Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 8.5 x 63 with .338 | 165gr | Impala LWHV LS bullet and 80 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Alliant Power Pro 1200-R, Hodgdon BL-C2 and Hodgdon H4895.
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 1680 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,347 psi | 89% | 2802 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,114 psi | 88% | 2874 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,724 psi | 89% | 2946 fps | 96.5% |
| Accurate 2230 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,011 psi | 85% | 2900 fps | 96.3% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,070 psi | 87% | 2890 fps | 99.6% |
| Accurate 2495ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,143 psi | 88% | 2930 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,491 psi | 87% | 2940 fps | 99.5% |
| Accurate 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,024 psi | 82% | 2904 fps | 99.7% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,956 psi | 90% | 2825 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,362 psi | 90% | 2841 fps | 99.6% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,795 psi | 86% | 2927 fps | 97.1% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,882 psi | 86% | 2815 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,608 psi | 89% | 2943 fps | 100% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,243 psi | 85% | 2894 fps | 98.1% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,505 psi | 87% | 2946 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,360 psi | 87% | 2999 fps | 97.9% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,458 psi | 79% | 2881 fps | 97.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,216 psi | 89% | 2890 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,056 psi | 87% | 2953 fps | 96.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,158 psi | 88% | 2828 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,723 psi | 88% | 2818 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP3ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,748 psi | 80% | 2894 fps | 97.3% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,072 psi | 90% | 2890 fps | 98.9% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,723 psi | 88% | 2969 fps | 98.8% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,982 psi | 85% | 2995 fps | 96.3% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,838 psi | 86% | 2917 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,201 psi | 89% | 2943 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,563 psi | 87% | 2825 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,099 psi | 87% | 2943 fps | 97.7% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolutionᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,172 psi | 88% | 3009 fps | 98.3% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,069 psi | 55% | 1755 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,259 psi | 89% | 2940 fps | 97.8% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,288 psi | 89% | 2995 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,838 psi | 86% | 2894 fps | 96.5% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,230 psi | 89% | 2851 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,216 psi | 89% | 2989 fps | 97.5% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,243 psi | 85% | 2894 fps | 98.1% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,983 psi | 87% | 2900 fps | 99.3% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,969 psi | 87% | 2894 fps | 98.9% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,637 psi | 89% | 2966 fps | 99.5% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,534 psi | 87% | 2861 fps | 97.2% |
| Lovex S062ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,084 psi | 85% | 2904 fps | 98.2% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,912 psi | 90% | 2871 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,159 psi | 90% | 2936 fps | 98.6% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,753 psi | 89% | 2946 fps | 99.8% |
| Norma 203Bᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,055 psi | 85% | 2940 fps | 97% |
| Ramshot Big Gameᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,432 psi | 86% | 2956 fps | 96.7% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,956 psi | 90% | 2966 fps | 97.4% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,071 psi | 88% | 2890 fps | 97% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,360 psi | 55% | 1798 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,374 psi | 86% | 2890 fps | 99.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,156 psi | 85% | 3009 fps | 96.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,485 psi | 76% | 2923 fps | 98.3% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,534 psi | 87% | 2890 fps | 99.6% |
| Rottweil R 902ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,289 psi | 90% | 2927 fps | 98.6% |
| Rottweil R 903ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,470 psi | 75% | 2825 fps | 96.3% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,983 psi | 87% | 2900 fps | 99.3% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,637 psi | 89% | 2966 fps | 99.5% |
| Shooters World Precisionᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,084 psi | 85% | 2904 fps | 98.2% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,664 psi | 86% | 2851 fps | 97.8% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,085 psi | 87% | 2562 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,043 psi | 90% | 2946 fps | 99.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,695 psi | 89% | 2904 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,187 psi | 88% | 2943 fps | 97.3% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,361 psi | 89% | 2844 fps | 99.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,691 psi | 81% | 2785 fps | 99.8% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,563 psi | 87% | 2933 fps | 98.6% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,070 psi | 87% | 2844 fps | 99.9% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,128 psi | 87% | 2910 fps | 96.9% |
| Somchem S355ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,485 psi | 76% | 2828 fps | 96.3% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,693 psi | 86% | 2762 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,230 psi | 89% | 2835 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,621 psi | 88% | 2841 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,983 psi | 87% | 2910 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,173 psi | 90% | 2923 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N150ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,832 psi | 73% | 2769 fps | 97.3% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,911 psi | 86% | 2894 fps | 98.3% |
| Vihtavuori N540ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,520 psi | 87% | 2917 fps | 99.7% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,477 psi | 89% | 2989 fps | 99.2% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,433 psi | 87% | 2953 fps | 97.7% |
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 1680 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,764 psi | 83% | 2753 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,724 psi | 59% | 2549 fps | 99.1% |
| Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,095 psi | 79% | 2831 fps | 95% |
| Accurate 2230 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,429 psi | 79% | 2841 fps | 95.5% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,291 psi | 63% | 2625 fps | 97.4% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,197 psi | 48% | 2454 fps | 97.9% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,621 psi | 56% | 2562 fps | 95.5% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 82% | 30,197 psi | 48% | 2467 fps | 95.1% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,382 psi | 71% | 2635 fps | 99.4% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,686 psi | 72% | 2648 fps | 98.1% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 90% | 45,107 psi | 72% | 2772 fps | 95.1% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,892 psi | 77% | 2726 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,801 psi | 69% | 2726 fps | 99.1% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,566 psi | 63% | 2635 fps | 95% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,460 psi | 54% | 2566 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | 48 gr | 82% | 42,366 psi | 68% | 2776 fps | 95.1% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,466 psi | 66% | 2730 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,452 psi | 66% | 2664 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,037 psi | 77% | 2851 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,313 psi | 79% | 2740 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,975 psi | 69% | 2625 fps | 99.4% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,263 psi | 66% | 2736 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,536 psi | 60% | 2543 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | 52.3 gr | 84% | 37,217 psi | 60% | 2641 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,588 psi | 80% | 2933 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,508 psi | 63% | 2661 fps | 98.5% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,958 psi | 64% | 2671 fps | 97.8% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,631 psi | 78% | 2730 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | 51.5 gr | 88% | 42,612 psi | 68% | 2733 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 92% | 43,134 psi | 69% | 2789 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,527 psi | 41% | 1572 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 90% | 43,671 psi | 70% | 2736 fps | 95.2% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,068 psi | 51% | 2539 fps | 97.4% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,819 psi | 77% | 2792 fps | 95.1% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,872 psi | 67% | 2635 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,151 psi | 74% | 2831 fps | 95.5% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,566 psi | 63% | 2635 fps | 95% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,326 psi | 76% | 2789 fps | 98.4% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,175 psi | 63% | 2625 fps | 96% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 82% | 33,431 psi | 54% | 2546 fps | 95% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,021 psi | 74% | 2713 fps | 95.3% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,740 psi | 64% | 2654 fps | 95.2% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,007 psi | 75% | 2736 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 86% | 39,595 psi | 63% | 2631 fps | 95.1% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,663 psi | 52% | 2500 fps | 95.6% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,108 psi | 76% | 2838 fps | 95.7% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,065 psi | 75% | 2844 fps | 95.1% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,398 psi | 74% | 2805 fps | 95.3% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 86% | 45,919 psi | 74% | 2736 fps | 95% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,672 psi | 41% | 1608 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,276 psi | 63% | 2631 fps | 96.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,850 psi | 80% | 2949 fps | 95.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 94% | 39,465 psi | 63% | 2746 fps | 95.8% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,217 psi | 60% | 2559 fps | 96.8% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 88% | 39,914 psi | 64% | 2631 fps | 95.1% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 98% | 43,642 psi | 70% | 2772 fps | 95.6% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,326 psi | 76% | 2789 fps | 98.4% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 82% | 33,431 psi | 54% | 2546 fps | 95% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,740 psi | 64% | 2654 fps | 95.2% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,640 psi | 67% | 2638 fps | 95.1% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,994 psi | 79% | 2493 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,569 psi | 70% | 2736 fps | 98.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,539 psi | 67% | 2664 fps | 99.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,021 psi | 74% | 2785 fps | 95.2% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,882 psi | 56% | 2467 fps | 96.3% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,558 psi | 46% | 2326 fps | 95.1% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 82% | 39,711 psi | 64% | 2661 fps | 95.4% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,447 psi | 55% | 2474 fps | 97.1% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,616 psi | 76% | 2802 fps | 95.5% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 98% | 44,904 psi | 72% | 2779 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,790 psi | 77% | 2677 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,334 psi | 63% | 2569 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,519 psi | 55% | 2480 fps | 98.6% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,965 psi | 48% | 2444 fps | 97.7% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,966 psi | 50% | 2434 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 94% | 38,145 psi | 61% | 2618 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,610 psi | 64% | 2631 fps | 95.1% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 84% | 33,562 psi | 54% | 2516 fps | 95.7% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,971 psi | 61% | 2661 fps | 95.5% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,337 psi | 68% | 2736 fps | 95% |
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 80 powders for 8.5 x 63 loaded with the .338 | 165gr | Impala LWHV LS. Hodgdon LEVERevolution delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,009 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,755 fps to 3,009 fps. Accurate 2495 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 80 of the 80 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (430 MPa), the top charges use 55–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 165.0 gr projectile in 0.338" calls for a 1:13.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 2495, Accurate 4064, Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 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 1200-R, Hodgdon BL-C2, Hodgdon H4895 rank at the top here: for 8.5 x 63 with the .338 | 165gr | Impala LWHV LS 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.