Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 8.5 x 63 with .338 | 185gr | Barnes MRX BT bullet and 89 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Hodgdon CFE223, Alliant Power Pro 1200-R and ReloadSwiss RS 52.
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 1680 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,969 psi | 88% | 2664 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,215 psi | 87% | 2730 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,724 psi | 89% | 2822 fps | 97.8% |
| Accurate 2230 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,446 psi | 84% | 2772 fps | 97.6% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,953 psi | 85% | 2749 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 2495ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,243 psi | 85% | 2776 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,825 psi | 90% | 2838 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,825 psi | 90% | 2838 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,385 psi | 79% | 2756 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,941 psi | 90% | 2690 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,362 psi | 90% | 2710 fps | 99.9% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,287 psi | 85% | 2799 fps | 98.2% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,388 psi | 86% | 2671 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2208ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,256 psi | 82% | 2740 fps | 97.1% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,796 psi | 89% | 2805 fps | 100% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,434 psi | 90% | 2812 fps | 99.4% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,955 psi | 88% | 2802 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,230 psi | 87% | 2867 fps | 98.9% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,113 psi | 85% | 2890 fps | 97.2% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,400 psi | 79% | 2756 fps | 98.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,520 psi | 87% | 2743 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,056 psi | 87% | 2828 fps | 97.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-17ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,961 psi | 70% | 2730 fps | 96.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,563 psi | 87% | 2687 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,839 psi | 88% | 2687 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,243 psi | 85% | 2808 fps | 97.1% |
| Bofors RP3ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,226 psi | 79% | 2766 fps | 98.4% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,941 psi | 90% | 2762 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,926 psi | 88% | 2841 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,040 psi | 85% | 2874 fps | 97.7% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,420 psi | 90% | 2815 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,027 psi | 88% | 2805 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H380ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,474 psi | 83% | 2772 fps | 96% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,389 psi | 87% | 2690 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,650 psi | 86% | 2808 fps | 98.7% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolutionᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,590 psi | 83% | 2825 fps | 98.8% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,431 psi | 54% | 1657 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGETᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,143 psi | 87% | 2795 fps | 98.7% |
| IMR 3031ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,476 psi | 86% | 2828 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,647 psi | 80% | 2710 fps | 97.1% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,709 psi | 89% | 2713 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,390 psi | 89% | 2864 fps | 98.6% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,434 psi | 90% | 2812 fps | 99.4% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,171 psi | 85% | 2762 fps | 99.8% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,026 psi | 85% | 2756 fps | 99.6% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,158 psi | 88% | 2828 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex S053 | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,246 psi | 90% | 2612 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,433 psi | 87% | 2736 fps | 98.3% |
| Lovex S062ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,678 psi | 84% | 2772 fps | 99.1% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,534 psi | 87% | 2720 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,434 psi | 89% | 2799 fps | 99.3% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,753 psi | 89% | 2812 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203Bᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,040 psi | 85% | 2818 fps | 98.2% |
| Ramshot Big Gameᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,592 psi | 86% | 2838 fps | 98% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,405 psi | 90% | 2848 fps | 98.6% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,955 psi | 88% | 2769 fps | 98.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,562 psi | 54% | 1696 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,200 psi | 85% | 2759 fps | 99.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,534 psi | 86% | 2890 fps | 97.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,079 psi | 75% | 2805 fps | 99.3% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,217 psi | 90% | 2792 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,535 psi | 89% | 2792 fps | 99.3% |
| Rottweil R 903ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,484 psi | 73% | 2694 fps | 97.5% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,171 psi | 85% | 2762 fps | 99.8% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,158 psi | 88% | 2828 fps | 99.9% |
| Shooters World Precisionᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,678 psi | 84% | 2772 fps | 99.1% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,447 psi | 86% | 2726 fps | 98.8% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,809 psi | 86% | 2428 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,014 psi | 90% | 2812 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,312 psi | 77% | 2762 fps | 97.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,709 psi | 89% | 2762 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,216 psi | 89% | 2792 fps | 96.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,477 psi | 89% | 2822 fps | 98.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,998 psi | 88% | 2713 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,647 psi | 81% | 2661 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,404 psi | 87% | 2805 fps | 99.4% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,359 psi | 86% | 2707 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,592 psi | 88% | 2792 fps | 98.2% |
| Somchem S355ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,847 psi | 75% | 2703 fps | 97.5% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,374 psi | 86% | 2621 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,737 psi | 88% | 2694 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,563 psi | 87% | 2703 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,867 psi | 86% | 2769 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,159 psi | 90% | 2789 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,136 psi | 72% | 2641 fps | 98.4% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,853 psi | 86% | 2766 fps | 99.2% |
| Vihtavuori N540ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,360 psi | 87% | 2785 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,258 psi | 85% | 2825 fps | 99.6% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,650 psi | 86% | 2815 fps | 98.7% |
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% | 51,459 psi | 83% | 2618 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,853 psi | 56% | 2408 fps | 99.5% |
| Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,643 psi | 73% | 2651 fps | 95.7% |
| Accurate 2230 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,411 psi | 73% | 2654 fps | 96.1% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,463 psi | 60% | 2487 fps | 98.1% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,890 psi | 43% | 2283 fps | 98% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,502 psi | 51% | 2402 fps | 95.9% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,502 psi | 51% | 2402 fps | 95.9% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 82% | 27,238 psi | 44% | 2303 fps | 95.5% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,874 psi | 70% | 2510 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,266 psi | 71% | 2523 fps | 99% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,379 psi | 66% | 2589 fps | 95.6% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,036 psi | 75% | 2582 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,511 psi | 68% | 2589 fps | 95% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,308 psi | 68% | 2598 fps | 99.7% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,187 psi | 58% | 2454 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,140 psi | 52% | 2428 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | 46.4 gr | 80% | 38,769 psi | 62% | 2585 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,209 psi | 74% | 2762 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 90% | 35,694 psi | 57% | 2497 fps | 95% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,045 psi | 64% | 2520 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,640 psi | 67% | 2615 fps | 95.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,118 psi | 66% | 2671 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,312 psi | 77% | 2598 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,293 psi | 68% | 2500 fps | 99.8% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,514 psi | 75% | 2697 fps | 95.6% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 92% | 37,318 psi | 60% | 2546 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,361 psi | 58% | 2418 fps | 96.2% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 82% | 33,591 psi | 54% | 2454 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | 54.3 gr | 86% | 42,989 psi | 69% | 2694 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,708 psi | 57% | 2467 fps | 98.7% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,481 psi | 67% | 2589 fps | 99.1% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,037 psi | 77% | 2717 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,498 psi | 73% | 2552 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 86% | 39,160 psi | 63% | 2552 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 90% | 37,304 psi | 60% | 2559 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,656 psi | 40% | 1476 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,697 psi | 64% | 2546 fps | 95.7% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,963 psi | 45% | 2333 fps | 97.2% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,278 psi | 66% | 2559 fps | 95% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,350 psi | 66% | 2500 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,016 psi | 64% | 2598 fps | 95.4% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,187 psi | 58% | 2454 fps | 95.4% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,050 psi | 74% | 2651 fps | 99.1% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,347 psi | 60% | 2487 fps | 97% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,501 psi | 47% | 2352 fps | 95.1% |
| Lovex S053 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,185 psi | 85% | 2572 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,234 psi | 65% | 2493 fps | 95.3% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 88% | 36,013 psi | 58% | 2470 fps | 95.6% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,078 psi | 72% | 2585 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,418 psi | 57% | 2444 fps | 95.4% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,082 psi | 50% | 2362 fps | 96.5% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,770 psi | 65% | 2602 fps | 95.5% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,959 psi | 66% | 2618 fps | 95.1% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,147 psi | 64% | 2572 fps | 95.1% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,380 psi | 68% | 2559 fps | 95.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,685 psi | 40% | 1512 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,290 psi | 61% | 2503 fps | 97.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | 55.1 gr | 92% | 43,569 psi | 70% | 2717 fps | 95.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 90% | 33,736 psi | 54% | 2510 fps | 95.4% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,606 psi | 55% | 2408 fps | 97.4% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 86% | 35,911 psi | 58% | 2448 fps | 95.5% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 94% | 37,231 psi | 60% | 2536 fps | 95.3% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,050 psi | 74% | 2651 fps | 99.1% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,501 psi | 47% | 2352 fps | 95.1% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 88% | 36,013 psi | 58% | 2470 fps | 95.6% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,538 psi | 65% | 2513 fps | 96.4% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,443 psi | 78% | 2359 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,656 psi | 68% | 2598 fps | 99.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,380 psi | 68% | 2654 fps | 95.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,814 psi | 65% | 2533 fps | 99.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 94% | 51,532 psi | 83% | 2740 fps | 95.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,016 psi | 64% | 2559 fps | 95.1% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,330 psi | 53% | 2336 fps | 97.2% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,919 psi | 43% | 2198 fps | 95.9% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,969 psi | 58% | 2474 fps | 95.8% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,605 psi | 52% | 2339 fps | 97.8% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,321 psi | 66% | 2575 fps | 95.4% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 94% | 38,653 psi | 62% | 2549 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,123 psi | 76% | 2536 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,043 psi | 61% | 2431 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,315 psi | 53% | 2349 fps | 99.2% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,137 psi | 45% | 2303 fps | 98.3% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,414 psi | 47% | 2303 fps | 96.3% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 92% | 34,577 psi | 55% | 2438 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,882 psi | 58% | 2448 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,166 psi | 45% | 2283 fps | 95% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,911 psi | 56% | 2487 fps | 96.1% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 82% | 39,871 psi | 64% | 2579 fps | 95.9% |
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 loaded with the .338 | 185gr | Barnes MRX BT. Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,890 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,657 fps to 2,890 fps. Accurate 2495 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 (430 MPa), the top charges use 54–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 185.0 gr projectile in 0.338" calls for a 1:13.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 2495, Accurate 4064, ADI AR 2208 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. Hodgdon CFE223, Alliant Power Pro 1200-R, ReloadSwiss RS 52 rank at the top here: for 8.5 x 63 with the .338 | 185gr | Barnes MRX BT 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.