Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 8.5 x 63 R with .338 | 225gr | Nosler Expansion Tip bullet and 86 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 52 and ReloadSwiss RS 60.
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% | 48,791 psi | 89% | 2369 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 84% | 46,760 psi | 85% | 2382 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,790 psi | 87% | 2411 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,964 psi | 87% | 2434 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,819 psi | 87% | 2448 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,059 psi | 73% | 2385 fps | 95.8% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,661 psi | 90% | 2326 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,848 psi | 87% | 2438 fps | 98.7% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,878 psi | 89% | 2431 fps | 98.2% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,327 psi | 90% | 2428 fps | 100% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,384 psi | 86% | 2402 fps | 99.4% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,414 psi | 90% | 2434 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,385 psi | 88% | 2487 fps | 99.2% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,978 psi | 85% | 2516 fps | 97.7% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,616 psi | 86% | 2451 fps | 99.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,124 psi | 89% | 2379 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,298 psi | 88% | 2464 fps | 98.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-16ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,539 psi | 75% | 2398 fps | 96.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-17ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,616 psi | 86% | 2536 fps | 99% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,544 psi | 88% | 2326 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,992 psi | 85% | 2441 fps | 97.6% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,253 psi | 86% | 2457 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,850 psi | 90% | 2395 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,544 psi | 88% | 2467 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,963 psi | 85% | 2497 fps | 98.2% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,819 psi | 87% | 2405 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,805 psi | 89% | 2431 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,023 psi | 89% | 2464 fps | 97.3% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,182 psi | 87% | 2448 fps | 99.1% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100Vᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,782 psi | 69% | 2300 fps | 96.8% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,647 psi | 90% | 2516 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,171 psi | 62% | 1473 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,748 psi | 90% | 2451 fps | 99.2% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,036 psi | 85% | 2441 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,414 psi | 88% | 2418 fps | 98.3% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,123 psi | 86% | 2306 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,501 psi | 90% | 2493 fps | 99% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,384 psi | 86% | 2402 fps | 99.4% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 84% | 46,818 psi | 85% | 2388 fps | 99.7% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,400 psi | 90% | 2464 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,747 psi | 88% | 2382 fps | 98.7% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,500 psi | 86% | 2418 fps | 99.5% |
| Lovex S065ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,485 psi | 84% | 2398 fps | 95.7% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,588 psi | 90% | 2434 fps | 99.6% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,818 psi | 85% | 2402 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,456 psi | 86% | 2454 fps | 98.7% |
| Norma URPᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,031 psi | 74% | 2385 fps | 95.8% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,659 psi | 86% | 2474 fps | 98.5% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,761 psi | 87% | 2405 fps | 96.2% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,456 psi | 84% | 2421 fps | 98.4% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,762 psi | 88% | 2405 fps | 98.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,229 psi | 62% | 1506 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,268 psi | 86% | 2392 fps | 99.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,732 psi | 87% | 2516 fps | 98.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,703 psi | 87% | 2549 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,718 psi | 87% | 2385 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,806 psi | 90% | 2431 fps | 99.6% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 98% | 46,833 psi | 85% | 2444 fps | 99% |
| Shooters World Long Rifleᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,485 psi | 84% | 2398 fps | 95.7% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,400 psi | 90% | 2464 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,500 psi | 86% | 2418 fps | 99.5% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,007 psi | 85% | 2362 fps | 99.1% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,400 psi | 90% | 2431 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,182 psi | 89% | 2507 fps | 98.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,123 psi | 86% | 2356 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,617 psi | 88% | 2428 fps | 97% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,472 psi | 90% | 2457 fps | 98.8% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,139 psi | 89% | 2356 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,327 psi | 88% | 2352 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,182 psi | 87% | 2434 fps | 99.6% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,124 psi | 87% | 2356 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,051 psi | 87% | 2425 fps | 98.6% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,906 psi | 87% | 2448 fps | 99% |
| Somchem S365ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,390 psi | 66% | 2336 fps | 97.9% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,269 psi | 89% | 2336 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,081 psi | 89% | 2349 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,704 psi | 88% | 2411 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,181 psi | 86% | 2385 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,240 psi | 89% | 2434 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N160ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,511 psi | 79% | 2392 fps | 96.3% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,587 psi | 86% | 2398 fps | 99.4% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,501 psi | 88% | 2421 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,395 psi | 77% | 2395 fps | 96% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALLᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,049 psi | 82% | 2388 fps | 98.5% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,545 psi | 90% | 2484 fps | 99.9% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,559 psi | 88% | 2461 fps | 99.2% |
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% | 37,840 psi | 69% | 2205 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,872 psi | 74% | 2290 fps | 99.7% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,820 psi | 54% | 2113 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,260 psi | 66% | 2244 fps | 98.9% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,253 psi | 51% | 2093 fps | 97.8% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 98% | 37,434 psi | 68% | 2336 fps | 95% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,789 psi | 85% | 2287 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,838 psi | 63% | 2201 fps | 95.6% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 86% | 35,839 psi | 65% | 2208 fps | 95% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,064 psi | 84% | 2382 fps | 100% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,883 psi | 67% | 2221 fps | 97.5% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,302 psi | 64% | 2228 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,424 psi | 77% | 2388 fps | 98.3% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | 48.9 gr | 86% | 38,377 psi | 70% | 2356 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 82% | 30,182 psi | 55% | 2129 fps | 95% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,395 psi | 79% | 2297 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,085 psi | 64% | 2231 fps | 95% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 98% | 39,204 psi | 71% | 2349 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 90% | 34,171 psi | 62% | 2277 fps | 95.4% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,368 psi | 82% | 2283 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,522 psi | 70% | 2293 fps | 95.4% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 84% | 31,328 psi | 57% | 2169 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,001 psi | 71% | 2221 fps | 98.5% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,330 psi | 62% | 2224 fps | 97.5% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,029 psi | 69% | 2336 fps | 95.9% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,945 psi | 76% | 2316 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,525 psi | 77% | 2336 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,030 psi | 73% | 2316 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,012 psi | 64% | 2215 fps | 96.3% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 96% | 33,272 psi | 60% | 2205 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,198 psi | 57% | 2175 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,266 psi | 46% | 1316 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,808 psi | 61% | 2172 fps | 95.7% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,562 psi | 61% | 2218 fps | 99.8% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,302 psi | 64% | 2192 fps | 95.1% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,556 psi | 81% | 2270 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 82% | 33,533 psi | 61% | 2208 fps | 95.2% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,883 psi | 67% | 2221 fps | 97.5% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,698 psi | 74% | 2293 fps | 99.1% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,663 psi | 59% | 2182 fps | 98.1% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,926 psi | 65% | 2159 fps | 95.9% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,458 psi | 55% | 2103 fps | 95.6% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 98% | 43,511 psi | 79% | 2349 fps | 95% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,866 psi | 61% | 2162 fps | 96.8% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,026 psi | 62% | 2182 fps | 98.9% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 84% | 34,418 psi | 62% | 2218 fps | 95.5% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 98% | 38,624 psi | 70% | 2339 fps | 95% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,550 psi | 66% | 2280 fps | 95.8% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 86% | 44,860 psi | 81% | 2359 fps | 95.5% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,563 psi | 65% | 2228 fps | 95.7% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,856 psi | 72% | 2257 fps | 96.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,425 psi | 46% | 1348 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,408 psi | 75% | 2300 fps | 99.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | 46.3 gr | 84% | 36,318 psi | 66% | 2313 fps | 95.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | 45.9 gr | 82% | 28,224 psi | 51% | 2133 fps | 95.2% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,333 psi | 68% | 2211 fps | 99.3% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,184 psi | 58% | 2119 fps | 96.2% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 86% | 31,473 psi | 57% | 2165 fps | 95.3% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 98% | 43,511 psi | 79% | 2349 fps | 95% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,663 psi | 59% | 2182 fps | 98.1% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,458 psi | 55% | 2103 fps | 95.6% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,700 psi | 79% | 2310 fps | 98.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,325 psi | 84% | 2388 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 88% | 35,549 psi | 65% | 2264 fps | 95.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,961 psi | 80% | 2310 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,250 psi | 77% | 2326 fps | 95.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,460 psi | 61% | 2175 fps | 95% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,824 psi | 65% | 2142 fps | 99.1% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,095 psi | 53% | 2024 fps | 98.5% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,102 psi | 71% | 2283 fps | 98.3% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,157 psi | 64% | 2146 fps | 99.5% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,113 psi | 62% | 2182 fps | 95.1% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 86% | 32,822 psi | 60% | 2178 fps | 95.5% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 94% | 30,226 psi | 55% | 2192 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,814 psi | 74% | 2215 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,897 psi | 65% | 2149 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,879 psi | 56% | 2119 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,097 psi | 58% | 2126 fps | 98.7% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,153 psi | 53% | 2080 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 98% | 40,944 psi | 74% | 2346 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,477 psi | 66% | 2211 fps | 97.5% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,734 psi | 56% | 2113 fps | 97.9% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 98% | 39,682 psi | 72% | 2346 fps | 95.1% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 92% | 34,548 psi | 63% | 2195 fps | 95.6% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,375 psi | 64% | 2247 fps | 98.1% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,401 psi | 59% | 2172 fps | 95.4% |
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 86 powders for 8.5 x 63 R loaded with the .338 | 225gr | Nosler Expansion Tip. ReloadSwiss RS 60 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,549 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,473 fps to 2,549 fps. Accurate 4350 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 86 of the 86 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 52, ReloadSwiss RS 60 rank at the top here: for 8.5 x 63 R with the .338 | 225gr | Nosler Expansion Tip 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.