
Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 8.5 x 55 Blaser with .338 | 250gr | Barnes X S bullet and 99 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, Alliant Reloder-17 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>> | 84% | 54,215 psi | 87% | 2300 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,202 psi | 90% | 2369 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,606 psi | 86% | 2336 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,998 psi | 87% | 2379 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2700 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,679 psi | 88% | 2359 fps | 96.9% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,287 psi | 85% | 2375 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,650 psi | 88% | 2477 fps | 99.6% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,941 psi | 90% | 2428 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,405 psi | 90% | 2421 fps | 99.9% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,027 psi | 88% | 2385 fps | 100% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,564 psi | 89% | 2362 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,752 psi | 88% | 2530 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,301 psi | 85% | 2405 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,201 psi | 87% | 2425 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-16ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,272 psi | 84% | 2474 fps | 99.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,258 psi | 85% | 2510 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-23ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 38,029 psi | 61% | 2264 fps | 98.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-26ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,887 psi | 67% | 2392 fps | 97.5% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,376 psi | 89% | 2444 fps | 99.7% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,027 psi | 87% | 2421 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,143 psi | 87% | 2388 fps | 97.1% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,867 psi | 86% | 2329 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,389 psi | 87% | 2418 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,550 psi | 89% | 2497 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,608 psi | 89% | 2375 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,940 psi | 88% | 2431 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,577 psi | 86% | 2470 fps | 97.8% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,534 psi | 87% | 2434 fps | 96.5% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,345 psi | 86% | 2398 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100Vᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,559 psi | 78% | 2369 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,230 psi | 89% | 2467 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,099 psi | 87% | 2497 fps | 97.3% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,708 psi | 57% | 1430 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,244 psi | 87% | 2398 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,084 psi | 85% | 2382 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,420 psi | 90% | 2411 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,289 psi | 90% | 2392 fps | 98% |
| IMR 4350ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,751 psi | 86% | 2411 fps | 97.1% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,767 psi | 89% | 2415 fps | 97.8% |
| IMR 4831ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,517 psi | 83% | 2425 fps | 99.4% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,434 psi | 89% | 2451 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,027 psi | 88% | 2385 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,840 psi | 90% | 2379 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,796 psi | 89% | 2411 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,622 psi | 89% | 2362 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,316 psi | 85% | 2372 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,143 psi | 88% | 2411 fps | 98.9% |
| Lovex S070ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,086 psi | 90% | 2444 fps | 98.2% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,492 psi | 89% | 2385 fps | 100% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,259 psi | 89% | 2382 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,388 psi | 86% | 2415 fps | 99.9% |
| Norma 204ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,070 psi | 87% | 2448 fps | 95.7% |
| Norma URPᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,359 psi | 86% | 2464 fps | 99.5% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,391 psi | 90% | 2477 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Hunterᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,098 psi | 84% | 2457 fps | 98.2% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,216 psi | 89% | 2405 fps | 99% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,578 psi | 88% | 2421 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,072 psi | 90% | 2392 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,347 psi | 58% | 1467 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,766 psi | 88% | 2369 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,288 psi | 89% | 2415 fps | 98.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,824 psi | 86% | 2477 fps | 99.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,127 psi | 85% | 2510 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,592 psi | 86% | 2493 fps | 99.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,534 psi | 86% | 2513 fps | 99.2% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,853 psi | 86% | 2329 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,637 psi | 89% | 2382 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,867 psi | 86% | 2415 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,143 psi | 87% | 2388 fps | 97.1% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,143 psi | 88% | 2411 fps | 98.9% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,796 psi | 89% | 2411 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,316 psi | 85% | 2372 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,086 psi | 90% | 2444 fps | 98.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,708 psi | 88% | 2461 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,780 psi | 86% | 2385 fps | 99.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,085 psi | 87% | 2405 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,490 psi | 86% | 2290 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,101 psi | 90% | 2323 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,695 psi | 89% | 2372 fps | 97.8% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,405 psi | 90% | 2418 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,159 psi | 90% | 2329 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,098 psi | 85% | 2379 fps | 99.9% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,389 psi | 87% | 2415 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S365ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,037 psi | 77% | 2425 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,405 psi | 90% | 2290 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,490 psi | 86% | 2277 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,998 psi | 88% | 2349 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,680 psi | 89% | 2365 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,230 psi | 89% | 2388 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,869 psi | 90% | 2457 fps | 99.6% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,506 psi | 89% | 2385 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,012 psi | 87% | 2369 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,926 psi | 88% | 2467 fps | 99.5% |
| Vihtavuori N555ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,191 psi | 66% | 2333 fps | 98.5% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALLᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,072 psi | 90% | 2438 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,158 psi | 88% | 2428 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,577 psi | 86% | 2470 fps | 97.8% |
| Winchester StaBALL HDᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,345 psi | 55% | 2264 fps | 98.3% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,925 psi | 86% | 2415 fps | 100% |
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% | 48,530 psi | 78% | 2228 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,707 psi | 85% | 2326 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,337 psi | 68% | 2185 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,790 psi | 77% | 2300 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2700 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,486 psi | 78% | 2270 fps | 95.6% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,914 psi | 64% | 2182 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 32,909 psi | 53% | 2123 fps | 95.4% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,237 psi | 71% | 2260 fps | 99.2% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,826 psi | 61% | 2136 fps | 97.5% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,093 psi | 74% | 2260 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,354 psi | 74% | 2251 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | 47.9 gr | 80% | 40,074 psi | 64% | 2287 fps | 97.9% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,637 psi | 60% | 2159 fps | 98.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,147 psi | 64% | 2208 fps | 98.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 84% | 33,301 psi | 53% | 2123 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | 47.1 gr | 80% | 32,503 psi | 52% | 2136 fps | 97% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 90% | 29,095 psi | 47% | 2054 fps | 95.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 96% | 36,970 psi | 59% | 2290 fps | 95.8% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,120 psi | 69% | 2264 fps | 98.3% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,507 psi | 60% | 2169 fps | 98.9% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 90% | 45,542 psi | 73% | 2260 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,080 psi | 77% | 2251 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,063 psi | 72% | 2290 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,805 psi | 78% | 2402 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,402 psi | 84% | 2336 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,101 psi | 61% | 2165 fps | 96.4% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,018 psi | 67% | 2287 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,298 psi | 77% | 2343 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,657 psi | 72% | 2267 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 82% | 29,109 psi | 47% | 2005 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,321 psi | 65% | 2247 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,355 psi | 76% | 2395 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,731 psi | 43% | 1276 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,728 psi | 69% | 2228 fps | 99.3% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,150 psi | 71% | 2260 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,711 psi | 64% | 2162 fps | 98.1% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,148 psi | 68% | 2178 fps | 95% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 94% | 44,976 psi | 72% | 2280 fps | 95.1% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 88% | 44,193 psi | 71% | 2244 fps | 95.4% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 84% | 31,981 psi | 51% | 2087 fps | 95.1% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,104 psi | 66% | 2234 fps | 98.9% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,093 psi | 74% | 2260 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,489 psi | 84% | 2336 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,656 psi | 70% | 2247 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,280 psi | 71% | 2201 fps | 99.2% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,958 psi | 64% | 2172 fps | 99.4% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,333 psi | 60% | 2126 fps | 95.2% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,916 psi | 67% | 2231 fps | 95.3% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,063 psi | 71% | 2224 fps | 99.8% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,758 psi | 70% | 2228 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,624 psi | 64% | 2201 fps | 98.6% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 98% | 50,691 psi | 81% | 2398 fps | 95% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 84% | 33,228 psi | 53% | 2119 fps | 95.3% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,856 psi | 62% | 2211 fps | 98.2% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 90% | 38,682 psi | 62% | 2234 fps | 95% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,064 psi | 74% | 2270 fps | 97.6% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,324 psi | 73% | 2287 fps | 99.3% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,705 psi | 80% | 2306 fps | 99.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,151 psi | 44% | 1306 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,401 psi | 82% | 2326 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,741 psi | 65% | 2192 fps | 95.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,640 psi | 67% | 2293 fps | 98.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | 47.1 gr | 80% | 34,403 psi | 55% | 2188 fps | 99.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 86% | 34,548 psi | 55% | 2175 fps | 95.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 88% | 36,970 psi | 59% | 2224 fps | 95.2% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,327 psi | 77% | 2257 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,959 psi | 67% | 2185 fps | 99.6% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,404 psi | 57% | 2123 fps | 98.2% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 90% | 45,542 psi | 73% | 2260 fps | 95.3% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,333 psi | 60% | 2126 fps | 95.2% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,656 psi | 70% | 2247 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,958 psi | 64% | 2172 fps | 99.4% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,916 psi | 67% | 2231 fps | 95.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,839 psi | 57% | 2159 fps | 97.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,541 psi | 71% | 2251 fps | 97.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,612 psi | 68% | 2234 fps | 99% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,933 psi | 72% | 2175 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,521 psi | 60% | 2070 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 43,526 psi | 70% | 2201 fps | 95.4% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,850 psi | 80% | 2333 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,817 psi | 72% | 2182 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,019 psi | 71% | 2247 fps | 99.1% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,332 psi | 58% | 2129 fps | 98.2% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,832 psi | 43% | 1998 fps | 96.2% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,444 psi | 81% | 2221 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,078 psi | 72% | 2169 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,118 psi | 66% | 2165 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,379 psi | 66% | 2172 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,287 psi | 55% | 2070 fps | 98.8% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 84% | 34,563 psi | 55% | 2116 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,224 psi | 74% | 2257 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,001 psi | 64% | 2169 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 84% | 33,939 psi | 54% | 2119 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 90% | 30,937 psi | 50% | 2119 fps | 95.3% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,589 psi | 49% | 2011 fps | 96.3% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,469 psi | 73% | 2297 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,018 psi | 67% | 2287 fps | 95.1% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 94% | 28,979 psi | 46% | 2113 fps | 95.2% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,061 psi | 67% | 2241 fps | 99.3% |
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 115 powders for 8.5 x 55 Blaser loaded with the .338 | 250gr | Barnes X S. Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,530 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,430 fps to 2,530 fps. Accurate 3100 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 115 of the 115 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 250.0 gr projectile in 0.338" calls for a 1:13.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 3100, Accurate 4350, ADI AR 2209 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, Alliant Reloder-17, ReloadSwiss RS 60 rank at the top here: for 8.5 x 55 Blaser with the .338 | 250gr | Barnes X S they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, ADI AR 2209, Alliant Reloder-19, Alliant Reloder-22 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.