Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 8.5 x 63 R with .338 | 250gr | Nosler Custom Competition bullet and 88 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% | 48,225 psi | 88% | 2224 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,545 psi | 90% | 2283 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,530 psi | 88% | 2277 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,514 psi | 86% | 2290 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,312 psi | 88% | 2313 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,876 psi | 85% | 2365 fps | 98.6% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,137 psi | 86% | 2297 fps | 99.3% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,138 psi | 87% | 2297 fps | 99% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,516 psi | 90% | 2303 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,182 psi | 89% | 2283 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,139 psi | 89% | 2428 fps | 99.2% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,253 psi | 86% | 2313 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,877 psi | 87% | 2326 fps | 99.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-16ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,659 psi | 85% | 2369 fps | 98.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,934 psi | 85% | 2402 fps | 99.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-23ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,895 psi | 60% | 2142 fps | 96.3% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,342 psi | 90% | 2349 fps | 98.9% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,021 psi | 85% | 2323 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,805 psi | 89% | 2251 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,964 psi | 87% | 2326 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,501 psi | 90% | 2402 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,602 psi | 88% | 2333 fps | 98.3% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,326 psi | 86% | 2362 fps | 96% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,500 psi | 86% | 2306 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100Vᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,685 psi | 77% | 2270 fps | 99.1% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,023 psi | 89% | 2375 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,751 psi | 63% | 1401 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,689 psi | 88% | 2306 fps | 99.7% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,864 psi | 90% | 2336 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,456 psi | 86% | 2280 fps | 99.1% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,008 psi | 87% | 2257 fps | 95.9% |
| IMR 4831ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,686 psi | 81% | 2316 fps | 98.2% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,037 psi | 89% | 2356 fps | 99.6% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,516 psi | 90% | 2303 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,313 psi | 89% | 2290 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,950 psi | 89% | 2320 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,718 psi | 87% | 2241 fps | 99.4% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,050 psi | 85% | 2280 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,124 psi | 89% | 2316 fps | 97.6% |
| Lovex S070ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,443 psi | 90% | 2339 fps | 96.6% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,197 psi | 89% | 2297 fps | 99.9% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,313 psi | 89% | 2300 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,050 psi | 85% | 2316 fps | 99.4% |
| Norma URPᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,789 psi | 85% | 2359 fps | 98.4% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,050 psi | 85% | 2339 fps | 99.3% |
| Ramshot Hunterᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,050 psi | 84% | 2349 fps | 96.6% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,734 psi | 90% | 2313 fps | 97.9% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,689 psi | 88% | 2329 fps | 99.5% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,326 psi | 86% | 2257 fps | 99.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,244 psi | 64% | 1437 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,066 psi | 89% | 2287 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,269 psi | 89% | 2316 fps | 96.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,311 psi | 86% | 2379 fps | 99.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,007 psi | 85% | 2408 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,427 psi | 84% | 2382 fps | 98.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,471 psi | 86% | 2398 fps | 97.8% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,485 psi | 86% | 2244 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,443 psi | 90% | 2293 fps | 99.9% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,920 psi | 85% | 2313 fps | 99.7% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,124 psi | 89% | 2316 fps | 97.6% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,950 psi | 89% | 2320 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,050 psi | 85% | 2280 fps | 99.9% |
| Shooters World SW4350ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,443 psi | 90% | 2339 fps | 96.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,544 psi | 88% | 2365 fps | 99.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,529 psi | 86% | 2287 fps | 98% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,515 psi | 88% | 2316 fps | 99.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,066 psi | 87% | 2211 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,529 psi | 86% | 2211 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,110 psi | 89% | 2274 fps | 96.2% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,065 psi | 85% | 2287 fps | 99.9% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,297 psi | 86% | 2211 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,253 psi | 86% | 2287 fps | 99.3% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,892 psi | 87% | 2316 fps | 99.6% |
| Somchem S365ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,727 psi | 76% | 2316 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,138 psi | 87% | 2185 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,138 psi | 87% | 2201 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,501 psi | 88% | 2267 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,676 psi | 90% | 2283 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,023 psi | 89% | 2303 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,371 psi | 90% | 2359 fps | 98.7% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,821 psi | 90% | 2300 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,950 psi | 87% | 2283 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,167 psi | 87% | 2362 fps | 98.4% |
| Vihtavuori N555ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,751 psi | 63% | 2205 fps | 96.4% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,152 psi | 86% | 2303 fps | 99.6% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,066 psi | 89% | 2343 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,326 psi | 86% | 2362 fps | 96% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,863 psi | 87% | 2320 fps | 99.7% |
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% | 42,757 psi | 78% | 2149 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,122 psi | 84% | 2238 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,157 psi | 64% | 2083 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,365 psi | 75% | 2201 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,257 psi | 60% | 2073 fps | 99.7% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 90% | 33,127 psi | 60% | 2129 fps | 95.1% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,088 psi | 71% | 2165 fps | 98% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,460 psi | 61% | 2041 fps | 95.6% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,104 psi | 75% | 2175 fps | 99.3% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,321 psi | 73% | 2169 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | 45.4 gr | 80% | 35,215 psi | 64% | 2175 fps | 95.8% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,430 psi | 59% | 2057 fps | 97.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,012 psi | 64% | 2106 fps | 96.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 90% | 34,606 psi | 63% | 2146 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | 45.8 gr | 82% | 29,892 psi | 54% | 2064 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 98% | 31,111 psi | 56% | 2100 fps | 95.5% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,014 psi | 69% | 2165 fps | 96.7% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,778 psi | 58% | 2057 fps | 97.1% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,279 psi | 79% | 2172 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,233 psi | 71% | 2192 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,134 psi | 78% | 2303 fps | 98.5% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,405 psi | 68% | 2149 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 96% | 44,367 psi | 81% | 2316 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,349 psi | 71% | 2175 fps | 98.6% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 88% | 29,544 psi | 54% | 2011 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,259 psi | 64% | 2146 fps | 98.1% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,020 psi | 47% | 1250 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,000 psi | 69% | 2136 fps | 98.2% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,551 psi | 70% | 2175 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,041 psi | 64% | 2070 fps | 96.5% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 86% | 45,339 psi | 82% | 2218 fps | 95.3% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 92% | 34,679 psi | 63% | 2142 fps | 95.6% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,766 psi | 65% | 2133 fps | 97.3% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,104 psi | 75% | 2175 fps | 99.3% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,948 psi | 83% | 2244 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,507 psi | 68% | 2149 fps | 99.7% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,900 psi | 72% | 2116 fps | 98.2% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,795 psi | 63% | 2077 fps | 98.2% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 90% | 38,580 psi | 70% | 2146 fps | 95% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 96% | 43,729 psi | 79% | 2254 fps | 95.3% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,435 psi | 70% | 2129 fps | 98.9% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,392 psi | 70% | 2139 fps | 99.9% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,403 psi | 62% | 2100 fps | 96.9% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 90% | 34,156 psi | 62% | 2136 fps | 95.1% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,779 psi | 61% | 2106 fps | 96.3% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 96% | 40,611 psi | 74% | 2257 fps | 95% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,799 psi | 74% | 2172 fps | 95.9% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,987 psi | 73% | 2192 fps | 98.2% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,483 psi | 81% | 2215 fps | 98.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,092 psi | 47% | 1280 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,006 psi | 83% | 2241 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 88% | 43,366 psi | 79% | 2224 fps | 95.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,056 psi | 65% | 2185 fps | 96.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | 44.7 gr | 80% | 29,878 psi | 54% | 2073 fps | 97.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 92% | 35,752 psi | 65% | 2195 fps | 95.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 94% | 38,943 psi | 71% | 2247 fps | 95.3% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,250 psi | 77% | 2165 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,608 psi | 66% | 2090 fps | 98.6% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,994 psi | 54% | 2011 fps | 96.1% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 90% | 38,580 psi | 70% | 2146 fps | 95% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,507 psi | 68% | 2149 fps | 99.7% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,795 psi | 63% | 2077 fps | 98.2% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 96% | 43,729 psi | 79% | 2254 fps | 95.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,038 psi | 56% | 2051 fps | 95.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,870 psi | 71% | 2149 fps | 96% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,623 psi | 68% | 2139 fps | 97.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,059 psi | 73% | 2093 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,938 psi | 60% | 1985 fps | 99.8% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,847 psi | 83% | 2228 fps | 95.5% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,150 psi | 80% | 2244 fps | 99.7% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,523 psi | 72% | 2100 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,711 psi | 70% | 2152 fps | 97.8% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,053 psi | 56% | 2021 fps | 96.2% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 86% | 27,035 psi | 49% | 2005 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,353 psi | 82% | 2149 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,190 psi | 73% | 2093 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,563 psi | 65% | 2080 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,434 psi | 66% | 2087 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,443 psi | 53% | 1972 fps | 97.1% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 90% | 35,781 psi | 65% | 2136 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,075 psi | 75% | 2172 fps | 99.3% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,795 psi | 63% | 2073 fps | 99.6% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 90% | 35,056 psi | 64% | 2139 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 98% | 32,735 psi | 59% | 2162 fps | 95.6% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,892 psi | 54% | 1988 fps | 95.3% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,030 psi | 73% | 2208 fps | 99.6% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 96% | 44,367 psi | 81% | 2316 fps | 95.3% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,680 psi | 67% | 2139 fps | 98% |
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 88 powders for 8.5 x 63 R loaded with the .338 | 250gr | Nosler Custom Competition. Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,428 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,401 fps to 2,428 fps. Accurate 4350 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 88 of the 88 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (380 MPa), the top charges use 60–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 250.0 gr projectile in 0.338" calls for a 1:12.0 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 | Nosler Custom Competition 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.