Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 8.5 x 55 Blaser with .338 | 250gr | Sako Hammerhead 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, Hodgdon Superformance and Alliant Reloder-17.
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% | 55,013 psi | 88% | 2365 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,650 psi | 86% | 2392 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,259 psi | 89% | 2451 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2700 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,217 psi | 90% | 2444 fps | 97.9% |
| Accurate 3100ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,437 psi | 65% | 2313 fps | 96.7% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,592 psi | 86% | 2434 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,055 psi | 85% | 2516 fps | 99.8% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,027 psi | 87% | 2461 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,100 psi | 88% | 2464 fps | 100% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,171 psi | 85% | 2418 fps | 100% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,998 psi | 87% | 2392 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,403 psi | 86% | 2569 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,911 psi | 88% | 2484 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,550 psi | 89% | 2503 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-16ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,331 psi | 87% | 2562 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,434 psi | 89% | 2595 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-23ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 38,943 psi | 62% | 2343 fps | 99.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-26ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,265 psi | 69% | 2484 fps | 98.7% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,737 psi | 86% | 2480 fps | 99.9% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,666 psi | 89% | 2500 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,579 psi | 89% | 2474 fps | 98.1% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,882 psi | 88% | 2402 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,869 psi | 90% | 2493 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,085 psi | 87% | 2533 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,982 psi | 85% | 2464 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,057 psi | 90% | 2562 fps | 98.8% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,229 psi | 85% | 2477 fps | 97.2% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,534 psi | 87% | 2470 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100Vᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,633 psi | 81% | 2454 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,867 psi | 86% | 2503 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,794 psi | 85% | 2546 fps | 97.9% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,679 psi | 57% | 1476 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,854 psi | 90% | 2474 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,549 psi | 87% | 2451 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,665 psi | 88% | 2451 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,578 psi | 88% | 2434 fps | 98.4% |
| IMR 4350ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,811 psi | 89% | 2500 fps | 98.2% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,215 psi | 87% | 2457 fps | 98.3% |
| IMR 4831ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,476 psi | 86% | 2507 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,650 psi | 86% | 2487 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,171 psi | 85% | 2418 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,882 psi | 86% | 2444 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,780 psi | 86% | 2398 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,404 psi | 87% | 2444 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,403 psi | 86% | 2451 fps | 99.2% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,273 psi | 87% | 2484 fps | 98.6% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,318 psi | 90% | 2457 fps | 100% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,548 psi | 86% | 2415 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,781 psi | 88% | 2490 fps | 100% |
| Norma 204ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,376 psi | 90% | 2543 fps | 97.1% |
| Norma MRPᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,236 psi | 69% | 2444 fps | 96.1% |
| Norma URPᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,477 psi | 89% | 2549 fps | 99.9% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,390 psi | 89% | 2520 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Hunterᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,230 psi | 87% | 2549 fps | 99.1% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,345 psi | 86% | 2441 fps | 99.3% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,434 psi | 90% | 2500 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 82% | 53,969 psi | 87% | 2421 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,172 psi | 58% | 1512 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,159 psi | 90% | 2444 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,461 psi | 86% | 2451 fps | 98.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,304 psi | 90% | 2566 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,245 psi | 89% | 2592 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,362 psi | 90% | 2585 fps | 99.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,840 psi | 90% | 2608 fps | 99.8% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,070 psi | 87% | 2395 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,403 psi | 86% | 2411 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,535 psi | 89% | 2493 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,579 psi | 89% | 2474 fps | 98.1% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,403 psi | 86% | 2451 fps | 99.2% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,882 psi | 86% | 2444 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,404 psi | 87% | 2444 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,273 psi | 87% | 2484 fps | 98.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,490 psi | 86% | 2500 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,216 psi | 89% | 2467 fps | 99.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,014 psi | 90% | 2487 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,404 psi | 87% | 2356 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,708 psi | 88% | 2359 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,867 psi | 86% | 2411 fps | 98.3% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,128 psi | 87% | 2448 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,896 psi | 86% | 2359 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,839 psi | 88% | 2457 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,651 psi | 89% | 2487 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S365ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,024 psi | 80% | 2507 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,557 psi | 75% | 2405 fps | 96.5% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,288 psi | 87% | 2320 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,621 psi | 88% | 2343 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,142 psi | 85% | 2379 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,940 psi | 86% | 2398 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,809 psi | 86% | 2428 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,781 psi | 88% | 2500 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,664 psi | 86% | 2418 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,288 psi | 89% | 2434 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,650 psi | 86% | 2507 fps | 99.7% |
| Vihtavuori N555ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,467 psi | 68% | 2405 fps | 99.2% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,911 psi | 88% | 2484 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,316 psi | 85% | 2461 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,057 psi | 90% | 2562 fps | 98.8% |
| Winchester StaBALL HDᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,650 psi | 56% | 2346 fps | 99.3% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,651 psi | 89% | 2490 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% | 48,878 psi | 78% | 2290 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,611 psi | 67% | 2234 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,341 psi | 78% | 2362 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2700 | <<locked>> | 82% | 43,569 psi | 70% | 2257 fps | 95.4% |
| Accurate 3100 | <<locked>> | 96% | 35,244 psi | 57% | 2218 fps | 95% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,378 psi | 63% | 2231 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 82% | 30,748 psi | 49% | 2129 fps | 95.4% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,846 psi | 72% | 2326 fps | 99.6% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,276 psi | 61% | 2201 fps | 98.2% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,905 psi | 75% | 2333 fps | 100% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,413 psi | 76% | 2313 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | 52.8 gr | 80% | 40,886 psi | 66% | 2365 fps | 98.8% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,855 psi | 61% | 2221 fps | 99.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,582 psi | 65% | 2274 fps | 98.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 82% | 31,314 psi | 50% | 2139 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | 52 gr | 80% | 32,706 psi | 52% | 2201 fps | 97.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 88% | 27,064 psi | 43% | 2060 fps | 95.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 92% | 32,779 psi | 53% | 2260 fps | 95.2% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,034 psi | 71% | 2336 fps | 99% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,579 psi | 60% | 2228 fps | 99.3% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 88% | 43,613 psi | 70% | 2293 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,791 psi | 78% | 2320 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,876 psi | 74% | 2356 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,560 psi | 81% | 2484 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,319 psi | 61% | 2228 fps | 97.3% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,335 psi | 65% | 2316 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 44,193 psi | 71% | 2336 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,295 psi | 73% | 2336 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,992 psi | 43% | 2008 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,220 psi | 66% | 2316 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | 61.8 gr | 90% | 42,801 psi | 69% | 2382 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,542 psi | 43% | 1316 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,555 psi | 70% | 2297 fps | 99.7% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,194 psi | 72% | 2329 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,205 psi | 64% | 2231 fps | 98.8% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,569 psi | 68% | 2247 fps | 96% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 43,482 psi | 70% | 2316 fps | 95.7% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,118 psi | 64% | 2231 fps | 95.2% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 82% | 29,892 psi | 48% | 2093 fps | 95.1% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,582 psi | 67% | 2300 fps | 99.4% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,905 psi | 75% | 2333 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,005 psi | 71% | 2310 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,991 psi | 72% | 2274 fps | 99.6% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,118 psi | 64% | 2234 fps | 99.7% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,085 psi | 56% | 2142 fps | 95.3% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 88% | 39,972 psi | 64% | 2257 fps | 95.6% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,179 psi | 71% | 2287 fps | 100% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,280 psi | 71% | 2290 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,972 psi | 64% | 2264 fps | 99.1% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,501 psi | 79% | 2448 fps | 95.7% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 98% | 40,524 psi | 65% | 2392 fps | 95.2% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 82% | 31,227 psi | 50% | 2129 fps | 95.3% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,537 psi | 63% | 2280 fps | 98.9% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,043 psi | 59% | 2260 fps | 95.4% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,789 psi | 75% | 2343 fps | 98.4% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,311 psi | 74% | 2359 fps | 99.7% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,662 psi | 81% | 2379 fps | 99.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,861 psi | 43% | 1345 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,591 psi | 84% | 2398 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,682 psi | 62% | 2215 fps | 95.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,627 psi | 68% | 2365 fps | 99.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,838 psi | 56% | 2257 fps | 99.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 84% | 32,634 psi | 52% | 2192 fps | 95.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 86% | 35,027 psi | 56% | 2244 fps | 95.6% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,182 psi | 77% | 2316 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,076 psi | 67% | 2247 fps | 99.8% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,331 psi | 57% | 2178 fps | 98.7% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 88% | 43,613 psi | 70% | 2293 fps | 95.7% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,085 psi | 56% | 2142 fps | 95.3% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,005 psi | 71% | 2310 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,118 psi | 64% | 2234 fps | 99.7% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 39,972 psi | 64% | 2257 fps | 95.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,114 psi | 58% | 2221 fps | 98.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,078 psi | 72% | 2323 fps | 98.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,279 psi | 69% | 2303 fps | 99.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,295 psi | 73% | 2238 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,724 psi | 60% | 2126 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 38,986 psi | 63% | 2185 fps | 95.1% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,734 psi | 81% | 2402 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,078 psi | 72% | 2244 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,846 psi | 72% | 2320 fps | 99.6% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,230 psi | 58% | 2185 fps | 98.7% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,310 psi | 42% | 2044 fps | 96.8% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 98% | 43,555 psi | 70% | 2356 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,097 psi | 82% | 2283 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,658 psi | 73% | 2228 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,408 psi | 66% | 2224 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,018 psi | 67% | 2234 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,374 psi | 55% | 2129 fps | 99.3% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 82% | 32,663 psi | 52% | 2133 fps | 95.8% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,152 psi | 76% | 2329 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,379 psi | 65% | 2228 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 82% | 32,097 psi | 51% | 2136 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 88% | 28,877 psi | 46% | 2126 fps | 95.3% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,400 psi | 49% | 2067 fps | 97.2% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,615 psi | 75% | 2369 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,524 psi | 65% | 2323 fps | 95.7% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 92% | 26,963 psi | 43% | 2123 fps | 95.4% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,801 psi | 69% | 2306 fps | 99.7% |
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 99 powders for 8.5 x 55 Blaser loaded with the .338 | 250gr | Sako Hammerhead. ReloadSwiss RS 70 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,608 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,476 fps to 2,608 fps. Accurate 3100 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 99 of the 99 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (430 MPa), the top charges use 56–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 250.0 gr projectile in 0.338" calls for a 1:6.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 3100, Alliant Reloder-16, Alliant Reloder-23 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 Superformance, Alliant Reloder-17 rank at the top here: for 8.5 x 55 Blaser with the .338 | 250gr | Sako Hammerhead 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.