Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 8.5 x 55 Blaser with .338 | 130gr | Sax MJG-SX bullet and 53 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Hodgdon H322, Shooters World AR Plus and Lovex D073.4.
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 1680 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,650 psi | 86% | 3156 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2015ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,172 psi | 87% | 3251 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,301 psi | 85% | 3255 fps | 98.3% |
| Accurate 2495ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,424 psi | 68% | 3104 fps | 99.1% |
| Accurate 2520ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,867 psi | 86% | 3304 fps | 98.1% |
| Accurate 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 39,392 psi | 63% | 3054 fps | 96.2% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,172 psi | 87% | 3169 fps | 99.4% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,650 psi | 88% | 3179 fps | 98.1% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,809 psi | 86% | 3225 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,376 psi | 90% | 3343 fps | 99.5% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,432 psi | 86% | 3261 fps | 96.2% |
| Alliant AR-Compᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,372 psi | 81% | 3284 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,781 psi | 88% | 3287 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,869 psi | 90% | 3238 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,333 psi | 90% | 3209 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,577 psi | 86% | 3215 fps | 96.9% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,198 psi | 82% | 3278 fps | 96.5% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,244 psi | 87% | 3310 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,811 psi | 89% | 3327 fps | 98.9% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,217 psi | 90% | 3228 fps | 99.2% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,329 psi | 52% | 1995 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,659 psi | 76% | 3258 fps | 99.1% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,956 psi | 90% | 3261 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4227 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,202 psi | 90% | 3192 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBRᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,432 psi | 86% | 3261 fps | 96.2% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,041 psi | 87% | 3281 fps | 97.8% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,606 psi | 86% | 3255 fps | 97.2% |
| Lovex D073.6ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,398 psi | 76% | 3202 fps | 96.8% |
| Lovex S053 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,636 psi | 88% | 3130 fps | 100% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,013 psi | 88% | 3264 fps | 100% |
| Norma 202ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,704 psi | 78% | 3205 fps | 97.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,213 psi | 52% | 2041 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 36 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,420 psi | 90% | 3228 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,809 psi | 86% | 3271 fps | 97.7% |
| Rottweil R 901ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,997 psi | 85% | 3248 fps | 98.3% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,041 psi | 87% | 3281 fps | 97.8% |
| Shooters World Match Rifleᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,398 psi | 76% | 3202 fps | 96.8% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,056 psi | 88% | 3232 fps | 96% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,129 psi | 88% | 2963 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,330 psi | 86% | 3281 fps | 98.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,883 psi | 90% | 3297 fps | 99.8% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,286 psi | 84% | 3166 fps | 98.2% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,901 psi | 67% | 2982 fps | 97.3% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,100 psi | 88% | 3310 fps | 96.9% |
| Somchem S335ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,734 psi | 81% | 3159 fps | 98.8% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,853 psi | 86% | 3169 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,535 psi | 89% | 3225 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,329 psi | 82% | 3166 fps | 99.7% |
| Vihtavuori N135ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,236 psi | 69% | 3114 fps | 99.1% |
| Vihtavuori N140ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,021 psi | 74% | 3123 fps | 97.6% |
| Vihtavuori N530ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,476 psi | 87% | 3264 fps | 96.4% |
| Vihtavuori N540ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,744 psi | 72% | 3110 fps | 96.8% |
| Winchester 748ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,069 psi | 83% | 3301 fps | 96.9% |
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 1680 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,947 psi | 70% | 2986 fps | 99.6% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 82% | 30,647 psi | 49% | 2749 fps | 95.5% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,495 psi | 65% | 3009 fps | 95.5% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 90% | 30,066 psi | 48% | 2808 fps | 95.8% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,582 psi | 65% | 3051 fps | 95.1% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 98% | 36,883 psi | 59% | 2999 fps | 95.4% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,449 psi | 60% | 2838 fps | 96.2% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,801 psi | 69% | 2956 fps | 95.6% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,465 psi | 63% | 2966 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,969 psi | 56% | 2904 fps | 95% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 98% | 50,256 psi | 81% | 3202 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,469 psi | 42% | 2700 fps | 96.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,228 psi | 53% | 2844 fps | 97.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,046 psi | 66% | 2969 fps | 99.5% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,911 psi | 58% | 2815 fps | 96.1% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,355 psi | 76% | 3100 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,703 psi | 76% | 3215 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon H322 | 52.2 gr | 84% | 36,463 psi | 58% | 2943 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 86% | 39,639 psi | 64% | 3015 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,292 psi | 66% | 2943 fps | 96.7% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 23,786 psi | 38% | 1788 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 88% | 32,518 psi | 52% | 2894 fps | 95% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,809 psi | 56% | 2844 fps | 98.8% |
| IMR 4227 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,905 psi | 75% | 3038 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 98% | 50,256 psi | 81% | 3202 fps | 95.5% |
| Lovex D073.4 | 56 gr | 84% | 43,569 psi | 70% | 3084 fps | 95.6% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,499 psi | 75% | 3127 fps | 95.7% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,336 psi | 66% | 3081 fps | 95.3% |
| Lovex S053 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,759 psi | 73% | 2986 fps | 100% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,623 psi | 60% | 2936 fps | 99.2% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 94% | 40,118 psi | 64% | 3028 fps | 95.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 23,627 psi | 38% | 1827 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 36 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,644 psi | 75% | 3071 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 90% | 44,280 psi | 71% | 3091 fps | 95.6% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,276 psi | 63% | 2969 fps | 95.1% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | 56 gr | 84% | 43,569 psi | 70% | 3084 fps | 95.6% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,336 psi | 66% | 3081 fps | 95.3% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,474 psi | 83% | 3173 fps | 95.2% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,366 psi | 68% | 2769 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,509 psi | 65% | 3028 fps | 95.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,707 psi | 54% | 2841 fps | 95.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 38,406 psi | 62% | 2890 fps | 95% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 94% | 34,838 psi | 56% | 2818 fps | 95% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,906 psi | 77% | 3179 fps | 95.3% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 88% | 35,099 psi | 56% | 2831 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,610 psi | 64% | 2923 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,966 psi | 51% | 2746 fps | 96.9% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 84% | 31,357 psi | 50% | 2736 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 88% | 29,617 psi | 47% | 2776 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 94% | 38,130 psi | 61% | 2953 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 98% | 50,749 psi | 81% | 3202 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 96% | 39,117 psi | 63% | 2989 fps | 95.2% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,542 psi | 73% | 3173 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 83 powders for 8.5 x 55 Blaser loaded with the .338 | 130gr | Sax MJG-SX. Alliant Power Pro 1200-R delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,373 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,995 fps to 3,373 fps. Accurate 2015 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 83 of the 83 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (430 MPa), the top charges use 52–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 130.0 gr projectile in 0.338" calls for a 1:13.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 2015, Accurate 2495, Accurate 2520 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. Hodgdon H322, Shooters World AR Plus, Lovex D073.4 rank at the top here: for 8.5 x 55 Blaser with the .338 | 130gr | Sax MJG-SX they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, Accurate 2200, Accurate 2230, ADI AR 2206H 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.