Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 8.5 x 63 R with .338 | 250gr | Nosler Expansion Tip bullet and 90 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 Alliant Reloder-17.
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>> | 86% | 49,705 psi | 90% | 2231 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,848 psi | 87% | 2247 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,835 psi | 90% | 2283 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,081 psi | 89% | 2300 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,603 psi | 90% | 2316 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,889 psi | 81% | 2323 fps | 98% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,689 psi | 88% | 2306 fps | 99.4% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,647 psi | 90% | 2303 fps | 99% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,269 psi | 88% | 2270 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,471 psi | 86% | 2254 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,284 psi | 89% | 2349 fps | 99.7% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,601 psi | 86% | 2388 fps | 98.8% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,617 psi | 88% | 2320 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,792 psi | 90% | 2234 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,559 psi | 90% | 2339 fps | 99.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-16ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,049 psi | 82% | 2326 fps | 98.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,472 psi | 88% | 2411 fps | 99.7% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,718 psi | 87% | 2310 fps | 98.5% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,486 psi | 88% | 2329 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,514 psi | 86% | 2221 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,719 psi | 90% | 2336 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,601 psi | 86% | 2362 fps | 99% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,718 psi | 88% | 2270 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,313 psi | 89% | 2290 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,963 psi | 85% | 2293 fps | 97.8% |
| Hodgdon H414ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,515 psi | 88% | 2365 fps | 96% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,081 psi | 89% | 2313 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100Vᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,278 psi | 75% | 2231 fps | 98.6% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,282 psi | 86% | 2339 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,780 psi | 63% | 1388 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,166 psi | 86% | 2274 fps | 99.5% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,269 psi | 88% | 2306 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,182 psi | 89% | 2290 fps | 99.1% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,850 psi | 90% | 2267 fps | 96% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,762 psi | 88% | 2283 fps | 95.7% |
| IMR 4831ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,888 psi | 78% | 2277 fps | 97.7% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,442 psi | 86% | 2320 fps | 99.3% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,269 psi | 88% | 2270 fps | 99.8% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,718 psi | 87% | 2257 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,355 psi | 86% | 2287 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,342 psi | 90% | 2251 fps | 99.4% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,602 psi | 88% | 2290 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,630 psi | 86% | 2280 fps | 97.1% |
| Lovex S070ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,674 psi | 87% | 2297 fps | 95.9% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,616 psi | 86% | 2260 fps | 99.8% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,979 psi | 87% | 2270 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,718 psi | 88% | 2326 fps | 99.4% |
| Norma URPᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,005 psi | 82% | 2316 fps | 97.9% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,617 psi | 88% | 2346 fps | 99.3% |
| Ramshot Hunterᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,614 psi | 81% | 2310 fps | 95.9% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,182 psi | 87% | 2277 fps | 97.4% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,326 psi | 86% | 2293 fps | 99.2% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,211 psi | 89% | 2270 fps | 99.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,998 psi | 64% | 1421 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,703 psi | 87% | 2254 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,790 psi | 87% | 2280 fps | 96.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,646 psi | 88% | 2385 fps | 99.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,399 psi | 88% | 2415 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,802 psi | 81% | 2343 fps | 97.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,861 psi | 83% | 2356 fps | 97.1% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,805 psi | 89% | 2251 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,153 psi | 87% | 2260 fps | 99.8% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,385 psi | 88% | 2320 fps | 99.7% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,630 psi | 86% | 2280 fps | 97.1% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,355 psi | 86% | 2287 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,602 psi | 88% | 2290 fps | 99.9% |
| Shooters World SW4350ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,674 psi | 87% | 2297 fps | 95.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,007 psi | 85% | 2329 fps | 99.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,356 psi | 90% | 2300 fps | 98.1% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,094 psi | 85% | 2283 fps | 99.2% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,617 psi | 90% | 2218 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,255 psi | 89% | 2221 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,646 psi | 88% | 2297 fps | 99.9% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,820 psi | 89% | 2221 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,747 psi | 88% | 2293 fps | 99.3% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,095 psi | 89% | 2320 fps | 99.6% |
| Somchem S365ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,103 psi | 73% | 2277 fps | 99.5% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 82% | 46,891 psi | 85% | 2159 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,617 psi | 90% | 2208 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,978 psi | 85% | 2238 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,124 psi | 87% | 2251 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,384 psi | 86% | 2267 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N160ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,645 psi | 86% | 2320 fps | 98.2% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,211 psi | 87% | 2264 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,458 psi | 90% | 2290 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,485 psi | 84% | 2323 fps | 97.9% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALLᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,646 psi | 88% | 2310 fps | 99.6% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,181 psi | 86% | 2303 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,834 psi | 89% | 2369 fps | 96.1% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,385 psi | 90% | 2329 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% | 41,495 psi | 75% | 2119 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,744 psi | 81% | 2205 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,910 psi | 62% | 2051 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,972 psi | 73% | 2169 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,097 psi | 58% | 2041 fps | 99.4% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 34,156 psi | 62% | 2139 fps | 95.2% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,014 psi | 69% | 2133 fps | 97.6% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,489 psi | 59% | 2011 fps | 95% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,045 psi | 73% | 2142 fps | 99% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,899 psi | 71% | 2139 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,296 psi | 84% | 2306 fps | 99.5% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | 44 gr | 80% | 34,214 psi | 62% | 2136 fps | 95% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,343 psi | 57% | 2024 fps | 96.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,775 psi | 85% | 2195 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,982 psi | 62% | 2077 fps | 95.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 92% | 35,549 psi | 65% | 2149 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | 45.5 gr | 84% | 30,966 psi | 56% | 2077 fps | 95.4% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,738 psi | 67% | 2129 fps | 96% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,574 psi | 55% | 2021 fps | 96.5% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,974 psi | 76% | 2136 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,029 psi | 69% | 2159 fps | 99.1% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,611 psi | 76% | 2264 fps | 98% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,440 psi | 82% | 2224 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,137 psi | 84% | 2247 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,245 psi | 66% | 2113 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 98% | 45,672 psi | 83% | 2323 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,305 psi | 70% | 2142 fps | 98.2% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 90% | 30,443 psi | 55% | 2018 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,084 psi | 62% | 2110 fps | 97.5% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,788 psi | 47% | 1237 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,738 psi | 67% | 2100 fps | 97.7% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,217 psi | 68% | 2142 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,040 psi | 62% | 2037 fps | 95.9% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,731 psi | 85% | 2221 fps | 95.3% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 94% | 45,934 psi | 83% | 2241 fps | 95% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 94% | 35,578 psi | 65% | 2149 fps | 95.7% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,751 psi | 63% | 2100 fps | 96.8% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,045 psi | 73% | 2142 fps | 99% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,643 psi | 81% | 2211 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,172 psi | 66% | 2116 fps | 99.5% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,682 psi | 70% | 2083 fps | 97.7% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,504 psi | 61% | 2037 fps | 97.7% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 92% | 39,581 psi | 72% | 2149 fps | 95% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 98% | 44,904 psi | 81% | 2257 fps | 95.3% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,333 psi | 68% | 2096 fps | 98.6% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,289 psi | 68% | 2110 fps | 99.8% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,373 psi | 61% | 2067 fps | 96.3% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 92% | 35,027 psi | 64% | 2139 fps | 95.1% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,779 psi | 59% | 2073 fps | 95.7% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,785 psi | 76% | 2264 fps | 95% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,784 psi | 72% | 2139 fps | 95.3% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,812 psi | 70% | 2159 fps | 97.7% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,076 psi | 78% | 2178 fps | 98.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,092 psi | 47% | 1270 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,875 psi | 81% | 2215 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 90% | 44,759 psi | 81% | 2234 fps | 95.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,809 psi | 63% | 2149 fps | 96.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | 43.3 gr | 80% | 28,993 psi | 53% | 2037 fps | 97.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 94% | 36,637 psi | 66% | 2198 fps | 95.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 96% | 40,437 psi | 73% | 2260 fps | 95.4% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,031 psi | 74% | 2136 fps | 99.9% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,520 psi | 64% | 2057 fps | 98.1% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,805 psi | 52% | 1975 fps | 95.4% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 92% | 39,581 psi | 72% | 2149 fps | 95% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,172 psi | 66% | 2116 fps | 99.5% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,504 psi | 61% | 2037 fps | 97.7% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 98% | 44,904 psi | 81% | 2257 fps | 95.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 82% | 32,068 psi | 58% | 2060 fps | 95.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,768 psi | 69% | 2116 fps | 95.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,448 psi | 66% | 2103 fps | 97.1% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,899 psi | 71% | 2064 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,908 psi | 58% | 1955 fps | 99.6% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,641 psi | 77% | 2208 fps | 99.5% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,479 psi | 70% | 2070 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,376 psi | 68% | 2116 fps | 97.3% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,066 psi | 55% | 1988 fps | 95.6% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 88% | 27,615 psi | 50% | 2008 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,121 psi | 80% | 2119 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,015 psi | 71% | 2064 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,316 psi | 62% | 2051 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,186 psi | 64% | 2054 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,340 psi | 51% | 1936 fps | 96.5% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 92% | 37,028 psi | 67% | 2146 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,769 psi | 72% | 2136 fps | 99% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,866 psi | 61% | 2047 fps | 99.4% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 92% | 36,027 psi | 65% | 2149 fps | 95.2% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 86% | 30,937 psi | 56% | 1998 fps | 95.5% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,682 psi | 70% | 2172 fps | 99.4% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 98% | 45,672 psi | 83% | 2323 fps | 95.3% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,549 psi | 65% | 2106 fps | 97.5% |
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 90 powders for 8.5 x 63 R loaded with the .338 | 250gr | Nosler Expansion Tip. ReloadSwiss RS 60 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,415 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,388 fps to 2,415 fps. Accurate 4350 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 90 of the 90 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 250.0 gr projectile in 0.338" calls for a 1:11.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 4350, Alliant Reloder-16, Hodgdon H414 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, Alliant Reloder-17 rank at the top here: for 8.5 x 63 R with the .338 | 250gr | Nosler Expansion Tip 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.