Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 8.5 x 55 Blaser with .338 | 231gr | Peregrine VLR-5 bullet and 98 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 Ramshot Big Game.
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>> | 90% | 55,187 psi | 88% | 2438 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,637 psi | 89% | 2526 fps | 99.4% |
| Accurate 2230 | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,304 psi | 90% | 2536 fps | 99.6% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,447 psi | 86% | 2461 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,230 psi | 89% | 2487 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,868 psi | 88% | 2513 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,897 psi | 88% | 2526 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,787 psi | 70% | 2441 fps | 97.6% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,477 psi | 89% | 2388 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,912 psi | 90% | 2411 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,969 psi | 87% | 2520 fps | 99.7% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,172 psi | 88% | 2516 fps | 99.4% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,782 psi | 89% | 2497 fps | 100% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,490 psi | 86% | 2480 fps | 100% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,127 psi | 85% | 2461 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,071 psi | 88% | 2575 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,316 psi | 85% | 2618 fps | 99.4% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,099 psi | 87% | 2533 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,114 psi | 88% | 2441 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,158 psi | 88% | 2556 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-16ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,251 psi | 71% | 2451 fps | 97.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-17ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,140 psi | 82% | 2589 fps | 99.8% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,244 psi | 87% | 2388 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,751 psi | 86% | 2536 fps | 99.1% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,375 psi | 87% | 2549 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,941 psi | 90% | 2470 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,767 psi | 89% | 2556 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,853 psi | 86% | 2592 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,505 psi | 87% | 2484 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,463 psi | 89% | 2510 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,927 psi | 90% | 2556 fps | 98.9% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,476 psi | 87% | 2530 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100Vᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,466 psi | 65% | 2349 fps | 98.3% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,156 psi | 85% | 2559 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,461 psi | 55% | 1476 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,275 psi | 90% | 2536 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,679 psi | 86% | 2516 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,563 psi | 87% | 2500 fps | 99.5% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,651 psi | 89% | 2487 fps | 96.9% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,883 psi | 90% | 2405 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4451 Enduronᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,302 psi | 87% | 2500 fps | 96.6% |
| IMR 4831ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,018 psi | 67% | 2395 fps | 97.2% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,779 psi | 85% | 2536 fps | 99.7% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,490 psi | 86% | 2480 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,417 psi | 86% | 2470 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,895 psi | 85% | 2500 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,708 psi | 88% | 2461 fps | 99.7% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,708 psi | 86% | 2497 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S065ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,574 psi | 79% | 2444 fps | 97.2% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,795 psi | 88% | 2415 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,014 psi | 90% | 2513 fps | 100% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,156 psi | 85% | 2477 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,215 psi | 87% | 2543 fps | 99.7% |
| Norma URPᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,295 psi | 71% | 2441 fps | 97.5% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,491 psi | 87% | 2566 fps | 99.7% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,998 psi | 87% | 2497 fps | 98.1% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,924 psi | 85% | 2513 fps | 99.6% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,911 psi | 88% | 2487 fps | 99.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,809 psi | 56% | 1516 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,243 psi | 85% | 2467 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,330 psi | 86% | 2497 fps | 97.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,853 psi | 88% | 2612 fps | 99.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,723 psi | 88% | 2644 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,700 psi | 70% | 2461 fps | 97.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,252 psi | 73% | 2480 fps | 96.6% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,534 psi | 86% | 2454 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,202 psi | 90% | 2507 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 903ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,940 psi | 86% | 2536 fps | 99.9% |
| Shooters World Long Rifleᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,574 psi | 79% | 2444 fps | 97.2% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,895 psi | 85% | 2500 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,708 psi | 86% | 2497 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,156 psi | 85% | 2441 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,796 psi | 89% | 2162 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,144 psi | 90% | 2510 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,202 psi | 90% | 2595 fps | 99.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,275 psi | 90% | 2461 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,724 psi | 89% | 2523 fps | 98.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,854 psi | 90% | 2539 fps | 99.8% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,361 psi | 89% | 2425 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,650 psi | 88% | 2421 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,777 psi | 80% | 2402 fps | 95.8% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,607 psi | 88% | 2513 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,940 psi | 86% | 2421 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,013 psi | 88% | 2516 fps | 99.7% |
| Somchem S355ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,723 psi | 88% | 2536 fps | 99.9% |
| Somchem S365ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 39,262 psi | 63% | 2395 fps | 99.2% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,201 psi | 89% | 2398 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,259 psi | 89% | 2415 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,637 psi | 89% | 2480 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,708 psi | 86% | 2461 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,953 psi | 85% | 2477 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,789 psi | 75% | 2441 fps | 97.9% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,186 psi | 87% | 2484 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,129 psi | 88% | 2500 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,643 psi | 73% | 2448 fps | 97.5% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALLᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,950 psi | 77% | 2434 fps | 99.5% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,243 psi | 85% | 2526 fps | 100% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,709 psi | 89% | 2552 fps | 99.9% |
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 2015 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,364 psi | 65% | 2238 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,098 psi | 84% | 2477 fps | 99.1% |
| Accurate 2230 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,417 psi | 84% | 2484 fps | 99.3% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,598 psi | 70% | 2326 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,242 psi | 52% | 2149 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,856 psi | 62% | 2283 fps | 99.6% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,545 psi | 49% | 2136 fps | 99% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 94% | 35,230 psi | 56% | 2290 fps | 95.2% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,907 psi | 78% | 2306 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,284 psi | 79% | 2326 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,028 psi | 59% | 2244 fps | 97% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 82% | 33,678 psi | 54% | 2159 fps | 95.1% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,704 psi | 78% | 2408 fps | 100% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,059 psi | 63% | 2257 fps | 98.6% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,811 psi | 61% | 2254 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,179 psi | 72% | 2431 fps | 99.2% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | 48.5 gr | 82% | 35,679 psi | 57% | 2300 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,414 psi | 49% | 2126 fps | 95.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,890 psi | 74% | 2323 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,924 psi | 53% | 2178 fps | 95.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 94% | 36,927 psi | 59% | 2306 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 86% | 31,966 psi | 51% | 2228 fps | 95.4% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,950 psi | 77% | 2310 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,940 psi | 58% | 2241 fps | 95.4% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,486 psi | 47% | 2119 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,176 psi | 66% | 2254 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,941 psi | 59% | 2270 fps | 98.7% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | 48.4 gr | 80% | 40,712 psi | 65% | 2385 fps | 97.5% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,527 psi | 71% | 2349 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,136 psi | 72% | 2369 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,478 psi | 60% | 2267 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,260 psi | 60% | 2254 fps | 97.7% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 92% | 31,473 psi | 50% | 2165 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,286 psi | 53% | 2221 fps | 97% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,599 psi | 41% | 1319 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,882 psi | 58% | 2211 fps | 97.2% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,114 psi | 58% | 2257 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,054 psi | 53% | 2139 fps | 95.2% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,936 psi | 78% | 2392 fps | 95.6% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,804 psi | 75% | 2293 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,964 psi | 77% | 2405 fps | 95.2% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 96% | 36,840 psi | 59% | 2300 fps | 95.7% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,678 psi | 54% | 2205 fps | 96.1% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,059 psi | 63% | 2257 fps | 98.6% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,337 psi | 69% | 2329 fps | 99.7% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,954 psi | 56% | 2221 fps | 99.1% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,971 psi | 61% | 2198 fps | 97.3% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,576 psi | 52% | 2146 fps | 97.1% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,075 psi | 66% | 2306 fps | 95.2% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,459 psi | 83% | 2372 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,085 psi | 58% | 2201 fps | 98.1% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,303 psi | 58% | 2221 fps | 99.6% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,329 psi | 52% | 2169 fps | 95.5% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 94% | 36,477 psi | 58% | 2297 fps | 95.3% |
| Ramshot Big Game | 48.5 gr | 82% | 34,084 psi | 55% | 2224 fps | 95.8% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,655 psi | 67% | 2303 fps | 95.5% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,855 psi | 61% | 2270 fps | 97.2% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,395 psi | 68% | 2300 fps | 98.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,570 psi | 41% | 1348 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,758 psi | 70% | 2333 fps | 99.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 90% | 43,714 psi | 70% | 2349 fps | 95% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,794 psi | 54% | 2254 fps | 95.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,137 psi | 45% | 2136 fps | 96.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 96% | 38,159 psi | 61% | 2359 fps | 95.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 98% | 42,250 psi | 68% | 2425 fps | 95.7% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,784 psi | 64% | 2251 fps | 99.8% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,330 psi | 55% | 2162 fps | 97.6% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 82% | 29,573 psi | 47% | 2116 fps | 95.3% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,075 psi | 66% | 2306 fps | 95.2% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,954 psi | 56% | 2221 fps | 99.1% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,576 psi | 52% | 2146 fps | 97.1% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,485 psi | 75% | 2349 fps | 99.4% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,011 psi | 85% | 2129 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,037 psi | 79% | 2418 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 84% | 33,170 psi | 53% | 2211 fps | 95.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,789 psi | 75% | 2339 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 82% | 39,262 psi | 63% | 2270 fps | 95.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,476 psi | 57% | 2215 fps | 96.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,072 psi | 61% | 2178 fps | 99.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,111 psi | 50% | 2060 fps | 99.4% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 98% | 46,499 psi | 75% | 2356 fps | 95% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,800 psi | 67% | 2326 fps | 99.3% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,333 psi | 60% | 2178 fps | 99.9% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,550 psi | 59% | 2228 fps | 96.8% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 82% | 30,821 psi | 49% | 2129 fps | 95.5% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 90% | 28,543 psi | 46% | 2152 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,294 psi | 69% | 2244 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,232 psi | 61% | 2182 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,315 psi | 53% | 2159 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,243 psi | 55% | 2162 fps | 99.5% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,383 psi | 44% | 2031 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 94% | 38,305 psi | 61% | 2300 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,943 psi | 62% | 2254 fps | 98.7% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,706 psi | 52% | 2149 fps | 99% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 94% | 37,449 psi | 60% | 2303 fps | 95.3% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 88% | 32,140 psi | 52% | 2146 fps | 95.6% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,840 psi | 61% | 2290 fps | 99.1% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,592 psi | 55% | 2215 fps | 97% |
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 113 powders for 8.5 x 55 Blaser loaded with the .338 | 231gr | Peregrine VLR-5. ReloadSwiss RS 60 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,644 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,476 fps to 2,644 fps. Accurate 4350 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 113 of the 113 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (430 MPa), the top charges use 50–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 231.0 gr projectile in 0.338" calls for a 1:12.0 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, Hodgdon CFE223, Ramshot Big Game rank at the top here: for 8.5 x 55 Blaser with the .338 | 231gr | Peregrine VLR-5 they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, Alliant Reloder-23, Alliant Reloder-26, Hodgdon Superformance 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.