Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 8.5 x 63 R with .338 | 206gr | Peregrine VRG-2 bullet and 84 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are ReloadSwiss RS 60, Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR and ReloadSwiss RS 52.
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>> | 86% | 48,240 psi | 88% | 2523 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,806 psi | 90% | 2585 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,935 psi | 87% | 2572 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,776 psi | 87% | 2592 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,892 psi | 87% | 2608 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,453 psi | 79% | 2595 fps | 96.6% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,413 psi | 86% | 2592 fps | 98.5% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,515 psi | 88% | 2592 fps | 98.1% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,978 psi | 85% | 2556 fps | 99.3% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,400 psi | 90% | 2595 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,979 psi | 87% | 2644 fps | 99.1% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,748 psi | 90% | 2736 fps | 98.3% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,340 psi | 86% | 2608 fps | 99.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,515 psi | 88% | 2533 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,341 psi | 88% | 2628 fps | 98.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-16ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,077 psi | 80% | 2608 fps | 96.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,587 psi | 86% | 2703 fps | 99% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,789 psi | 85% | 2598 fps | 97.5% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,181 psi | 86% | 2618 fps | 99.2% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,211 psi | 89% | 2549 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,327 psi | 88% | 2625 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 84% | 46,586 psi | 85% | 2654 fps | 98% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,311 psi | 86% | 2562 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,167 psi | 87% | 2582 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,834 psi | 89% | 2625 fps | 97.2% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,776 psi | 87% | 2602 fps | 99% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100Vᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,147 psi | 73% | 2500 fps | 97.4% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,298 psi | 89% | 2677 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,447 psi | 63% | 1601 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,400 psi | 90% | 2612 fps | 99.1% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,760 psi | 85% | 2602 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,892 psi | 87% | 2572 fps | 98.2% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,226 psi | 89% | 2497 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4831ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,829 psi | 76% | 2549 fps | 96.3% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,545 psi | 90% | 2661 fps | 99% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,978 psi | 85% | 2556 fps | 99.3% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,501 psi | 90% | 2589 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,139 psi | 89% | 2621 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,196 psi | 87% | 2536 fps | 98.6% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,137 psi | 86% | 2572 fps | 99.4% |
| Lovex S065ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,342 psi | 90% | 2605 fps | 96.4% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,342 psi | 90% | 2595 fps | 99.6% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,763 psi | 90% | 2605 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,514 psi | 86% | 2618 fps | 98.6% |
| Norma URPᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,106 psi | 80% | 2598 fps | 96.6% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,471 psi | 86% | 2635 fps | 98.4% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,224 psi | 86% | 2559 fps | 96.1% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,472 psi | 90% | 2631 fps | 98.8% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,906 psi | 87% | 2552 fps | 98.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,693 psi | 63% | 1640 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,748 psi | 90% | 2592 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,514 psi | 86% | 2677 fps | 98.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,500 psi | 86% | 2713 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,569 psi | 79% | 2615 fps | 96.2% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,282 psi | 86% | 2539 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,705 psi | 90% | 2592 fps | 99.6% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,050 psi | 85% | 2608 fps | 99% |
| Shooters World Long Rifleᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,342 psi | 90% | 2605 fps | 96.4% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,139 psi | 89% | 2621 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,137 psi | 86% | 2572 fps | 99.4% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,371 psi | 90% | 2559 fps | 99.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,023 psi | 89% | 2667 fps | 98.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,458 psi | 90% | 2552 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,109 psi | 87% | 2582 fps | 96.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,979 psi | 89% | 2615 fps | 98.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,472 psi | 88% | 2507 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,138 psi | 87% | 2507 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,601 psi | 86% | 2585 fps | 99.5% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,645 psi | 86% | 2510 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,848 psi | 87% | 2582 fps | 98.5% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,892 psi | 87% | 2608 fps | 99% |
| Somchem S365ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 39,073 psi | 71% | 2546 fps | 98.6% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,501 psi | 88% | 2484 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,544 psi | 88% | 2503 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,573 psi | 88% | 2569 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,166 psi | 86% | 2543 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,458 psi | 90% | 2598 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N160ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,456 psi | 84% | 2602 fps | 97% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,224 psi | 86% | 2556 fps | 99.4% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,414 psi | 88% | 2582 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,339 psi | 82% | 2602 fps | 96.6% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALLᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,790 psi | 87% | 2592 fps | 99% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,342 psi | 90% | 2644 fps | 99.9% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,356 psi | 88% | 2621 fps | 99.1% |
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% | 40,030 psi | 73% | 2392 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,323 psi | 79% | 2484 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,966 psi | 58% | 2293 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,580 psi | 70% | 2434 fps | 99.2% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,284 psi | 55% | 2274 fps | 98.2% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 98% | 40,509 psi | 74% | 2543 fps | 95.8% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,753 psi | 67% | 2388 fps | 96% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,869 psi | 69% | 2395 fps | 95.5% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,827 psi | 70% | 2408 fps | 97.9% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,579 psi | 68% | 2415 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,875 psi | 81% | 2592 fps | 98.7% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | 55.6 gr | 86% | 40,495 psi | 73% | 2556 fps | 95.9% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 82% | 32,213 psi | 58% | 2313 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,426 psi | 82% | 2487 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,260 psi | 68% | 2421 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 96% | 39,102 psi | 71% | 2503 fps | 95.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 88% | 33,968 psi | 62% | 2418 fps | 95.1% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 82% | 38,203 psi | 69% | 2438 fps | 95.2% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 82% | 31,227 psi | 57% | 2303 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,843 psi | 74% | 2408 fps | 98.8% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,579 psi | 66% | 2415 fps | 97.9% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,538 psi | 74% | 2539 fps | 96.6% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,295 psi | 80% | 2513 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,947 psi | 82% | 2533 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,670 psi | 77% | 2516 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,028 psi | 67% | 2402 fps | 96.8% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 94% | 33,257 psi | 60% | 2349 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,924 psi | 60% | 2359 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,483 psi | 46% | 1427 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,708 psi | 65% | 2359 fps | 96.2% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,723 psi | 65% | 2408 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,231 psi | 68% | 2379 fps | 95.6% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,572 psi | 85% | 2461 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 98% | 39,117 psi | 71% | 2497 fps | 95.4% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,446 psi | 61% | 2349 fps | 95% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,827 psi | 70% | 2408 fps | 97.9% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,091 psi | 78% | 2487 fps | 99.3% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,853 psi | 63% | 2369 fps | 98.5% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,782 psi | 69% | 2346 fps | 96.4% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,387 psi | 59% | 2283 fps | 96.1% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 98% | 46,311 psi | 84% | 2552 fps | 95.7% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,839 psi | 65% | 2349 fps | 97.2% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,013 psi | 65% | 2369 fps | 99.2% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 82% | 34,243 psi | 62% | 2359 fps | 95.2% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 96% | 38,769 psi | 70% | 2493 fps | 95% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,143 psi | 66% | 2418 fps | 95.5% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 84% | 44,222 psi | 80% | 2507 fps | 95.3% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,652 psi | 68% | 2418 fps | 96.3% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,003 psi | 76% | 2451 fps | 97.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,599 psi | 46% | 1463 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,598 psi | 79% | 2493 fps | 99.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | 51.4 gr | 82% | 35,998 psi | 65% | 2454 fps | 95.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | 52.2 gr | 82% | 29,762 psi | 54% | 2316 fps | 95.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 98% | 40,596 psi | 74% | 2559 fps | 95.3% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,305 psi | 71% | 2398 fps | 99.5% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,011 psi | 62% | 2303 fps | 96.6% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 84% | 31,314 psi | 57% | 2300 fps | 95% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 98% | 46,311 psi | 84% | 2552 fps | 95.7% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,853 psi | 63% | 2369 fps | 98.5% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,387 psi | 59% | 2283 fps | 96.1% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,064 psi | 84% | 2507 fps | 98.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 86% | 35,230 psi | 64% | 2405 fps | 95.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,296 psi | 84% | 2503 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,843 psi | 76% | 2474 fps | 95.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,389 psi | 64% | 2359 fps | 95.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,681 psi | 68% | 2326 fps | 99.4% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,763 psi | 56% | 2195 fps | 98.8% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,510 psi | 75% | 2480 fps | 98.7% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,086 psi | 67% | 2329 fps | 99.7% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,274 psi | 66% | 2372 fps | 95.7% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 84% | 32,706 psi | 59% | 2313 fps | 95.2% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 92% | 30,226 psi | 55% | 2336 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,873 psi | 78% | 2402 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,826 psi | 69% | 2329 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,895 psi | 60% | 2303 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,881 psi | 61% | 2303 fps | 99% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 82% | 28,964 psi | 53% | 2208 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 96% | 40,843 psi | 74% | 2500 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,624 psi | 70% | 2402 fps | 97.9% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,547 psi | 59% | 2290 fps | 98.3% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 96% | 39,871 psi | 72% | 2500 fps | 95.1% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 90% | 34,243 psi | 62% | 2333 fps | 95.4% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,376 psi | 68% | 2434 fps | 98.4% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,360 psi | 62% | 2356 fps | 95.9% |
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 102 powders for 8.5 x 63 R loaded with the .338 | 206gr | Peregrine VRG-2. Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,736 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,601 fps to 2,736 fps. Accurate 4350 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 102 of the 102 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (380 MPa), the top charges use 56–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 206.0 gr projectile in 0.338" calls for a 1:15.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 4350, 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. ReloadSwiss RS 60, Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR, ReloadSwiss RS 52 rank at the top here: for 8.5 x 63 R with the .338 | 206gr | Peregrine VRG-2 they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, Accurate 2700, Alliant Reloder-23, Bofors RP7 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.