Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 8.5 x 55 Blaser with .338 | 200gr | Nosler Expansion Tip 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 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.
A valid access license is required to use the Personalized Load Calculator.
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% | 54,447 psi | 87% | 2635 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,361 psi | 89% | 2723 fps | 98.6% |
| Accurate 2230 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,217 psi | 90% | 2736 fps | 98.9% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,794 psi | 85% | 2654 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,809 psi | 86% | 2680 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,201 psi | 87% | 2710 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,258 psi | 85% | 2717 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,550 psi | 89% | 2592 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,999 psi | 90% | 2615 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,330 psi | 86% | 2710 fps | 98.9% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 82% | 53,229 psi | 85% | 2566 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2208ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,418 psi | 87% | 2700 fps | 98.5% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,361 psi | 89% | 2703 fps | 100% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,391 psi | 90% | 2720 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,651 psi | 89% | 2707 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,360 psi | 87% | 2772 fps | 99.5% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,895 psi | 85% | 2805 fps | 98.2% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,156 psi | 85% | 2723 fps | 99.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,607 psi | 88% | 2644 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,012 psi | 87% | 2740 fps | 98.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-17ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,934 psi | 75% | 2710 fps | 98.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,027 psi | 87% | 2582 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,346 psi | 87% | 2589 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,229 psi | 85% | 2723 fps | 98.1% |
| Bofors RP3ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,997 psi | 85% | 2733 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,651 psi | 89% | 2667 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,911 psi | 88% | 2749 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,084 psi | 85% | 2782 fps | 98.6% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,795 psi | 86% | 2684 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,766 psi | 88% | 2703 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H380ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,347 psi | 89% | 2746 fps | 97.8% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 82% | 53,983 psi | 87% | 2589 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,766 psi | 86% | 2720 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,854 psi | 90% | 2799 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,910 psi | 54% | 1601 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,593 psi | 89% | 2726 fps | 99.4% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,072 psi | 90% | 2759 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,925 psi | 86% | 2687 fps | 98.6% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,419 psi | 89% | 2608 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,332 psi | 89% | 2772 fps | 99.2% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,391 psi | 90% | 2720 fps | 99.8% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 82% | 52,866 psi | 85% | 2664 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,881 psi | 85% | 2664 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,608 psi | 89% | 2740 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,360 psi | 87% | 2651 fps | 99% |
| Lovex S062ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,144 psi | 90% | 2730 fps | 99.8% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,346 psi | 87% | 2618 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,405 psi | 89% | 2707 fps | 99.8% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,840 psi | 90% | 2717 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,011 psi | 85% | 2726 fps | 99% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,606 psi | 86% | 2753 fps | 98.9% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,664 psi | 86% | 2680 fps | 96.8% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,275 psi | 90% | 2756 fps | 99.2% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,592 psi | 88% | 2677 fps | 98.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,098 psi | 55% | 1640 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,362 psi | 90% | 2713 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,202 psi | 90% | 2723 fps | 96.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,751 psi | 86% | 2802 fps | 98.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,256 psi | 81% | 2779 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,144 psi | 90% | 2694 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,550 psi | 89% | 2700 fps | 99.7% |
| Rottweil R 903ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,269 psi | 79% | 2667 fps | 98.9% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 82% | 52,866 psi | 85% | 2664 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,608 psi | 89% | 2740 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precisionᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,144 psi | 90% | 2730 fps | 99.8% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 86% | 52,910 psi | 85% | 2635 fps | 99.4% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,956 psi | 90% | 2359 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,695 psi | 89% | 2713 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,634 psi | 83% | 2730 fps | 98.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,796 psi | 89% | 2664 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,027 psi | 88% | 2707 fps | 97.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,317 psi | 89% | 2733 fps | 99.1% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,911 psi | 88% | 2621 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,143 psi | 87% | 2612 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,273 psi | 87% | 2710 fps | 99.8% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,287 psi | 85% | 2615 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,520 psi | 87% | 2707 fps | 99% |
| Somchem S355ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,169 psi | 80% | 2667 fps | 98.9% |
| Somchem S365ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,897 psi | 58% | 2493 fps | 97% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 82% | 53,200 psi | 85% | 2520 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,694 psi | 88% | 2595 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,636 psi | 88% | 2608 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,433 psi | 87% | 2677 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,260 psi | 90% | 2694 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,660 psi | 78% | 2612 fps | 99.5% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,722 psi | 86% | 2677 fps | 99.6% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,491 psi | 87% | 2694 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALLᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,382 psi | 71% | 2552 fps | 97.8% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,086 psi | 90% | 2769 fps | 100% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,839 psi | 88% | 2743 fps | 99.4% |
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% | 37,144 psi | 60% | 2369 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,298 psi | 77% | 2615 fps | 97.4% |
| Accurate 2230 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,689 psi | 78% | 2625 fps | 97.9% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,059 psi | 64% | 2454 fps | 99.3% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,167 psi | 47% | 2260 fps | 99.4% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,433 psi | 57% | 2398 fps | 98.2% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,659 psi | 44% | 2238 fps | 96.9% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,064 psi | 74% | 2457 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,427 psi | 74% | 2474 fps | 99.7% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,463 psi | 58% | 2408 fps | 95.3% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,980 psi | 80% | 2523 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,001 psi | 64% | 2461 fps | 95.5% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,063 psi | 72% | 2556 fps | 100% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,114 psi | 58% | 2375 fps | 96.6% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,505 psi | 55% | 2392 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,452 psi | 66% | 2556 fps | 97.5% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | 54.3 gr | 88% | 40,379 psi | 65% | 2572 fps | 95% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 86% | 33,808 psi | 54% | 2375 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,511 psi | 68% | 2470 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 88% | 39,320 psi | 63% | 2490 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 92% | 36,056 psi | 58% | 2487 fps | 95.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,865 psi | 82% | 2539 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,614 psi | 72% | 2451 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,582 psi | 65% | 2510 fps | 95.2% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 86% | 32,793 psi | 53% | 2369 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,392 psi | 62% | 2382 fps | 97.8% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,692 psi | 54% | 2379 fps | 96.5% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | 51.8 gr | 82% | 40,205 psi | 64% | 2556 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,278 psi | 66% | 2490 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,785 psi | 67% | 2507 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 94% | 45,078 psi | 72% | 2585 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,749 psi | 81% | 2546 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,272 psi | 55% | 2365 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 84% | 34,911 psi | 56% | 2428 fps | 95.9% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,048 psi | 40% | 1427 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,476 psi | 57% | 2375 fps | 95.5% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,996 psi | 53% | 2379 fps | 99.5% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 88% | 39,450 psi | 63% | 2444 fps | 95.7% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,613 psi | 70% | 2444 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,637 psi | 60% | 2467 fps | 95.8% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,114 psi | 58% | 2375 fps | 96.6% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,052 psi | 79% | 2608 fps | 99.8% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,900 psi | 64% | 2454 fps | 98.5% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,821 psi | 51% | 2329 fps | 97.1% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 82% | 37,637 psi | 60% | 2362 fps | 95.7% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 82% | 31,908 psi | 51% | 2300 fps | 95.3% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,819 psi | 77% | 2530 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,315 psi | 53% | 2316 fps | 95.8% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,417 psi | 54% | 2339 fps | 98.2% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,071 psi | 58% | 2425 fps | 95.2% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,392 psi | 62% | 2487 fps | 95.6% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,992 psi | 75% | 2575 fps | 95.3% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 82% | 37,318 psi | 60% | 2434 fps | 95.5% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,276 psi | 63% | 2421 fps | 95.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,135 psi | 40% | 1463 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,669 psi | 65% | 2467 fps | 98.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,634 psi | 84% | 2671 fps | 95.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | 51.4 gr | 86% | 38,000 psi | 61% | 2523 fps | 95.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 86% | 31,517 psi | 51% | 2385 fps | 95.9% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,767 psi | 59% | 2375 fps | 98.7% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,749 psi | 51% | 2274 fps | 95.1% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 90% | 35,099 psi | 56% | 2411 fps | 95.8% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,052 psi | 79% | 2608 fps | 99.8% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,821 psi | 51% | 2329 fps | 97.1% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 82% | 31,908 psi | 51% | 2300 fps | 95.3% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,033 psi | 69% | 2477 fps | 98% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,401 psi | 81% | 2293 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,556 psi | 73% | 2562 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 90% | 37,188 psi | 60% | 2467 fps | 95.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,279 psi | 69% | 2487 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 88% | 44,657 psi | 72% | 2546 fps | 95.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,391 psi | 60% | 2428 fps | 95.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,302 psi | 57% | 2300 fps | 98.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,645 psi | 46% | 2172 fps | 97.7% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,363 psi | 62% | 2444 fps | 97.6% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,621 psi | 56% | 2303 fps | 99.1% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,450 psi | 62% | 2438 fps | 95.8% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 88% | 34,214 psi | 55% | 2375 fps | 95.1% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 96% | 31,618 psi | 51% | 2388 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,966 psi | 80% | 2477 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,263 psi | 65% | 2385 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,346 psi | 57% | 2310 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,298 psi | 49% | 2274 fps | 99.5% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,444 psi | 50% | 2277 fps | 98% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 86% | 30,647 psi | 49% | 2274 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,853 psi | 57% | 2369 fps | 96.6% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,124 psi | 48% | 2260 fps | 97% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 94% | 36,434 psi | 58% | 2395 fps | 95.4% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,664 psi | 56% | 2405 fps | 97.2% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 82% | 34,098 psi | 55% | 2375 fps | 95.1% |
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 | Nosler Expansion Tip. Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,805 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,601 fps to 2,805 fps. Accurate 4064 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 200.0 gr projectile in 0.338" calls for a 1:13.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 4064, ADI AR 2208, Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 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 | 200gr | Nosler Expansion Tip 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.