Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 8.5 x 55 Blaser with .338 | 170gr | Reichenberg HDB Universal bullet and 86 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Hodgdon CFE223, Alliant Power Pro 1200-R and Hodgdon BL-C2.
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% | 54,433 psi | 87% | 2802 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,737 psi | 86% | 2871 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,201 psi | 89% | 2959 fps | 97.3% |
| Accurate 2230 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,724 psi | 89% | 2966 fps | 97.7% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,086 psi | 90% | 2940 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,576 psi | 84% | 2913 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,388 psi | 86% | 2940 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,762 psi | 78% | 2890 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,506 psi | 89% | 2831 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,912 psi | 90% | 2851 fps | 99.8% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,260 psi | 90% | 2989 fps | 98.3% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,101 psi | 90% | 2858 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2208ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,749 psi | 81% | 2874 fps | 96.6% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,230 psi | 89% | 2949 fps | 100% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,043 psi | 90% | 2953 fps | 99.1% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,462 psi | 87% | 2949 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,447 psi | 86% | 3005 fps | 98.5% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,736 psi | 85% | 3025 fps | 96.6% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,994 psi | 79% | 2890 fps | 98% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,983 psi | 87% | 2887 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,505 psi | 86% | 2963 fps | 97.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,114 psi | 87% | 2828 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,389 psi | 87% | 2825 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,420 psi | 90% | 2999 fps | 97.3% |
| Bofors RP3ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,559 psi | 78% | 2894 fps | 98% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,317 psi | 89% | 2897 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,447 psi | 87% | 2982 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,721 psi | 85% | 3012 fps | 97.3% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,447 psi | 86% | 2923 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,592 psi | 88% | 2946 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,998 psi | 87% | 2831 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,243 psi | 85% | 2949 fps | 98.3% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolutionᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,071 psi | 88% | 3025 fps | 98.9% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,431 psi | 54% | 1759 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,376 psi | 89% | 2959 fps | 98.5% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,998 psi | 88% | 2999 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,447 psi | 86% | 2910 fps | 97.4% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,955 psi | 88% | 2854 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,810 psi | 88% | 3002 fps | 98.2% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,043 psi | 90% | 2953 fps | 99.1% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,721 psi | 85% | 2900 fps | 99.6% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,275 psi | 90% | 2949 fps | 99.6% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,752 psi | 88% | 2969 fps | 99.8% |
| Lovex S053 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,709 psi | 89% | 2753 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,969 psi | 87% | 2874 fps | 97.9% |
| Lovex S062ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,112 psi | 84% | 2907 fps | 98.8% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,766 psi | 86% | 2861 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,665 psi | 88% | 2933 fps | 99% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,259 psi | 89% | 2953 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203Bᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,489 psi | 84% | 2953 fps | 97.8% |
| Ramshot Big Gameᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,272 psi | 85% | 2976 fps | 97.6% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,912 psi | 90% | 2986 fps | 98.2% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,621 psi | 88% | 2907 fps | 97.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,489 psi | 54% | 1798 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,289 psi | 90% | 2953 fps | 99.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,837 psi | 85% | 3028 fps | 97.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,760 psi | 75% | 2940 fps | 99% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,666 psi | 89% | 2933 fps | 99.9% |
| Rottweil R 902ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,056 psi | 88% | 2930 fps | 99% |
| Rottweil R 903ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,020 psi | 72% | 2822 fps | 97% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,721 psi | 85% | 2900 fps | 99.6% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,752 psi | 88% | 2969 fps | 99.8% |
| Shooters World Precisionᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,112 psi | 84% | 2907 fps | 98.8% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,982 psi | 85% | 2864 fps | 98.5% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,028 psi | 90% | 2595 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,477 psi | 89% | 2953 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,805 psi | 77% | 2890 fps | 96.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,114 psi | 88% | 2907 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,665 psi | 88% | 2927 fps | 96% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,868 psi | 88% | 2959 fps | 98% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,505 psi | 87% | 2851 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,169 psi | 80% | 2792 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,012 psi | 87% | 2943 fps | 99.1% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,289 psi | 90% | 2894 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,012 psi | 87% | 2927 fps | 97.8% |
| Somchem S355ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,311 psi | 74% | 2831 fps | 97% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,043 psi | 90% | 2802 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,360 psi | 87% | 2835 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,070 psi | 87% | 2844 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,229 psi | 85% | 2910 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,724 psi | 89% | 2930 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,788 psi | 72% | 2772 fps | 97.9% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,214 psi | 85% | 2904 fps | 98.8% |
| Vihtavuori N540ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,911 psi | 86% | 2923 fps | 99.9% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,434 psi | 89% | 3002 fps | 99.6% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,317 psi | 87% | 2969 fps | 98.5% |
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% | 50,908 psi | 82% | 2753 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,374 psi | 55% | 2530 fps | 99.2% |
| Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,947 psi | 72% | 2779 fps | 95% |
| Accurate 2230 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,991 psi | 72% | 2785 fps | 95.5% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,072 psi | 59% | 2608 fps | 97.6% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,339 psi | 42% | 2385 fps | 97.4% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,532 psi | 52% | 2543 fps | 95.8% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,645 psi | 46% | 2464 fps | 95.6% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,395 psi | 70% | 2638 fps | 99.7% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,758 psi | 70% | 2651 fps | 98.6% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,944 psi | 66% | 2713 fps | 95% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,673 psi | 75% | 2723 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 96% | 44,817 psi | 72% | 2766 fps | 95.1% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,814 psi | 67% | 2726 fps | 99.4% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,319 psi | 61% | 2635 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,604 psi | 51% | 2549 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | 50.3 gr | 82% | 40,843 psi | 65% | 2769 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,284 psi | 79% | 2963 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 92% | 37,565 psi | 60% | 2671 fps | 95.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,392 psi | 63% | 2644 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 94% | 44,005 psi | 71% | 2799 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,659 psi | 76% | 2733 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,843 psi | 67% | 2625 fps | 99.6% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,151 psi | 74% | 2828 fps | 95% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 92% | 36,927 psi | 59% | 2667 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,998 psi | 58% | 2539 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | 54.9 gr | 84% | 35,679 psi | 57% | 2631 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | 58.9 gr | 88% | 45,759 psi | 73% | 2887 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,043 psi | 61% | 2651 fps | 98.9% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,740 psi | 62% | 2667 fps | 98.3% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,848 psi | 77% | 2733 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,205 psi | 66% | 2730 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,407 psi | 63% | 2736 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,526 psi | 39% | 1568 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 88% | 39,943 psi | 64% | 2684 fps | 95.2% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,095 psi | 48% | 2516 fps | 97.6% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 94% | 44,135 psi | 71% | 2749 fps | 95.3% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,756 psi | 65% | 2628 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,250 psi | 68% | 2779 fps | 95.5% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,319 psi | 61% | 2635 fps | 95.6% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,426 psi | 73% | 2782 fps | 98.8% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,811 psi | 59% | 2605 fps | 96.3% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 82% | 31,270 psi | 50% | 2520 fps | 95.2% |
| Lovex S053 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,562 psi | 84% | 2713 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,264 psi | 68% | 2667 fps | 95.4% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 90% | 37,927 psi | 61% | 2641 fps | 95.7% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,382 psi | 71% | 2717 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,333 psi | 60% | 2615 fps | 95.5% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,705 psi | 49% | 2477 fps | 95.8% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 94% | 43,178 psi | 69% | 2785 fps | 95.7% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 94% | 43,526 psi | 70% | 2802 fps | 95.3% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,409 psi | 68% | 2753 fps | 95.3% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 86% | 44,672 psi | 72% | 2736 fps | 95.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,700 psi | 40% | 1608 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,913 psi | 61% | 2625 fps | 97.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,108 psi | 74% | 2907 fps | 95.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 92% | 35,650 psi | 57% | 2684 fps | 95.6% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,997 psi | 55% | 2523 fps | 96.7% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,811 psi | 61% | 2618 fps | 95.6% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 96% | 39,378 psi | 63% | 2713 fps | 95.4% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,426 psi | 73% | 2782 fps | 98.8% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 82% | 31,270 psi | 50% | 2520 fps | 95.2% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 90% | 37,927 psi | 61% | 2641 fps | 95.7% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,147 psi | 64% | 2635 fps | 95.8% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,892 psi | 77% | 2490 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,380 psi | 68% | 2733 fps | 98.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 98% | 44,701 psi | 72% | 2835 fps | 95.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,132 psi | 64% | 2657 fps | 99.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 94% | 50,966 psi | 82% | 2867 fps | 95.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,163 psi | 68% | 2736 fps | 95.3% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,822 psi | 53% | 2448 fps | 96.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,484 psi | 42% | 2300 fps | 95.1% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,505 psi | 57% | 2592 fps | 95.1% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,111 psi | 51% | 2451 fps | 97.2% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 90% | 43,772 psi | 70% | 2753 fps | 95.6% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 96% | 40,669 psi | 65% | 2723 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,731 psi | 75% | 2674 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,449 psi | 60% | 2552 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,764 psi | 53% | 2464 fps | 98.8% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,615 psi | 44% | 2411 fps | 97.7% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,051 psi | 47% | 2415 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 92% | 34,389 psi | 55% | 2562 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,043 psi | 61% | 2625 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 82% | 29,675 psi | 48% | 2444 fps | 95.1% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 82% | 34,258 psi | 55% | 2598 fps | 95.3% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,191 psi | 66% | 2736 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 100 powders for 8.5 x 55 Blaser loaded with the .338 | 170gr | Reichenberg HDB Universal. ReloadSwiss RS 52 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,028 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,759 fps to 3,028 fps. Accurate 2495 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 100 of the 100 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 170.0 gr projectile in 0.338" calls for a 1:14.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 2495, Accurate 2700, Accurate 4064 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, Alliant Power Pro 1200-R, Hodgdon BL-C2 rank at the top here: for 8.5 x 55 Blaser with the .338 | 170gr | Reichenberg HDB Universal they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, Accurate 2700, Hodgdon Hybrid 100V, IMR 4166 Enduron 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.