Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 8.5 x 55 Blaser with .338 | 185gr | Barnes MRX BT bullet and 88 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 1680 | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,202 psi | 90% | 2700 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,854 psi | 90% | 2769 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,403 psi | 86% | 2808 fps | 97.7% |
| Accurate 2230 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,041 psi | 87% | 2818 fps | 98.1% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,418 psi | 87% | 2792 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,216 psi | 89% | 2818 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,447 psi | 86% | 2825 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,184 psi | 82% | 2802 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,650 psi | 86% | 2680 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,070 psi | 87% | 2700 fps | 99.9% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,955 psi | 88% | 2844 fps | 98.7% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,694 psi | 88% | 2703 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2208ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,489 psi | 84% | 2782 fps | 97.6% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,388 psi | 86% | 2792 fps | 100% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,520 psi | 87% | 2808 fps | 99.4% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,214 psi | 85% | 2799 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,694 psi | 88% | 2940 fps | 97.9% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,952 psi | 82% | 2799 fps | 98.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,999 psi | 90% | 2782 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,651 psi | 89% | 2874 fps | 98.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-17ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,295 psi | 73% | 2782 fps | 97.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,724 psi | 89% | 2720 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,057 psi | 90% | 2723 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,694 psi | 88% | 2854 fps | 97.7% |
| Bofors RP3ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,821 psi | 81% | 2808 fps | 98.9% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,853 psi | 86% | 2753 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,605 psi | 84% | 2828 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,607 psi | 88% | 2920 fps | 98.3% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,317 psi | 87% | 2805 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 86% | 52,649 psi | 84% | 2789 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H380ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,939 psi | 85% | 2818 fps | 96.6% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,492 psi | 89% | 2723 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,347 psi | 89% | 2858 fps | 99.1% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolutionᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,040 psi | 85% | 2871 fps | 99.2% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,591 psi | 54% | 1673 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGETᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,463 psi | 89% | 2838 fps | 99% |
| IMR 3031ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,172 psi | 88% | 2867 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,966 psi | 82% | 2749 fps | 97.6% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,563 psi | 86% | 2703 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,403 psi | 86% | 2858 fps | 98.6% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,520 psi | 87% | 2808 fps | 99.4% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,491 psi | 87% | 2802 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,418 psi | 87% | 2799 fps | 99.8% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,142 psi | 85% | 2822 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,680 psi | 89% | 2779 fps | 98.7% |
| Lovex S062ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,998 psi | 87% | 2815 fps | 99.4% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,724 psi | 89% | 2756 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,200 psi | 85% | 2789 fps | 99.3% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,563 psi | 86% | 2802 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203Bᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,636 psi | 88% | 2861 fps | 98.7% |
| Ramshot Big Gameᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,158 psi | 88% | 2884 fps | 98.5% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,608 psi | 89% | 2815 fps | 96.4% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,027 psi | 87% | 2835 fps | 98.5% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,808 psi | 85% | 2759 fps | 98.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,721 psi | 54% | 1713 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,621 psi | 88% | 2802 fps | 99.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,201 psi | 89% | 2936 fps | 98.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,515 psi | 78% | 2858 fps | 99.7% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,230 psi | 87% | 2782 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,650 psi | 86% | 2785 fps | 99.3% |
| Rottweil R 903ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,021 psi | 75% | 2740 fps | 98.1% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,491 psi | 87% | 2802 fps | 99.9% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,142 psi | 85% | 2822 fps | 99.9% |
| Shooters World Precisionᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,998 psi | 87% | 2815 fps | 99.4% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,824 psi | 88% | 2769 fps | 99.2% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,665 psi | 88% | 2454 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,693 psi | 86% | 2799 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,617 psi | 80% | 2805 fps | 97.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,867 psi | 86% | 2756 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,011 psi | 85% | 2785 fps | 96.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,200 psi | 85% | 2812 fps | 98.4% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,779 psi | 85% | 2703 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,967 psi | 83% | 2697 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,014 psi | 90% | 2848 fps | 99.6% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,723 psi | 88% | 2746 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,086 psi | 90% | 2838 fps | 98.7% |
| Somchem S355ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,385 psi | 78% | 2749 fps | 98.1% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,157 psi | 87% | 2644 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,810 psi | 88% | 2717 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,781 psi | 88% | 2730 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,463 psi | 89% | 2808 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,243 psi | 85% | 2772 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,640 psi | 65% | 2585 fps | 97.7% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,447 psi | 87% | 2815 fps | 99.5% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,084 psi | 85% | 2799 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALLᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,917 psi | 69% | 2618 fps | 96.6% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,940 psi | 88% | 2867 fps | 99.8% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,419 psi | 89% | 2861 fps | 99.1% |
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% | 52,460 psi | 84% | 2648 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,694 psi | 57% | 2444 fps | 99.7% |
| Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,731 psi | 75% | 2694 fps | 96.3% |
| Accurate 2230 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,702 psi | 75% | 2697 fps | 96.8% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,450 psi | 62% | 2526 fps | 98.6% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,702 psi | 44% | 2320 fps | 98.5% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,430 psi | 52% | 2441 fps | 96.6% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,281 psi | 42% | 2290 fps | 95.4% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,657 psi | 72% | 2543 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,049 psi | 72% | 2556 fps | 99.3% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 86% | 39,827 psi | 64% | 2579 fps | 95.5% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,385 psi | 78% | 2618 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 94% | 43,497 psi | 70% | 2628 fps | 95.7% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,395 psi | 70% | 2635 fps | 99.9% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,911 psi | 56% | 2448 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,011 psi | 53% | 2464 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | 58.3 gr | 92% | 44,570 psi | 71% | 2756 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 90% | 36,767 psi | 59% | 2539 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,002 psi | 66% | 2556 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,176 psi | 64% | 2605 fps | 95% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 96% | 39,581 psi | 63% | 2661 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,240 psi | 79% | 2631 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,323 psi | 69% | 2536 fps | 99.9% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 90% | 44,686 psi | 72% | 2687 fps | 95.5% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 90% | 36,042 psi | 58% | 2539 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,072 psi | 59% | 2454 fps | 96.7% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,416 psi | 52% | 2444 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | 54.4 gr | 84% | 41,205 psi | 66% | 2677 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,782 psi | 59% | 2510 fps | 99.1% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,627 psi | 68% | 2628 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,282 psi | 74% | 2707 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,369 psi | 74% | 2585 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,507 psi | 60% | 2536 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 88% | 36,071 psi | 58% | 2552 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,787 psi | 40% | 1493 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,145 psi | 61% | 2533 fps | 95.5% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,921 psi | 46% | 2379 fps | 97.9% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,308 psi | 68% | 2602 fps | 95.6% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,366 psi | 68% | 2533 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,479 psi | 62% | 2585 fps | 95.2% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,911 psi | 56% | 2448 fps | 95.4% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,340 psi | 76% | 2694 fps | 99.5% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,247 psi | 61% | 2523 fps | 97.5% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,414 psi | 49% | 2392 fps | 95.8% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,725 psi | 62% | 2484 fps | 95.1% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 86% | 34,722 psi | 56% | 2461 fps | 95.5% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,050 psi | 74% | 2618 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 82% | 34,171 psi | 55% | 2434 fps | 95.2% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,010 psi | 51% | 2405 fps | 97.2% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,378 psi | 63% | 2595 fps | 95.5% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,421 psi | 63% | 2608 fps | 95% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,996 psi | 83% | 2759 fps | 95.6% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,537 psi | 62% | 2559 fps | 95% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,524 psi | 65% | 2543 fps | 95.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,816 psi | 40% | 1529 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,247 psi | 63% | 2539 fps | 98.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | 55.3 gr | 90% | 41,930 psi | 67% | 2707 fps | 95.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 88% | 32,489 psi | 52% | 2500 fps | 95.3% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,418 psi | 57% | 2448 fps | 97.9% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 84% | 34,476 psi | 55% | 2431 fps | 95.3% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 92% | 35,911 psi | 58% | 2526 fps | 95.2% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,340 psi | 76% | 2694 fps | 99.5% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,414 psi | 49% | 2392 fps | 95.8% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 86% | 34,722 psi | 56% | 2461 fps | 95.5% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,669 psi | 67% | 2552 fps | 97% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,066 psi | 79% | 2382 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,801 psi | 70% | 2641 fps | 99.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 94% | 40,698 psi | 65% | 2641 fps | 95.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,756 psi | 67% | 2569 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,342 psi | 79% | 2726 fps | 95.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 86% | 38,450 psi | 62% | 2549 fps | 95% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,098 psi | 55% | 2372 fps | 97.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,572 psi | 44% | 2234 fps | 96.6% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,999 psi | 59% | 2516 fps | 96.5% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,315 psi | 53% | 2372 fps | 98.3% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 86% | 39,624 psi | 64% | 2562 fps | 95.3% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 92% | 37,333 psi | 60% | 2539 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,107 psi | 72% | 2523 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,189 psi | 61% | 2454 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,763 psi | 51% | 2336 fps | 99.1% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,979 psi | 46% | 2343 fps | 98.8% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,733 psi | 48% | 2333 fps | 96.7% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 94% | 33,518 psi | 54% | 2438 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,376 psi | 58% | 2493 fps | 96.1% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,457 psi | 47% | 2343 fps | 96% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 98% | 40,059 psi | 64% | 2562 fps | 95.7% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,926 psi | 58% | 2530 fps | 96.8% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,232 psi | 61% | 2562 fps | 95.7% |
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 88 powders for 8.5 x 55 Blaser loaded with the .338 | 185gr | Barnes MRX BT. Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,940 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,673 fps to 2,940 fps. Accurate 2495 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 88 of the 88 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 185.0 gr projectile in 0.338" calls for a 1:13.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 2495, Accurate 4064, ADI AR 2208 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 | 185gr | Barnes MRX 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.