Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 8.5 x 55 Blaser with .338 | 186gr | Peregrine VLR-5 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 2015 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,301 psi | 85% | 2733 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,157 psi | 87% | 2818 fps | 97.9% |
| Accurate 2230 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,839 psi | 88% | 2831 fps | 98.4% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,434 psi | 89% | 2802 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,347 psi | 90% | 2828 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,939 psi | 85% | 2805 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,185 psi | 84% | 2812 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,346 psi | 87% | 2687 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,824 psi | 88% | 2710 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,883 psi | 90% | 2858 fps | 98.9% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,608 psi | 89% | 2713 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2208ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,330 psi | 86% | 2795 fps | 97.9% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,128 psi | 87% | 2802 fps | 100% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,463 psi | 89% | 2822 fps | 99.5% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,128 psi | 87% | 2805 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,156 psi | 85% | 2871 fps | 99% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,492 psi | 89% | 2956 fps | 98.2% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,055 psi | 85% | 2822 fps | 99% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,909 psi | 83% | 2812 fps | 99.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,548 psi | 86% | 2749 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,069 psi | 85% | 2835 fps | 98.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-17ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,977 psi | 74% | 2795 fps | 97.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 82% | 53,084 psi | 85% | 2684 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,374 psi | 86% | 2687 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,782 psi | 89% | 2871 fps | 98% |
| Bofors RP3ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,750 psi | 83% | 2822 fps | 99.1% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,491 psi | 87% | 2762 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,809 psi | 86% | 2848 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,840 psi | 90% | 2936 fps | 98.6% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,289 psi | 90% | 2831 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,853 psi | 86% | 2805 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H380ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,085 psi | 87% | 2835 fps | 97% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 82% | 53,069 psi | 85% | 2690 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,304 psi | 90% | 2871 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,549 psi | 87% | 2894 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,808 psi | 54% | 1677 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,563 psi | 87% | 2822 fps | 99% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,752 psi | 88% | 2861 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,173 psi | 90% | 2828 fps | 98.5% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,418 psi | 87% | 2713 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,317 psi | 87% | 2871 fps | 98.8% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,463 psi | 89% | 2822 fps | 99.5% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,593 psi | 89% | 2815 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,376 psi | 89% | 2808 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,143 psi | 87% | 2831 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,185 psi | 85% | 2740 fps | 98.5% |
| Lovex S062ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,230 psi | 89% | 2831 fps | 99.6% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,374 psi | 86% | 2723 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,172 psi | 87% | 2802 fps | 99.5% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,549 psi | 87% | 2815 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203Bᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,521 psi | 89% | 2874 fps | 98.9% |
| Ramshot Big Gameᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,304 psi | 90% | 2904 fps | 98.8% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,420 psi | 90% | 2828 fps | 96.7% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,868 psi | 88% | 2848 fps | 98.7% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,635 psi | 86% | 2772 fps | 98.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,953 psi | 54% | 1716 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,288 psi | 89% | 2812 fps | 99.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,246 psi | 90% | 2953 fps | 98.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,269 psi | 79% | 2871 fps | 99.8% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,955 psi | 88% | 2792 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,607 psi | 88% | 2799 fps | 99.5% |
| Rottweil R 903ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,993 psi | 77% | 2756 fps | 98.4% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,593 psi | 89% | 2815 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,143 psi | 87% | 2831 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precisionᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,230 psi | 89% | 2831 fps | 99.6% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,767 psi | 89% | 2782 fps | 99.3% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,230 psi | 89% | 2461 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,621 psi | 88% | 2812 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,430 psi | 81% | 2822 fps | 98% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,694 psi | 88% | 2766 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,896 psi | 86% | 2795 fps | 96.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,375 psi | 87% | 2828 fps | 98.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,766 psi | 86% | 2717 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,895 psi | 85% | 2707 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,142 psi | 85% | 2805 fps | 99.5% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,651 psi | 89% | 2756 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,359 psi | 86% | 2795 fps | 98.4% |
| Somchem S355ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,240 psi | 79% | 2762 fps | 98.4% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,506 psi | 89% | 2661 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,592 psi | 86% | 2694 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,505 psi | 86% | 2707 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,156 psi | 85% | 2776 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,071 psi | 88% | 2792 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,456 psi | 76% | 2700 fps | 99% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,173 psi | 90% | 2822 fps | 99.6% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,461 psi | 86% | 2789 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALLᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,700 psi | 70% | 2635 fps | 97% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,679 psi | 88% | 2864 fps | 99.9% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,650 psi | 86% | 2835 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% | 36,419 psi | 58% | 2457 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,485 psi | 76% | 2707 fps | 96.7% |
| Accurate 2230 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,413 psi | 76% | 2710 fps | 97.1% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,305 psi | 63% | 2539 fps | 98.8% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,384 psi | 46% | 2336 fps | 98.8% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,693 psi | 56% | 2480 fps | 97.5% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,890 psi | 43% | 2306 fps | 95.8% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,382 psi | 73% | 2552 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,745 psi | 73% | 2569 fps | 99.4% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,159 psi | 61% | 2543 fps | 95.2% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,994 psi | 79% | 2625 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,553 psi | 67% | 2592 fps | 95.3% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,135 psi | 71% | 2648 fps | 99.9% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,317 psi | 57% | 2457 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,692 psi | 54% | 2477 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,437 psi | 65% | 2641 fps | 96.7% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | 59 gr | 92% | 45,281 psi | 73% | 2772 fps | 95.8% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,085 psi | 58% | 2503 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 88% | 35,172 psi | 56% | 2503 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,553 psi | 67% | 2562 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,017 psi | 66% | 2625 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 96% | 40,248 psi | 65% | 2677 fps | 96% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,009 psi | 80% | 2641 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,932 psi | 70% | 2543 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,467 psi | 68% | 2644 fps | 95.1% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 88% | 34,243 psi | 55% | 2497 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,666 psi | 60% | 2464 fps | 97.1% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,982 psi | 53% | 2457 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | 55.1 gr | 84% | 42,032 psi | 67% | 2697 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,335 psi | 65% | 2579 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,785 psi | 65% | 2592 fps | 99.2% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,137 psi | 76% | 2723 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,024 psi | 80% | 2644 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,940 psi | 58% | 2500 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,579 psi | 59% | 2562 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,874 psi | 40% | 1496 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,130 psi | 60% | 2510 fps | 95.4% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,053 psi | 51% | 2457 fps | 98.9% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,089 psi | 66% | 2575 fps | 95.5% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,902 psi | 69% | 2543 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 88% | 39,320 psi | 63% | 2605 fps | 95.7% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,317 psi | 57% | 2457 fps | 95.7% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,138 psi | 77% | 2703 fps | 99.6% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,117 psi | 63% | 2539 fps | 97.9% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,038 psi | 50% | 2408 fps | 96.2% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,305 psi | 63% | 2493 fps | 95.5% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 84% | 33,272 psi | 53% | 2425 fps | 95.1% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,847 psi | 75% | 2628 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 82% | 34,809 psi | 56% | 2448 fps | 95.7% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,619 psi | 52% | 2418 fps | 97.5% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,681 psi | 60% | 2559 fps | 95.1% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,132 psi | 64% | 2625 fps | 95.4% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,385 psi | 79% | 2717 fps | 95.2% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,117 psi | 63% | 2572 fps | 95.4% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,595 psi | 62% | 2503 fps | 95% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,918 psi | 40% | 1532 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,900 psi | 64% | 2552 fps | 98.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | 54.7 gr | 88% | 39,827 psi | 64% | 2664 fps | 95% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 88% | 33,127 psi | 53% | 2516 fps | 95.9% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,897 psi | 58% | 2454 fps | 98.1% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,099 psi | 56% | 2448 fps | 95.7% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 92% | 36,753 psi | 59% | 2546 fps | 95.6% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,138 psi | 77% | 2703 fps | 99.6% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,038 psi | 50% | 2408 fps | 96.2% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 84% | 33,272 psi | 53% | 2425 fps | 95.1% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,279 psi | 68% | 2566 fps | 97.3% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,676 psi | 80% | 2388 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,512 psi | 71% | 2651 fps | 99.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 92% | 38,943 psi | 62% | 2605 fps | 95.1% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,337 psi | 68% | 2575 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,760 psi | 75% | 2684 fps | 95.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 86% | 39,030 psi | 63% | 2559 fps | 95.4% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,548 psi | 55% | 2382 fps | 97.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,963 psi | 45% | 2244 fps | 96.9% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,594 psi | 60% | 2530 fps | 96.8% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,924 psi | 54% | 2385 fps | 98.5% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,422 psi | 65% | 2579 fps | 95.7% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 90% | 35,752 psi | 57% | 2507 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,008 psi | 79% | 2579 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,407 psi | 63% | 2474 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,563 psi | 55% | 2392 fps | 99.6% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,486 psi | 47% | 2352 fps | 99% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,705 psi | 49% | 2352 fps | 97.2% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 88% | 31,923 psi | 51% | 2395 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,186 psi | 56% | 2451 fps | 95.8% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,501 psi | 47% | 2333 fps | 96.2% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 96% | 38,189 psi | 61% | 2523 fps | 95.3% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,852 psi | 54% | 2480 fps | 96.3% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,621 psi | 57% | 2507 fps | 95% |
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 111 powders for 8.5 x 55 Blaser loaded with the .338 | 186gr | Peregrine VLR-5. Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,956 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,677 fps to 2,956 fps. Accurate 2495 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 111 of the 111 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 186.0 gr projectile in 0.338" calls for a 1:13.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 2495, Accurate 4064, Accurate 4350 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 | 186gr | Peregrine VLR-5 they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, Accurate 2700, Accurate 4350, Alliant Reloder-16 burn incompletely and react more sensitively to barrel length and temperature. Always begin at the start load and work up in small increments while checking case and primer for pressure signs.