Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 8.5 x 63 R with .338 | 240gr | Lehigh Defense Match Solid bullet and 87 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.
A valid access license is required to use the Personalized Load Calculator.
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% | 48,907 psi | 89% | 2274 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,210 psi | 86% | 2290 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,269 psi | 88% | 2320 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,167 psi | 87% | 2339 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,153 psi | 87% | 2352 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,495 psi | 73% | 2300 fps | 96.5% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,138 psi | 87% | 2343 fps | 99% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,066 psi | 89% | 2339 fps | 98.5% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,501 psi | 90% | 2329 fps | 100% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,834 psi | 87% | 2310 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,835 psi | 90% | 2336 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,573 psi | 88% | 2388 fps | 99.5% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,268 psi | 86% | 2425 fps | 98.2% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,645 psi | 86% | 2356 fps | 99.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,211 psi | 89% | 2280 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,602 psi | 88% | 2372 fps | 98.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-16ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,756 psi | 76% | 2310 fps | 96.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-17ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,109 psi | 87% | 2448 fps | 99.4% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,660 psi | 88% | 2231 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,485 psi | 86% | 2352 fps | 98% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,514 psi | 86% | 2365 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,210 psi | 86% | 2260 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,994 psi | 89% | 2375 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,253 psi | 86% | 2402 fps | 98.5% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,254 psi | 88% | 2313 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,081 psi | 89% | 2336 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,342 psi | 90% | 2372 fps | 97.7% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,486 psi | 88% | 2352 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100Vᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,927 psi | 69% | 2215 fps | 97.3% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,659 psi | 85% | 2375 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,127 psi | 62% | 1404 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,818 psi | 85% | 2313 fps | 99.1% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,427 psi | 86% | 2346 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,515 psi | 88% | 2323 fps | 98.7% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,340 psi | 86% | 2211 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4831ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 39,117 psi | 71% | 2257 fps | 96.1% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,821 psi | 90% | 2398 fps | 99.3% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,834 psi | 87% | 2310 fps | 99.6% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,108 psi | 85% | 2297 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,487 psi | 90% | 2365 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,139 psi | 89% | 2290 fps | 99% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,601 psi | 86% | 2323 fps | 99.6% |
| Lovex S065ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,760 psi | 85% | 2310 fps | 96.2% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,847 psi | 85% | 2297 fps | 99.5% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,992 psi | 85% | 2306 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,718 psi | 87% | 2362 fps | 99% |
| Norma URPᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,379 psi | 75% | 2300 fps | 96.4% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,776 psi | 87% | 2382 fps | 98.8% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,109 psi | 87% | 2316 fps | 96.7% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,731 psi | 85% | 2329 fps | 98.7% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,921 psi | 89% | 2310 fps | 98.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,243 psi | 62% | 1437 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,529 psi | 86% | 2300 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,848 psi | 87% | 2421 fps | 98.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,051 psi | 87% | 2454 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,814 psi | 74% | 2316 fps | 96% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,819 psi | 87% | 2287 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,065 psi | 85% | 2293 fps | 99.5% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,108 psi | 85% | 2352 fps | 99.3% |
| Shooters World Long Rifleᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,760 psi | 85% | 2310 fps | 96.2% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,487 psi | 90% | 2365 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,601 psi | 86% | 2323 fps | 99.6% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,094 psi | 85% | 2267 fps | 99.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,835 psi | 90% | 2339 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,414 psi | 90% | 2411 fps | 99.1% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,384 psi | 86% | 2257 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,791 psi | 89% | 2336 fps | 97.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,516 psi | 90% | 2362 fps | 99.1% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,371 psi | 90% | 2260 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,689 psi | 88% | 2260 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,341 psi | 88% | 2339 fps | 99.8% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,283 psi | 88% | 2260 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,544 psi | 88% | 2336 fps | 98.9% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,312 psi | 88% | 2356 fps | 99.3% |
| Somchem S365ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,709 psi | 67% | 2254 fps | 98.4% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,501 psi | 90% | 2241 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,313 psi | 89% | 2254 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,979 psi | 89% | 2316 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,572 psi | 86% | 2293 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,617 psi | 90% | 2343 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N160ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,903 psi | 80% | 2306 fps | 96.9% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,080 psi | 87% | 2310 fps | 99.6% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,950 psi | 89% | 2333 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,627 psi | 77% | 2306 fps | 96.5% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALLᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,136 psi | 82% | 2297 fps | 98.8% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,775 psi | 85% | 2346 fps | 99.9% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,820 psi | 89% | 2365 fps | 99.4% |
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% | 37,971 psi | 69% | 2116 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,017 psi | 74% | 2198 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,081 psi | 55% | 2031 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,419 psi | 66% | 2159 fps | 99.2% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,500 psi | 52% | 2014 fps | 98.3% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 98% | 37,724 psi | 68% | 2251 fps | 95.7% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,969 psi | 63% | 2119 fps | 96.1% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,129 psi | 66% | 2126 fps | 95.6% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,093 psi | 84% | 2283 fps | 100% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,999 psi | 67% | 2133 fps | 97.9% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,549 psi | 65% | 2139 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,583 psi | 77% | 2293 fps | 98.7% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | 46.5 gr | 86% | 38,493 psi | 70% | 2267 fps | 95.8% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 82% | 30,545 psi | 55% | 2054 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,497 psi | 79% | 2201 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,215 psi | 64% | 2146 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 96% | 37,144 psi | 67% | 2221 fps | 95% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 88% | 32,343 psi | 59% | 2149 fps | 95.1% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,614 psi | 83% | 2192 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,230 psi | 66% | 2162 fps | 95.1% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 82% | 29,472 psi | 53% | 2044 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,291 psi | 71% | 2136 fps | 98.8% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,737 psi | 63% | 2146 fps | 98% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,377 psi | 70% | 2251 fps | 96.5% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,322 psi | 77% | 2228 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,772 psi | 78% | 2247 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,393 psi | 73% | 2234 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,157 psi | 64% | 2129 fps | 96.8% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 94% | 31,575 psi | 57% | 2083 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,299 psi | 57% | 2093 fps | 95.9% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,295 psi | 46% | 1253 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,113 psi | 62% | 2093 fps | 96.3% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,750 psi | 61% | 2133 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,520 psi | 64% | 2110 fps | 95.7% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,643 psi | 81% | 2175 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 98% | 36,680 psi | 67% | 2211 fps | 95.3% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,647 psi | 57% | 2080 fps | 95% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,999 psi | 67% | 2133 fps | 97.9% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,959 psi | 74% | 2205 fps | 99.3% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,938 psi | 60% | 2103 fps | 98.5% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,114 psi | 66% | 2077 fps | 96.4% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,705 psi | 56% | 2024 fps | 96.2% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 98% | 43,932 psi | 80% | 2267 fps | 95.6% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,098 psi | 62% | 2080 fps | 97.3% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,316 psi | 62% | 2100 fps | 99.2% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 82% | 32,401 psi | 59% | 2090 fps | 95.3% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 98% | 38,841 psi | 70% | 2257 fps | 95.7% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 84% | 34,258 psi | 62% | 2146 fps | 95.5% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,163 psi | 77% | 2221 fps | 95.3% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,752 psi | 65% | 2146 fps | 96.3% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,306 psi | 73% | 2175 fps | 97.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,498 psi | 46% | 1286 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,626 psi | 76% | 2211 fps | 99.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | 43 gr | 82% | 34,084 psi | 62% | 2178 fps | 95.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | 43.7 gr | 82% | 28,413 psi | 52% | 2060 fps | 96% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 98% | 38,043 psi | 69% | 2267 fps | 95.1% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,710 psi | 68% | 2129 fps | 99.5% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,547 psi | 59% | 2044 fps | 96.8% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,631 psi | 54% | 2041 fps | 95.1% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 98% | 43,932 psi | 80% | 2267 fps | 95.6% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,938 psi | 60% | 2103 fps | 98.5% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,705 psi | 56% | 2024 fps | 96.2% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,193 psi | 80% | 2224 fps | 99% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,572 psi | 85% | 2293 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 86% | 33,475 psi | 61% | 2136 fps | 95.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,353 psi | 80% | 2218 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,827 psi | 72% | 2195 fps | 95.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,533 psi | 61% | 2090 fps | 95.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,129 psi | 66% | 2060 fps | 99.4% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,385 psi | 53% | 1949 fps | 98.9% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,349 psi | 71% | 2198 fps | 98.7% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,389 psi | 64% | 2064 fps | 99.7% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,345 psi | 62% | 2103 fps | 95.7% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 84% | 30,908 psi | 56% | 2051 fps | 95.3% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 92% | 28,572 psi | 52% | 2070 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,176 psi | 75% | 2126 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,216 psi | 66% | 2067 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,212 psi | 57% | 2041 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,358 psi | 59% | 2047 fps | 99.1% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 82% | 27,557 psi | 50% | 1962 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 96% | 38,421 psi | 70% | 2211 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,898 psi | 67% | 2133 fps | 98% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,966 psi | 56% | 2034 fps | 98.4% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 98% | 39,798 psi | 72% | 2260 fps | 95.7% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 90% | 32,576 psi | 59% | 2070 fps | 95.3% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,476 psi | 64% | 2159 fps | 98.4% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,532 psi | 59% | 2090 fps | 96% |
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 87 powders for 8.5 x 63 R loaded with the .338 | 240gr | Lehigh Defense Match Solid. ReloadSwiss RS 60 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,454 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,404 fps to 2,454 fps. Accurate 4350 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 87 of the 87 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 240.0 gr projectile in 0.338" calls for a 1:10.5 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 | 240gr | Lehigh Defense Match Solid 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.