Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 8.5 x 63 with .338 | 185gr | Fox Classic Hunter 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% | 55,056 psi | 88% | 2664 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,288 psi | 87% | 2730 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,796 psi | 89% | 2822 fps | 97.8% |
| Accurate 2230 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,333 psi | 90% | 2828 fps | 98.2% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,434 psi | 90% | 2795 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,403 psi | 86% | 2776 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,969 psi | 87% | 2802 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,501 psi | 79% | 2756 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,999 psi | 90% | 2690 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,185 psi | 85% | 2664 fps | 99.8% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,388 psi | 86% | 2799 fps | 98.2% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,447 psi | 86% | 2671 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2208ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,082 psi | 82% | 2736 fps | 97.1% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,579 psi | 89% | 2805 fps | 100% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,982 psi | 85% | 2762 fps | 99% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,027 psi | 88% | 2805 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,012 psi | 87% | 2861 fps | 98.8% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,185 psi | 85% | 2890 fps | 97.2% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,472 psi | 79% | 2756 fps | 98.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,621 psi | 88% | 2746 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,867 psi | 86% | 2825 fps | 97.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-17ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,034 psi | 71% | 2730 fps | 96.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,650 psi | 88% | 2687 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,679 psi | 88% | 2684 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,084 psi | 85% | 2805 fps | 97.1% |
| Bofors RP3ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,994 psi | 79% | 2759 fps | 98.4% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,753 psi | 89% | 2759 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,694 psi | 88% | 2838 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,156 psi | 85% | 2874 fps | 97.7% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,969 psi | 87% | 2782 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,129 psi | 88% | 2805 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H380ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,561 psi | 83% | 2772 fps | 96% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,795 psi | 88% | 2694 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,751 psi | 86% | 2808 fps | 98.7% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolutionᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,579 psi | 89% | 2887 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,475 psi | 54% | 1657 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,753 psi | 89% | 2818 fps | 98.9% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,521 psi | 89% | 2854 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,766 psi | 86% | 2772 fps | 97.8% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,463 psi | 89% | 2710 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,158 psi | 88% | 2861 fps | 98.6% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,982 psi | 85% | 2762 fps | 99% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,997 psi | 85% | 2759 fps | 99.8% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,779 psi | 85% | 2753 fps | 99.5% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,245 psi | 89% | 2831 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex S053 | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,304 psi | 90% | 2612 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,505 psi | 87% | 2740 fps | 98.3% |
| Lovex S062ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,460 psi | 84% | 2769 fps | 99.1% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,288 psi | 87% | 2720 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,201 psi | 89% | 2795 fps | 99.3% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,506 psi | 89% | 2808 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203Bᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,852 psi | 85% | 2812 fps | 98.2% |
| Ramshot Big Gameᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,664 psi | 86% | 2838 fps | 98% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,085 psi | 87% | 2769 fps | 95.7% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,188 psi | 90% | 2841 fps | 98.5% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,027 psi | 88% | 2769 fps | 98.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,605 psi | 54% | 1696 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,968 psi | 85% | 2759 fps | 99.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,345 psi | 86% | 2887 fps | 97.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,152 psi | 76% | 2808 fps | 99.4% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,028 psi | 90% | 2789 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,361 psi | 89% | 2789 fps | 99.3% |
| Rottweil R 903ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,556 psi | 73% | 2694 fps | 97.5% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,997 psi | 85% | 2759 fps | 99.8% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,245 psi | 89% | 2831 fps | 99.9% |
| Shooters World Precisionᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,460 psi | 84% | 2769 fps | 99.1% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,519 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% | 56,115 psi | 90% | 2812 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,124 psi | 77% | 2759 fps | 97.1% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,811 psi | 89% | 2762 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,984 psi | 88% | 2789 fps | 96.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,303 psi | 89% | 2818 fps | 98.4% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,056 psi | 88% | 2713 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,763 psi | 81% | 2657 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,186 psi | 87% | 2799 fps | 99.4% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,476 psi | 86% | 2710 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,418 psi | 87% | 2789 fps | 98.2% |
| Somchem S355ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,949 psi | 75% | 2703 fps | 97.5% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,461 psi | 86% | 2621 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,868 psi | 88% | 2694 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,636 psi | 88% | 2703 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,954 psi | 87% | 2772 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,275 psi | 90% | 2789 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,208 psi | 72% | 2644 fps | 98.4% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,621 psi | 86% | 2762 fps | 99.1% |
| Vihtavuori N540ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,476 psi | 87% | 2785 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,840 psi | 90% | 2858 fps | 99.8% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,650 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% | 51,271 psi | 82% | 2615 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,693 psi | 56% | 2405 fps | 99.5% |
| Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,426 psi | 73% | 2648 fps | 95.7% |
| Accurate 2230 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,469 psi | 73% | 2654 fps | 96.1% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,521 psi | 60% | 2487 fps | 98.2% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,745 psi | 43% | 2280 fps | 98% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,982 psi | 53% | 2425 fps | 96.5% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 82% | 27,282 psi | 44% | 2303 fps | 95.5% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,700 psi | 70% | 2507 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,063 psi | 71% | 2520 fps | 99% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,452 psi | 66% | 2589 fps | 95.6% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,137 psi | 76% | 2582 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,237 psi | 73% | 2638 fps | 95.8% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,148 psi | 68% | 2595 fps | 99.7% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,245 psi | 58% | 2457 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,995 psi | 51% | 2425 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | 46.3 gr | 80% | 38,609 psi | 62% | 2582 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,311 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% | 39,871 psi | 64% | 2516 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,684 psi | 67% | 2615 fps | 95.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 98% | 40,973 psi | 66% | 2667 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,095 psi | 77% | 2595 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,395 psi | 68% | 2500 fps | 99.8% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,325 psi | 74% | 2694 fps | 95.6% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 92% | 37,347 psi | 60% | 2546 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,201 psi | 58% | 2415 fps | 96.2% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 82% | 33,663 psi | 54% | 2457 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | 54.3 gr | 86% | 43,047 psi | 69% | 2694 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,609 psi | 62% | 2526 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,044 psi | 63% | 2539 fps | 98.7% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,109 psi | 77% | 2717 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,225 psi | 77% | 2595 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 86% | 39,015 psi | 63% | 2549 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,188 psi | 60% | 2556 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,685 psi | 40% | 1476 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,811 psi | 61% | 2507 fps | 95.1% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,618 psi | 49% | 2405 fps | 98.2% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,785 psi | 67% | 2569 fps | 95.1% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,147 psi | 66% | 2497 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,827 psi | 64% | 2592 fps | 95.3% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,245 psi | 58% | 2457 fps | 95.5% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,108 psi | 74% | 2651 fps | 99.2% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,144 psi | 60% | 2484 fps | 96.9% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,356 psi | 47% | 2349 fps | 95% |
| Lovex S053 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,953 psi | 85% | 2569 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,292 psi | 65% | 2493 fps | 95.3% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 88% | 36,056 psi | 58% | 2470 fps | 95.6% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,889 psi | 72% | 2582 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,491 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% | 41,046 psi | 66% | 2618 fps | 95.1% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,705 psi | 81% | 2717 fps | 95% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 86% | 39,987 psi | 64% | 2569 fps | 95.1% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,192 psi | 68% | 2556 fps | 95.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,714 psi | 40% | 1512 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,145 psi | 61% | 2497 fps | 97.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | 55 gr | 92% | 43,366 psi | 70% | 2713 fps | 95.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 90% | 33,779 psi | 54% | 2510 fps | 95.4% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,447 psi | 55% | 2405 fps | 97.3% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 86% | 35,766 psi | 57% | 2441 fps | 95.4% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 94% | 37,260 psi | 60% | 2536 fps | 95.3% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,108 psi | 74% | 2651 fps | 99.2% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,356 psi | 47% | 2349 fps | 95% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 88% | 36,056 psi | 58% | 2470 fps | 95.6% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,611 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% | 42,699 psi | 68% | 2602 fps | 99.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,235 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% | 51,343 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% | 32,474 psi | 52% | 2336 fps | 97.8% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,191 psi | 66% | 2569 fps | 95.3% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 94% | 38,740 psi | 62% | 2549 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,166 psi | 76% | 2536 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,898 psi | 61% | 2428 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,127 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% | 34,621 psi | 56% | 2441 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,955 psi | 58% | 2448 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 82% | 29,994 psi | 48% | 2329 fps | 95.8% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,314 psi | 52% | 2425 fps | 95.1% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,870 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 89 powders for 8.5 x 63 loaded with the .338 | 185gr | Fox Classic Hunter. 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 1:13.5 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 | Fox Classic Hunter 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.