Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 8 x 72 R with .318 | 150gr | Impala LWHV LS bullet and 12 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are ReloadSwiss RS 14 and Hodgdon TrailBoss.
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: 25.6"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,360 psi | 87% | 2582 fps | 99.6% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 86% | 35,273 psi | 87% | 2602 fps | 97.8% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,360 psi | 85% | 1755 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,331 psi | 87% | 2628 fps | 99% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 82% | 34,737 psi | 86% | 2582 fps | 96.5% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,911 psi | 88% | 2582 fps | 97.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,505 psi | 85% | 1795 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 82% | 34,737 psi | 86% | 2582 fps | 96.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 34,983 psi | 86% | 2497 fps | 98.2% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 84% | 34,983 psi | 86% | 2572 fps | 99.5% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,042 psi | 89% | 2566 fps | 97.9% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 84% | 34,737 psi | 86% | 2552 fps | 97% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
Start Load - Barrel Length: 25.6"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,473 psi | 78% | 2490 fps | 98.9% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,718 psi | 73% | 2457 fps | 96% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | 14.1 gr | 80% | 25,686 psi | 63% | 1572 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,301 psi | 82% | 2579 fps | 98.5% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,590 psi | 80% | 2530 fps | 95.7% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,895 psi | 83% | 2533 fps | 96.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | 14.3 gr | 80% | 25,701 psi | 63% | 1604 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,590 psi | 80% | 2530 fps | 95.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,341 psi | 72% | 2356 fps | 96.4% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,980 psi | 76% | 2474 fps | 98.7% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,937 psi | 79% | 2467 fps | 96.7% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,893 psi | 76% | 2454 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 12 powders for 8 x 72 R loaded with the .318 | 150gr | Impala LWHV LS. IMR 3031 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,628 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,755 fps to 2,628 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 12 of the 12 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (280 MPa), the top charges use 85–89 %, leaving at least 11 % headroom. The 150.0 gr projectile in 0.318" calls for a 1:11.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Hodgdon TrailBoss, ReloadSwiss RS 14 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 14, Hodgdon TrailBoss rank at the top here: for 8 x 72 R with the .318 | 150gr | Impala LWHV LS 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.