps | 95.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,956 psi | 79% | 2448 fps | 95.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,679 psi | 75% | 2320 fps | 98.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,008 psi | 61% | 2188 fps | 97.8% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,131 psi | 82% | 2474 fps | 97.7% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,244 psi | 74% | 2329 fps | 99.1% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,463 psi | 76% | 2411 fps | 95% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 88% | 34,925 psi | 73% | 2402 fps | 95.3% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 96% | 32,053 psi | 67% | 2411 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,737 psi | 75% | 2329 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,734 psi | 64% | 2293 fps | 99.5% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,923 psi | 67% | 2297 fps | 98.1% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 86% | 31,053 psi | 65% | 2293 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,521 psi | 76% | 2395 fps | 96.8% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,603 psi | 64% | 2280 fps | 97.1% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 94% | 36,956 psi | 77% | 2418 fps | 95.5% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,172 psi | 73% | 2425 fps | 97.3% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 82% | 34,635 psi | 72% | 2398 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 85 powders for 8 x 57 IRS loaded with the .323 | 180gr | Hornady ECX. ReloadSwiss RS 60 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,638 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,614 fps to 2,638 fps. Accurate 4350 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 85 of the 85 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (330 MPa), the top charges use 71–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 180.0 gr projectile in 0.323" calls for a 1:14.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 4350, Alliant Reloder-16, Hodgdon Hybrid 100V 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, Alliant Reloder-17, Hodgdon LEVERevolution rank at the top here: for 8 x 57 IRS with the .323 | 180gr | Hornady ECX they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, Accurate 4350, Bofors RP7, Hodgdon H414 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.