Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 8.5 x 63 R with .338 | 232gr | Lehigh Defense Controlled Fracturing 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 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% | 48,443 psi | 88% | 2339 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,806 psi | 90% | 2398 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,153 psi | 87% | 2388 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,226 psi | 89% | 2434 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,167 psi | 87% | 2425 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,540 psi | 79% | 2421 fps | 97.4% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,616 psi | 86% | 2411 fps | 99% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,689 psi | 88% | 2408 fps | 98.7% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,195 psi | 86% | 2375 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,516 psi | 90% | 2405 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,211 psi | 87% | 2461 fps | 99.5% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,835 psi | 90% | 2546 fps | 98.8% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,398 psi | 86% | 2425 fps | 99.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,573 psi | 88% | 2343 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,370 psi | 88% | 2444 fps | 98.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-16ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,077 psi | 80% | 2428 fps | 97.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,500 psi | 86% | 2516 fps | 99.4% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,949 psi | 85% | 2418 fps | 98.1% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,108 psi | 85% | 2431 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,472 psi | 90% | 2369 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,298 psi | 88% | 2441 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 84% | 46,528 psi | 84% | 2467 fps | 98.6% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 84% | 46,905 psi | 85% | 2365 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,878 psi | 89% | 2441 fps | 97.8% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,008 psi | 87% | 2421 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100Vᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,263 psi | 73% | 2329 fps | 98.1% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,356 psi | 90% | 2490 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,519 psi | 63% | 1470 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,211 psi | 87% | 2408 fps | 99.4% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,617 psi | 88% | 2434 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,224 psi | 86% | 2382 fps | 98.6% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,516 psi | 90% | 2313 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,545 psi | 90% | 2470 fps | 99.3% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,195 psi | 86% | 2375 fps | 99.6% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,501 psi | 90% | 2402 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,226 psi | 89% | 2434 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,385 psi | 88% | 2356 fps | 99.1% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,340 psi | 86% | 2392 fps | 99.7% |
| Lovex S065ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,327 psi | 90% | 2425 fps | 97.1% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,342 psi | 90% | 2408 fps | 99.8% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,806 psi | 90% | 2418 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,514 psi | 86% | 2431 fps | 99.1% |
| Norma URPᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,077 psi | 80% | 2421 fps | 97.3% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,514 psi | 86% | 2451 fps | 98.9% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,340 psi | 86% | 2382 fps | 96.8% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,487 psi | 90% | 2448 fps | 99.2% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,109 psi | 87% | 2375 fps | 98.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,621 psi | 63% | 1499 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 82% | 46,833 psi | 85% | 2362 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,864 psi | 90% | 2428 fps | 96.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,659 psi | 86% | 2493 fps | 98.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,630 psi | 86% | 2526 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,511 psi | 79% | 2438 fps | 97% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,092 psi | 82% | 2457 fps | 96.4% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,427 psi | 86% | 2356 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,792 psi | 90% | 2408 fps | 99.8% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,992 psi | 85% | 2425 fps | 99.4% |
| Shooters World Long Rifleᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,327 psi | 90% | 2425 fps | 97.1% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,226 psi | 89% | 2434 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,340 psi | 86% | 2392 fps | 99.7% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,530 psi | 90% | 2375 fps | 99.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,023 psi | 89% | 2480 fps | 99.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,530 psi | 90% | 2362 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,182 psi | 87% | 2402 fps | 97.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,095 psi | 89% | 2431 fps | 99.2% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,530 psi | 88% | 2323 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,211 psi | 87% | 2326 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,645 psi | 86% | 2402 fps | 99.8% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,616 psi | 86% | 2326 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,950 psi | 87% | 2402 fps | 99% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,877 psi | 87% | 2425 fps | 99.4% |
| Somchem S365ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 39,059 psi | 71% | 2372 fps | 99.1% |
| Unknown powderᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,588 psi | 88% | 2477 fps | 97.6% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,834 psi | 89% | 2303 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,602 psi | 88% | 2316 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,675 psi | 88% | 2382 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,021 psi | 85% | 2356 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,342 psi | 90% | 2415 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N160ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,572 psi | 85% | 2421 fps | 97.7% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,311 psi | 86% | 2372 fps | 99.7% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,428 psi | 88% | 2398 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,455 psi | 82% | 2425 fps | 97.4% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALLᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,848 psi | 87% | 2415 fps | 99.4% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 84% | 46,789 psi | 85% | 2421 fps | 99.9% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 82% | 46,601 psi | 85% | 2408 fps | 99.3% |
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% | 40,234 psi | 73% | 2221 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,526 psi | 79% | 2306 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,111 psi | 58% | 2133 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,289 psi | 68% | 2251 fps | 99.4% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,400 psi | 55% | 2116 fps | 98.9% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 94% | 35,157 psi | 64% | 2270 fps | 95% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,898 psi | 67% | 2224 fps | 96.9% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,621 psi | 65% | 2185 fps | 95.6% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,986 psi | 71% | 2241 fps | 98.5% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,666 psi | 68% | 2238 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,078 psi | 82% | 2411 fps | 99.1% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | 49.3 gr | 84% | 37,985 psi | 69% | 2333 fps | 96% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,110 psi | 55% | 2103 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,745 psi | 83% | 2306 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,070 psi | 64% | 2208 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 94% | 36,724 psi | 67% | 2287 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 86% | 31,937 psi | 58% | 2208 fps | 95.2% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,694 psi | 65% | 2218 fps | 95.2% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,225 psi | 53% | 2096 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,089 psi | 75% | 2238 fps | 99.2% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,666 psi | 67% | 2247 fps | 98.6% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,437 psi | 73% | 2362 fps | 97.3% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,292 psi | 75% | 2280 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,420 psi | 68% | 2247 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,173 psi | 67% | 2234 fps | 97.5% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 92% | 31,256 psi | 57% | 2142 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,140 psi | 56% | 2156 fps | 96% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,382 psi | 46% | 1306 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,141 psi | 60% | 2139 fps | 96.2% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,909 psi | 60% | 2178 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 34,766 psi | 63% | 2159 fps | 95.6% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,615 psi | 85% | 2274 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,591 psi | 61% | 2188 fps | 95.9% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,986 psi | 71% | 2241 fps | 98.5% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,250 psi | 78% | 2310 fps | 99.7% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,882 psi | 63% | 2205 fps | 99% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,869 psi | 69% | 2182 fps | 97.1% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,474 psi | 59% | 2126 fps | 97% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,060 psi | 75% | 2290 fps | 95% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,940 psi | 65% | 2185 fps | 97.9% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,998 psi | 65% | 2198 fps | 99.5% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,213 psi | 58% | 2152 fps | 95.4% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 94% | 36,274 psi | 66% | 2277 fps | 95% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 82% | 33,866 psi | 61% | 2205 fps | 95.6% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,423 psi | 75% | 2283 fps | 95.3% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,797 psi | 69% | 2251 fps | 97.1% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,061 psi | 76% | 2277 fps | 97.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,556 psi | 46% | 1339 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,700 psi | 79% | 2316 fps | 99.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,557 psi | 84% | 2379 fps | 95.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | 45.5 gr | 80% | 33,721 psi | 61% | 2238 fps | 95.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | 46.2 gr | 80% | 27,920 psi | 51% | 2113 fps | 96% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 96% | 37,985 psi | 69% | 2336 fps | 95.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 98% | 42,061 psi | 76% | 2402 fps | 95.4% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,653 psi | 72% | 2231 fps | 99.8% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,229 psi | 62% | 2142 fps | 97.4% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 82% | 29,501 psi | 54% | 2100 fps | 95.1% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,060 psi | 75% | 2290 fps | 95% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,882 psi | 63% | 2205 fps | 99% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,474 psi | 59% | 2126 fps | 97% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,180 psi | 84% | 2326 fps | 99.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 84% | 33,141 psi | 60% | 2192 fps | 95.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,630 psi | 85% | 2323 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 82% | 39,218 psi | 71% | 2254 fps | 95.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,404 psi | 64% | 2195 fps | 96.4% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,956 psi | 69% | 2162 fps | 99.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,995 psi | 56% | 2044 fps | 99.3% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,481 psi | 75% | 2303 fps | 99.2% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,217 psi | 68% | 2162 fps | 99.9% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,289 psi | 66% | 2208 fps | 96.6% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 82% | 30,763 psi | 56% | 2110 fps | 95.4% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 90% | 28,355 psi | 51% | 2129 fps | 95.4% |
| Unknown powder | <<locked>> | 94% | 40,059 psi | 73% | 2333 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,163 psi | 78% | 2224 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,101 psi | 69% | 2162 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,185 psi | 60% | 2139 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,156 psi | 62% | 2146 fps | 99.5% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,267 psi | 49% | 2014 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 94% | 38,305 psi | 70% | 2280 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,609 psi | 70% | 2231 fps | 98.5% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,648 psi | 59% | 2129 fps | 98.9% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 94% | 37,260 psi | 68% | 2283 fps | 95.1% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 88% | 32,155 psi | 58% | 2129 fps | 95.5% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,567 psi | 74% | 2320 fps | 99.4% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,207 psi | 78% | 2356 fps | 98.8% |
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 | 232gr | Lehigh Defense Controlled Fracturing. Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,546 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,470 fps to 2,546 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 232.0 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 | 232gr | Lehigh Defense Controlled Fracturing 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.