Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 8.5 x 55 Blaser with .338 | 185gr | Hornady GMX 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 2015 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,258 psi | 85% | 2743 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,128 psi | 87% | 2828 fps | 97.9% |
| Accurate 2230 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,752 psi | 88% | 2838 fps | 98.3% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,317 psi | 89% | 2812 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,188 psi | 90% | 2835 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,881 psi | 85% | 2812 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,083 psi | 84% | 2822 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,346 psi | 87% | 2697 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,766 psi | 88% | 2717 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,767 psi | 89% | 2864 fps | 98.9% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,332 psi | 89% | 2720 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2208ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,243 psi | 85% | 2802 fps | 97.9% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,447 psi | 87% | 2815 fps | 100% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,361 psi | 89% | 2825 fps | 99.5% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,041 psi | 87% | 2815 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,142 psi | 85% | 2877 fps | 99% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,622 psi | 89% | 2966 fps | 98.2% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,764 psi | 83% | 2822 fps | 99% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,548 psi | 86% | 2756 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,939 psi | 85% | 2841 fps | 98.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-17ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,079 psi | 74% | 2805 fps | 97.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 82% | 53,055 psi | 85% | 2694 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,316 psi | 85% | 2694 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,680 psi | 89% | 2877 fps | 98% |
| Bofors RP3ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,895 psi | 83% | 2831 fps | 99.1% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,418 psi | 87% | 2769 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,737 psi | 86% | 2854 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,753 psi | 89% | 2943 fps | 98.5% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,217 psi | 90% | 2838 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,795 psi | 86% | 2815 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H380ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,983 psi | 87% | 2841 fps | 97% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 82% | 53,113 psi | 85% | 2700 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,217 psi | 90% | 2877 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,723 psi | 88% | 2904 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,866 psi | 54% | 1683 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,491 psi | 87% | 2831 fps | 99% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,665 psi | 88% | 2867 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,115 psi | 90% | 2838 fps | 98.5% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,447 psi | 87% | 2723 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,259 psi | 87% | 2877 fps | 98.8% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,361 psi | 89% | 2825 fps | 99.5% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,521 psi | 89% | 2825 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,245 psi | 89% | 2815 fps | 99.8% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,302 psi | 87% | 2844 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,374 psi | 86% | 2753 fps | 98.5% |
| Lovex S062ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,172 psi | 88% | 2838 fps | 99.6% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,055 psi | 85% | 2726 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,099 psi | 87% | 2808 fps | 99.4% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,737 psi | 88% | 2825 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203Bᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,434 psi | 89% | 2881 fps | 98.9% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,649 psi | 84% | 2854 fps | 98.3% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,304 psi | 90% | 2835 fps | 96.7% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,027 psi | 88% | 2858 fps | 98.7% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,534 psi | 86% | 2779 fps | 98.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,997 psi | 55% | 1726 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,245 psi | 89% | 2818 fps | 99.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,115 psi | 90% | 2959 fps | 98.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,385 psi | 79% | 2881 fps | 99.8% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,216 psi | 89% | 2805 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,491 psi | 87% | 2805 fps | 99.4% |
| Rottweil R 903ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,138 psi | 77% | 2766 fps | 98.4% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,521 psi | 89% | 2825 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,302 psi | 87% | 2844 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precisionᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,172 psi | 88% | 2838 fps | 99.6% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,666 psi | 89% | 2789 fps | 99.3% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,303 psi | 89% | 2467 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,549 psi | 87% | 2822 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,546 psi | 81% | 2831 fps | 98% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,694 psi | 88% | 2776 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,766 psi | 86% | 2805 fps | 96.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,244 psi | 87% | 2835 fps | 98.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,751 psi | 86% | 2723 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,852 psi | 85% | 2713 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,026 psi | 85% | 2812 fps | 99.5% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,564 psi | 89% | 2766 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,243 psi | 85% | 2802 fps | 98.4% |
| Somchem S355ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,153 psi | 79% | 2769 fps | 98.3% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,245 psi | 89% | 2667 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,577 psi | 86% | 2703 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,461 psi | 86% | 2717 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,142 psi | 85% | 2785 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,317 psi | 89% | 2805 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,630 psi | 76% | 2710 fps | 99% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,101 psi | 90% | 2828 fps | 99.6% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,388 psi | 86% | 2799 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALLᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,584 psi | 70% | 2641 fps | 97% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,607 psi | 88% | 2871 fps | 99.8% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,838 psi | 86% | 2844 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 2015 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,245 psi | 58% | 2461 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,500 psi | 76% | 2717 fps | 96.7% |
| Accurate 2230 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,369 psi | 76% | 2717 fps | 97% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,305 psi | 63% | 2549 fps | 98.8% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,369 psi | 45% | 2343 fps | 98.8% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,679 psi | 56% | 2487 fps | 97.4% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,905 psi | 43% | 2313 fps | 95.8% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,136 psi | 72% | 2559 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,542 psi | 73% | 2572 fps | 99.4% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,145 psi | 61% | 2549 fps | 95.1% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,052 psi | 79% | 2635 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,727 psi | 67% | 2602 fps | 95.3% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,135 psi | 71% | 2654 fps | 99.9% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,331 psi | 57% | 2464 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,707 psi | 54% | 2487 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,451 psi | 65% | 2651 fps | 96.6% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | 59.2 gr | 92% | 45,179 psi | 72% | 2779 fps | 95.8% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 88% | 35,157 psi | 56% | 2510 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,611 psi | 67% | 2572 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,973 psi | 66% | 2631 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 96% | 40,161 psi | 64% | 2684 fps | 95.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,053 psi | 80% | 2648 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,903 psi | 70% | 2552 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,438 psi | 68% | 2651 fps | 95% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 88% | 34,200 psi | 55% | 2503 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,695 psi | 60% | 2474 fps | 97.1% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,967 psi | 53% | 2464 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | 55.3 gr | 84% | 42,003 psi | 67% | 2703 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,350 psi | 65% | 2585 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,770 psi | 65% | 2598 fps | 99.2% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,282 psi | 76% | 2733 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,777 psi | 80% | 2651 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,723 psi | 57% | 2503 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,535 psi | 59% | 2569 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,947 psi | 40% | 1503 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,115 psi | 60% | 2516 fps | 95.3% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,068 psi | 51% | 2464 fps | 98.9% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,104 psi | 66% | 2585 fps | 95.4% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,728 psi | 69% | 2546 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 88% | 39,291 psi | 63% | 2608 fps | 95.6% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,331 psi | 57% | 2464 fps | 95.7% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,109 psi | 77% | 2713 fps | 99.6% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,088 psi | 63% | 2546 fps | 97.8% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,053 psi | 50% | 2411 fps | 96.2% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,320 psi | 63% | 2503 fps | 95.5% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 84% | 33,257 psi | 53% | 2431 fps | 95.1% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,876 psi | 75% | 2635 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 82% | 34,824 psi | 56% | 2454 fps | 95.6% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,474 psi | 52% | 2421 fps | 97.4% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,637 psi | 60% | 2566 fps | 95% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,045 psi | 64% | 2628 fps | 95.3% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,284 psi | 79% | 2723 fps | 95.2% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,073 psi | 63% | 2579 fps | 95.3% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,580 psi | 62% | 2510 fps | 95% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,976 psi | 40% | 1539 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,914 psi | 64% | 2562 fps | 98.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | 56.2 gr | 90% | 42,743 psi | 69% | 2733 fps | 95.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 88% | 33,069 psi | 53% | 2523 fps | 95.8% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,926 psi | 58% | 2464 fps | 98.1% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,070 psi | 56% | 2454 fps | 95.7% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 92% | 36,724 psi | 59% | 2552 fps | 95.6% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,109 psi | 77% | 2713 fps | 99.6% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,053 psi | 50% | 2411 fps | 96.2% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 84% | 33,257 psi | 53% | 2431 fps | 95.1% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,264 psi | 68% | 2572 fps | 97.3% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,763 psi | 80% | 2398 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,498 psi | 71% | 2657 fps | 99.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 92% | 38,856 psi | 62% | 2612 fps | 95.1% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,337 psi | 68% | 2585 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,688 psi | 75% | 2690 fps | 95.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 86% | 39,204 psi | 63% | 2569 fps | 95.4% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,563 psi | 55% | 2388 fps | 97.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,992 psi | 45% | 2251 fps | 96.9% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,579 psi | 60% | 2536 fps | 96.8% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,953 psi | 54% | 2395 fps | 98.5% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,364 psi | 65% | 2582 fps | 95.6% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 92% | 38,116 psi | 61% | 2566 fps | 95.8% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,037 psi | 79% | 2585 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,436 psi | 63% | 2480 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,577 psi | 55% | 2402 fps | 99.6% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,486 psi | 47% | 2359 fps | 99% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,705 psi | 49% | 2362 fps | 97.2% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 88% | 31,908 psi | 51% | 2402 fps | 95.1% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,201 psi | 56% | 2457 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,472 psi | 47% | 2339 fps | 96.1% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 96% | 38,101 psi | 61% | 2530 fps | 95.2% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,852 psi | 54% | 2490 fps | 96.2% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 86% | 38,145 psi | 61% | 2569 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 88 powders for 8.5 x 55 Blaser loaded with the .338 | 185gr | Hornady GMX. Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,966 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,683 fps to 2,966 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 1:14.0 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 | Hornady GMX 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.