Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 8.5 x 55 Blaser with .338 | 185gr | Barnes TSX BT bullet and 89 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% | 56,130 psi | 90% | 2697 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,796 psi | 89% | 2769 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,301 psi | 85% | 2805 fps | 97.7% |
| Accurate 2230 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,954 psi | 87% | 2818 fps | 98.1% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,331 psi | 87% | 2789 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,100 psi | 88% | 2815 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,796 psi | 89% | 2848 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,082 psi | 82% | 2799 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,867 psi | 86% | 2684 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,302 psi | 87% | 2703 fps | 99.9% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,839 psi | 88% | 2844 fps | 98.7% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,650 psi | 88% | 2703 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2208ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,402 psi | 84% | 2779 fps | 97.6% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,316 psi | 85% | 2792 fps | 100% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,476 psi | 87% | 2805 fps | 99.4% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,142 psi | 85% | 2799 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,579 psi | 89% | 2910 fps | 99.2% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,636 psi | 88% | 2940 fps | 97.8% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,894 psi | 82% | 2799 fps | 98.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,927 psi | 90% | 2782 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,564 psi | 89% | 2874 fps | 98.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-17ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,252 psi | 73% | 2779 fps | 97.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,680 psi | 89% | 2720 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,043 psi | 90% | 2723 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,882 psi | 88% | 2854 fps | 97.7% |
| Bofors RP3ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,720 psi | 81% | 2808 fps | 98.9% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,780 psi | 86% | 2753 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,376 psi | 90% | 2884 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,810 psi | 88% | 2923 fps | 98.3% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,463 psi | 89% | 2822 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,823 psi | 85% | 2795 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H380ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,142 psi | 85% | 2822 fps | 96.7% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,724 psi | 89% | 2730 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,259 psi | 89% | 2854 fps | 99.1% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,548 psi | 86% | 2881 fps | 99.2% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,562 psi | 54% | 1673 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,592 psi | 86% | 2808 fps | 98.8% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,867 psi | 86% | 2851 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,216 psi | 89% | 2815 fps | 98.3% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,519 psi | 86% | 2703 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,345 psi | 86% | 2854 fps | 98.6% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,476 psi | 87% | 2805 fps | 99.4% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,766 psi | 88% | 2805 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,360 psi | 87% | 2795 fps | 99.8% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,359 psi | 86% | 2825 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,912 psi | 90% | 2782 fps | 98.7% |
| Lovex S062ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,244 psi | 87% | 2815 fps | 99.4% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,970 psi | 90% | 2759 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,447 psi | 86% | 2792 fps | 99.3% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,809 psi | 86% | 2805 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203Bᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,549 psi | 87% | 2861 fps | 98.7% |
| Ramshot Big Gameᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,390 psi | 89% | 2887 fps | 98.6% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,550 psi | 89% | 2815 fps | 96.4% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,186 psi | 87% | 2838 fps | 98.5% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,362 psi | 90% | 2812 fps | 98.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,692 psi | 54% | 1713 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,578 psi | 88% | 2802 fps | 99.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,158 psi | 88% | 2940 fps | 98.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,457 psi | 78% | 2858 fps | 99.7% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,172 psi | 87% | 2782 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,563 psi | 86% | 2782 fps | 99.3% |
| Rottweil R 903ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,978 psi | 75% | 2740 fps | 98.1% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,766 psi | 88% | 2805 fps | 99.9% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,359 psi | 86% | 2825 fps | 99.9% |
| Shooters World Precisionᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,244 psi | 87% | 2815 fps | 99.4% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,027 psi | 88% | 2772 fps | 99.2% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,578 psi | 88% | 2454 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,867 psi | 86% | 2802 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,574 psi | 79% | 2805 fps | 97.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,766 psi | 86% | 2756 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,953 psi | 85% | 2785 fps | 96.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,417 psi | 86% | 2815 fps | 98.4% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,420 psi | 90% | 2753 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,214 psi | 84% | 2700 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,927 psi | 90% | 2848 fps | 99.6% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,969 psi | 88% | 2749 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,289 psi | 90% | 2838 fps | 98.7% |
| Somchem S355ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,298 psi | 77% | 2749 fps | 98.1% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,607 psi | 88% | 2654 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,304 psi | 90% | 2733 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,999 psi | 90% | 2743 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,695 psi | 89% | 2812 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,389 psi | 87% | 2785 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,514 psi | 75% | 2687 fps | 98.8% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,129 psi | 88% | 2808 fps | 99.5% |
| Vihtavuori N540ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,057 psi | 90% | 2828 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALLᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,873 psi | 69% | 2618 fps | 96.6% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,679 psi | 86% | 2851 fps | 99.8% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,692 psi | 84% | 2822 fps | 98.8% |
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% | 52,649 psi | 84% | 2654 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,665 psi | 57% | 2444 fps | 99.7% |
| Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,673 psi | 75% | 2694 fps | 96.3% |
| Accurate 2230 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,615 psi | 75% | 2697 fps | 96.7% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,624 psi | 62% | 2530 fps | 98.6% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,847 psi | 45% | 2323 fps | 98.6% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,011 psi | 55% | 2467 fps | 97.1% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,397 psi | 42% | 2293 fps | 95.4% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,614 psi | 72% | 2543 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,976 psi | 72% | 2556 fps | 99.3% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 86% | 39,987 psi | 64% | 2582 fps | 95.6% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,356 psi | 78% | 2618 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 94% | 43,671 psi | 70% | 2631 fps | 95.7% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,337 psi | 69% | 2635 fps | 99.9% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,882 psi | 56% | 2448 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,953 psi | 53% | 2464 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,871 psi | 64% | 2631 fps | 96.3% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | 58.3 gr | 92% | 44,469 psi | 71% | 2756 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 90% | 36,912 psi | 59% | 2543 fps | 95.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,973 psi | 66% | 2552 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,132 psi | 64% | 2605 fps | 95% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 96% | 39,537 psi | 63% | 2661 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,182 psi | 79% | 2628 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,308 psi | 69% | 2536 fps | 99.9% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 90% | 44,643 psi | 72% | 2687 fps | 95.5% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 90% | 35,969 psi | 58% | 2536 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,217 psi | 60% | 2457 fps | 96.8% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,358 psi | 52% | 2444 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | 54.5 gr | 84% | 41,408 psi | 66% | 2684 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,566 psi | 63% | 2566 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,321 psi | 65% | 2585 fps | 99.1% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,470 psi | 75% | 2713 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,211 psi | 79% | 2635 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,681 psi | 60% | 2543 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 86% | 35,810 psi | 57% | 2546 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,772 psi | 40% | 1493 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,463 psi | 58% | 2497 fps | 95% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,546 psi | 51% | 2448 fps | 98.7% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,422 psi | 65% | 2562 fps | 95.1% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,293 psi | 68% | 2533 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,624 psi | 62% | 2589 fps | 95.3% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,882 psi | 56% | 2448 fps | 95.4% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,297 psi | 76% | 2690 fps | 99.4% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,406 psi | 62% | 2526 fps | 97.5% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,371 psi | 49% | 2392 fps | 95.8% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,696 psi | 62% | 2484 fps | 95.1% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 86% | 34,867 psi | 56% | 2464 fps | 95.5% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,253 psi | 74% | 2621 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 82% | 34,142 psi | 55% | 2431 fps | 95.2% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,966 psi | 51% | 2405 fps | 97.1% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,349 psi | 63% | 2595 fps | 95.5% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,349 psi | 63% | 2605 fps | 95% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,938 psi | 83% | 2759 fps | 95.6% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,508 psi | 62% | 2559 fps | 95% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,669 psi | 65% | 2546 fps | 95.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,801 psi | 40% | 1529 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,218 psi | 63% | 2539 fps | 98.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | 55.3 gr | 90% | 41,858 psi | 67% | 2707 fps | 95.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 88% | 32,460 psi | 52% | 2497 fps | 95.2% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,389 psi | 57% | 2448 fps | 97.9% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 84% | 34,621 psi | 56% | 2438 fps | 95.4% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 92% | 35,868 psi | 58% | 2526 fps | 95.2% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,297 psi | 76% | 2690 fps | 99.4% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,371 psi | 49% | 2392 fps | 95.8% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 86% | 34,867 psi | 56% | 2464 fps | 95.5% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,640 psi | 67% | 2552 fps | 97% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,269 psi | 79% | 2388 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,019 psi | 71% | 2644 fps | 99.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 94% | 40,669 psi | 65% | 2641 fps | 95.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,698 psi | 67% | 2566 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,284 psi | 79% | 2726 fps | 95.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 86% | 38,421 psi | 62% | 2546 fps | 95% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,069 psi | 55% | 2372 fps | 97.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,543 psi | 44% | 2234 fps | 96.6% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,941 psi | 59% | 2516 fps | 96.4% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,475 psi | 54% | 2375 fps | 98.3% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 86% | 39,784 psi | 64% | 2566 fps | 95.3% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 92% | 37,304 psi | 60% | 2539 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,385 psi | 78% | 2572 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,870 psi | 62% | 2467 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,040 psi | 55% | 2385 fps | 99.5% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,935 psi | 46% | 2339 fps | 98.8% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,240 psi | 48% | 2343 fps | 96.9% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 90% | 33,518 psi | 54% | 2434 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,548 psi | 55% | 2438 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,921 psi | 46% | 2320 fps | 95.7% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 98% | 40,016 psi | 64% | 2562 fps | 95.7% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,214 psi | 53% | 2467 fps | 95.8% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,376 psi | 60% | 2546 fps | 95.4% |
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 89 powders for 8.5 x 55 Blaser loaded with the .338 | 185gr | Barnes TSX 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 89 of the 89 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 TSX 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.