Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 8.5 x 63 R with .338 | 230gr | Nosler CT FailSafe 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% | 48,080 psi | 87% | 2349 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,298 psi | 89% | 2408 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,385 psi | 88% | 2405 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,311 psi | 86% | 2418 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,530 psi | 88% | 2444 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,905 psi | 85% | 2490 fps | 98.2% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,181 psi | 86% | 2421 fps | 99.1% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,138 psi | 87% | 2421 fps | 98.7% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,588 psi | 90% | 2431 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,255 psi | 89% | 2418 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,008 psi | 89% | 2556 fps | 98.8% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,369 psi | 86% | 2444 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,080 psi | 87% | 2457 fps | 98.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-16ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,630 psi | 85% | 2497 fps | 98.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,152 psi | 86% | 2533 fps | 99.5% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,617 psi | 90% | 2480 fps | 98.7% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,195 psi | 86% | 2451 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,646 psi | 88% | 2375 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,022 psi | 87% | 2454 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,472 psi | 90% | 2533 fps | 99.1% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,704 psi | 88% | 2461 fps | 97.9% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,601 psi | 86% | 2434 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100Vᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,699 psi | 77% | 2392 fps | 98.7% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,066 psi | 89% | 2507 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,911 psi | 63% | 1493 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,834 psi | 89% | 2438 fps | 99.5% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,763 psi | 90% | 2467 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,659 psi | 86% | 2408 fps | 98.8% |
| IMR 4831ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,788 psi | 81% | 2441 fps | 97.8% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,240 psi | 89% | 2487 fps | 99.4% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,588 psi | 90% | 2431 fps | 99.8% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,197 psi | 89% | 2418 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,139 psi | 89% | 2451 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,485 psi | 86% | 2362 fps | 99.1% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,224 psi | 86% | 2408 fps | 99.7% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,023 psi | 89% | 2438 fps | 97.2% |
| Lovex S070ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,603 psi | 90% | 2467 fps | 96.1% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,994 psi | 89% | 2421 fps | 99.8% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,342 psi | 90% | 2431 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,253 psi | 86% | 2448 fps | 99.1% |
| Norma URPᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,949 psi | 85% | 2487 fps | 98.1% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,978 psi | 85% | 2464 fps | 99% |
| Ramshot Hunterᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,296 psi | 84% | 2477 fps | 96.1% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,661 psi | 90% | 2438 fps | 97.5% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,718 psi | 88% | 2454 fps | 99.2% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,485 psi | 86% | 2385 fps | 99% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,099 psi | 64% | 1526 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,110 psi | 89% | 2415 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,139 psi | 89% | 2441 fps | 96.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,427 psi | 86% | 2510 fps | 98.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,166 psi | 86% | 2539 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,514 psi | 84% | 2507 fps | 97.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,645 psi | 86% | 2526 fps | 97.3% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,355 psi | 86% | 2369 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,443 psi | 90% | 2421 fps | 99.8% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,094 psi | 85% | 2444 fps | 99.5% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,023 psi | 89% | 2438 fps | 97.2% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,139 psi | 89% | 2451 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,224 psi | 86% | 2408 fps | 99.7% |
| Shooters World SW4350ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,603 psi | 90% | 2467 fps | 96.1% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,573 psi | 88% | 2493 fps | 99.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,805 psi | 87% | 2415 fps | 97.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,617 psi | 88% | 2444 fps | 99.2% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,080 psi | 87% | 2336 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,732 psi | 87% | 2339 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,137 psi | 86% | 2415 fps | 99.8% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,268 psi | 86% | 2339 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,210 psi | 86% | 2411 fps | 99% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,935 psi | 87% | 2444 fps | 99.4% |
| Somchem S365ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,756 psi | 76% | 2441 fps | 99.6% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,993 psi | 87% | 2310 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,153 psi | 87% | 2329 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,689 psi | 88% | 2398 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,719 psi | 90% | 2411 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,008 psi | 89% | 2428 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N160ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,429 psi | 90% | 2487 fps | 98.4% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,777 psi | 90% | 2428 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,964 psi | 87% | 2408 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,240 psi | 88% | 2487 fps | 98% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,108 psi | 85% | 2425 fps | 99.4% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,023 psi | 89% | 2470 fps | 100% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,037 psi | 87% | 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% | 42,699 psi | 77% | 2274 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,137 psi | 84% | 2362 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,186 psi | 64% | 2198 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,321 psi | 75% | 2323 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,301 psi | 60% | 2185 fps | 99.5% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 35,534 psi | 64% | 2290 fps | 95.3% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,986 psi | 71% | 2280 fps | 97.6% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,418 psi | 64% | 2195 fps | 95.7% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,973 psi | 74% | 2293 fps | 99% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,422 psi | 73% | 2293 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | 48.7 gr | 80% | 35,128 psi | 64% | 2287 fps | 95% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,387 psi | 59% | 2169 fps | 96.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,911 psi | 63% | 2218 fps | 95.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 92% | 36,608 psi | 66% | 2303 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | 50.4 gr | 84% | 31,937 psi | 58% | 2224 fps | 95.5% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,840 psi | 69% | 2280 fps | 96.1% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,604 psi | 57% | 2165 fps | 96.5% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,221 psi | 78% | 2293 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,131 psi | 71% | 2306 fps | 99.1% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,076 psi | 78% | 2428 fps | 98.1% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,463 psi | 68% | 2264 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,247 psi | 71% | 2290 fps | 98.2% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 90% | 31,488 psi | 57% | 2165 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,259 psi | 64% | 2260 fps | 97.6% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,860 psi | 47% | 1329 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,884 psi | 69% | 2251 fps | 97.7% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,406 psi | 70% | 2297 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,925 psi | 63% | 2178 fps | 95.9% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 92% | 34,679 psi | 63% | 2254 fps | 95% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,694 psi | 65% | 2247 fps | 96.8% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,973 psi | 74% | 2293 fps | 99% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,021 psi | 84% | 2369 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,391 psi | 68% | 2264 fps | 99.5% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,755 psi | 72% | 2231 fps | 97.7% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,650 psi | 63% | 2185 fps | 97.7% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,002 psi | 74% | 2306 fps | 95.2% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 98% | 46,412 psi | 84% | 2418 fps | 95.4% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,479 psi | 70% | 2247 fps | 98.6% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,406 psi | 70% | 2257 fps | 99.8% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,287 psi | 62% | 2211 fps | 96.3% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 92% | 36,289 psi | 66% | 2293 fps | 95.2% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,678 psi | 61% | 2215 fps | 95.7% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 98% | 43,366 psi | 79% | 2428 fps | 95.2% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,872 psi | 74% | 2290 fps | 95.4% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,089 psi | 73% | 2313 fps | 97.8% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,367 psi | 81% | 2336 fps | 98.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,107 psi | 47% | 1362 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,963 psi | 83% | 2369 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,079 psi | 84% | 2392 fps | 95.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,984 psi | 65% | 2300 fps | 96.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | 48 gr | 80% | 29,892 psi | 54% | 2182 fps | 97.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 94% | 38,014 psi | 69% | 2356 fps | 95.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,814 psi | 76% | 2421 fps | 95.6% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,264 psi | 77% | 2290 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,506 psi | 66% | 2201 fps | 98.1% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,936 psi | 54% | 2119 fps | 95.5% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,002 psi | 74% | 2306 fps | 95.2% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,391 psi | 68% | 2264 fps | 99.5% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,650 psi | 63% | 2185 fps | 97.7% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 98% | 46,412 psi | 84% | 2418 fps | 95.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 82% | 33,040 psi | 60% | 2205 fps | 95.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,957 psi | 71% | 2264 fps | 95.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,507 psi | 68% | 2254 fps | 97.1% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,074 psi | 73% | 2215 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,967 psi | 60% | 2096 fps | 99.6% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,947 psi | 80% | 2362 fps | 99.5% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,566 psi | 72% | 2218 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,522 psi | 70% | 2264 fps | 97.3% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,038 psi | 56% | 2129 fps | 95.6% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 88% | 28,703 psi | 52% | 2156 fps | 95.8% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,411 psi | 82% | 2274 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,219 psi | 73% | 2215 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,534 psi | 64% | 2198 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,405 psi | 66% | 2201 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,428 psi | 53% | 2077 fps | 96.6% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 92% | 38,218 psi | 69% | 2297 fps | 95.8% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,872 psi | 74% | 2287 fps | 99% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,766 psi | 63% | 2188 fps | 99.3% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 92% | 37,434 psi | 68% | 2300 fps | 95.3% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 86% | 31,908 psi | 58% | 2139 fps | 95.6% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,030 psi | 73% | 2326 fps | 99.4% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,651 psi | 67% | 2254 fps | 97.6% |
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 | 230gr | Nosler CT FailSafe. Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,556 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,493 fps to 2,556 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 230.0 gr projectile in 0.338" calls for a 1:14.5 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 | 230gr | Nosler CT FailSafe 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.