Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 8.5 x 55 Blaser with .338 | 185gr | Hornady CX bullet and 90 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, Hodgdon CFE223 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% | 55,013 psi | 88% | 2671 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,317 psi | 87% | 2740 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,738 psi | 89% | 2828 fps | 97.9% |
| Accurate 2230 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,275 psi | 90% | 2838 fps | 98.3% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,721 psi | 85% | 2756 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 2495ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,330 psi | 86% | 2782 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,911 psi | 86% | 2812 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,443 psi | 79% | 2766 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,956 psi | 90% | 2700 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,142 psi | 85% | 2674 fps | 99.8% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,330 psi | 86% | 2808 fps | 98.3% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,476 psi | 86% | 2677 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2208ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,024 psi | 82% | 2746 fps | 97.2% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,535 psi | 89% | 2812 fps | 100% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,214 psi | 85% | 2776 fps | 99.1% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,056 psi | 88% | 2812 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,998 psi | 87% | 2874 fps | 98.9% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,171 psi | 85% | 2900 fps | 97.3% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,429 psi | 79% | 2766 fps | 98.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,578 psi | 88% | 2753 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,809 psi | 86% | 2835 fps | 97.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-17ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,976 psi | 71% | 2740 fps | 96.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,607 psi | 88% | 2697 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,911 psi | 88% | 2697 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,026 psi | 85% | 2815 fps | 97.2% |
| Bofors RP3ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,255 psi | 79% | 2776 fps | 98.5% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,709 psi | 89% | 2766 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,636 psi | 88% | 2848 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,098 psi | 85% | 2884 fps | 97.8% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,983 psi | 87% | 2792 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,114 psi | 88% | 2815 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H380ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,503 psi | 83% | 2782 fps | 96.1% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,752 psi | 88% | 2703 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,737 psi | 86% | 2822 fps | 98.8% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolutionᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,521 psi | 89% | 2894 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,460 psi | 54% | 1660 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,695 psi | 89% | 2828 fps | 98.9% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,796 psi | 89% | 2867 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,737 psi | 86% | 2782 fps | 97.9% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,724 psi | 89% | 2723 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,100 psi | 88% | 2867 fps | 98.6% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,214 psi | 85% | 2776 fps | 99.1% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,272 psi | 85% | 2772 fps | 99.8% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,736 psi | 85% | 2762 fps | 99.6% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,172 psi | 88% | 2838 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S053 | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,260 psi | 90% | 2618 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,462 psi | 87% | 2746 fps | 98.4% |
| Lovex S062ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,707 psi | 85% | 2782 fps | 99.2% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,273 psi | 87% | 2726 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,143 psi | 88% | 2805 fps | 99.4% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,840 psi | 90% | 2825 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203Bᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,808 psi | 85% | 2825 fps | 98.3% |
| Ramshot Big Gameᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,606 psi | 86% | 2848 fps | 98.1% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,027 psi | 87% | 2779 fps | 95.8% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,130 psi | 90% | 2854 fps | 98.6% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,056 psi | 88% | 2779 fps | 98.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,591 psi | 54% | 1699 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,214 psi | 85% | 2772 fps | 99.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,316 psi | 85% | 2897 fps | 97.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,108 psi | 76% | 2818 fps | 99.4% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,970 psi | 90% | 2799 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,637 psi | 89% | 2802 fps | 99.4% |
| Rottweil R 903ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,513 psi | 73% | 2703 fps | 97.6% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,272 psi | 85% | 2772 fps | 99.8% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,172 psi | 88% | 2838 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precisionᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,707 psi | 85% | 2782 fps | 99.2% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,476 psi | 86% | 2736 fps | 98.9% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,577 psi | 86% | 2431 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,072 psi | 90% | 2822 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,080 psi | 77% | 2769 fps | 97.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,796 psi | 89% | 2772 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,230 psi | 89% | 2802 fps | 96.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,274 psi | 89% | 2831 fps | 98.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,998 psi | 88% | 2723 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,749 psi | 81% | 2667 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,505 psi | 87% | 2815 fps | 99.4% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,447 psi | 86% | 2717 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,360 psi | 87% | 2799 fps | 98.3% |
| Somchem S355ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,891 psi | 75% | 2713 fps | 97.6% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,417 psi | 86% | 2628 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,824 psi | 88% | 2703 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,578 psi | 88% | 2713 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,969 psi | 87% | 2779 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,217 psi | 90% | 2799 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,223 psi | 73% | 2654 fps | 98.5% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,867 psi | 86% | 2776 fps | 99.2% |
| Vihtavuori N540ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,418 psi | 87% | 2792 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALLᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,626 psi | 67% | 2579 fps | 95.9% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,782 psi | 89% | 2871 fps | 99.8% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,940 psi | 88% | 2841 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 1680 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,517 psi | 83% | 2628 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,693 psi | 56% | 2415 fps | 99.6% |
| Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,658 psi | 73% | 2661 fps | 95.9% |
| Accurate 2230 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,426 psi | 73% | 2664 fps | 96.3% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,536 psi | 60% | 2497 fps | 98.3% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,760 psi | 43% | 2290 fps | 98.1% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,953 psi | 53% | 2434 fps | 96.6% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 82% | 27,267 psi | 44% | 2313 fps | 95.7% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,671 psi | 70% | 2513 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,034 psi | 71% | 2526 fps | 99% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,452 psi | 66% | 2602 fps | 95.8% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,108 psi | 76% | 2589 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,554 psi | 68% | 2598 fps | 95.2% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,380 psi | 68% | 2608 fps | 99.7% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,216 psi | 58% | 2467 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,966 psi | 51% | 2434 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,580 psi | 62% | 2592 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | 58 gr | 94% | 46,296 psi | 74% | 2776 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 90% | 35,737 psi | 57% | 2510 fps | 95.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,842 psi | 64% | 2523 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,640 psi | 67% | 2625 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,162 psi | 66% | 2684 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,051 psi | 77% | 2602 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,366 psi | 68% | 2510 fps | 99.9% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,557 psi | 75% | 2710 fps | 95.8% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 92% | 37,362 psi | 60% | 2559 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,201 psi | 58% | 2425 fps | 96.3% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 82% | 33,634 psi | 54% | 2467 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | 54.3 gr | 86% | 43,004 psi | 69% | 2703 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,580 psi | 62% | 2536 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,015 psi | 63% | 2549 fps | 98.7% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,051 psi | 77% | 2726 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,182 psi | 77% | 2605 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 86% | 38,972 psi | 62% | 2559 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,362 psi | 60% | 2569 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,685 psi | 40% | 1483 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 86% | 38,000 psi | 61% | 2520 fps | 95.3% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,589 psi | 49% | 2415 fps | 98.3% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,771 psi | 67% | 2579 fps | 95.3% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,379 psi | 66% | 2510 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,842 psi | 64% | 2605 fps | 95.4% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,216 psi | 58% | 2467 fps | 95.6% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,064 psi | 74% | 2661 fps | 99.2% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,159 psi | 60% | 2493 fps | 97% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,544 psi | 47% | 2362 fps | 95.2% |
| Lovex S053 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,258 psi | 85% | 2582 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,263 psi | 65% | 2503 fps | 95.4% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 88% | 36,013 psi | 58% | 2480 fps | 95.7% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,846 psi | 72% | 2589 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,462 psi | 57% | 2454 fps | 95.5% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,111 psi | 50% | 2372 fps | 96.7% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,843 psi | 65% | 2615 fps | 95.7% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,002 psi | 66% | 2628 fps | 95.2% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,691 psi | 81% | 2726 fps | 95.1% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 86% | 39,958 psi | 64% | 2579 fps | 95.2% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,221 psi | 68% | 2566 fps | 95.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,700 psi | 40% | 1516 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,348 psi | 61% | 2513 fps | 97.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | 55 gr | 92% | 43,323 psi | 69% | 2723 fps | 95.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 90% | 33,736 psi | 54% | 2520 fps | 95.6% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,403 psi | 55% | 2415 fps | 97.4% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 86% | 35,752 psi | 57% | 2451 fps | 95.5% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 94% | 37,275 psi | 60% | 2549 fps | 95.4% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,064 psi | 74% | 2661 fps | 99.2% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,544 psi | 47% | 2362 fps | 95.2% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 88% | 36,013 psi | 58% | 2480 fps | 95.7% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,611 psi | 65% | 2523 fps | 96.5% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,211 psi | 77% | 2362 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,656 psi | 68% | 2612 fps | 99.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,192 psi | 68% | 2661 fps | 95.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,611 psi | 65% | 2536 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,935 psi | 77% | 2690 fps | 95.1% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 88% | 39,827 psi | 64% | 2566 fps | 95.2% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,199 psi | 53% | 2343 fps | 97.2% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,789 psi | 43% | 2205 fps | 96% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,998 psi | 58% | 2487 fps | 95.9% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,445 psi | 52% | 2343 fps | 97.9% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,394 psi | 66% | 2585 fps | 95.6% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 94% | 38,696 psi | 62% | 2559 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,123 psi | 76% | 2546 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,855 psi | 61% | 2438 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,156 psi | 53% | 2356 fps | 99.3% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,021 psi | 45% | 2310 fps | 98.4% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,269 psi | 47% | 2310 fps | 96.3% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 90% | 32,474 psi | 52% | 2402 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,940 psi | 58% | 2457 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,195 psi | 45% | 2293 fps | 95.2% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 98% | 39,001 psi | 63% | 2526 fps | 95% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,285 psi | 52% | 2434 fps | 95.2% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 88% | 39,059 psi | 63% | 2572 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 90 powders for 8.5 x 55 Blaser loaded with the .338 | 185gr | Hornady CX. Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,900 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,660 fps to 2,900 fps. Accurate 2495 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 90 of the 90 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 1:12.5 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, Hodgdon CFE223, ReloadSwiss RS 52 rank at the top here: for 8.5 x 55 Blaser with the .338 | 185gr | Hornady CX 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.