Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 8.5 x 63 R with .338 | 231gr | Lapua Naturalis bullet and 85 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% | 47,514 psi | 86% | 2346 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,617 psi | 88% | 2405 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,311 psi | 86% | 2395 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 84% | 46,644 psi | 85% | 2411 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,311 psi | 86% | 2434 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,108 psi | 84% | 2484 fps | 98.2% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,632 psi | 90% | 2467 fps | 99.4% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,500 psi | 86% | 2418 fps | 98.7% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,936 psi | 89% | 2425 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,602 psi | 88% | 2411 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,588 psi | 88% | 2556 fps | 98.9% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,835 psi | 90% | 2484 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,311 psi | 86% | 2451 fps | 98.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-16ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,180 psi | 84% | 2493 fps | 98.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,850 psi | 90% | 2582 fps | 99.8% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,892 psi | 89% | 2474 fps | 98.7% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,501 psi | 90% | 2490 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,051 psi | 87% | 2372 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,442 psi | 86% | 2451 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,791 psi | 89% | 2526 fps | 99.1% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,588 psi | 90% | 2428 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,776 psi | 87% | 2451 fps | 97.9% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,847 psi | 85% | 2428 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100Vᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,148 psi | 76% | 2388 fps | 98.8% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,631 psi | 88% | 2503 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,534 psi | 63% | 1490 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,225 psi | 88% | 2434 fps | 99.5% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,356 psi | 90% | 2464 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,007 psi | 85% | 2402 fps | 98.8% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,792 psi | 90% | 2444 fps | 95.9% |
| IMR 4831ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,106 psi | 80% | 2434 fps | 97.8% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,457 psi | 88% | 2480 fps | 99.4% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,936 psi | 89% | 2425 fps | 99.8% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,501 psi | 88% | 2411 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,182 psi | 87% | 2444 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,166 psi | 86% | 2365 fps | 99.1% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,284 psi | 89% | 2444 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,370 psi | 88% | 2434 fps | 97.2% |
| Lovex S070ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,878 psi | 89% | 2461 fps | 96.2% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,370 psi | 88% | 2418 fps | 99.8% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,863 psi | 89% | 2428 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,690 psi | 90% | 2490 fps | 99.5% |
| Norma URPᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,369 psi | 84% | 2480 fps | 98.1% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,456 psi | 84% | 2461 fps | 99% |
| Ramshot Hunterᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,643 psi | 83% | 2470 fps | 96.1% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,168 psi | 89% | 2438 fps | 97.5% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,254 psi | 88% | 2454 fps | 99.2% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,850 psi | 90% | 2428 fps | 99.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,882 psi | 63% | 1526 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,457 psi | 88% | 2411 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,602 psi | 88% | 2438 fps | 96.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,673 psi | 85% | 2503 fps | 98.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,835 psi | 90% | 2585 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,079 psi | 84% | 2507 fps | 97.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,253 psi | 86% | 2526 fps | 97.4% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,240 psi | 89% | 2405 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,791 psi | 89% | 2418 fps | 99.8% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,443 psi | 90% | 2480 fps | 99.7% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,370 psi | 88% | 2434 fps | 97.2% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,182 psi | 87% | 2444 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,284 psi | 89% | 2444 fps | 99.9% |
| Shooters World SW4350ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,878 psi | 89% | 2461 fps | 96.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,124 psi | 87% | 2493 fps | 99.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,891 psi | 85% | 2408 fps | 97.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,906 psi | 87% | 2438 fps | 99.2% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,413 psi | 86% | 2333 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,108 psi | 85% | 2336 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,718 psi | 88% | 2395 fps | 95.8% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,763 psi | 90% | 2457 fps | 99.9% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,603 psi | 90% | 2375 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,731 psi | 85% | 2408 fps | 99% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,282 psi | 86% | 2438 fps | 99.4% |
| Somchem S365ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,118 psi | 75% | 2434 fps | 99.6% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,413 psi | 86% | 2306 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,529 psi | 86% | 2326 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,906 psi | 87% | 2395 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,255 psi | 89% | 2411 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,443 psi | 88% | 2425 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,834 psi | 89% | 2480 fps | 98.4% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,342 psi | 90% | 2428 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,442 psi | 86% | 2408 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,863 psi | 87% | 2487 fps | 98.1% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 98% | 46,789 psi | 85% | 2428 fps | 99.5% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,298 psi | 88% | 2464 fps | 100% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,311 psi | 86% | 2444 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% | 41,901 psi | 76% | 2267 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,455 psi | 82% | 2359 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,924 psi | 62% | 2185 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,669 psi | 74% | 2320 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,097 psi | 58% | 2172 fps | 99.3% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 34,737 psi | 63% | 2280 fps | 95.1% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,479 psi | 70% | 2277 fps | 97.6% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 82% | 34,824 psi | 63% | 2188 fps | 95.7% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,582 psi | 74% | 2290 fps | 99% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,755 psi | 72% | 2290 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | 49.2 gr | 80% | 34,635 psi | 63% | 2283 fps | 95% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,691 psi | 57% | 2159 fps | 96.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,360 psi | 62% | 2215 fps | 95.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 92% | 36,114 psi | 66% | 2300 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | 50.8 gr | 84% | 31,154 psi | 57% | 2211 fps | 95.3% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,376 psi | 68% | 2277 fps | 96.1% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,879 psi | 56% | 2156 fps | 96.4% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,656 psi | 77% | 2287 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,566 psi | 70% | 2303 fps | 99.1% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,409 psi | 77% | 2421 fps | 98% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,325 psi | 84% | 2382 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,608 psi | 66% | 2254 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,783 psi | 70% | 2290 fps | 98.2% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 90% | 30,705 psi | 56% | 2152 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,534 psi | 63% | 2254 fps | 97.5% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,759 psi | 47% | 1332 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,333 psi | 68% | 2247 fps | 97.7% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,739 psi | 68% | 2287 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,258 psi | 62% | 2172 fps | 95.8% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,891 psi | 85% | 2398 fps | 95.2% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 94% | 36,216 psi | 66% | 2293 fps | 95.7% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,157 psi | 64% | 2241 fps | 96.8% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,582 psi | 74% | 2290 fps | 99% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,078 psi | 82% | 2362 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,709 psi | 67% | 2257 fps | 99.4% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,160 psi | 71% | 2228 fps | 97.7% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,823 psi | 61% | 2175 fps | 97.6% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,161 psi | 73% | 2297 fps | 95.1% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 98% | 45,745 psi | 83% | 2411 fps | 95.4% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,608 psi | 68% | 2238 fps | 98.5% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,666 psi | 68% | 2251 fps | 99.8% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,721 psi | 61% | 2205 fps | 96.2% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 92% | 35,694 psi | 65% | 2287 fps | 95.2% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,156 psi | 60% | 2211 fps | 95.6% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 98% | 42,757 psi | 78% | 2421 fps | 95.3% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,393 psi | 73% | 2287 fps | 95.4% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,392 psi | 71% | 2306 fps | 97.7% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,903 psi | 80% | 2333 fps | 98.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,962 psi | 47% | 1365 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,600 psi | 83% | 2369 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,656 psi | 77% | 2339 fps | 95% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,447 psi | 64% | 2297 fps | 96.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | 48.4 gr | 80% | 29,153 psi | 53% | 2169 fps | 97.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 94% | 37,333 psi | 68% | 2349 fps | 95.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,162 psi | 75% | 2415 fps | 95.6% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,263 psi | 75% | 2280 fps | 99.9% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,621 psi | 65% | 2192 fps | 98% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,037 psi | 53% | 2106 fps | 95.2% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,161 psi | 73% | 2297 fps | 95.1% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,709 psi | 67% | 2257 fps | 99.4% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,823 psi | 61% | 2175 fps | 97.6% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 98% | 45,745 psi | 83% | 2411 fps | 95.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 82% | 32,518 psi | 59% | 2201 fps | 95.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,101 psi | 69% | 2257 fps | 95.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,028 psi | 67% | 2251 fps | 97.2% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,465 psi | 72% | 2211 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,358 psi | 59% | 2090 fps | 99.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,368 psi | 82% | 2346 fps | 95% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,395 psi | 79% | 2359 fps | 99.5% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,812 psi | 70% | 2211 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,072 psi | 69% | 2260 fps | 97.3% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,226 psi | 55% | 2116 fps | 95.4% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 88% | 27,905 psi | 51% | 2139 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,817 psi | 81% | 2270 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,668 psi | 72% | 2208 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,795 psi | 63% | 2188 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,708 psi | 65% | 2195 fps | 99.7% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,660 psi | 52% | 2067 fps | 96.4% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 92% | 37,652 psi | 68% | 2293 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,451 psi | 73% | 2287 fps | 99% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,229 psi | 62% | 2185 fps | 99.3% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 92% | 36,593 psi | 66% | 2290 fps | 95.2% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 86% | 31,328 psi | 57% | 2133 fps | 95.5% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,349 psi | 71% | 2320 fps | 99.4% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,158 psi | 66% | 2251 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 85 powders for 8.5 x 63 R loaded with the .338 | 231gr | Lapua Naturalis. ReloadSwiss RS 60 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,585 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,490 fps to 2,585 fps. Accurate 4350 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 85 of the 85 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 231.0 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 | 231gr | Lapua Naturalis 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.