Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 8.5 x 63 R with .338 | 230gr | Hornady ELD-X bullet and 83 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% | 49,226 psi | 89% | 2349 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,297 psi | 86% | 2365 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,429 psi | 90% | 2405 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,675 psi | 88% | 2421 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,327 psi | 90% | 2441 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,396 psi | 81% | 2438 fps | 97.4% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,269 psi | 88% | 2425 fps | 99% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,211 psi | 89% | 2421 fps | 98.6% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,732 psi | 87% | 2385 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,833 psi | 85% | 2375 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,791 psi | 89% | 2470 fps | 99.5% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,079 psi | 85% | 2503 fps | 98.2% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,051 psi | 87% | 2438 fps | 99.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,197 psi | 89% | 2356 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,979 psi | 89% | 2454 fps | 98.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-16ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,628 psi | 81% | 2441 fps | 97.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,153 psi | 87% | 2530 fps | 99.4% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,529 psi | 86% | 2431 fps | 98.1% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,906 psi | 87% | 2448 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,050 psi | 85% | 2336 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,008 psi | 89% | 2454 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,094 psi | 85% | 2480 fps | 98.6% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,979 psi | 87% | 2385 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,878 psi | 89% | 2411 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,632 psi | 90% | 2454 fps | 97.8% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,631 psi | 88% | 2434 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100Vᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,930 psi | 74% | 2343 fps | 98.1% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,862 psi | 85% | 2457 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,664 psi | 63% | 1473 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,835 psi | 90% | 2434 fps | 99.5% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,761 psi | 87% | 2428 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,602 psi | 88% | 2405 fps | 98.7% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,850 psi | 90% | 2320 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4831ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,569 psi | 77% | 2388 fps | 97.1% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,137 psi | 86% | 2438 fps | 99% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,732 psi | 87% | 2385 fps | 99.6% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,297 psi | 86% | 2375 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,949 psi | 85% | 2408 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,878 psi | 89% | 2365 fps | 99.1% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,037 psi | 87% | 2405 fps | 99.7% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,065 psi | 85% | 2392 fps | 96.4% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,094 psi | 85% | 2375 fps | 99.6% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,398 psi | 86% | 2388 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,153 psi | 87% | 2444 fps | 99.1% |
| Norma URPᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,759 psi | 81% | 2434 fps | 97.3% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,109 psi | 87% | 2464 fps | 98.9% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,892 psi | 87% | 2392 fps | 96.8% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,818 psi | 85% | 2408 fps | 98.8% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,718 psi | 88% | 2385 fps | 98.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,824 psi | 63% | 1506 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,384 psi | 86% | 2375 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,254 psi | 88% | 2507 fps | 98.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,037 psi | 87% | 2536 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,266 psi | 80% | 2454 fps | 97% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,513 psi | 83% | 2467 fps | 96.3% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,443 psi | 88% | 2372 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,514 psi | 86% | 2375 fps | 99.6% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,790 psi | 87% | 2438 fps | 99.4% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,065 psi | 85% | 2392 fps | 96.4% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,949 psi | 85% | 2408 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,037 psi | 87% | 2405 fps | 99.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,603 psi | 90% | 2493 fps | 99.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,907 psi | 89% | 2415 fps | 97.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,676 psi | 90% | 2441 fps | 99.2% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,458 psi | 90% | 2339 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,733 psi | 88% | 2336 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,269 psi | 88% | 2415 fps | 99.8% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,283 psi | 88% | 2336 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,559 psi | 88% | 2415 fps | 99% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,646 psi | 88% | 2438 fps | 99.4% |
| Somchem S365ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 39,798 psi | 72% | 2388 fps | 99.1% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,400 psi | 90% | 2313 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,414 psi | 90% | 2329 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,371 psi | 90% | 2395 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,616 psi | 86% | 2369 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,847 psi | 85% | 2382 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N160ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,181 psi | 86% | 2434 fps | 97.7% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,935 psi | 87% | 2385 fps | 99.7% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,066 psi | 89% | 2411 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,108 psi | 84% | 2438 fps | 97.4% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALLᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,182 psi | 87% | 2421 fps | 99.3% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,847 psi | 85% | 2425 fps | 99.9% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,168 psi | 89% | 2451 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% | 41,002 psi | 74% | 2234 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,382 psi | 81% | 2323 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,344 psi | 61% | 2152 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,624 psi | 72% | 2280 fps | 99.6% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,575 psi | 57% | 2139 fps | 99% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 94% | 36,085 psi | 65% | 2290 fps | 95.1% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,579 psi | 68% | 2238 fps | 96.9% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,216 psi | 66% | 2195 fps | 95.7% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,595 psi | 72% | 2251 fps | 98.5% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,551 psi | 70% | 2254 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,701 psi | 83% | 2421 fps | 99.1% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | 47.9 gr | 82% | 36,042 psi | 65% | 2290 fps | 95% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,024 psi | 56% | 2126 fps | 95.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,412 psi | 84% | 2316 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,562 psi | 61% | 2175 fps | 95% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 94% | 37,333 psi | 68% | 2300 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 86% | 32,634 psi | 59% | 2224 fps | 95.4% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,289 psi | 66% | 2231 fps | 95.2% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,269 psi | 55% | 2123 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,597 psi | 75% | 2247 fps | 99.2% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,623 psi | 68% | 2267 fps | 98.7% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,278 psi | 75% | 2379 fps | 97.4% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,947 psi | 82% | 2343 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,658 psi | 83% | 2362 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 86% | 38,174 psi | 69% | 2264 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,840 psi | 69% | 2251 fps | 97.6% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 92% | 31,966 psi | 58% | 2159 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,881 psi | 61% | 2215 fps | 96.9% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,744 psi | 47% | 1312 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,564 psi | 66% | 2211 fps | 97.1% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,651 psi | 67% | 2251 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,591 psi | 61% | 2136 fps | 95% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,239 psi | 86% | 2287 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 96% | 37,376 psi | 68% | 2293 fps | 95.6% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,287 psi | 62% | 2205 fps | 96% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,595 psi | 72% | 2251 fps | 98.5% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,106 psi | 80% | 2326 fps | 99.7% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,737 psi | 65% | 2221 fps | 99.1% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,435 psi | 70% | 2192 fps | 97.1% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,257 psi | 60% | 2142 fps | 97.1% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,814 psi | 76% | 2303 fps | 95.1% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,796 psi | 67% | 2201 fps | 98% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,898 psi | 67% | 2215 fps | 99.6% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,938 psi | 60% | 2165 fps | 95.5% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 94% | 36,970 psi | 67% | 2290 fps | 95.1% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 82% | 34,534 psi | 63% | 2218 fps | 95.6% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,032 psi | 76% | 2293 fps | 95.3% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,392 psi | 70% | 2264 fps | 97.1% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,960 psi | 78% | 2293 fps | 98% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,991 psi | 47% | 1345 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,527 psi | 81% | 2329 fps | 99.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | 45.3 gr | 80% | 34,374 psi | 62% | 2251 fps | 95.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | 46 gr | 80% | 28,601 psi | 52% | 2129 fps | 96.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 96% | 38,754 psi | 70% | 2352 fps | 95.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 98% | 42,772 psi | 78% | 2418 fps | 95.4% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,640 psi | 74% | 2247 fps | 99.8% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,056 psi | 64% | 2159 fps | 97.5% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 82% | 30,371 psi | 55% | 2116 fps | 95.3% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,814 psi | 76% | 2303 fps | 95.1% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,737 psi | 65% | 2221 fps | 99.1% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,257 psi | 60% | 2142 fps | 97.1% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 84% | 33,794 psi | 61% | 2208 fps | 95.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 82% | 39,987 psi | 73% | 2267 fps | 95.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,027 psi | 65% | 2208 fps | 96.4% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,551 psi | 70% | 2172 fps | 99.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,633 psi | 57% | 2057 fps | 99.3% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,192 psi | 77% | 2316 fps | 99.2% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,942 psi | 69% | 2175 fps | 99.9% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,927 psi | 67% | 2221 fps | 96.6% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 82% | 31,546 psi | 57% | 2126 fps | 95.5% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 90% | 29,109 psi | 53% | 2149 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,772 psi | 79% | 2238 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,624 psi | 70% | 2175 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,910 psi | 62% | 2156 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,809 psi | 63% | 2159 fps | 99.5% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,021 psi | 51% | 2031 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 94% | 39,015 psi | 71% | 2297 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,479 psi | 72% | 2247 fps | 98.6% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,373 psi | 61% | 2146 fps | 98.9% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 94% | 37,956 psi | 69% | 2297 fps | 95.2% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 88% | 32,808 psi | 60% | 2142 fps | 95.5% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,174 psi | 69% | 2280 fps | 99% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,215 psi | 64% | 2211 fps | 96.9% |
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 83 powders for 8.5 x 63 R loaded with the .338 | 230gr | Hornady ELD-X. ReloadSwiss RS 60 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,536 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,473 fps to 2,536 fps. Accurate 4350 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 83 of the 83 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 230.0 gr projectile in 0.338" calls for a 1:13.0 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 Power Pro 2000-MR, ReloadSwiss RS 52 rank at the top here: for 8.5 x 63 R with the .338 | 230gr | Hornady ELD-X 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.