Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 8.5 x 55 Blaser with .338 | 175gr | Barnes X S bullet and 84 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR, ReloadSwiss RS 52 and Hodgdon CFE223.
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 2015 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,506 psi | 89% | 2838 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,056 psi | 88% | 2913 fps | 97.8% |
| Accurate 2230 | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,347 psi | 90% | 2930 fps | 98.3% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,012 psi | 87% | 2858 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,345 psi | 86% | 2858 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,926 psi | 88% | 2910 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,014 psi | 90% | 2936 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,940 psi | 88% | 2779 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,274 psi | 89% | 2799 fps | 99.9% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,911 psi | 86% | 2907 fps | 98.4% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,520 psi | 87% | 2894 fps | 97.8% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,259 psi | 89% | 2897 fps | 100% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,185 psi | 85% | 2864 fps | 99.1% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,753 psi | 89% | 2907 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,520 psi | 87% | 2969 fps | 99% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,362 psi | 90% | 3051 fps | 98% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,534 psi | 87% | 2920 fps | 98.9% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,679 psi | 86% | 2917 fps | 99% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,158 psi | 88% | 2844 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,563 psi | 87% | 2936 fps | 98% |
| Alliant Reloder-17ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,792 psi | 81% | 2959 fps | 98.3% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,896 psi | 86% | 2772 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,040 psi | 85% | 2907 fps | 97.2% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,317 psi | 87% | 2936 fps | 99.1% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,608 psi | 89% | 2858 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,317 psi | 89% | 2946 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,084 psi | 85% | 2972 fps | 97.8% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,621 psi | 86% | 2877 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,795 psi | 88% | 2900 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,941 psi | 90% | 2940 fps | 97% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,346 psi | 87% | 2917 fps | 98.9% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,608 psi | 89% | 2989 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,911 psi | 56% | 1759 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,579 psi | 89% | 2920 fps | 98.9% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,997 psi | 85% | 2917 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,201 psi | 87% | 2881 fps | 98% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,042 psi | 88% | 2805 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,883 psi | 90% | 2969 fps | 98.7% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,185 psi | 85% | 2864 fps | 99.1% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,983 psi | 87% | 2861 fps | 99.7% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,026 psi | 85% | 2890 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,230 psi | 87% | 2835 fps | 98.4% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,911 psi | 86% | 2887 fps | 99.3% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,680 psi | 89% | 2825 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,156 psi | 85% | 2861 fps | 99.2% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,246 psi | 90% | 2917 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,693 psi | 86% | 2927 fps | 98.4% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,838 psi | 86% | 2943 fps | 98.2% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,867 psi | 86% | 2864 fps | 95.8% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,072 psi | 90% | 2943 fps | 98.6% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,621 psi | 88% | 2864 fps | 98.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,244 psi | 57% | 1798 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,156 psi | 85% | 2858 fps | 99.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,925 psi | 86% | 2995 fps | 97.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,070 psi | 87% | 3031 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,926 psi | 88% | 2861 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,476 psi | 86% | 2854 fps | 99.2% |
| Rottweil R 903ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,969 psi | 87% | 2920 fps | 98.9% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,026 psi | 85% | 2890 fps | 99.9% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,911 psi | 86% | 2887 fps | 99.3% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,040 psi | 85% | 2822 fps | 98.9% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,593 psi | 89% | 2539 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,796 psi | 89% | 2907 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,259 psi | 89% | 2972 fps | 98.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,434 psi | 89% | 2861 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,347 psi | 89% | 2894 fps | 96.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,434 psi | 89% | 2923 fps | 98.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,955 psi | 88% | 2812 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,056 psi | 87% | 2802 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,520 psi | 87% | 2904 fps | 99.4% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,099 psi | 87% | 2812 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,389 psi | 87% | 2890 fps | 98.3% |
| Somchem S355ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,491 psi | 87% | 2920 fps | 98.8% |
| Somchem S365ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 39,726 psi | 64% | 2740 fps | 97.1% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,882 psi | 88% | 2789 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,563 psi | 87% | 2802 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,998 psi | 88% | 2877 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,243 psi | 85% | 2844 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,620 psi | 84% | 2854 fps | 99.4% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,853 psi | 86% | 2867 fps | 99.2% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,998 psi | 88% | 2890 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALLᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,979 psi | 77% | 2785 fps | 97.7% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,912 psi | 90% | 2963 fps | 99.8% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,027 psi | 88% | 2933 fps | 98.9% |
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 2015 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,408 psi | 66% | 2612 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,677 psi | 83% | 2858 fps | 97.2% |
| Accurate 2230 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,634 psi | 84% | 2871 fps | 97.7% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,686 psi | 72% | 2700 fps | 99.4% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,983 psi | 56% | 2530 fps | 99.7% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,972 psi | 64% | 2648 fps | 98.4% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,982 psi | 53% | 2503 fps | 97.6% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,718 psi | 78% | 2684 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,066 psi | 79% | 2700 fps | 99.6% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,190 psi | 64% | 2644 fps | 95.3% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 90% | 43,294 psi | 69% | 2690 fps | 95.4% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,341 psi | 78% | 2792 fps | 100% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,595 psi | 63% | 2608 fps | 96.6% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,116 psi | 61% | 2628 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,295 psi | 73% | 2805 fps | 97.4% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | 60.8 gr | 90% | 46,644 psi | 75% | 2871 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,174 psi | 61% | 2608 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,550 psi | 60% | 2615 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,311 psi | 74% | 2710 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 88% | 43,134 psi | 69% | 2730 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 92% | 39,711 psi | 64% | 2730 fps | 95.2% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,776 psi | 77% | 2680 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 86% | 43,903 psi | 70% | 2740 fps | 95% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,333 psi | 60% | 2621 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,640 psi | 67% | 2612 fps | 97.7% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,695 psi | 60% | 2621 fps | 96.7% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | 56.7 gr | 82% | 43,743 psi | 70% | 2799 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,454 psi | 71% | 2723 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,339 psi | 73% | 2743 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,327 psi | 79% | 2831 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,029 psi | 61% | 2605 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,201 psi | 58% | 2612 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,063 psi | 42% | 1572 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 82% | 38,725 psi | 62% | 2608 fps | 95.5% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,651 psi | 59% | 2621 fps | 99.5% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,699 psi | 68% | 2674 fps | 95.5% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,557 psi | 75% | 2677 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,943 psi | 62% | 2654 fps | 95% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,595 psi | 63% | 2608 fps | 96.6% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,527 psi | 71% | 2700 fps | 98.6% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,201 psi | 58% | 2579 fps | 97.5% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,915 psi | 66% | 2592 fps | 95.6% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,984 psi | 58% | 2539 fps | 95.6% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,620 psi | 84% | 2782 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,623 psi | 60% | 2562 fps | 96.1% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,173 psi | 60% | 2575 fps | 98.3% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 86% | 39,900 psi | 64% | 2664 fps | 95.3% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,858 psi | 67% | 2723 fps | 95.5% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,531 psi | 81% | 2808 fps | 95.1% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,828 psi | 65% | 2671 fps | 95.4% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,772 psi | 69% | 2651 fps | 95.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,266 psi | 42% | 1608 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,208 psi | 71% | 2703 fps | 98.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | 56.3 gr | 86% | 41,814 psi | 67% | 2769 fps | 95.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 84% | 32,967 psi | 53% | 2566 fps | 95.1% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,727 psi | 67% | 2628 fps | 98.9% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,955 psi | 58% | 2513 fps | 95.5% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,434 psi | 60% | 2612 fps | 95.3% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,201 psi | 58% | 2579 fps | 97.5% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,984 psi | 58% | 2539 fps | 95.6% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,615 psi | 75% | 2710 fps | 97.9% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,026 psi | 85% | 2507 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,168 psi | 79% | 2802 fps | 99.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,785 psi | 65% | 2707 fps | 95.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,470 psi | 75% | 2720 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,646 psi | 78% | 2782 fps | 95.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,973 psi | 66% | 2664 fps | 95.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,769 psi | 62% | 2530 fps | 98.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,923 psi | 51% | 2392 fps | 97.9% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,409 psi | 68% | 2687 fps | 97.6% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,537 psi | 62% | 2539 fps | 99.1% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,119 psi | 68% | 2674 fps | 95.7% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,479 psi | 62% | 2621 fps | 95.4% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 96% | 35,375 psi | 57% | 2635 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,671 psi | 70% | 2615 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,595 psi | 62% | 2536 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,214 psi | 55% | 2513 fps | 99.6% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,954 psi | 56% | 2507 fps | 98.1% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 86% | 34,360 psi | 55% | 2507 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,363 psi | 63% | 2602 fps | 96.6% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,837 psi | 54% | 2493 fps | 97.3% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 94% | 39,798 psi | 64% | 2621 fps | 95.4% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,218 psi | 61% | 2641 fps | 97.2% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 82% | 37,666 psi | 60% | 2608 fps | 95.2% |
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 109 powders for 8.5 x 55 Blaser loaded with the .338 | 175gr | Barnes X S. Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,051 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,759 fps to 3,051 fps. Accurate 4350 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 109 of the 109 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (430 MPa), the top charges use 54–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 175.0 gr projectile in 0.338" calls for a 1:16.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 4350, Alliant Reloder-16, Alliant Reloder-17 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. Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR, ReloadSwiss RS 52, Hodgdon CFE223 rank at the top here: for 8.5 x 55 Blaser with the .338 | 175gr | Barnes X S they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, Accurate 2700, Accurate 4350, Alliant Reloder-16 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.