Load data for 8.5 x 55 Blaser + .338 | 250gr | Barnes X S

8.5 x 55 Blaser cartridge drawing
Barnes logo

Load Specifications

Bullet Manufacturer:Barnes
Bullet Weight:250 gr
Bullet Diameter:0.338"
Bullet Length:<<locked>>
Case Length (l3):2.15"
Cartridge Length (C.O.L.):<<locked>>
Case Capacity:77 Grains of Water
Primer Size:Large Rifle (LR)
Barrel Length:23.62"
Max. allowed Pressure:62,366 psi
Recommended Twist Rate:1:13.0

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"

PowderChargeFRMaxP%V(0)z
Accurate 2015<<locked>>84%54,215 psi87%2300 fps100%
Accurate 2460<<locked>>82%56,202 psi90%2369 fps100%
Accurate 2495<<locked>>88%53,606 psi86%2336 fps100%
Accurate 2520<<locked>>84%53,998 psi87%2379 fps100%
Accurate 2700<<locked>>90%54,679 psi88%2359 fps96.9%
Accurate 4064<<locked>>90%53,287 psi85%2375 fps100%
Accurate 4350ᴾ<<locked>>100%54,650 psi88%2477 fps99.6%
ADI AR 2206H<<locked>>88%55,941 psi90%2428 fps100%
ADI AR 2208<<locked>>94%56,405 psi90%2421 fps99.9%
ADI Benchmark 8208<<locked>>86%55,027 psi88%2385 fps100%
Alliant AR-Comp<<locked>>86%55,564 psi89%2362 fps100%
Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR<<locked>>90%54,752 psi88%2530 fps99.9%
Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5<<locked>>92%53,301 psi85%2405 fps100%
Alliant Reloder-15<<locked>>90%54,201 psi87%2425 fps99.8%
Alliant Reloder-16ᴾ<<locked>>100%52,272 psi84%2474 fps99.7%
Alliant Reloder-17<<locked>>96%53,258 psi85%2510 fps100%
Alliant Reloder-23ᴾ<<locked>>100%38,029 psi61%2264 fps98.6%
Alliant Reloder-26ᴾ<<locked>>100%41,887 psi67%2392 fps97.5%
Baschieri & Pellagri 107<<locked>>88%55,376 psi89%2444 fps99.7%
Bofors RP3<<locked>>92%54,027 psi87%2421 fps100%
Bofors RP7<<locked>>96%54,143 psi87%2388 fps97.1%
Hodgdon Benchmark<<locked>>84%53,867 psi86%2329 fps100%
Hodgdon BL-C2<<locked>>86%54,389 psi87%2418 fps100%
Hodgdon CFE223<<locked>>84%55,550 psi89%2497 fps99.9%
Hodgdon H322<<locked>>82%55,608 psi89%2375 fps100%
Hodgdon H380<<locked>>92%54,940 psi88%2431 fps99.4%
Hodgdon H414<<locked>>98%53,577 psi86%2470 fps97.8%
Hodgdon H4350<<locked>>96%54,534 psi87%2434 fps96.5%
Hodgdon H4895<<locked>>86%53,345 psi86%2398 fps100%
Hodgdon Hybrid 100Vᴾ<<locked>>100%48,559 psi78%2369 fps99.9%
Hodgdon LEVERevolution<<locked>>90%55,230 psi89%2467 fps100%
Hodgdon Superformance<<locked>>98%54,099 psi87%2497 fps97.3%
Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ<<locked>>100%35,708 psi57%1430 fps100%
Hodgdon VARGET<<locked>>88%54,244 psi87%2398 fps100%
IMR 3031<<locked>>86%53,084 psi85%2382 fps100%
IMR 4064<<locked>>92%56,420 psi90%2411 fps99.9%
IMR 4166 Enduron<<locked>>90%56,289 psi90%2392 fps98%
IMR 4350ᴾ<<locked>>100%53,751 psi86%2411 fps97.1%
IMR 4451 Enduron<<locked>>96%55,767 psi89%2415 fps97.8%
IMR 4831ᴾ<<locked>>100%51,517 psi83%2425 fps99.4%
IMR 4895<<locked>>90%55,434 psi89%2451 fps100%
IMR 8208 XBR<<locked>>86%55,027 psi88%2385 fps100%
Lovex D073.5<<locked>>82%55,840 psi90%2379 fps100%
Lovex D073.6<<locked>>88%55,796 psi89%2411 fps100%
Lovex S060<<locked>>88%55,622 psi89%2362 fps100%
Lovex S062<<locked>>90%53,316 psi85%2372 fps100%
Lovex S065<<locked>>98%55,143 psi88%2411 fps98.9%
Lovex S070ᴾ<<locked>>100%56,086 psi90%2444 fps98.2%
Norma 201<<locked>>88%55,492 psi89%2385 fps100%
Norma 202<<locked>>88%55,259 psi89%2382 fps100%
Norma 203B<<locked>>90%53,388 psi86%2415 fps99.9%
Norma 204ᴾ<<locked>>100%54,070 psi87%2448 fps95.7%
Norma URPᴾ<<locked>>100%53,359 psi86%2464 fps99.5%
Ramshot Big Game<<locked>>92%56,391 psi90%2477 fps100%
Ramshot Hunterᴾ<<locked>>100%52,098 psi84%2457 fps98.2%
Ramshot TAC<<locked>>86%55,216 psi89%2405 fps99%
Ramshot Wild Boar<<locked>>86%54,578 psi88%2421 fps100%
Ramshot X-Terminator<<locked>>84%56,072 psi90%2392 fps100%
ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ<<locked>>100%36,347 psi58%1467 fps100%
ReloadSwiss RS 40<<locked>>82%54,766 psi88%2369 fps100%
ReloadSwiss RS 50<<locked>>92%55,288 psi89%2415 fps98.4%
ReloadSwiss RS 52<<locked>>88%53,824 psi86%2477 fps99.8%
ReloadSwiss RS 60<<locked>>94%53,127 psi85%2510 fps100%
ReloadSwiss RS 62ᴾ<<locked>>100%53,592 psi86%2493 fps99.5%
ReloadSwiss RS 70ᴾ<<locked>>100%53,534 psi86%2513 fps99.2%
Rottweil R 901<<locked>>84%53,853 psi86%2329 fps100%
Rottweil R 902<<locked>>90%55,637 psi89%2382 fps100%
Rottweil R 903<<locked>>94%53,867 psi86%2415 fps100%
Rottweil R 907<<locked>>96%54,143 psi87%2388 fps97.1%
Shooters World Long Rifle<<locked>>98%55,143 psi88%2411 fps98.9%
Shooters World Match Rifle<<locked>>88%55,796 psi89%2411 fps100%
Shooters World Precision<<locked>>90%53,316 psi85%2372 fps100%
Shooters World SW4350ᴾ<<locked>>100%56,086 psi90%2444 fps98.2%
SNPE Vectan SP 11<<locked>>94%54,708 psi88%2461 fps100%
SNPE Vectan SP 7<<locked>>86%53,780 psi86%2385 fps99.2%
SNPE Vectan SP 9<<locked>>88%54,085 psi87%2405 fps99.9%
SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000<<locked>>86%53,490 psi86%2290 fps100%
SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000<<locked>>94%56,101 psi90%2323 fps100%
SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000<<locked>>98%55,695 psi89%2372 fps97.8%
Somchem S321<<locked>>84%56,405 psi90%2418 fps100%
Somchem S335<<locked>>88%56,159 psi90%2329 fps100%
Somchem S341<<locked>>86%53,098 psi85%2379 fps99.9%
Somchem S355<<locked>>94%54,389 psi87%2415 fps100%
Somchem S365ᴾ<<locked>>100%48,037 psi77%2425 fps100%
Vihtavuori N130<<locked>>84%56,405 psi90%2290 fps100%
Vihtavuori N133<<locked>>86%53,490 psi86%2277 fps100%
Vihtavuori N135<<locked>>90%54,998 psi88%2349 fps100%
Vihtavuori N140<<locked>>90%55,680 psi89%2365 fps100%
Vihtavuori N150<<locked>>96%55,230 psi89%2388 fps100%
Vihtavuori N160ᴾ<<locked>>100%55,869 psi90%2457 fps99.6%
Vihtavuori N530<<locked>>86%55,506 psi89%2385 fps100%
Vihtavuori N540<<locked>>90%54,012 psi87%2369 fps100%
Vihtavuori N550ᴾ<<locked>>100%54,926 psi88%2467 fps99.5%
Vihtavuori N555ᴾ<<locked>>100%41,191 psi66%2333 fps98.5%
Winchester 6.5 StaBALLᴾ<<locked>>100%56,072 psi90%2438 fps100%
Winchester 748<<locked>>86%55,158 psi88%2428 fps100%
Winchester 760<<locked>>98%53,577 psi86%2470 fps97.8%
Winchester StaBALL HDᴾ<<locked>>100%34,345 psi55%2264 fps98.3%
Winchester StaBALL Match<<locked>>88%53,925 psi86%2415 fps100%

Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.

Start Load - Barrel Length: 23.62"

PowderChargeFRMaxP%V(0)z
Accurate 2015<<locked>>80%48,530 psi78%2228 fps100%
Accurate 2460<<locked>>80%52,707 psi85%2326 fps100%
Accurate 2495<<locked>>80%42,337 psi68%2185 fps100%
Accurate 2520<<locked>>80%47,790 psi77%2300 fps100%
Accurate 2700<<locked>>86%48,486 psi78%2270 fps95.6%
Accurate 4064<<locked>>80%39,914 psi64%2182 fps100%
Accurate 4350<<locked>>84%32,909 psi53%2123 fps95.4%
ADI AR 2206H<<locked>>80%44,237 psi71%2260 fps99.2%
ADI AR 2208<<locked>>80%37,826 psi61%2136 fps97.5%
ADI Benchmark 8208<<locked>>80%46,093 psi74%2260 fps99.9%
Alliant AR-Comp<<locked>>80%46,354 psi74%2251 fps100%
Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR47.9 gr80%40,074 psi64%2287 fps97.9%
Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5<<locked>>80%37,637 psi60%2159 fps98.8%
Alliant Reloder-15<<locked>>80%40,147 psi64%2208 fps98.2%
Alliant Reloder-16<<locked>>84%33,301 psi53%2123 fps95.3%
Alliant Reloder-1747.1 gr80%32,503 psi52%2136 fps97%
Alliant Reloder-23<<locked>>90%29,095 psi47%2054 fps95.1%
Alliant Reloder-26<<locked>>96%36,970 psi59%2290 fps95.8%
Baschieri & Pellagri 107<<locked>>80%43,120 psi69%2264 fps98.3%
Bofors RP3<<locked>>80%37,507 psi60%2169 fps98.9%
Bofors RP7<<locked>>90%45,542 psi73%2260 fps95.3%
Hodgdon Benchmark<<locked>>80%48,080 psi77%2251 fps100%
Hodgdon BL-C2<<locked>>80%45,063 psi72%2290 fps100%
Hodgdon CFE223<<locked>>80%48,805 psi78%2402 fps99.5%
Hodgdon H322<<locked>>80%52,402 psi84%2336 fps100%
Hodgdon H380<<locked>>80%38,101 psi61%2165 fps96.4%
Hodgdon H414<<locked>>90%42,018 psi67%2287 fps95.1%
Hodgdon H4350<<locked>>92%48,298 psi77%2343 fps95.2%
Hodgdon H4895<<locked>>80%44,657 psi72%2267 fps99.6%
Hodgdon Hybrid 100V<<locked>>82%29,109 psi47%2005 fps95.6%
Hodgdon LEVERevolution<<locked>>80%40,321 psi65%2247 fps99.4%
Hodgdon Superformance<<locked>>94%47,355 psi76%2395 fps95.8%
Hodgdon TrailBoss<<locked>>80%26,731 psi43%1276 fps100%
Hodgdon VARGET<<locked>>80%42,728 psi69%2228 fps99.3%
IMR 3031<<locked>>80%44,150 psi71%2260 fps100%
IMR 4064<<locked>>80%39,711 psi64%2162 fps98.1%
IMR 4166 Enduron<<locked>>80%42,148 psi68%2178 fps95%
IMR 4350<<locked>>94%44,976 psi72%2280 fps95.1%
IMR 4451 Enduron<<locked>>88%44,193 psi71%2244 fps95.4%
IMR 4831<<locked>>84%31,981 psi51%2087 fps95.1%
IMR 4895<<locked>>80%41,104 psi66%2234 fps98.9%
IMR 8208 XBR<<locked>>80%46,093 psi74%2260 fps99.9%
Lovex D073.5<<locked>>80%52,489 psi84%2336 fps100%
Lovex D073.6<<locked>>80%43,656 psi70%2247 fps100%
Lovex S060<<locked>>80%44,280 psi71%2201 fps99.2%
Lovex S062<<locked>>80%39,958 psi64%2172 fps99.4%
Lovex S065<<locked>>84%37,333 psi60%2126 fps95.2%
Lovex S070<<locked>>90%41,916 psi67%2231 fps95.3%
Norma 201<<locked>>80%44,063 psi71%2224 fps99.8%
Norma 202<<locked>>80%43,758 psi70%2228 fps100%
Norma 203B<<locked>>80%39,624 psi64%2201 fps98.6%
Norma 204<<locked>>98%50,691 psi81%2398 fps95%
Norma URP<<locked>>84%33,228 psi53%2119 fps95.3%
Ramshot Big Game<<locked>>80%38,856 psi62%2211 fps98.2%
Ramshot Hunter<<locked>>90%38,682 psi62%2234 fps95%
Ramshot TAC<<locked>>80%46,064 psi74%2270 fps97.6%
Ramshot Wild Boar<<locked>>80%45,324 psi73%2287 fps99.3%
Ramshot X-Terminator<<locked>>80%49,705 psi80%2306 fps99.7%
ReloadSwiss RS 14<<locked>>80%27,151 psi44%1306 fps100%
ReloadSwiss RS 40<<locked>>80%51,401 psi82%2326 fps100%
ReloadSwiss RS 50<<locked>>82%40,741 psi65%2192 fps95.4%
ReloadSwiss RS 52<<locked>>80%41,640 psi67%2293 fps98.5%
ReloadSwiss RS 6047.1 gr80%34,403 psi55%2188 fps99.5%
ReloadSwiss RS 62<<locked>>86%34,548 psi55%2175 fps95.5%
ReloadSwiss RS 70<<locked>>88%36,970 psi59%2224 fps95.2%
Rottweil R 901<<locked>>80%48,327 psi77%2257 fps100%
Rottweil R 902<<locked>>80%41,959 psi67%2185 fps99.6%
Rottweil R 903<<locked>>80%35,404 psi57%2123 fps98.2%
Rottweil R 907<<locked>>90%45,542 psi73%2260 fps95.3%
Shooters World Long Rifle<<locked>>84%37,333 psi60%2126 fps95.2%
Shooters World Match Rifle<<locked>>80%43,656 psi70%2247 fps100%
Shooters World Precision<<locked>>80%39,958 psi64%2172 fps99.4%
Shooters World SW4350<<locked>>90%41,916 psi67%2231 fps95.3%
SNPE Vectan SP 11<<locked>>80%35,839 psi57%2159 fps97.5%
SNPE Vectan SP 7<<locked>>80%44,541 psi71%2251 fps97.8%
SNPE Vectan SP 9<<locked>>80%42,612 psi68%2234 fps99%
SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000<<locked>>80%44,933 psi72%2175 fps100%
SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000<<locked>>80%37,521 psi60%2070 fps100%
SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000<<locked>>90%43,526 psi70%2201 fps95.4%
Somchem S321<<locked>>80%49,850 psi80%2333 fps100%
Somchem S335<<locked>>80%44,817 psi72%2182 fps100%
Somchem S341<<locked>>80%44,019 psi71%2247 fps99.1%
Somchem S355<<locked>>80%36,332 psi58%2129 fps98.2%
Somchem S365<<locked>>80%26,832 psi43%1998 fps96.2%
Vihtavuori N130<<locked>>80%50,444 psi81%2221 fps100%
Vihtavuori N133<<locked>>80%45,078 psi72%2169 fps100%
Vihtavuori N135<<locked>>80%41,118 psi66%2165 fps100%
Vihtavuori N140<<locked>>80%41,379 psi66%2172 fps100%
Vihtavuori N150<<locked>>80%34,287 psi55%2070 fps98.8%
Vihtavuori N160<<locked>>84%34,563 psi55%2116 fps95.6%
Vihtavuori N530<<locked>>80%46,224 psi74%2257 fps99.9%
Vihtavuori N540<<locked>>80%40,001 psi64%2169 fps100%
Vihtavuori N550<<locked>>84%33,939 psi54%2119 fps95.3%
Vihtavuori N555<<locked>>90%30,937 psi50%2119 fps95.3%
Winchester 6.5 StaBALL<<locked>>80%30,589 psi49%2011 fps96.3%
Winchester 748<<locked>>80%45,469 psi73%2297 fps100%
Winchester 760<<locked>>90%42,018 psi67%2287 fps95.1%
Winchester StaBALL HD<<locked>>94%28,979 psi46%2113 fps95.2%
Winchester StaBALL Match<<locked>>80%42,061 psi67%2241 fps99.3%

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.

<<locked>> you need an access license to unlock this data.

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.

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