Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 8.5 x 63 R with .338 | 225gr | Hornady GMX bullet and 84 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, ReloadSwiss RS 60 and Ramshot Big Game.
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>> | 88% | 49,516 psi | 90% | 2385 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,703 psi | 87% | 2402 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,791 psi | 89% | 2431 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,892 psi | 89% | 2454 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,791 psi | 89% | 2467 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,118 psi | 75% | 2408 fps | 96.3% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,414 psi | 88% | 2451 fps | 98.8% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,632 psi | 90% | 2451 fps | 98.4% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,240 psi | 88% | 2421 fps | 99.5% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,123 psi | 86% | 2408 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,153 psi | 89% | 2507 fps | 99.4% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,688 psi | 87% | 2539 fps | 98% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,457 psi | 88% | 2470 fps | 99.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,603 psi | 90% | 2392 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,153 psi | 89% | 2484 fps | 98.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-16ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,424 psi | 77% | 2421 fps | 96.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-17ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,501 psi | 88% | 2559 fps | 99.3% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,081 psi | 89% | 2339 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,022 psi | 87% | 2464 fps | 97.9% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,124 psi | 87% | 2477 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,674 psi | 87% | 2372 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,385 psi | 90% | 2487 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,805 psi | 87% | 2516 fps | 98.4% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,559 psi | 88% | 2425 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,429 psi | 90% | 2448 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,821 psi | 90% | 2484 fps | 97.5% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,820 psi | 89% | 2464 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100Vᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 38,406 psi | 70% | 2320 fps | 97.1% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,297 psi | 86% | 2490 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,301 psi | 62% | 1483 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,398 psi | 86% | 2425 fps | 99% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,790 psi | 87% | 2457 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,994 psi | 89% | 2434 fps | 98.5% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,688 psi | 87% | 2320 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4831ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 39,697 psi | 72% | 2365 fps | 95.9% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,181 psi | 86% | 2467 fps | 98.8% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,240 psi | 88% | 2421 fps | 99.5% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,427 psi | 86% | 2405 fps | 99.8% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,731 psi | 85% | 2434 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,342 psi | 90% | 2398 fps | 98.9% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,080 psi | 87% | 2434 fps | 99.6% |
| Lovex S065ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,181 psi | 86% | 2418 fps | 96.1% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,340 psi | 86% | 2408 fps | 99.5% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,747 psi | 87% | 2421 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,283 psi | 88% | 2474 fps | 98.9% |
| Norma URPᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,003 psi | 76% | 2411 fps | 96.3% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,341 psi | 88% | 2493 fps | 98.7% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,501 psi | 88% | 2425 fps | 96.5% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,268 psi | 86% | 2444 fps | 98.6% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,298 psi | 89% | 2421 fps | 98.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,360 psi | 62% | 1516 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,935 psi | 87% | 2408 fps | 99.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,631 psi | 88% | 2539 fps | 98.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,646 psi | 88% | 2572 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,428 psi | 88% | 2402 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,514 psi | 86% | 2405 fps | 99.5% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,732 psi | 87% | 2464 fps | 99.2% |
| Shooters World Long Rifleᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,181 psi | 86% | 2418 fps | 96.1% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,731 psi | 85% | 2434 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,080 psi | 87% | 2434 fps | 99.6% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,601 psi | 86% | 2379 fps | 99.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,760 psi | 85% | 2477 fps | 98.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,645 psi | 86% | 2369 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,385 psi | 90% | 2448 fps | 97.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,920 psi | 85% | 2428 fps | 98.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,835 psi | 90% | 2372 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,211 psi | 89% | 2369 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,689 psi | 88% | 2448 fps | 99.7% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,733 psi | 88% | 2372 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,124 psi | 89% | 2448 fps | 98.8% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,733 psi | 88% | 2467 fps | 99.2% |
| Somchem S365ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,202 psi | 68% | 2362 fps | 98.3% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 84% | 46,862 psi | 85% | 2310 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,777 psi | 90% | 2365 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,429 psi | 90% | 2428 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,066 psi | 87% | 2402 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,065 psi | 85% | 2411 fps | 99.7% |
| Vihtavuori N160ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,425 psi | 81% | 2415 fps | 96.7% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,457 psi | 88% | 2418 fps | 99.6% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,284 psi | 89% | 2441 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,018 psi | 78% | 2415 fps | 96.3% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALLᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,774 psi | 83% | 2408 fps | 98.7% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,224 psi | 86% | 2457 fps | 99.8% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,356 psi | 90% | 2480 fps | 99.3% |
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% | 38,319 psi | 70% | 2218 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,553 psi | 75% | 2306 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,458 psi | 55% | 2129 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,883 psi | 67% | 2260 fps | 99.1% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,892 psi | 52% | 2113 fps | 98.1% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 98% | 38,189 psi | 69% | 2359 fps | 95.4% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,230 psi | 64% | 2218 fps | 95.8% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,390 psi | 66% | 2224 fps | 95.3% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,289 psi | 68% | 2234 fps | 97.7% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,853 psi | 65% | 2241 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,931 psi | 78% | 2405 fps | 98.5% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | 49.6 gr | 86% | 38,841 psi | 70% | 2372 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 82% | 30,748 psi | 56% | 2146 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,932 psi | 80% | 2310 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,665 psi | 65% | 2247 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 98% | 39,827 psi | 72% | 2372 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 90% | 34,737 psi | 63% | 2297 fps | 95.8% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,905 psi | 83% | 2297 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,218 psi | 71% | 2316 fps | 95.8% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 82% | 29,805 psi | 54% | 2139 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,624 psi | 72% | 2238 fps | 98.7% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,099 psi | 64% | 2244 fps | 97.8% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,624 psi | 70% | 2352 fps | 96.3% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,670 psi | 77% | 2336 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,163 psi | 78% | 2352 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,814 psi | 74% | 2339 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,462 psi | 64% | 2228 fps | 96.6% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 96% | 33,852 psi | 61% | 2224 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,705 psi | 58% | 2192 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,280 psi | 46% | 1319 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,389 psi | 62% | 2192 fps | 96.1% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,272 psi | 62% | 2238 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,911 psi | 65% | 2211 fps | 95.5% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,136 psi | 82% | 2287 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 98% | 37,130 psi | 67% | 2316 fps | 95.1% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 82% | 34,156 psi | 62% | 2228 fps | 95.6% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,289 psi | 68% | 2234 fps | 97.7% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,321 psi | 75% | 2310 fps | 99.2% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,272 psi | 60% | 2201 fps | 98.3% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,506 psi | 66% | 2178 fps | 96.2% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,053 psi | 56% | 2123 fps | 95.9% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 98% | 44,295 psi | 80% | 2372 fps | 95.3% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,490 psi | 63% | 2182 fps | 97.1% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,461 psi | 63% | 2198 fps | 99.1% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 82% | 32,735 psi | 59% | 2188 fps | 95% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 98% | 39,334 psi | 71% | 2362 fps | 95.5% |
| Ramshot Big Game | 48.5 gr | 84% | 34,722 psi | 63% | 2247 fps | 95.3% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,583 psi | 77% | 2329 fps | 95.1% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,100 psi | 66% | 2247 fps | 96% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,640 psi | 74% | 2280 fps | 97.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,440 psi | 46% | 1352 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,061 psi | 76% | 2320 fps | 99.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,898 psi | 67% | 2333 fps | 95.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | 46.6 gr | 82% | 28,616 psi | 52% | 2152 fps | 95.6% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,058 psi | 69% | 2231 fps | 99.4% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,793 psi | 60% | 2139 fps | 96.5% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 86% | 32,039 psi | 58% | 2185 fps | 95.6% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 98% | 44,295 psi | 80% | 2372 fps | 95.3% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,272 psi | 60% | 2201 fps | 98.3% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,053 psi | 56% | 2123 fps | 95.9% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,556 psi | 81% | 2329 fps | 98.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 86% | 33,794 psi | 61% | 2234 fps | 95% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,788 psi | 81% | 2326 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,059 psi | 73% | 2297 fps | 95% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,837 psi | 61% | 2188 fps | 95.3% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,492 psi | 66% | 2162 fps | 99.3% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,689 psi | 54% | 2041 fps | 98.7% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,711 psi | 72% | 2303 fps | 98.5% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,810 psi | 65% | 2165 fps | 99.6% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,650 psi | 63% | 2201 fps | 95.5% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 84% | 31,241 psi | 57% | 2149 fps | 95% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 92% | 28,863 psi | 52% | 2165 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,539 psi | 75% | 2231 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,579 psi | 66% | 2169 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,589 psi | 57% | 2139 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,692 psi | 59% | 2146 fps | 98.9% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 82% | 27,731 psi | 50% | 2051 fps | 95.1% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 96% | 38,943 psi | 71% | 2316 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,130 psi | 67% | 2231 fps | 97.8% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,285 psi | 57% | 2129 fps | 98.2% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 98% | 40,306 psi | 73% | 2365 fps | 95.5% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 90% | 32,938 psi | 60% | 2165 fps | 95.1% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,969 psi | 65% | 2267 fps | 98.3% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,924 psi | 60% | 2188 fps | 95.7% |
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 84 powders for 8.5 x 63 R loaded with the .338 | 225gr | Hornady GMX. ReloadSwiss RS 60 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,572 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,483 fps to 2,572 fps. Accurate 4350 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 84 of the 84 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 225.0 gr projectile in 0.338" calls for a 1:12.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 4350, Alliant Reloder-16, Alliant Reloder-17 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, ReloadSwiss RS 60, Ramshot Big Game rank at the top here: for 8.5 x 63 R with the .338 | 225gr | Hornady GMX 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.