Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 8.5 x 63 with .338 | 185gr | Barnes TTSX BT bullet and 88 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.
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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% | 55,071 psi | 88% | 2664 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,302 psi | 87% | 2730 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,811 psi | 89% | 2822 fps | 97.8% |
| Accurate 2230 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,347 psi | 90% | 2828 fps | 98.2% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,721 psi | 85% | 2746 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 2495ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,417 psi | 86% | 2776 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,983 psi | 87% | 2802 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,530 psi | 79% | 2756 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,014 psi | 90% | 2690 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,200 psi | 85% | 2664 fps | 99.8% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,403 psi | 86% | 2799 fps | 98.2% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,461 psi | 86% | 2671 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2208ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,097 psi | 82% | 2736 fps | 97.1% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,593 psi | 89% | 2805 fps | 100% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,997 psi | 85% | 2762 fps | 99% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,042 psi | 88% | 2805 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,041 psi | 87% | 2864 fps | 98.8% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,214 psi | 85% | 2890 fps | 97.2% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,487 psi | 79% | 2756 fps | 98.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,636 psi | 88% | 2746 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,882 psi | 86% | 2825 fps | 97.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-17ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,801 psi | 70% | 2726 fps | 96.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,665 psi | 88% | 2687 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,679 psi | 88% | 2684 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,098 psi | 85% | 2805 fps | 97.1% |
| Bofors RP3ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,008 psi | 79% | 2759 fps | 98.4% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,767 psi | 89% | 2759 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,708 psi | 88% | 2838 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,171 psi | 85% | 2874 fps | 97.7% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,983 psi | 87% | 2782 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,143 psi | 88% | 2805 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H380ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,576 psi | 83% | 2772 fps | 96% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,462 psi | 87% | 2690 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,766 psi | 86% | 2808 fps | 98.7% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolutionᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,593 psi | 89% | 2887 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,475 psi | 54% | 1657 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,767 psi | 89% | 2818 fps | 98.9% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,535 psi | 89% | 2854 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,780 psi | 86% | 2772 fps | 97.8% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,477 psi | 89% | 2710 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,172 psi | 88% | 2861 fps | 98.6% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,997 psi | 85% | 2762 fps | 99% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,939 psi | 85% | 2759 fps | 99.8% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,808 psi | 85% | 2753 fps | 99.5% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,259 psi | 89% | 2831 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex S053 | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,318 psi | 90% | 2612 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,520 psi | 87% | 2740 fps | 98.3% |
| Lovex S062ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,475 psi | 84% | 2769 fps | 99.1% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,302 psi | 87% | 2720 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,216 psi | 89% | 2795 fps | 99.3% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,521 psi | 89% | 2808 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203Bᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,881 psi | 85% | 2812 fps | 98.2% |
| Ramshot Big Gameᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,679 psi | 86% | 2838 fps | 98.1% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,202 psi | 90% | 2844 fps | 98.5% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,056 psi | 88% | 2769 fps | 98.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,620 psi | 54% | 1696 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,982 psi | 85% | 2759 fps | 99.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,359 psi | 86% | 2887 fps | 97.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,905 psi | 75% | 2802 fps | 99.3% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,043 psi | 90% | 2789 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,347 psi | 89% | 2789 fps | 99.3% |
| Rottweil R 903ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,542 psi | 73% | 2694 fps | 97.5% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,939 psi | 85% | 2759 fps | 99.8% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,259 psi | 89% | 2831 fps | 99.9% |
| Shooters World Precisionᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,475 psi | 84% | 2769 fps | 99.1% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,534 psi | 86% | 2730 fps | 98.8% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,621 psi | 86% | 2425 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,130 psi | 90% | 2812 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,138 psi | 77% | 2759 fps | 97.1% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,825 psi | 90% | 2762 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,998 psi | 88% | 2789 fps | 96.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,317 psi | 89% | 2818 fps | 98.4% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,071 psi | 88% | 2713 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,778 psi | 81% | 2661 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,201 psi | 87% | 2802 fps | 99.4% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,490 psi | 86% | 2710 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,433 psi | 87% | 2789 fps | 98.2% |
| Somchem S355ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,963 psi | 75% | 2703 fps | 97.5% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,476 psi | 86% | 2621 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,853 psi | 88% | 2694 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,650 psi | 88% | 2703 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,969 psi | 87% | 2772 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,289 psi | 90% | 2789 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,223 psi | 73% | 2644 fps | 98.4% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,635 psi | 86% | 2766 fps | 99.1% |
| Vihtavuori N540ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,447 psi | 87% | 2785 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,854 psi | 90% | 2861 fps | 99.8% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,665 psi | 88% | 2828 fps | 98.8% |
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 1680 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,285 psi | 82% | 2615 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,708 psi | 56% | 2405 fps | 99.5% |
| Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,440 psi | 73% | 2648 fps | 95.7% |
| Accurate 2230 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,484 psi | 73% | 2654 fps | 96.1% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,333 psi | 60% | 2484 fps | 98.1% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,760 psi | 43% | 2280 fps | 98% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,793 psi | 53% | 2421 fps | 96.4% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 82% | 27,267 psi | 44% | 2303 fps | 95.5% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,700 psi | 70% | 2507 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,077 psi | 71% | 2520 fps | 99% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,466 psi | 66% | 2592 fps | 95.6% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,123 psi | 76% | 2582 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,366 psi | 68% | 2585 fps | 95% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,163 psi | 68% | 2595 fps | 99.7% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,260 psi | 58% | 2457 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,010 psi | 51% | 2425 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | 46.3 gr | 80% | 38,595 psi | 62% | 2582 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,325 psi | 74% | 2766 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 90% | 35,752 psi | 57% | 2500 fps | 95% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,885 psi | 64% | 2516 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,698 psi | 67% | 2618 fps | 95.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 98% | 40,988 psi | 66% | 2667 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,109 psi | 77% | 2595 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,395 psi | 68% | 2500 fps | 99.8% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,340 psi | 74% | 2694 fps | 95.6% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 92% | 37,362 psi | 60% | 2546 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,216 psi | 58% | 2415 fps | 96.2% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 82% | 33,678 psi | 54% | 2457 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | 54.3 gr | 86% | 43,062 psi | 69% | 2694 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,624 psi | 62% | 2526 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,059 psi | 63% | 2539 fps | 98.7% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,124 psi | 77% | 2717 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,225 psi | 77% | 2595 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 86% | 39,030 psi | 63% | 2549 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,202 psi | 60% | 2556 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,685 psi | 40% | 1476 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,826 psi | 61% | 2507 fps | 95.1% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,618 psi | 49% | 2405 fps | 98.2% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,800 psi | 67% | 2569 fps | 95.1% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,162 psi | 66% | 2497 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,842 psi | 64% | 2592 fps | 95.3% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,260 psi | 58% | 2457 fps | 95.5% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,122 psi | 74% | 2651 fps | 99.2% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,159 psi | 60% | 2484 fps | 96.9% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,370 psi | 47% | 2349 fps | 95% |
| Lovex S053 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,968 psi | 85% | 2569 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,306 psi | 65% | 2493 fps | 95.3% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 88% | 36,071 psi | 58% | 2474 fps | 95.6% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,904 psi | 72% | 2582 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,505 psi | 57% | 2444 fps | 95.4% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,140 psi | 50% | 2362 fps | 96.5% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,857 psi | 66% | 2605 fps | 95.5% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,060 psi | 66% | 2618 fps | 95.1% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,001 psi | 64% | 2569 fps | 95.1% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,206 psi | 68% | 2556 fps | 95.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,714 psi | 40% | 1512 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,159 psi | 61% | 2500 fps | 97.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | 55 gr | 92% | 43,381 psi | 70% | 2713 fps | 95.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 90% | 33,794 psi | 54% | 2510 fps | 95.4% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,461 psi | 55% | 2405 fps | 97.3% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 86% | 35,781 psi | 57% | 2444 fps | 95.4% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 94% | 37,072 psi | 59% | 2533 fps | 95.2% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,122 psi | 74% | 2651 fps | 99.2% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,370 psi | 47% | 2349 fps | 95% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 88% | 36,071 psi | 58% | 2474 fps | 95.6% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,625 psi | 65% | 2513 fps | 96.4% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,254 psi | 77% | 2356 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,714 psi | 68% | 2602 fps | 99.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,250 psi | 68% | 2651 fps | 95.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,596 psi | 65% | 2530 fps | 99.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 94% | 51,372 psi | 82% | 2736 fps | 95.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 88% | 39,871 psi | 64% | 2556 fps | 95.1% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,185 psi | 53% | 2333 fps | 97.1% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,803 psi | 43% | 2195 fps | 95.9% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,042 psi | 58% | 2477 fps | 95.8% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,489 psi | 52% | 2336 fps | 97.8% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,205 psi | 66% | 2572 fps | 95.4% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 94% | 38,754 psi | 62% | 2549 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,181 psi | 76% | 2536 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,898 psi | 61% | 2428 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,141 psi | 53% | 2346 fps | 99.2% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,007 psi | 45% | 2300 fps | 98.3% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,298 psi | 47% | 2300 fps | 96.2% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 92% | 34,635 psi | 56% | 2441 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,955 psi | 58% | 2448 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,050 psi | 45% | 2280 fps | 95% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,329 psi | 52% | 2425 fps | 95.1% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,827 psi | 62% | 2556 fps | 95.5% |
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 88 powders for 8.5 x 63 loaded with the .338 | 185gr | Barnes TTSX 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 88 of the 88 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 1:11.5 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 TTSX 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.