Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 8.5 x 55 Blaser with .338 | 200gr | Barnes X S 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, ReloadSwiss RS 52 and ReloadSwiss RS 60.
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>> | 88% | 55,259 psi | 89% | 2635 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,737 psi | 86% | 2654 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,563 psi | 86% | 2657 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,926 psi | 88% | 2710 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,333 psi | 90% | 2740 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,384 psi | 76% | 2677 fps | 97.1% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,027 psi | 87% | 2569 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,418 psi | 87% | 2592 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,679 psi | 86% | 2710 fps | 99.1% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,157 psi | 87% | 2700 fps | 98.7% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,752 psi | 88% | 2687 fps | 100% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,130 psi | 90% | 2713 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,927 psi | 90% | 2700 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,534 psi | 87% | 2769 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,898 psi | 90% | 2854 fps | 98.9% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,838 psi | 86% | 2726 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,911 psi | 88% | 2638 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,578 psi | 88% | 2743 fps | 98.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-16ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,007 psi | 75% | 2677 fps | 97.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-17ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,882 psi | 86% | 2825 fps | 99.6% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,434 psi | 90% | 2615 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,217 psi | 90% | 2766 fps | 98.7% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,549 psi | 87% | 2743 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,085 psi | 88% | 2654 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,245 psi | 89% | 2749 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 86% | 52,939 psi | 85% | 2776 fps | 98.8% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,359 psi | 86% | 2671 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,592 psi | 88% | 2697 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,709 psi | 89% | 2746 fps | 98% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,186 psi | 87% | 2720 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100Vᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,381 psi | 70% | 2572 fps | 97.8% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,869 psi | 90% | 2795 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,259 psi | 57% | 1627 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,100 psi | 88% | 2720 fps | 99.5% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,345 psi | 86% | 2713 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,070 psi | 87% | 2687 fps | 98.9% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,534 psi | 87% | 2592 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4831ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,397 psi | 73% | 2628 fps | 96.8% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,869 psi | 90% | 2772 fps | 99.4% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,130 psi | 90% | 2713 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,650 psi | 86% | 2664 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,156 psi | 85% | 2697 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,751 psi | 86% | 2641 fps | 99.1% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,896 psi | 86% | 2694 fps | 99.8% |
| Lovex S065ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,663 psi | 84% | 2671 fps | 96.7% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,188 psi | 90% | 2710 fps | 99.9% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,144 psi | 90% | 2717 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,708 psi | 86% | 2730 fps | 99.2% |
| Norma URPᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,166 psi | 76% | 2671 fps | 97% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,563 psi | 86% | 2749 fps | 99% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,461 psi | 86% | 2677 fps | 97% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,622 psi | 89% | 2743 fps | 99.3% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,201 psi | 87% | 2667 fps | 99% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,694 psi | 57% | 1667 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,970 psi | 90% | 2703 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,275 psi | 90% | 2726 fps | 96.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,012 psi | 87% | 2802 fps | 98.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,635 psi | 86% | 2831 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,920 psi | 75% | 2694 fps | 96.7% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,650 psi | 88% | 2657 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,359 psi | 86% | 2661 fps | 99.7% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,056 psi | 87% | 2730 fps | 99.5% |
| Shooters World Long Rifleᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,663 psi | 84% | 2671 fps | 96.7% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,156 psi | 85% | 2697 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,896 psi | 86% | 2694 fps | 99.8% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,999 psi | 90% | 2674 fps | 99.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,288 psi | 89% | 2700 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,303 psi | 89% | 2782 fps | 99.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,317 psi | 89% | 2651 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,158 psi | 88% | 2703 fps | 97.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,100 psi | 88% | 2726 fps | 99.3% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,520 psi | 87% | 2612 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,998 psi | 87% | 2608 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,012 psi | 87% | 2703 fps | 99.8% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,882 psi | 86% | 2615 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,012 psi | 87% | 2697 fps | 99.1% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,752 psi | 88% | 2730 fps | 99.5% |
| Somchem S365ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,351 psi | 68% | 2625 fps | 98.9% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,694 psi | 88% | 2589 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,288 psi | 87% | 2598 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,201 psi | 89% | 2677 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,156 psi | 85% | 2648 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,941 psi | 90% | 2710 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,400 psi | 79% | 2664 fps | 97.3% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,461 psi | 86% | 2667 fps | 99.7% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,810 psi | 88% | 2694 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,762 psi | 78% | 2677 fps | 97% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALLᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,488 psi | 81% | 2654 fps | 99.1% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,724 psi | 89% | 2759 fps | 100% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,694 psi | 88% | 2736 fps | 99.5% |
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 2015 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,903 psi | 70% | 2467 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,485 psi | 76% | 2562 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,391 psi | 60% | 2402 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,569 psi | 68% | 2516 fps | 99.5% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,331 psi | 57% | 2382 fps | 99.1% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,626 psi | 67% | 2575 fps | 95.7% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,155 psi | 82% | 2530 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,474 psi | 83% | 2549 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,118 psi | 64% | 2467 fps | 96.7% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,421 psi | 62% | 2418 fps | 95.3% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,242 psi | 82% | 2641 fps | 100% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,858 psi | 67% | 2480 fps | 98.3% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,017 psi | 66% | 2487 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,225 psi | 77% | 2667 fps | 98.9% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | 54.1 gr | 84% | 40,799 psi | 65% | 2575 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,605 psi | 54% | 2349 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,907 psi | 78% | 2552 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 82% | 38,363 psi | 62% | 2454 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,887 psi | 67% | 2575 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 86% | 34,940 psi | 56% | 2451 fps | 95% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,980 psi | 80% | 2526 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,031 psi | 66% | 2510 fps | 95.7% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,272 psi | 53% | 2352 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,772 psi | 70% | 2474 fps | 99% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,103 psi | 64% | 2497 fps | 98.5% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,366 psi | 70% | 2612 fps | 97% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,195 psi | 76% | 2579 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,008 psi | 77% | 2598 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 88% | 43,656 psi | 70% | 2549 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,350 psi | 65% | 2480 fps | 97.3% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 92% | 34,476 psi | 55% | 2385 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,056 psi | 58% | 2441 fps | 96.5% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,339 psi | 42% | 1453 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,595 psi | 62% | 2431 fps | 96.8% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,117 psi | 63% | 2487 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 82% | 38,029 psi | 61% | 2402 fps | 95.5% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,950 psi | 78% | 2516 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 96% | 40,277 psi | 65% | 2530 fps | 95.4% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,883 psi | 59% | 2434 fps | 95.8% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,858 psi | 67% | 2480 fps | 98.3% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,268 psi | 76% | 2566 fps | 99.6% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,711 psi | 62% | 2454 fps | 99% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,437 psi | 65% | 2408 fps | 96.8% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,853 psi | 57% | 2365 fps | 96.9% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,065 psi | 75% | 2579 fps | 95.4% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,740 psi | 64% | 2434 fps | 97.9% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,450 psi | 63% | 2444 fps | 99.5% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,563 psi | 57% | 2395 fps | 95.3% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,916 psi | 67% | 2572 fps | 95.6% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,898 psi | 59% | 2444 fps | 95.4% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,253 psi | 76% | 2575 fps | 95.7% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,770 psi | 65% | 2493 fps | 96.8% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,049 psi | 72% | 2520 fps | 97.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,629 psi | 43% | 1490 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,615 psi | 75% | 2562 fps | 99.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,574 psi | 79% | 2621 fps | 95.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | 51.2 gr | 82% | 39,363 psi | 63% | 2539 fps | 95.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | 50.7 gr | 80% | 30,995 psi | 50% | 2356 fps | 96% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,481 psi | 67% | 2589 fps | 95.1% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,816 psi | 70% | 2484 fps | 99.8% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,927 psi | 61% | 2388 fps | 97.4% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 82% | 33,330 psi | 53% | 2349 fps | 95.3% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,065 psi | 75% | 2579 fps | 95.4% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,711 psi | 62% | 2454 fps | 99% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,853 psi | 57% | 2365 fps | 96.9% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,139 psi | 79% | 2572 fps | 99.1% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,938 psi | 83% | 2651 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,085 psi | 58% | 2431 fps | 95.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,066 psi | 79% | 2566 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,656 psi | 68% | 2500 fps | 95.1% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,334 psi | 61% | 2431 fps | 96.1% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,886 psi | 66% | 2395 fps | 99.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,808 psi | 54% | 2270 fps | 99.2% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,715 psi | 72% | 2552 fps | 99% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,596 psi | 65% | 2402 fps | 99.9% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,262 psi | 63% | 2444 fps | 96.3% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 82% | 34,316 psi | 55% | 2356 fps | 95.4% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 90% | 31,734 psi | 51% | 2379 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,963 psi | 74% | 2464 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,814 psi | 65% | 2395 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,535 psi | 59% | 2382 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,159 psi | 60% | 2382 fps | 99.4% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,560 psi | 49% | 2247 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,336 psi | 66% | 2523 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,829 psi | 67% | 2477 fps | 98.3% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,955 psi | 58% | 2372 fps | 98.8% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 96% | 43,091 psi | 69% | 2575 fps | 95.6% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 88% | 34,983 psi | 56% | 2359 fps | 95.2% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,596 psi | 65% | 2513 fps | 98.8% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,637 psi | 60% | 2438 fps | 96.6% |
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 | 200gr | Barnes X S. Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,854 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,627 fps to 2,854 fps. Accurate 4350 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 57–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 200.0 gr projectile in 0.338" calls for a 1:14.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 4350, Alliant Reloder-16, Alliant Reloder-17 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, ReloadSwiss RS 60 rank at the top here: for 8.5 x 55 Blaser with the .338 | 200gr | Barnes X S 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.