Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 8.5 x 63 R with .338 | 180gr | Impala LW CFN bullet and 70 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are ReloadSwiss RS 60, SNPE Vectan SP 11 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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Max Load - Barrel Length: 23.62"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,763 psi | 90% | 2684 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,095 psi | 87% | 2690 fps | 99.7% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,834 psi | 87% | 2703 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,675 psi | 88% | 2743 fps | 99.6% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,398 psi | 86% | 2733 fps | 99.9% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,211 psi | 87% | 2736 fps | 97.3% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,762 psi | 88% | 2726 fps | 96.6% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,558 psi | 86% | 2700 fps | 98.3% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,197 psi | 89% | 2749 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,312 psi | 88% | 2792 fps | 98% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,734 psi | 90% | 2861 fps | 96.4% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,877 psi | 87% | 2753 fps | 98.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,487 psi | 90% | 2694 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,718 psi | 88% | 2766 fps | 96.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,747 psi | 87% | 2831 fps | 97.5% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,036 psi | 85% | 2733 fps | 95.8% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,225 psi | 88% | 2766 fps | 98.2% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,777 psi | 90% | 2694 fps | 99% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,936 psi | 89% | 2776 fps | 99% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,850 psi | 90% | 2844 fps | 97.1% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,688 psi | 87% | 2713 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,588 psi | 88% | 2733 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,501 psi | 88% | 2749 fps | 97.9% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,255 psi | 89% | 2815 fps | 98.4% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,925 psi | 63% | 1709 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,313 psi | 89% | 2746 fps | 97.9% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,181 psi | 86% | 2756 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,341 psi | 88% | 2713 fps | 96.8% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,385 psi | 90% | 2654 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,705 psi | 90% | 2799 fps | 97.7% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,558 psi | 86% | 2700 fps | 98.3% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,964 psi | 87% | 2694 fps | 99% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,992 psi | 85% | 2723 fps | 99.4% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,544 psi | 88% | 2671 fps | 97.3% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,269 psi | 88% | 2723 fps | 98.5% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,747 psi | 87% | 2697 fps | 98.4% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,326 psi | 86% | 2710 fps | 99.7% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,906 psi | 87% | 2756 fps | 97.3% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,630 psi | 86% | 2769 fps | 96.9% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,661 psi | 90% | 2772 fps | 97.5% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,631 psi | 88% | 2694 fps | 97.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,302 psi | 64% | 1749 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,137 psi | 86% | 2687 fps | 99.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,630 psi | 86% | 2815 fps | 96.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,718 psi | 87% | 2848 fps | 99.4% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,806 psi | 90% | 2707 fps | 99.8% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,095 psi | 87% | 2694 fps | 98.4% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,848 psi | 87% | 2753 fps | 97.9% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,992 psi | 85% | 2723 fps | 99.4% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,269 psi | 88% | 2723 fps | 98.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,052 psi | 89% | 2802 fps | 97.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,574 psi | 90% | 2700 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,298 psi | 89% | 2753 fps | 97.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,342 psi | 90% | 2657 fps | 99.8% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,196 psi | 87% | 2648 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,385 psi | 88% | 2733 fps | 98.7% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,675 psi | 88% | 2661 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,124 psi | 87% | 2720 fps | 97.1% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,718 psi | 88% | 2753 fps | 97.9% |
| Somchem S365ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,103 psi | 73% | 2680 fps | 97% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,400 psi | 90% | 2641 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,008 psi | 89% | 2654 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,342 psi | 90% | 2726 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,456 psi | 86% | 2687 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,458 psi | 90% | 2736 fps | 99% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,645 psi | 86% | 2694 fps | 98.4% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,747 psi | 88% | 2726 fps | 99.8% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALLᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,979 psi | 87% | 2717 fps | 97.5% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,414 psi | 90% | 2789 fps | 99.3% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,588 psi | 88% | 2759 fps | 97.9% |
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% | 41,901 psi | 76% | 2552 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,397 psi | 82% | 2644 fps | 99.4% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,853 psi | 65% | 2480 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,466 psi | 73% | 2592 fps | 98.4% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,823 psi | 61% | 2457 fps | 97.8% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,480 psi | 73% | 2582 fps | 95.3% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 90% | 43,453 psi | 79% | 2628 fps | 95.3% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,900 psi | 72% | 2549 fps | 96.6% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,566 psi | 70% | 2572 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,556 psi | 83% | 2740 fps | 97.4% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,673 psi | 85% | 2802 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,913 psi | 69% | 2556 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,891 psi | 85% | 2651 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 88% | 43,439 psi | 79% | 2667 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | 58.8 gr | 92% | 39,871 psi | 72% | 2664 fps | 95.1% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 86% | 44,266 psi | 80% | 2680 fps | 95% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,607 psi | 65% | 2513 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,061 psi | 76% | 2552 fps | 97.7% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,116 psi | 69% | 2566 fps | 96.8% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 82% | 43,729 psi | 79% | 2730 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,918 psi | 82% | 2664 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,687 psi | 83% | 2680 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,406 psi | 70% | 2546 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,593 psi | 66% | 2556 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,165 psi | 47% | 1526 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 82% | 39,088 psi | 71% | 2549 fps | 95.5% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,101 psi | 67% | 2562 fps | 99.5% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 88% | 43,062 psi | 78% | 2612 fps | 95.5% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,673 psi | 85% | 2612 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,537 psi | 72% | 2598 fps | 95.1% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,900 psi | 72% | 2549 fps | 96.6% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,078 psi | 82% | 2644 fps | 98.6% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,767 psi | 67% | 2523 fps | 97.5% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,147 psi | 75% | 2530 fps | 95.5% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,448 psi | 66% | 2487 fps | 95.7% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,232 psi | 69% | 2507 fps | 96.2% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,507 psi | 68% | 2516 fps | 98.3% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,292 psi | 73% | 2608 fps | 95.3% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,163 psi | 77% | 2661 fps | 95.4% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,307 psi | 75% | 2612 fps | 95.5% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,134 psi | 78% | 2592 fps | 95.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,411 psi | 48% | 1562 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,498 psi | 81% | 2641 fps | 98.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,090 psi | 76% | 2707 fps | 95% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | 53.7 gr | 84% | 33,533 psi | 61% | 2513 fps | 95.2% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,308 psi | 77% | 2569 fps | 99% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,521 psi | 66% | 2461 fps | 95.6% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,811 psi | 69% | 2556 fps | 95.3% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,767 psi | 67% | 2523 fps | 97.5% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,448 psi | 66% | 2487 fps | 95.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | 56.6 gr | 90% | 41,060 psi | 75% | 2648 fps | 95.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,847 psi | 85% | 2657 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,191 psi | 75% | 2598 fps | 95.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,334 psi | 71% | 2474 fps | 98.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,460 psi | 59% | 2343 fps | 98% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,670 psi | 77% | 2625 fps | 97.6% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,044 psi | 71% | 2484 fps | 99.2% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,438 psi | 77% | 2615 fps | 95.7% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,769 psi | 70% | 2559 fps | 95.4% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 96% | 35,708 psi | 65% | 2572 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,164 psi | 80% | 2556 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,088 psi | 71% | 2480 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,853 psi | 63% | 2461 fps | 99.6% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,520 psi | 64% | 2454 fps | 98.2% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 86% | 34,780 psi | 63% | 2454 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,929 psi | 72% | 2546 fps | 96.7% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,345 psi | 62% | 2441 fps | 97.4% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 94% | 40,030 psi | 73% | 2562 fps | 95.3% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,522 psi | 70% | 2582 fps | 97.2% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 82% | 38,087 psi | 69% | 2552 fps | 95.2% |
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 70 powders for 8.5 x 63 R loaded with the .338 | 180gr | Impala LW CFN. Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,861 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,709 fps to 2,861 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 70 of the 70 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (380 MPa), the top charges use 63–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 180.0 gr projectile in 0.338" calls for a 1:15.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Hodgdon TrailBoss, ReloadSwiss RS 14, Somchem S365 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. ReloadSwiss RS 60, SNPE Vectan SP 11, Alliant Reloder-17 rank at the top here: for 8.5 x 63 R with the .338 | 180gr | Impala LW CFN 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.