Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 8.5 x 55 Blaser with .338 | 180gr | Peregrine VLR-4 bullet and 89 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 2000-MR and ReloadSwiss RS 52.
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% | 55,680 psi | 89% | 2736 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,129 psi | 88% | 2802 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,391 psi | 90% | 2897 fps | 98% |
| Accurate 2230 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,330 psi | 86% | 2848 fps | 97.8% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,896 psi | 86% | 2825 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,534 psi | 87% | 2851 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,055 psi | 85% | 2861 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,953 psi | 83% | 2848 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,200 psi | 85% | 2717 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,664 psi | 86% | 2733 fps | 99.9% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,361 psi | 89% | 2887 fps | 98.6% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,274 psi | 89% | 2749 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2208ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,808 psi | 85% | 2825 fps | 97.5% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,621 psi | 86% | 2835 fps | 100% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,926 psi | 88% | 2848 fps | 99.3% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,476 psi | 86% | 2841 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,172 psi | 88% | 2946 fps | 99% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,853 psi | 88% | 2979 fps | 97.6% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,329 psi | 82% | 2841 fps | 98.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,391 psi | 90% | 2828 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,985 psi | 90% | 2917 fps | 98.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-17ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,629 psi | 73% | 2818 fps | 97.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,246 psi | 90% | 2766 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,434 psi | 90% | 2766 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,158 psi | 88% | 2897 fps | 97.6% |
| Bofors RP3ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,314 psi | 82% | 2854 fps | 98.8% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,070 psi | 87% | 2792 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,709 psi | 89% | 2917 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,215 psi | 87% | 2956 fps | 98% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,491 psi | 87% | 2848 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,113 psi | 85% | 2835 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H380ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,621 psi | 86% | 2864 fps | 96.5% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,811 psi | 89% | 2769 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,753 psi | 89% | 2900 fps | 99% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,953 psi | 85% | 2910 fps | 99% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,895 psi | 54% | 1703 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGETᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,911 psi | 88% | 2871 fps | 98.8% |
| IMR 3031ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,637 psi | 89% | 2913 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,358 psi | 82% | 2792 fps | 97.5% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,911 psi | 86% | 2749 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,809 psi | 86% | 2900 fps | 98.4% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,926 psi | 88% | 2848 fps | 99.3% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,070 psi | 87% | 2838 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,013 psi | 88% | 2841 fps | 99.7% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,679 psi | 86% | 2867 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,115 psi | 90% | 2822 fps | 98.6% |
| Lovex S062ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,766 psi | 88% | 2861 fps | 99.3% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,405 psi | 90% | 2802 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,882 psi | 86% | 2835 fps | 99.2% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,070 psi | 87% | 2848 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203Bᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,013 psi | 88% | 2904 fps | 98.5% |
| Ramshot Big Gameᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,651 psi | 89% | 2930 fps | 98.4% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,927 psi | 90% | 2854 fps | 96.2% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,302 psi | 87% | 2874 fps | 98.3% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,200 psi | 85% | 2799 fps | 98% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,055 psi | 55% | 1745 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,781 psi | 88% | 2844 fps | 99.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,477 psi | 89% | 2979 fps | 98.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,762 psi | 78% | 2897 fps | 99.6% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,853 psi | 88% | 2828 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,244 psi | 87% | 2828 fps | 99.2% |
| Rottweil R 903ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,616 psi | 76% | 2785 fps | 98% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,070 psi | 87% | 2838 fps | 99.9% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,679 psi | 86% | 2867 fps | 99.9% |
| Shooters World Precisionᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,766 psi | 88% | 2861 fps | 99.3% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,259 psi | 89% | 2812 fps | 99.1% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,955 psi | 88% | 2493 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,172 psi | 87% | 2844 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,893 psi | 80% | 2844 fps | 97.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,301 psi | 85% | 2792 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,476 psi | 86% | 2825 fps | 96.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,809 psi | 86% | 2858 fps | 98.3% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,432 psi | 86% | 2749 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,460 psi | 84% | 2740 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,347 psi | 90% | 2890 fps | 99.6% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,274 psi | 89% | 2789 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,808 psi | 85% | 2825 fps | 98% |
| Somchem S355ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,907 psi | 78% | 2792 fps | 98% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,650 psi | 88% | 2690 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,434 psi | 89% | 2762 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,288 psi | 89% | 2776 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,882 psi | 88% | 2844 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,635 psi | 86% | 2815 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,176 psi | 66% | 2628 fps | 97.7% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,911 psi | 88% | 2861 fps | 99.4% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,432 psi | 86% | 2841 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALLᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,424 psi | 70% | 2657 fps | 96.4% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,230 psi | 89% | 2910 fps | 99.8% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,709 psi | 89% | 2900 fps | 99% |
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% | 51,996 psi | 83% | 2684 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,404 psi | 57% | 2474 fps | 99.6% |
| Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,296 psi | 74% | 2726 fps | 96% |
| Accurate 2230 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,093 psi | 74% | 2726 fps | 96.4% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,174 psi | 61% | 2559 fps | 98.4% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,383 psi | 44% | 2346 fps | 98.2% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,140 psi | 52% | 2474 fps | 96.2% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,224 psi | 44% | 2343 fps | 95.5% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,396 psi | 71% | 2579 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,773 psi | 72% | 2592 fps | 99.1% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,509 psi | 65% | 2625 fps | 95.4% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,747 psi | 78% | 2661 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 94% | 44,005 psi | 71% | 2671 fps | 95.5% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,830 psi | 70% | 2680 fps | 99.8% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,244 psi | 57% | 2484 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,576 psi | 54% | 2510 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,247 psi | 63% | 2657 fps | 95.9% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | 59 gr | 92% | 44,918 psi | 72% | 2799 fps | 95.1% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 90% | 37,391 psi | 60% | 2585 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,481 psi | 67% | 2595 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 92% | 43,468 psi | 70% | 2703 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 96% | 39,987 psi | 64% | 2700 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,850 psi | 80% | 2677 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,642 psi | 70% | 2575 fps | 99.9% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 90% | 45,063 psi | 72% | 2726 fps | 95.4% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 90% | 36,753 psi | 59% | 2585 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,594 psi | 60% | 2493 fps | 96.6% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 82% | 34,330 psi | 55% | 2526 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | 56.4 gr | 86% | 43,758 psi | 70% | 2769 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,072 psi | 59% | 2546 fps | 99% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,989 psi | 69% | 2667 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 98% | 50,227 psi | 81% | 2808 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,601 psi | 75% | 2625 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,232 psi | 61% | 2585 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,855 psi | 61% | 2628 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,990 psi | 40% | 1519 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,753 psi | 61% | 2562 fps | 95.1% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,385 psi | 47% | 2418 fps | 97.8% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,641 psi | 68% | 2641 fps | 95.5% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,656 psi | 68% | 2575 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 88% | 39,131 psi | 63% | 2631 fps | 95.1% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,244 psi | 57% | 2484 fps | 95.2% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,804 psi | 75% | 2723 fps | 99.3% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,102 psi | 63% | 2572 fps | 97.5% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,111 psi | 50% | 2438 fps | 95.8% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,204 psi | 63% | 2526 fps | 95% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 86% | 35,491 psi | 57% | 2507 fps | 95.5% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,862 psi | 75% | 2664 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 82% | 34,925 psi | 56% | 2477 fps | 95.2% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,619 psi | 52% | 2448 fps | 97.1% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,045 psi | 64% | 2641 fps | 95.4% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,627 psi | 68% | 2703 fps | 95.7% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,344 psi | 84% | 2799 fps | 95.4% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,611 psi | 67% | 2654 fps | 95.7% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,118 psi | 66% | 2585 fps | 95.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,063 psi | 40% | 1555 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,740 psi | 64% | 2582 fps | 98% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | 55.9 gr | 90% | 42,250 psi | 68% | 2746 fps | 95.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 88% | 33,069 psi | 53% | 2539 fps | 95.1% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,143 psi | 58% | 2490 fps | 97.8% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,172 psi | 56% | 2477 fps | 95.3% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 92% | 36,637 psi | 59% | 2575 fps | 95.1% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,804 psi | 75% | 2723 fps | 99.3% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,111 psi | 50% | 2438 fps | 95.8% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 86% | 35,491 psi | 57% | 2507 fps | 95.5% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,061 psi | 67% | 2592 fps | 96.8% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,472 psi | 79% | 2425 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,237 psi | 71% | 2684 fps | 99.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,162 psi | 66% | 2680 fps | 95.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,220 psi | 66% | 2598 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,835 psi | 80% | 2766 fps | 95.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,524 psi | 67% | 2644 fps | 95.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,563 psi | 55% | 2411 fps | 97.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,007 psi | 45% | 2270 fps | 96.5% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,507 psi | 60% | 2559 fps | 96.3% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,997 psi | 55% | 2418 fps | 98.2% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,161 psi | 64% | 2602 fps | 95.1% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 92% | 38,029 psi | 61% | 2585 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,730 psi | 73% | 2566 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,595 psi | 62% | 2493 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,358 psi | 52% | 2379 fps | 99.1% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,529 psi | 46% | 2365 fps | 98.5% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,342 psi | 49% | 2375 fps | 96.7% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 94% | 34,156 psi | 55% | 2484 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,898 psi | 59% | 2536 fps | 96% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,037 psi | 48% | 2385 fps | 96% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 98% | 40,611 psi | 65% | 2605 fps | 95.6% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,361 psi | 58% | 2572 fps | 96.7% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,812 psi | 62% | 2608 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 107 powders for 8.5 x 55 Blaser loaded with the .338 | 180gr | Peregrine VLR-4. Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,979 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,703 fps to 2,979 fps. Accurate 2495 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 107 of the 107 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 180.0 gr projectile in 0.338" calls for a 1:13.5 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 2000-MR, ReloadSwiss RS 52 rank at the top here: for 8.5 x 55 Blaser with the .338 | 180gr | Peregrine VLR-4 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.