Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 8.5 x 63 R with .338 | 225gr | NorthFork Bonded Core bullet and 82 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 Reloder-17 and Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR.
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% | 48,298 psi | 88% | 2388 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,647 psi | 90% | 2448 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,704 psi | 88% | 2444 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,558 psi | 86% | 2457 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,747 psi | 88% | 2484 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,094 psi | 85% | 2530 fps | 98.1% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,239 psi | 86% | 2461 fps | 99% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,327 psi | 88% | 2461 fps | 98.7% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,661 psi | 90% | 2467 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,458 psi | 90% | 2457 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,269 psi | 89% | 2598 fps | 98.8% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,572 psi | 86% | 2480 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,240 psi | 88% | 2497 fps | 98.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-16ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,876 psi | 85% | 2536 fps | 98.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,529 psi | 86% | 2575 fps | 99.5% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,661 psi | 90% | 2516 fps | 98.6% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,326 psi | 86% | 2490 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,762 psi | 88% | 2415 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,153 psi | 87% | 2493 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,647 psi | 90% | 2572 fps | 99.1% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,762 psi | 88% | 2497 fps | 97.9% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,616 psi | 86% | 2470 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100Vᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,975 psi | 78% | 2431 fps | 98.7% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,153 psi | 89% | 2543 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,795 psi | 63% | 1516 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,095 psi | 89% | 2477 fps | 99.5% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,137 psi | 86% | 2467 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,718 psi | 87% | 2444 fps | 98.8% |
| IMR 4831ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,179 psi | 82% | 2480 fps | 97.8% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,414 psi | 90% | 2526 fps | 99.4% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,661 psi | 90% | 2467 fps | 99.8% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,472 psi | 90% | 2457 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,313 psi | 89% | 2490 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,848 psi | 87% | 2405 fps | 99.1% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,471 psi | 86% | 2448 fps | 99.7% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,284 psi | 89% | 2477 fps | 97.1% |
| Lovex S070ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,748 psi | 90% | 2503 fps | 96.1% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,327 psi | 90% | 2464 fps | 99.8% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,603 psi | 90% | 2470 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,456 psi | 86% | 2487 fps | 99.1% |
| Norma URPᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,108 psi | 85% | 2523 fps | 98% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,239 psi | 86% | 2503 fps | 98.9% |
| Ramshot Hunterᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,557 psi | 84% | 2516 fps | 96.1% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 84% | 46,789 psi | 85% | 2428 fps | 96.8% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,139 psi | 89% | 2497 fps | 99.2% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,471 psi | 86% | 2421 fps | 98.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,186 psi | 64% | 1555 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,226 psi | 89% | 2454 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,400 psi | 90% | 2480 fps | 96.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,572 psi | 86% | 2549 fps | 98.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,326 psi | 86% | 2582 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,746 psi | 85% | 2546 fps | 97.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,066 psi | 87% | 2569 fps | 97.3% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,630 psi | 86% | 2408 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,705 psi | 90% | 2461 fps | 99.8% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,224 psi | 86% | 2480 fps | 99.5% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,284 psi | 89% | 2477 fps | 97.1% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,313 psi | 89% | 2490 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,471 psi | 86% | 2448 fps | 99.7% |
| Shooters World SW4350ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,748 psi | 90% | 2503 fps | 96.1% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,863 psi | 89% | 2536 fps | 99.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,906 psi | 87% | 2454 fps | 97.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,791 psi | 89% | 2484 fps | 99.2% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,269 psi | 88% | 2375 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,732 psi | 87% | 2375 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,369 psi | 86% | 2454 fps | 99.8% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,659 psi | 86% | 2379 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,587 psi | 86% | 2451 fps | 99% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,037 psi | 87% | 2480 fps | 99.4% |
| Somchem S365ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,930 psi | 76% | 2477 fps | 99.6% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,298 psi | 88% | 2349 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,356 psi | 88% | 2369 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,776 psi | 89% | 2438 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,036 psi | 85% | 2411 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,298 psi | 89% | 2467 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N160ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,530 psi | 90% | 2523 fps | 98.3% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 84% | 46,891 psi | 85% | 2421 fps | 99.7% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,095 psi | 87% | 2448 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,617 psi | 88% | 2530 fps | 98% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,340 psi | 86% | 2464 fps | 99.4% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,197 psi | 89% | 2510 fps | 100% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,182 psi | 87% | 2487 fps | 99.5% |
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% | 42,815 psi | 78% | 2310 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,514 psi | 84% | 2405 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,273 psi | 64% | 2231 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,655 psi | 76% | 2362 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,359 psi | 61% | 2218 fps | 99.4% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 35,882 psi | 65% | 2329 fps | 95.3% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,160 psi | 71% | 2320 fps | 97.5% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,607 psi | 65% | 2231 fps | 95.7% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,205 psi | 75% | 2329 fps | 98.9% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,524 psi | 74% | 2329 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | 49.9 gr | 80% | 35,375 psi | 64% | 2326 fps | 95% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,634 psi | 59% | 2205 fps | 96.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,085 psi | 64% | 2254 fps | 95.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 92% | 36,970 psi | 67% | 2343 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | 51.6 gr | 84% | 32,111 psi | 58% | 2260 fps | 95.4% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,072 psi | 69% | 2316 fps | 96% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,792 psi | 58% | 2198 fps | 96.4% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,236 psi | 78% | 2326 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,436 psi | 72% | 2349 fps | 99.1% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,323 psi | 79% | 2467 fps | 98% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,521 psi | 68% | 2300 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,479 psi | 72% | 2329 fps | 98.1% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 90% | 31,647 psi | 57% | 2201 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,375 psi | 64% | 2297 fps | 97.5% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,947 psi | 47% | 1355 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,101 psi | 69% | 2287 fps | 97.7% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,696 psi | 70% | 2333 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,143 psi | 64% | 2215 fps | 95.8% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 94% | 37,217 psi | 68% | 2339 fps | 95.7% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,897 psi | 65% | 2283 fps | 96.7% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,205 psi | 75% | 2329 fps | 98.9% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,093 psi | 84% | 2408 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,768 psi | 69% | 2303 fps | 99.5% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,972 psi | 73% | 2270 fps | 97.7% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,882 psi | 63% | 2224 fps | 97.7% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,191 psi | 75% | 2343 fps | 95.1% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 98% | 46,688 psi | 85% | 2454 fps | 95.3% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,508 psi | 70% | 2280 fps | 98.5% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,638 psi | 70% | 2293 fps | 99.8% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,476 psi | 63% | 2244 fps | 96.2% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 92% | 36,622 psi | 66% | 2333 fps | 95.2% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,939 psi | 62% | 2254 fps | 95.6% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 98% | 43,468 psi | 79% | 2464 fps | 95.2% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,118 psi | 75% | 2329 fps | 95.3% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,147 psi | 73% | 2346 fps | 97.7% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,643 psi | 81% | 2375 fps | 98.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,194 psi | 48% | 1388 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,427 psi | 84% | 2411 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,398 psi | 84% | 2431 fps | 95.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,289 psi | 66% | 2339 fps | 96.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | 49.1 gr | 80% | 29,979 psi | 54% | 2215 fps | 97.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 94% | 38,421 psi | 70% | 2398 fps | 95.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,032 psi | 76% | 2461 fps | 95.6% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,380 psi | 77% | 2326 fps | 99.9% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,767 psi | 67% | 2241 fps | 98.1% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,979 psi | 54% | 2149 fps | 95.3% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,191 psi | 75% | 2343 fps | 95.1% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,768 psi | 69% | 2303 fps | 99.5% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,882 psi | 63% | 2224 fps | 97.7% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 98% | 46,688 psi | 85% | 2454 fps | 95.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 82% | 33,272 psi | 60% | 2244 fps | 95.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,015 psi | 71% | 2300 fps | 95.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,855 psi | 69% | 2293 fps | 97.1% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,190 psi | 73% | 2247 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,054 psi | 60% | 2129 fps | 99.6% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,222 psi | 80% | 2402 fps | 99.5% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,595 psi | 72% | 2251 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,798 psi | 70% | 2303 fps | 97.3% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,111 psi | 56% | 2159 fps | 95.5% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 88% | 28,747 psi | 52% | 2185 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,498 psi | 83% | 2310 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,321 psi | 73% | 2251 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,679 psi | 65% | 2231 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,434 psi | 66% | 2234 fps | 99.7% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,428 psi | 53% | 2106 fps | 96.4% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 92% | 38,508 psi | 70% | 2336 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,060 psi | 75% | 2326 fps | 99% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,114 psi | 64% | 2228 fps | 99.3% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 92% | 37,492 psi | 68% | 2336 fps | 95.3% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 86% | 32,155 psi | 58% | 2175 fps | 95.6% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,147 psi | 73% | 2362 fps | 99.4% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,970 psi | 67% | 2293 fps | 97.5% |
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 82 powders for 8.5 x 63 R loaded with the .338 | 225gr | NorthFork Bonded Core. Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,598 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,516 fps to 2,598 fps. Accurate 4350 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 82 of the 82 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 225.0 gr projectile in 0.338" calls for a 1:15.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 4350, Alliant Reloder-16, Hodgdon Hybrid 100V 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 Reloder-17, Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR rank at the top here: for 8.5 x 63 R with the .338 | 225gr | NorthFork Bonded Core 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.