Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 8.5 x 63 R with .338 | 206gr | Peregrine VLR5 (VLR-5) bullet and 79 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above.
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>> | 88% | 48,443 psi | 88% | 2503 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,632 psi | 90% | 2559 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,529 psi | 86% | 2546 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,616 psi | 86% | 2566 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,340 psi | 86% | 2579 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,385 psi | 90% | 2457 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,763 psi | 90% | 2477 fps | 99.9% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,558 psi | 86% | 2566 fps | 98.2% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,515 psi | 88% | 2562 fps | 97.7% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,675 psi | 88% | 2556 fps | 100% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,007 psi | 85% | 2530 fps | 99% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,008 psi | 89% | 2569 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,022 psi | 87% | 2621 fps | 98.8% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,676 psi | 90% | 2700 fps | 97.8% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,094 psi | 85% | 2579 fps | 98.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,689 psi | 88% | 2513 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,182 psi | 87% | 2598 fps | 97.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-17ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,514 psi | 86% | 2671 fps | 98.6% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,138 psi | 87% | 2454 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,847 psi | 85% | 2572 fps | 97% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,731 psi | 85% | 2585 fps | 98.9% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,603 psi | 90% | 2530 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,211 psi | 87% | 2598 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,514 psi | 84% | 2625 fps | 97.6% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,529 psi | 86% | 2539 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,240 psi | 88% | 2559 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,762 psi | 88% | 2595 fps | 96.7% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,892 psi | 87% | 2579 fps | 98.7% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100Vᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,420 psi | 68% | 2415 fps | 96% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,066 psi | 89% | 2648 fps | 99.2% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,011 psi | 62% | 1568 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,240 psi | 89% | 2582 fps | 98.8% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,574 psi | 90% | 2618 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,964 psi | 87% | 2546 fps | 97.8% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,603 psi | 90% | 2480 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,313 psi | 89% | 2628 fps | 98.6% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,007 psi | 85% | 2530 fps | 99% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,777 psi | 90% | 2566 fps | 99.7% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,791 psi | 89% | 2592 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,443 psi | 88% | 2510 fps | 98.3% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,065 psi | 85% | 2546 fps | 99.1% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,298 psi | 89% | 2569 fps | 99.3% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,661 psi | 90% | 2582 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,268 psi | 86% | 2585 fps | 98.2% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,210 psi | 86% | 2602 fps | 98% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,516 psi | 90% | 2605 fps | 98.5% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,341 psi | 88% | 2533 fps | 98.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,243 psi | 62% | 1608 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 84% | 46,847 psi | 85% | 2523 fps | 99.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,166 psi | 86% | 2644 fps | 97.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,572 psi | 86% | 2684 fps | 99.9% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,224 psi | 86% | 2513 fps | 99.9% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,429 psi | 90% | 2562 fps | 99.3% |
| Rottweil R 903ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,835 psi | 90% | 2625 fps | 99.1% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,791 psi | 89% | 2592 fps | 99.9% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,065 psi | 85% | 2546 fps | 99.1% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 82% | 46,702 psi | 85% | 2490 fps | 98.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,052 psi | 89% | 2566 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,878 psi | 89% | 2635 fps | 98.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,705 psi | 90% | 2530 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,182 psi | 87% | 2552 fps | 96.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,936 psi | 89% | 2585 fps | 98.4% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,820 psi | 89% | 2487 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,950 psi | 87% | 2480 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,572 psi | 86% | 2559 fps | 99.3% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,747 psi | 87% | 2487 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,877 psi | 87% | 2556 fps | 98.1% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,572 psi | 86% | 2579 fps | 98.6% |
| Somchem S365ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,274 psi | 66% | 2457 fps | 97.3% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,733 psi | 88% | 2464 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,689 psi | 88% | 2480 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,182 psi | 87% | 2543 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,818 psi | 85% | 2513 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,139 psi | 89% | 2569 fps | 99.6% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,355 psi | 86% | 2530 fps | 99.1% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,167 psi | 87% | 2552 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALLᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,730 psi | 81% | 2510 fps | 98% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,313 psi | 89% | 2621 fps | 99.8% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,428 psi | 88% | 2595 fps | 98.8% |
Start Load - Barrel Length: 23.62"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,478 psi | 68% | 2326 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,582 psi | 74% | 2415 fps | 99.4% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,530 psi | 54% | 2221 fps | 99.5% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,955 psi | 65% | 2362 fps | 98.4% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,992 psi | 51% | 2198 fps | 97.1% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,412 psi | 84% | 2415 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,789 psi | 85% | 2431 fps | 99.8% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,724 psi | 67% | 2365 fps | 95.5% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,927 psi | 69% | 2372 fps | 95% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,614 psi | 83% | 2513 fps | 100% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,506 psi | 66% | 2336 fps | 96.9% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,867 psi | 63% | 2349 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,945 psi | 76% | 2513 fps | 97.7% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,625 psi | 74% | 2530 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 84% | 31,966 psi | 58% | 2287 fps | 95% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,859 psi | 78% | 2425 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,130 psi | 67% | 2395 fps | 95% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 92% | 36,361 psi | 66% | 2448 fps | 95.5% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,933 psi | 82% | 2408 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,799 psi | 74% | 2464 fps | 95.4% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 86% | 33,127 psi | 60% | 2329 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,740 psi | 70% | 2343 fps | 98% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,185 psi | 62% | 2343 fps | 96.9% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,768 psi | 69% | 2457 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,539 psi | 75% | 2444 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,134 psi | 76% | 2461 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,685 psi | 77% | 2493 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,679 psi | 63% | 2329 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 98% | 35,143 psi | 64% | 2365 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 82% | 32,982 psi | 60% | 2336 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,208 psi | 46% | 1401 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,882 psi | 65% | 2339 fps | 95.8% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,156 psi | 60% | 2336 fps | 99.5% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,347 psi | 68% | 2356 fps | 95.1% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,106 psi | 80% | 2402 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,650 psi | 65% | 2375 fps | 95.3% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,506 psi | 66% | 2336 fps | 96.9% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,263 psi | 73% | 2411 fps | 98.6% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,300 psi | 59% | 2293 fps | 97.4% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,578 psi | 65% | 2274 fps | 95.1% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 82% | 32,111 psi | 58% | 2257 fps | 95.5% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,663 psi | 61% | 2277 fps | 96.1% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,591 psi | 61% | 2297 fps | 98.4% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,405 psi | 66% | 2385 fps | 95.5% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,638 psi | 70% | 2444 fps | 95.8% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 82% | 37,681 psi | 68% | 2395 fps | 95.7% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,566 psi | 72% | 2379 fps | 96.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,309 psi | 46% | 1434 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,118 psi | 75% | 2425 fps | 99.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 86% | 38,450 psi | 70% | 2484 fps | 95.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,834 psi | 54% | 2290 fps | 95.2% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,057 psi | 67% | 2333 fps | 98.9% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,879 psi | 58% | 2231 fps | 95.4% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 88% | 33,243 psi | 60% | 2323 fps | 95.2% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,300 psi | 59% | 2293 fps | 97.4% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 82% | 32,111 psi | 58% | 2257 fps | 95.5% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,584 psi | 79% | 2438 fps | 98.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,919 psi | 83% | 2516 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 90% | 37,434 psi | 68% | 2425 fps | 95.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,671 psi | 79% | 2441 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 88% | 45,020 psi | 82% | 2503 fps | 95.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,710 psi | 68% | 2385 fps | 95.8% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,607 psi | 65% | 2260 fps | 98.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,921 psi | 52% | 2133 fps | 97.9% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,696 psi | 70% | 2405 fps | 97.8% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,983 psi | 63% | 2264 fps | 99.2% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,318 psi | 66% | 2349 fps | 95.2% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 88% | 34,534 psi | 63% | 2336 fps | 95.4% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 96% | 31,865 psi | 58% | 2352 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,596 psi | 74% | 2343 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,665 psi | 65% | 2270 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,618 psi | 56% | 2234 fps | 99.6% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,807 psi | 58% | 2241 fps | 98.2% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 86% | 30,922 psi | 56% | 2234 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,274 psi | 66% | 2329 fps | 96.9% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,501 psi | 55% | 2224 fps | 97.3% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 94% | 36,579 psi | 66% | 2352 fps | 95.6% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,925 psi | 63% | 2362 fps | 97.4% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 82% | 34,418 psi | 62% | 2336 fps | 95.4% |
ᴾ possible press load - work up slowly to this load while watching for signs of excessive pressure.
This overview compares 79 powders for 8.5 x 63 R loaded with the .338 | 206gr | Peregrine VLR5 (VLR-5). Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,700 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,568 fps to 2,700 fps. Alliant Reloder-17 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 79 of the 79 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (380 MPa), the top charges use 62–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 206.0 gr projectile in 0.338" calls for a 1:12.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Alliant Reloder-17, Hodgdon Hybrid 100V, Hodgdon TrailBoss 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. Always begin at the start load and work up in small increments while checking case and primer for pressure signs.