Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 8.5 x 63 R with .338 | 250gr | Hornady BTHP bullet and 89 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.
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>> | 84% | 49,385 psi | 90% | 2247 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,617 psi | 90% | 2297 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,472 psi | 88% | 2313 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,647 psi | 90% | 2336 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,327 psi | 88% | 2395 fps | 98.9% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,066 psi | 87% | 2320 fps | 99.5% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,979 psi | 89% | 2320 fps | 99.2% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,413 psi | 86% | 2280 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,384 psi | 86% | 2270 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,775 psi | 85% | 2402 fps | 99% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,414 psi | 88% | 2339 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,008 psi | 89% | 2352 fps | 99.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-16ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,558 psi | 86% | 2395 fps | 99% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,095 psi | 87% | 2431 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-23ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,779 psi | 61% | 2172 fps | 96.9% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,326 psi | 86% | 2329 fps | 98.8% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,196 psi | 87% | 2346 fps | 99.9% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,313 psi | 89% | 2316 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,458 psi | 90% | 2270 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,139 psi | 89% | 2349 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,239 psi | 86% | 2379 fps | 99.2% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,705 psi | 90% | 2356 fps | 98.6% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,515 psi | 88% | 2392 fps | 96.5% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,457 psi | 88% | 2329 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100Vᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,845 psi | 80% | 2297 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,065 psi | 85% | 2356 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,867 psi | 63% | 1411 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,835 psi | 90% | 2333 fps | 99.8% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,051 psi | 87% | 2320 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,675 psi | 88% | 2306 fps | 99.3% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,037 psi | 89% | 2283 fps | 96.4% |
| IMR 4350ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,095 psi | 89% | 2339 fps | 95.8% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,399 psi | 88% | 2306 fps | 96.1% |
| IMR 4831ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,934 psi | 83% | 2343 fps | 98.6% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,123 psi | 86% | 2336 fps | 99.5% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,413 psi | 86% | 2280 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,065 psi | 85% | 2303 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,602 psi | 88% | 2264 fps | 99.5% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,225 psi | 88% | 2306 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,108 psi | 85% | 2297 fps | 97.4% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,616 psi | 86% | 2323 fps | 96.4% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,108 psi | 85% | 2277 fps | 99.9% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,456 psi | 86% | 2283 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,196 psi | 87% | 2343 fps | 99.6% |
| Norma URPᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,109 psi | 87% | 2388 fps | 98.8% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,095 psi | 87% | 2362 fps | 99.5% |
| Ramshot Hunterᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,123 psi | 86% | 2379 fps | 97% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,500 psi | 86% | 2290 fps | 97.7% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,792 psi | 90% | 2352 fps | 99.6% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,399 psi | 88% | 2283 fps | 99.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,360 psi | 64% | 1447 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,181 psi | 86% | 2297 fps | 96.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,602 psi | 88% | 2405 fps | 99.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,211 psi | 87% | 2438 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,848 psi | 87% | 2411 fps | 98.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,704 psi | 88% | 2431 fps | 98.2% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,559 psi | 88% | 2267 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,572 psi | 86% | 2277 fps | 99.9% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,095 psi | 87% | 2339 fps | 99.8% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,313 psi | 89% | 2316 fps | 95.8% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,108 psi | 85% | 2297 fps | 97.4% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,065 psi | 85% | 2303 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,225 psi | 88% | 2306 fps | 99.9% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,616 psi | 86% | 2323 fps | 96.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,572 psi | 85% | 2346 fps | 99.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,617 psi | 88% | 2313 fps | 98.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,574 psi | 90% | 2339 fps | 99.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,052 psi | 89% | 2231 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,689 psi | 88% | 2234 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,137 psi | 86% | 2257 fps | 96% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,196 psi | 87% | 2313 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,196 psi | 87% | 2234 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,327 psi | 88% | 2313 fps | 99.5% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,008 psi | 89% | 2343 fps | 99.8% |
| Somchem S365ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,859 psi | 78% | 2346 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,994 psi | 89% | 2205 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,153 psi | 89% | 2224 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,603 psi | 90% | 2290 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,747 psi | 87% | 2267 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,978 psi | 85% | 2283 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,485 psi | 86% | 2343 fps | 98.6% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,572 psi | 86% | 2280 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,037 psi | 89% | 2306 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,356 psi | 90% | 2388 fps | 98.7% |
| Vihtavuori N555ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,781 psi | 65% | 2234 fps | 96.9% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,066 psi | 87% | 2326 fps | 99.8% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 84% | 46,934 psi | 85% | 2323 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,515 psi | 88% | 2392 fps | 96.5% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,965 psi | 89% | 2346 fps | 99.8% |
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% | 43,627 psi | 79% | 2169 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,013 psi | 65% | 2103 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,337 psi | 77% | 2224 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,055 psi | 62% | 2093 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 90% | 34,171 psi | 62% | 2159 fps | 95.6% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,001 psi | 73% | 2188 fps | 98.4% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,069 psi | 62% | 2064 fps | 96% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,047 psi | 76% | 2198 fps | 99.5% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,263 psi | 75% | 2188 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | 46.4 gr | 80% | 35,926 psi | 65% | 2201 fps | 96.3% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,359 psi | 61% | 2083 fps | 97.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,897 psi | 65% | 2133 fps | 96.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 88% | 33,344 psi | 61% | 2126 fps | 95% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | 46.8 gr | 82% | 30,501 psi | 55% | 2090 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 96% | 29,907 psi | 54% | 2080 fps | 95.2% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,812 psi | 70% | 2188 fps | 97.1% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,474 psi | 59% | 2080 fps | 97.5% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,282 psi | 84% | 2270 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,961 psi | 80% | 2192 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,103 psi | 73% | 2215 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,048 psi | 80% | 2326 fps | 98.8% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,824 psi | 65% | 2126 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,252 psi | 82% | 2343 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,335 psi | 73% | 2201 fps | 98.9% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 88% | 30,356 psi | 55% | 2041 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,042 psi | 65% | 2169 fps | 98.4% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,078 psi | 47% | 1260 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,667 psi | 70% | 2156 fps | 98.5% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,407 psi | 72% | 2198 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,723 psi | 65% | 2090 fps | 96.9% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 84% | 43,366 psi | 79% | 2195 fps | 95% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 98% | 46,108 psi | 84% | 2293 fps | 95.1% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 92% | 45,469 psi | 83% | 2260 fps | 95.4% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 90% | 33,373 psi | 61% | 2123 fps | 95.3% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,724 psi | 67% | 2159 fps | 97.7% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,047 psi | 76% | 2198 fps | 99.5% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,450 psi | 70% | 2172 fps | 99.8% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,596 psi | 74% | 2139 fps | 98.5% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,491 psi | 64% | 2096 fps | 98.5% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,291 psi | 71% | 2169 fps | 95.5% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,989 psi | 76% | 2234 fps | 95% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,175 psi | 71% | 2149 fps | 99.1% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,378 psi | 71% | 2162 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,288 psi | 64% | 2126 fps | 97.3% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 90% | 35,041 psi | 64% | 2162 fps | 95.6% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,534 psi | 63% | 2129 fps | 96.8% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,626 psi | 76% | 2287 fps | 95.6% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,814 psi | 76% | 2198 fps | 96.4% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,843 psi | 74% | 2215 fps | 98.5% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,295 psi | 82% | 2238 fps | 99.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,368 psi | 48% | 1293 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,466 psi | 75% | 2205 fps | 95.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,014 psi | 67% | 2211 fps | 97.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | 45.7 gr | 80% | 30,545 psi | 55% | 2100 fps | 98.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 90% | 34,330 psi | 62% | 2175 fps | 95.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 92% | 37,478 psi | 68% | 2231 fps | 95% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,062 psi | 78% | 2188 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,304 psi | 68% | 2110 fps | 98.8% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,661 psi | 56% | 2034 fps | 96.6% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,282 psi | 84% | 2270 fps | 95.1% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,291 psi | 71% | 2169 fps | 95.5% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,450 psi | 70% | 2172 fps | 99.8% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,491 psi | 64% | 2096 fps | 98.5% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,989 psi | 76% | 2234 fps | 95% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,763 psi | 58% | 2077 fps | 95.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,726 psi | 72% | 2172 fps | 96.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,450 psi | 70% | 2162 fps | 98% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,814 psi | 74% | 2116 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,620 psi | 61% | 2005 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 94% | 44,077 psi | 80% | 2211 fps | 95.3% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,005 psi | 82% | 2264 fps | 99.8% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,248 psi | 73% | 2119 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,552 psi | 72% | 2175 fps | 98.2% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,720 psi | 58% | 2041 fps | 96.6% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 84% | 25,947 psi | 47% | 1982 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,195 psi | 84% | 2169 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,988 psi | 74% | 2113 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,376 psi | 66% | 2100 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,159 psi | 67% | 2106 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,081 psi | 55% | 1991 fps | 97.5% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 88% | 34,447 psi | 63% | 2116 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,785 psi | 76% | 2192 fps | 99.5% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,636 psi | 65% | 2096 fps | 99.7% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 90% | 35,969 psi | 65% | 2165 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 96% | 31,676 psi | 57% | 2146 fps | 95.4% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 82% | 28,819 psi | 52% | 1972 fps | 95% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,959 psi | 74% | 2231 fps | 99.8% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,743 psi | 78% | 2300 fps | 95% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,536 psi | 68% | 2162 fps | 98.4% |
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 89 powders for 8.5 x 63 R loaded with the .338 | 250gr | Hornady BTHP. ReloadSwiss RS 60 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,438 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,411 fps to 2,438 fps. Accurate 4350 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 89 of the 89 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (380 MPa), the top charges use 61–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 250.0 gr projectile in 0.338" calls for a 1:12.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 4350, Alliant Reloder-16, Alliant Reloder-23 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 | 250gr | Hornady BTHP 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.