Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 8.5 x 55 Blaser with .338 | 185gr | CutEdge ER Raptor bullet and 87 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 Winchester 748.
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% | 53,577 psi | 86% | 2638 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,927 psi | 90% | 2746 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,853 psi | 86% | 2785 fps | 97.3% |
| Accurate 2230 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,462 psi | 87% | 2795 fps | 97.8% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,433 psi | 87% | 2766 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 2495ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,879 psi | 82% | 2740 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,550 psi | 89% | 2818 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,210 psi | 76% | 2720 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,462 psi | 87% | 2664 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,940 psi | 88% | 2680 fps | 99.9% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,882 psi | 88% | 2815 fps | 98.3% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,216 psi | 89% | 2690 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2208ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,429 psi | 79% | 2703 fps | 96.6% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,708 psi | 86% | 2772 fps | 100% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,708 psi | 88% | 2782 fps | 99.1% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,376 psi | 90% | 2818 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,883 psi | 90% | 2884 fps | 99% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MRᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,897 psi | 88% | 2907 fps | 97.3% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,384 psi | 76% | 2717 fps | 97.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,362 psi | 90% | 2762 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,112 psi | 84% | 2792 fps | 97.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,260 psi | 90% | 2703 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,258 psi | 85% | 2661 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,882 psi | 88% | 2825 fps | 97.2% |
| Bofors RP3ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,224 psi | 76% | 2730 fps | 98% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,230 psi | 87% | 2730 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,649 psi | 84% | 2805 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,752 psi | 88% | 2890 fps | 97.9% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,622 psi | 89% | 2799 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,258 psi | 85% | 2776 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,055 psi | 85% | 2664 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,230 psi | 89% | 2825 fps | 98.8% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolutionᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,635 psi | 86% | 2854 fps | 98.9% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,344 psi | 53% | 1644 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,998 psi | 87% | 2785 fps | 98.5% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,577 psi | 86% | 2825 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,996 psi | 83% | 2736 fps | 97.3% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,911 psi | 86% | 2684 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,374 psi | 86% | 2828 fps | 98.2% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,708 psi | 88% | 2782 fps | 99.1% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,143 psi | 88% | 2785 fps | 99.8% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,592 psi | 88% | 2772 fps | 99.6% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,968 psi | 85% | 2795 fps | 99.8% |
| Lovex S053 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,882 psi | 88% | 2589 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,028 psi | 90% | 2753 fps | 98.4% |
| Lovex S062ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,647 psi | 81% | 2736 fps | 98.8% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,231 psi | 90% | 2740 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,272 psi | 85% | 2762 fps | 99% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,563 psi | 86% | 2779 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203Bᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,097 psi | 82% | 2779 fps | 97.8% |
| Ramshot Big Gameᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,648 psi | 83% | 2802 fps | 97.5% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,898 psi | 90% | 2789 fps | 95.9% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,215 psi | 87% | 2808 fps | 98.1% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,142 psi | 85% | 2733 fps | 97.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,475 psi | 54% | 1683 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,940 psi | 88% | 2779 fps | 99.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,013 psi | 88% | 2907 fps | 97.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,397 psi | 73% | 2766 fps | 99% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,215 psi | 87% | 2756 fps | 99.9% |
| Rottweil R 902ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,476 psi | 86% | 2756 fps | 99% |
| Rottweil R 903ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,526 psi | 70% | 2654 fps | 96.9% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,143 psi | 88% | 2785 fps | 99.8% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,968 psi | 85% | 2795 fps | 99.8% |
| Shooters World Precisionᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,647 psi | 81% | 2736 fps | 98.8% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,419 psi | 89% | 2746 fps | 98.9% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,463 psi | 89% | 2441 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,143 psi | 87% | 2782 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,441 psi | 74% | 2723 fps | 96.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,027 psi | 87% | 2736 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,069 psi | 85% | 2756 fps | 95.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,374 psi | 86% | 2785 fps | 98% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,345 psi | 86% | 2684 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,950 psi | 78% | 2628 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,173 psi | 90% | 2825 fps | 99.5% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,940 psi | 88% | 2723 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,275 psi | 90% | 2808 fps | 98.3% |
| Somchem S355ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,991 psi | 72% | 2667 fps | 97% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,216 psi | 89% | 2638 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,391 psi | 90% | 2707 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,043 psi | 90% | 2717 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,822 psi | 83% | 2740 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,099 psi | 87% | 2756 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,323 psi | 69% | 2608 fps | 97.9% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,506 psi | 89% | 2782 fps | 99.2% |
| Vihtavuori N540ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,518 psi | 84% | 2753 fps | 99.9% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,664 psi | 86% | 2825 fps | 99.6% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,721 psi | 85% | 2792 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% | 50,038 psi | 80% | 2592 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,547 psi | 54% | 2379 fps | 99.3% |
| Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,077 psi | 71% | 2615 fps | 95.1% |
| Accurate 2230 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,671 psi | 70% | 2618 fps | 95.5% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,114 psi | 58% | 2457 fps | 97.7% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,686 psi | 41% | 2251 fps | 97.6% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,633 psi | 51% | 2392 fps | 95.9% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 27,934 psi | 45% | 2323 fps | 95.8% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,641 psi | 68% | 2480 fps | 99.7% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,004 psi | 69% | 2493 fps | 98.7% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 88% | 39,943 psi | 64% | 2556 fps | 95% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,716 psi | 73% | 2559 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 96% | 43,598 psi | 70% | 2602 fps | 95.1% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,828 psi | 65% | 2566 fps | 99.5% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,405 psi | 60% | 2480 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,908 psi | 50% | 2398 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | 44.8 gr | 80% | 37,188 psi | 60% | 2549 fps | 95% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,805 psi | 77% | 2785 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 92% | 36,579 psi | 59% | 2516 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,624 psi | 62% | 2490 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,830 psi | 69% | 2635 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,847 psi | 75% | 2572 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,147 psi | 66% | 2474 fps | 99.7% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 92% | 44,846 psi | 72% | 2661 fps | 95% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 92% | 35,650 psi | 57% | 2510 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,302 psi | 57% | 2388 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 34,795 psi | 56% | 2480 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | 53.8 gr | 88% | 44,570 psi | 71% | 2717 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,275 psi | 60% | 2497 fps | 99% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,681 psi | 60% | 2510 fps | 98.3% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,036 psi | 75% | 2572 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,681 psi | 60% | 2516 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 90% | 38,392 psi | 62% | 2579 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,526 psi | 39% | 1467 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 88% | 39,189 psi | 63% | 2530 fps | 95.4% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,414 psi | 47% | 2372 fps | 97.7% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,975 psi | 69% | 2585 fps | 95.3% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,059 psi | 64% | 2474 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,118 psi | 66% | 2615 fps | 95.5% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,405 psi | 60% | 2480 fps | 95.7% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,512 psi | 71% | 2621 fps | 98.9% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,795 psi | 57% | 2451 fps | 96.4% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 82% | 30,400 psi | 49% | 2375 fps | 95.4% |
| Lovex S053 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,808 psi | 83% | 2549 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,495 psi | 67% | 2513 fps | 95.5% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 88% | 34,751 psi | 56% | 2441 fps | 95% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,598 psi | 70% | 2556 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,622 psi | 59% | 2467 fps | 95.6% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,965 psi | 48% | 2333 fps | 96% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,003 psi | 67% | 2625 fps | 95.7% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,134 psi | 68% | 2635 fps | 95.3% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,301 psi | 84% | 2733 fps | 95.1% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,307 psi | 66% | 2592 fps | 95.4% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,075 psi | 66% | 2526 fps | 95.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,540 psi | 39% | 1503 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,927 psi | 59% | 2470 fps | 97.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 94% | 44,715 psi | 72% | 2733 fps | 95.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 92% | 34,809 psi | 56% | 2530 fps | 95.7% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,330 psi | 53% | 2379 fps | 96.9% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 88% | 36,912 psi | 59% | 2464 fps | 95.7% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 96% | 38,058 psi | 61% | 2552 fps | 95.4% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,512 psi | 71% | 2621 fps | 98.9% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 82% | 30,400 psi | 49% | 2375 fps | 95.4% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 88% | 34,751 psi | 56% | 2441 fps | 95% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,320 psi | 63% | 2480 fps | 95.9% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,239 psi | 76% | 2339 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,263 psi | 66% | 2572 fps | 98.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 98% | 43,410 psi | 70% | 2667 fps | 95.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,334 psi | 63% | 2500 fps | 99.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,443 psi | 79% | 2700 fps | 95.1% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,176 psi | 66% | 2579 fps | 95.3% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,184 psi | 52% | 2306 fps | 96.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,976 psi | 42% | 2169 fps | 95.4% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,795 psi | 56% | 2448 fps | 95.2% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,531 psi | 51% | 2310 fps | 97.4% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,699 psi | 68% | 2595 fps | 95.6% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 96% | 39,581 psi | 63% | 2566 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,774 psi | 73% | 2513 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,782 psi | 59% | 2405 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,097 psi | 51% | 2320 fps | 98.9% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,963 psi | 43% | 2270 fps | 97.8% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,413 psi | 46% | 2277 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 92% | 33,315 psi | 53% | 2408 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,202 psi | 60% | 2470 fps | 95.8% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 82% | 29,066 psi | 47% | 2306 fps | 95.3% |
| Winchester 748 | 48.1 gr | 82% | 33,359 psi | 53% | 2448 fps | 95.4% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,176 psi | 64% | 2579 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 87 powders for 8.5 x 55 Blaser loaded with the .338 | 185gr | CutEdge ER Raptor. Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,907 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,644 fps to 2,907 fps. Accurate 2495 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 87 of the 87 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 185.0 gr projectile in 0.338" calls for a 1:11.0 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. Hodgdon CFE223, Alliant Power Pro 1200-R, Winchester 748 rank at the top here: for 8.5 x 55 Blaser with the .338 | 185gr | CutEdge ER Raptor 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.