Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 8.5 x 55 Blaser with .338 | 160gr | Barnes TTSX BT bullet and 82 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Hodgdon CFE223, Winchester 748 and Ramshot Wild Boar.
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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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 1680 | <<locked>> | 82% | 52,765 psi | 85% | 2864 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,071 psi | 88% | 2976 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,229 psi | 85% | 3012 fps | 96.3% |
| Accurate 2230 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,693 psi | 86% | 3018 fps | 96.8% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,679 psi | 86% | 2989 fps | 99.7% |
| Accurate 2495ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,183 psi | 80% | 2966 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,663 psi | 84% | 3025 fps | 99.5% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,663 psi | 84% | 3025 fps | 99.5% |
| Accurate 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,499 psi | 75% | 2936 fps | 99.5% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,637 psi | 89% | 2943 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,057 psi | 90% | 2959 fps | 99.8% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,215 psi | 87% | 3038 fps | 97.4% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,288 psi | 87% | 2923 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,026 psi | 85% | 3005 fps | 100% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,114 psi | 87% | 3009 fps | 98.5% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,521 psi | 89% | 3058 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MRᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,302 psi | 87% | 3130 fps | 96.2% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,717 psi | 75% | 2930 fps | 96.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,448 psi | 89% | 2999 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,140 psi | 82% | 3005 fps | 96.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,477 psi | 89% | 2936 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,159 psi | 90% | 2933 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,215 psi | 87% | 3045 fps | 96.2% |
| Bofors RP3ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,369 psi | 74% | 2936 fps | 96.9% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,359 psi | 86% | 2949 fps | 98.8% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,869 psi | 90% | 3087 fps | 99.2% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,172 psi | 87% | 3120 fps | 96.9% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,577 psi | 86% | 3012 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,999 psi | 90% | 3051 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,535 psi | 89% | 2940 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,636 psi | 88% | 3054 fps | 98% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolutionᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,110 psi | 79% | 3009 fps | 97.5% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,185 psi | 53% | 1814 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGETᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,532 psi | 83% | 2979 fps | 97.4% |
| IMR 3031ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,415 psi | 81% | 3022 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,376 psi | 90% | 2963 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4227 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,593 psi | 89% | 2884 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,330 psi | 84% | 3045 fps | 97.2% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,114 psi | 87% | 3009 fps | 98.5% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,259 psi | 87% | 3012 fps | 99.5% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,809 psi | 86% | 2995 fps | 99.1% |
| Lovex D073.6ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,970 psi | 90% | 3074 fps | 99.7% |
| Lovex S053 | <<locked>> | 82% | 53,998 psi | 87% | 2822 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,332 psi | 89% | 2976 fps | 97.6% |
| Lovex S062ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,850 psi | 80% | 2949 fps | 97.9% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,172 psi | 88% | 2969 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,159 psi | 90% | 3041 fps | 98.8% |
| Norma 202ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,347 psi | 90% | 3058 fps | 99.9% |
| Norma 203Bᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,125 psi | 80% | 2992 fps | 96.7% |
| Ramshot Big Gameᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,097 psi | 82% | 3018 fps | 96.5% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,432 psi | 86% | 3028 fps | 97.2% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,086 psi | 90% | 3009 fps | 97.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,170 psi | 53% | 1854 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 36 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,840 psi | 90% | 2920 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,099 psi | 87% | 3005 fps | 99.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,273 psi | 87% | 3130 fps | 96.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,860 psi | 72% | 2972 fps | 98% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,505 psi | 86% | 2986 fps | 99.7% |
| Rottweil R 902ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,779 psi | 85% | 2976 fps | 98.3% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,259 psi | 87% | 3012 fps | 99.5% |
| Shooters World Match Rifleᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,970 psi | 90% | 3074 fps | 99.7% |
| Shooters World Precisionᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,850 psi | 80% | 2949 fps | 97.9% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,853 psi | 88% | 2972 fps | 98.2% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,549 psi | 87% | 2664 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,301 psi | 85% | 3005 fps | 99.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,127 psi | 85% | 2966 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,823 psi | 85% | 3009 fps | 97.1% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,985 psi | 90% | 2956 fps | 99.8% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,356 psi | 78% | 2844 fps | 99.8% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,303 psi | 89% | 3045 fps | 98.9% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,360 psi | 87% | 2949 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,550 psi | 89% | 3028 fps | 97.5% |
| Somchem S355ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,411 psi | 71% | 2874 fps | 95.8% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,737 psi | 86% | 2861 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,346 psi | 87% | 2927 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,201 psi | 87% | 2936 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,737 psi | 86% | 3025 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,431 psi | 84% | 2969 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,824 psi | 86% | 3015 fps | 98.6% |
| Vihtavuori N540ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,344 psi | 84% | 2999 fps | 99.7% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,012 psi | 87% | 3068 fps | 99.2% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,911 psi | 88% | 3058 fps | 98.1% |
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 1680 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,327 psi | 79% | 2812 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,880 psi | 53% | 2569 fps | 98.5% |
| Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,647 psi | 80% | 2946 fps | 95.5% |
| Accurate 2230 | <<locked>> | 82% | 46,311 psi | 74% | 2890 fps | 95.1% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,331 psi | 57% | 2648 fps | 96.5% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,034 psi | 40% | 2418 fps | 96.1% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 84% | 34,069 psi | 55% | 2664 fps | 95.6% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 84% | 34,069 psi | 55% | 2664 fps | 95.6% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 86% | 29,109 psi | 47% | 2549 fps | 95% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,323 psi | 69% | 2736 fps | 99.5% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,685 psi | 70% | 2749 fps | 98.4% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 92% | 44,802 psi | 72% | 2871 fps | 95.3% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,918 psi | 72% | 2782 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,176 psi | 64% | 2776 fps | 98.8% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 86% | 39,247 psi | 63% | 2730 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,168 psi | 48% | 2585 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 98% | 50,749 psi | 81% | 3064 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,031 psi | 66% | 2822 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,797 psi | 61% | 2694 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,008 psi | 77% | 2953 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,963 psi | 74% | 2789 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,466 psi | 65% | 2674 fps | 99.2% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 96% | 50,676 psi | 81% | 2986 fps | 95.4% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 96% | 40,350 psi | 65% | 2818 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,840 psi | 59% | 2631 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,506 psi | 59% | 2726 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | 60.8 gr | 90% | 47,065 psi | 75% | 2989 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,852 psi | 54% | 2631 fps | 97.3% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,392 psi | 63% | 2759 fps | 97.9% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,410 psi | 70% | 2733 fps | 99% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,061 psi | 67% | 2822 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 94% | 40,350 psi | 65% | 2831 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,366 psi | 39% | 1617 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,656 psi | 68% | 2815 fps | 95.3% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,411 psi | 42% | 2477 fps | 95.1% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,291 psi | 63% | 2684 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4227 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,083 psi | 84% | 2835 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 94% | 43,018 psi | 69% | 2871 fps | 95% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 86% | 39,247 psi | 63% | 2730 fps | 95.2% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,613 psi | 70% | 2828 fps | 98% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,273 psi | 57% | 2641 fps | 95% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 86% | 34,258 psi | 55% | 2667 fps | 95.7% |
| Lovex S053 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,966 psi | 82% | 2779 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,122 psi | 74% | 2818 fps | 95.7% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 92% | 38,696 psi | 62% | 2736 fps | 95.2% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,786 psi | 69% | 2772 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,247 psi | 61% | 2710 fps | 95% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 82% | 31,488 psi | 50% | 2572 fps | 95.4% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 96% | 44,150 psi | 71% | 2884 fps | 95.2% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,776 psi | 77% | 2959 fps | 95.7% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | 60.9 gr | 92% | 46,717 psi | 75% | 2910 fps | 95.7% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,108 psi | 74% | 2838 fps | 95.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,308 psi | 39% | 1657 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 36 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,460 psi | 84% | 2874 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,289 psi | 58% | 2664 fps | 95.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,166 psi | 76% | 3005 fps | 95.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 94% | 36,724 psi | 59% | 2779 fps | 95.1% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,764 psi | 53% | 2566 fps | 95.6% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 90% | 38,493 psi | 62% | 2707 fps | 95% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,613 psi | 70% | 2828 fps | 98% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 86% | 34,258 psi | 55% | 2667 fps | 95.7% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 92% | 38,696 psi | 62% | 2736 fps | 95.2% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,394 psi | 66% | 2736 fps | 95.4% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,644 psi | 75% | 2556 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,495 psi | 65% | 2776 fps | 98% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,696 psi | 62% | 2710 fps | 99.1% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,209 psi | 74% | 2890 fps | 95.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,676 psi | 51% | 2490 fps | 95.4% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,964 psi | 46% | 2441 fps | 95.6% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,247 psi | 63% | 2753 fps | 95.6% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,937 psi | 50% | 2490 fps | 96.1% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 92% | 44,976 psi | 72% | 2851 fps | 95.2% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,655 psi | 67% | 2818 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,959 psi | 67% | 2684 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,375 psi | 57% | 2589 fps | 99.5% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,327 psi | 47% | 2454 fps | 97.3% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,659 psi | 44% | 2497 fps | 97.4% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 84% | 31,227 psi | 50% | 2546 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,522 psi | 62% | 2726 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 84% | 30,937 psi | 50% | 2559 fps | 95% |
| Winchester 748 | 56 gr | 84% | 38,072 psi | 61% | 2766 fps | 95.9% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 86% | 43,961 psi | 70% | 2867 fps | 95.8% |
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 82 powders for 8.5 x 55 Blaser loaded with the .338 | 160gr | Barnes TTSX BT. Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,130 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,814 fps to 3,130 fps. Accurate 2495 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 82 of the 82 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (430 MPa), the top charges use 53–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 160.0 gr projectile in 0.338" calls for a 1:14.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 2495, Accurate 4064, Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR 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 CFE223, Winchester 748, Ramshot Wild Boar rank at the top here: for 8.5 x 55 Blaser with the .338 | 160gr | Barnes TTSX BT 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.