Load Specifications
Bullet Manufacturer:Barnes
Bullet Weight:225 gr
Bullet Diameter:0.338"
Bullet Length:<<locked>>
Caliber:8.5 x 63 load data
Case Length (l3):2.48"
Cartridge Length (C.O.L.):<<locked>>
Case Capacity:75.5 Grains of Water
Primer Size:Large Rifle (LR)
Barrel Length:23.62"
Max. allowed Pressure:62,366 psi
Recommended Twist Rate:1:12.0
Load data in caliber 8.5 x 63 with .338 | 225gr | Barnes TAC-TX BT bullet and 99 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR, Hodgdon CFE223 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 2015 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,347 psi | 89% | 2451 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 82% | 52,808 psi | 85% | 2493 fps | 98.7% |
| Accurate 2230 | <<locked>> | 82% | 53,171 psi | 85% | 2500 fps | 99% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,954 psi | 87% | 2477 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,955 psi | 88% | 2500 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,129 psi | 88% | 2530 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,650 psi | 88% | 2536 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,205 psi | 64% | 2388 fps | 95.9% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,939 psi | 85% | 2369 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,388 psi | 86% | 2388 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,360 psi | 87% | 2530 fps | 99.4% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,085 psi | 87% | 2382 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2208ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,448 psi | 89% | 2526 fps | 99.1% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,692 psi | 84% | 2470 fps | 100% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,114 psi | 87% | 2497 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,287 psi | 85% | 2480 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,347 psi | 89% | 2589 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,099 psi | 87% | 2631 fps | 99% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,186 psi | 87% | 2543 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,724 psi | 89% | 2461 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,274 psi | 89% | 2562 fps | 99.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-16ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,930 psi | 67% | 2405 fps | 96.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-17ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,008 psi | 77% | 2543 fps | 99.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,201 psi | 89% | 2402 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,347 psi | 89% | 2411 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,302 psi | 87% | 2549 fps | 98.7% |
| Bofors RP3ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,143 psi | 87% | 2552 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,287 psi | 85% | 2444 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,927 psi | 90% | 2569 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,128 psi | 87% | 2602 fps | 99.2% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,969 psi | 88% | 2500 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,173 psi | 90% | 2526 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H380ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,333 psi | 90% | 2566 fps | 98.4% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,013 psi | 88% | 2411 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,781 psi | 88% | 2543 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100Vᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,913 psi | 61% | 2303 fps | 96.9% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,243 psi | 85% | 2569 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,011 psi | 55% | 1473 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,287 psi | 85% | 2503 fps | 99.6% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,650 psi | 86% | 2530 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,810 psi | 88% | 2510 fps | 99.2% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,202 psi | 90% | 2493 fps | 96.2% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,243 psi | 85% | 2388 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,055 psi | 85% | 2546 fps | 99.4% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,114 psi | 87% | 2497 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,041 psi | 87% | 2484 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,027 psi | 87% | 2487 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,069 psi | 85% | 2513 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,303 psi | 89% | 2474 fps | 99.5% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,070 psi | 87% | 2510 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex S065ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,615 psi | 75% | 2402 fps | 95.8% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,361 psi | 89% | 2434 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,434 psi | 90% | 2526 fps | 100% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,374 psi | 86% | 2493 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,302 psi | 87% | 2552 fps | 99.5% |
| Norma URPᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,437 psi | 66% | 2395 fps | 96% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,810 psi | 88% | 2579 fps | 99.4% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,679 psi | 88% | 2510 fps | 97.6% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,374 psi | 86% | 2523 fps | 99.3% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,477 psi | 89% | 2500 fps | 99.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,316 psi | 55% | 1509 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,780 psi | 86% | 2484 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,708 psi | 86% | 2503 fps | 96.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,984 psi | 88% | 2621 fps | 99.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,387 psi | 82% | 2605 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,954 psi | 87% | 2470 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,388 psi | 86% | 2480 fps | 99.8% |
| Rottweil R 903ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,415 psi | 81% | 2497 fps | 99.4% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,041 psi | 87% | 2484 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Long Rifleᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,615 psi | 75% | 2402 fps | 95.8% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,069 psi | 85% | 2513 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,070 psi | 87% | 2510 fps | 99.9% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,172 psi | 87% | 2461 fps | 99.7% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 82% | 53,838 psi | 86% | 2152 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,229 psi | 85% | 2484 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,663 psi | 84% | 2556 fps | 99.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,301 psi | 85% | 2434 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,072 psi | 90% | 2533 fps | 98.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,434 psi | 90% | 2552 fps | 99.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,796 psi | 89% | 2441 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,897 psi | 88% | 2431 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,317 psi | 89% | 2533 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,273 psi | 87% | 2438 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,608 psi | 89% | 2530 fps | 99.4% |
| Somchem S355ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,387 psi | 82% | 2500 fps | 99.4% |
| Somchem S365ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,753 psi | 59% | 2346 fps | 98.1% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 82% | 53,969 psi | 87% | 2336 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,724 psi | 89% | 2415 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,579 psi | 89% | 2428 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,448 psi | 89% | 2493 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,751 psi | 86% | 2470 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,719 psi | 80% | 2444 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N160ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,642 psi | 70% | 2395 fps | 96.4% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,607 psi | 88% | 2497 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,419 psi | 89% | 2513 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,511 psi | 68% | 2398 fps | 96% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALLᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,165 psi | 72% | 2392 fps | 98.5% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,505 psi | 86% | 2539 fps | 100% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,956 psi | 90% | 2562 fps | 99.8% |
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 2015 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,058 psi | 61% | 2211 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,385 psi | 79% | 2444 fps | 98.2% |
| Accurate 2230 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,632 psi | 80% | 2451 fps | 98.6% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,104 psi | 66% | 2293 fps | 99.7% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,994 psi | 48% | 2116 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,448 psi | 58% | 2247 fps | 99% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,427 psi | 46% | 2096 fps | 97.9% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 98% | 37,594 psi | 60% | 2339 fps | 95.1% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,007 psi | 75% | 2290 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,427 psi | 76% | 2306 fps | 99.9% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,809 psi | 56% | 2205 fps | 95.6% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,807 psi | 81% | 2343 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 86% | 35,984 psi | 58% | 2211 fps | 95.1% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,006 psi | 74% | 2382 fps | 100% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,854 psi | 59% | 2221 fps | 97.5% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,317 psi | 57% | 2228 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,395 psi | 68% | 2388 fps | 98.3% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | 49.1 gr | 86% | 38,522 psi | 62% | 2359 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 82% | 30,342 psi | 49% | 2133 fps | 95.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,381 psi | 70% | 2300 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,273 psi | 57% | 2234 fps | 95.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 98% | 39,320 psi | 63% | 2356 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 90% | 34,490 psi | 55% | 2283 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,706 psi | 83% | 2359 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,498 psi | 73% | 2287 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,696 psi | 62% | 2300 fps | 95.5% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 84% | 31,531 psi | 51% | 2175 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,189 psi | 63% | 2224 fps | 98.5% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,519 psi | 55% | 2228 fps | 97.6% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | 46.7 gr | 80% | 38,218 psi | 61% | 2339 fps | 96% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,163 psi | 68% | 2323 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,728 psi | 69% | 2343 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,205 psi | 64% | 2323 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,822 psi | 83% | 2369 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,027 psi | 56% | 2215 fps | 96.3% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 96% | 33,402 psi | 54% | 2208 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,154 psi | 50% | 2175 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,150 psi | 40% | 1312 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,968 psi | 54% | 2178 fps | 95.8% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,794 psi | 54% | 2224 fps | 99.8% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,505 psi | 57% | 2195 fps | 95.2% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,692 psi | 84% | 2444 fps | 95.5% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,541 psi | 71% | 2274 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 82% | 33,721 psi | 54% | 2215 fps | 95.3% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,854 psi | 59% | 2221 fps | 97.5% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,212 psi | 81% | 2434 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,915 psi | 66% | 2297 fps | 99.1% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,619 psi | 52% | 2182 fps | 98.1% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,129 psi | 58% | 2165 fps | 96% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,661 psi | 49% | 2106 fps | 95.7% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 98% | 43,729 psi | 70% | 2356 fps | 95.1% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,776 psi | 78% | 2352 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,040 psi | 55% | 2169 fps | 96.9% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,040 psi | 55% | 2185 fps | 98.9% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 84% | 34,592 psi | 55% | 2224 fps | 95.6% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 98% | 38,812 psi | 62% | 2346 fps | 95.2% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,695 psi | 59% | 2283 fps | 95.9% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 86% | 45,020 psi | 72% | 2362 fps | 95.6% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,723 psi | 57% | 2234 fps | 95.8% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,045 psi | 64% | 2264 fps | 96.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,309 psi | 41% | 1345 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,611 psi | 67% | 2303 fps | 99.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,181 psi | 76% | 2408 fps | 95.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | 46.4 gr | 84% | 36,274 psi | 58% | 2313 fps | 95.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 82% | 28,340 psi | 45% | 2139 fps | 95.3% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,550 psi | 60% | 2218 fps | 99.3% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,372 psi | 52% | 2126 fps | 96.3% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 86% | 31,647 psi | 51% | 2169 fps | 95.4% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,212 psi | 81% | 2434 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 98% | 43,729 psi | 70% | 2356 fps | 95.1% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,619 psi | 52% | 2182 fps | 98.1% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,661 psi | 49% | 2106 fps | 95.7% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,888 psi | 70% | 2313 fps | 98.7% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,343 psi | 82% | 2123 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,543 psi | 75% | 2392 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 88% | 35,708 psi | 57% | 2270 fps | 95.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,208 psi | 71% | 2313 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,424 psi | 68% | 2329 fps | 95.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,431 psi | 54% | 2175 fps | 95% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,013 psi | 58% | 2149 fps | 99.2% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,283 psi | 47% | 2028 fps | 98.6% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,291 psi | 63% | 2290 fps | 98.4% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,360 psi | 57% | 2152 fps | 99.5% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,287 psi | 55% | 2188 fps | 95.2% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 86% | 33,011 psi | 53% | 2182 fps | 95.6% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 94% | 30,342 psi | 49% | 2198 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,821 psi | 81% | 2300 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,060 psi | 66% | 2221 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,100 psi | 58% | 2152 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,082 psi | 50% | 2126 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,256 psi | 52% | 2129 fps | 98.8% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,298 psi | 47% | 2083 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,075 psi | 66% | 2352 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,695 psi | 59% | 2218 fps | 97.6% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,922 psi | 50% | 2116 fps | 98% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 98% | 39,827 psi | 64% | 2349 fps | 95.2% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 92% | 34,664 psi | 56% | 2198 fps | 95.7% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,331 psi | 57% | 2247 fps | 98.1% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,561 psi | 52% | 2175 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 99 powders for 8.5 x 63 loaded with the .338 | 225gr | Barnes TAC-TX BT. Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,631 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,473 fps to 2,631 fps. Accurate 4064 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 99 of the 99 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 225.0 gr projectile in 0.338" calls for a 1:12.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 4064, Accurate 4350, 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. Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR, Hodgdon CFE223, ReloadSwiss RS 52 rank at the top here: for 8.5 x 63 with the .338 | 225gr | Barnes TAC-TX 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.