Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 8.5 x 63 with .338 | 230gr | Axe Copper Spitzer bullet and 100 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, ReloadSwiss RS 52 and Hodgdon LEVERevolution.
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 2015 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,347 psi | 90% | 2418 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 82% | 53,635 psi | 86% | 2461 fps | 98.8% |
| Accurate 2230 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,099 psi | 87% | 2467 fps | 99.1% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,868 psi | 88% | 2444 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,939 psi | 85% | 2431 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,173 psi | 90% | 2497 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,057 psi | 90% | 2507 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,379 psi | 66% | 2365 fps | 96.3% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,534 psi | 86% | 2333 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,998 psi | 87% | 2352 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,390 psi | 89% | 2500 fps | 99.5% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,042 psi | 88% | 2349 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2208ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,217 psi | 90% | 2490 fps | 99.2% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,693 psi | 86% | 2441 fps | 100% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,737 psi | 88% | 2461 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,157 psi | 87% | 2444 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,202 psi | 90% | 2552 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,752 psi | 88% | 2595 fps | 99.1% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,781 psi | 88% | 2507 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,391 psi | 90% | 2425 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,246 psi | 90% | 2530 fps | 99.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-16ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,453 psi | 68% | 2375 fps | 96.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-17ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,863 psi | 78% | 2513 fps | 99.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,999 psi | 90% | 2365 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,811 psi | 89% | 2375 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,911 psi | 88% | 2513 fps | 98.8% |
| Bofors RP3ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,390 psi | 89% | 2523 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,056 psi | 87% | 2408 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,359 psi | 86% | 2490 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,955 psi | 88% | 2569 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,724 psi | 89% | 2464 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,243 psi | 85% | 2448 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,722 psi | 86% | 2487 fps | 98.1% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,535 psi | 89% | 2372 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,811 psi | 89% | 2510 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100Vᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 38,754 psi | 62% | 2277 fps | 97.2% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,795 psi | 86% | 2533 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,403 psi | 55% | 1447 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,853 psi | 86% | 2467 fps | 99.6% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,607 psi | 88% | 2497 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,825 psi | 90% | 2477 fps | 99.3% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,316 psi | 85% | 2411 fps | 95.7% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,041 psi | 87% | 2352 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4831ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,176 psi | 64% | 2326 fps | 96% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,911 psi | 86% | 2513 fps | 99.5% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,737 psi | 88% | 2461 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,042 psi | 88% | 2451 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,984 psi | 88% | 2454 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,128 psi | 87% | 2480 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,753 psi | 89% | 2434 fps | 99.5% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,926 psi | 88% | 2477 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex S065ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,616 psi | 76% | 2375 fps | 96.1% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 82% | 53,272 psi | 85% | 2362 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,027 psi | 87% | 2451 fps | 99.9% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,389 psi | 87% | 2461 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,230 psi | 89% | 2520 fps | 99.5% |
| Norma URPᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,119 psi | 68% | 2365 fps | 96.2% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,608 psi | 89% | 2543 fps | 99.5% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,506 psi | 89% | 2474 fps | 97.8% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,201 psi | 87% | 2490 fps | 99.4% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,217 psi | 90% | 2464 fps | 99.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,548 psi | 55% | 1483 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,592 psi | 88% | 2451 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,433 psi | 87% | 2470 fps | 96.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,637 psi | 89% | 2585 fps | 99.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,199 psi | 84% | 2572 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,114 psi | 88% | 2438 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,244 psi | 87% | 2448 fps | 99.9% |
| Rottweil R 903ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,242 psi | 82% | 2464 fps | 99.5% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,042 psi | 88% | 2451 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Long Rifleᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,616 psi | 76% | 2375 fps | 96.1% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,128 psi | 87% | 2480 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,926 psi | 88% | 2477 fps | 99.9% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,795 psi | 88% | 2425 fps | 99.8% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,549 psi | 87% | 2116 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,795 psi | 86% | 2448 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,345 psi | 86% | 2520 fps | 99.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,346 psi | 87% | 2405 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,171 psi | 85% | 2448 fps | 97.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,737 psi | 86% | 2474 fps | 99.4% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,229 psi | 85% | 2365 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,898 psi | 90% | 2402 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,217 psi | 90% | 2497 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,332 psi | 89% | 2405 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,246 psi | 90% | 2493 fps | 99.5% |
| Somchem S355ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,330 psi | 84% | 2467 fps | 99.5% |
| Somchem S365ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,521 psi | 60% | 2320 fps | 98.3% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,882 psi | 88% | 2303 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,405 psi | 90% | 2379 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,362 psi | 90% | 2392 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,113 psi | 85% | 2421 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,839 psi | 88% | 2438 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,386 psi | 81% | 2408 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N160ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,599 psi | 72% | 2369 fps | 96.7% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,288 psi | 89% | 2461 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,405 psi | 90% | 2480 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,308 psi | 69% | 2372 fps | 96.3% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALLᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,992 psi | 74% | 2362 fps | 98.7% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,331 psi | 87% | 2503 fps | 100% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,953 psi | 85% | 2480 fps | 99.6% |
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% | 38,957 psi | 62% | 2182 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,140 psi | 80% | 2408 fps | 98.4% |
| Accurate 2230 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,531 psi | 81% | 2418 fps | 98.7% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,047 psi | 67% | 2264 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,604 psi | 51% | 2106 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,405 psi | 60% | 2224 fps | 99.1% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,892 psi | 48% | 2087 fps | 98.4% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 98% | 38,725 psi | 62% | 2320 fps | 95.5% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,514 psi | 76% | 2254 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,906 psi | 77% | 2270 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,897 psi | 58% | 2185 fps | 96% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,735 psi | 83% | 2310 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,811 psi | 59% | 2188 fps | 95.4% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,847 psi | 75% | 2349 fps | 100% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,855 psi | 61% | 2198 fps | 97.8% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,332 psi | 58% | 2205 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,555 psi | 70% | 2365 fps | 98.6% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | 47.8 gr | 86% | 39,189 psi | 63% | 2329 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 82% | 31,270 psi | 50% | 2113 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,411 psi | 71% | 2270 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,071 psi | 58% | 2208 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 98% | 40,059 psi | 64% | 2326 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 88% | 33,083 psi | 53% | 2211 fps | 95% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,750 psi | 85% | 2326 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,122 psi | 74% | 2254 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 82% | 37,028 psi | 59% | 2224 fps | 95% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 82% | 30,530 psi | 49% | 2110 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,900 psi | 64% | 2198 fps | 98.7% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,549 psi | 57% | 2208 fps | 97.9% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,015 psi | 63% | 2313 fps | 96.3% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,917 psi | 69% | 2293 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,453 psi | 70% | 2310 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,263 psi | 66% | 2297 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,286 psi | 84% | 2333 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,143 psi | 58% | 2195 fps | 96.7% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 96% | 34,374 psi | 55% | 2192 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | 43.6 gr | 80% | 32,082 psi | 51% | 2156 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,585 psi | 41% | 1293 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,737 psi | 56% | 2152 fps | 96.2% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,809 psi | 56% | 2201 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,361 psi | 58% | 2172 fps | 95.6% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,328 psi | 81% | 2369 fps | 95% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,150 psi | 72% | 2238 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 98% | 37,565 psi | 60% | 2277 fps | 95.1% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,590 psi | 52% | 2146 fps | 95% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,855 psi | 61% | 2198 fps | 97.8% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,416 psi | 82% | 2405 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,945 psi | 67% | 2270 fps | 99.3% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,750 psi | 54% | 2165 fps | 98.4% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,782 psi | 59% | 2136 fps | 96.3% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,575 psi | 51% | 2087 fps | 96.1% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 98% | 44,585 psi | 71% | 2326 fps | 95.3% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,198 psi | 80% | 2326 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,244 psi | 57% | 2149 fps | 97.3% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,099 psi | 56% | 2162 fps | 99.2% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 82% | 33,286 psi | 53% | 2156 fps | 95.2% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 98% | 39,668 psi | 64% | 2320 fps | 95.5% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,041 psi | 56% | 2208 fps | 95.3% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,888 psi | 69% | 2287 fps | 95.1% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,492 psi | 59% | 2208 fps | 96.1% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,017 psi | 66% | 2238 fps | 97.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,585 psi | 41% | 1322 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,453 psi | 68% | 2277 fps | 99.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,747 psi | 77% | 2372 fps | 95.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | 45.3 gr | 84% | 37,347 psi | 60% | 2293 fps | 95.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 82% | 29,124 psi | 47% | 2119 fps | 95.9% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,899 psi | 62% | 2198 fps | 99.5% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,547 psi | 54% | 2110 fps | 96.7% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 84% | 30,647 psi | 49% | 2106 fps | 95% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,416 psi | 82% | 2405 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 98% | 44,585 psi | 71% | 2326 fps | 95.3% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,750 psi | 54% | 2165 fps | 98.4% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,575 psi | 51% | 2087 fps | 96.1% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,889 psi | 72% | 2287 fps | 98.8% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,967 psi | 83% | 2090 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,268 psi | 76% | 2359 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 86% | 34,330 psi | 55% | 2198 fps | 95.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,107 psi | 72% | 2283 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,480 psi | 65% | 2254 fps | 95.1% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,316 psi | 55% | 2152 fps | 95.4% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,985 psi | 59% | 2123 fps | 99.3% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,168 psi | 48% | 2008 fps | 98.8% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,132 psi | 64% | 2260 fps | 98.6% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,463 psi | 58% | 2129 fps | 99.7% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,085 psi | 56% | 2162 fps | 95.6% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 84% | 31,865 psi | 51% | 2116 fps | 95.2% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 92% | 29,399 psi | 47% | 2133 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,677 psi | 83% | 2264 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,974 psi | 67% | 2192 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,985 psi | 59% | 2129 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,140 psi | 52% | 2106 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,083 psi | 53% | 2106 fps | 99% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 82% | 28,297 psi | 45% | 2021 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 96% | 39,291 psi | 63% | 2277 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,536 psi | 60% | 2192 fps | 97.9% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,836 psi | 51% | 2096 fps | 98.3% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 98% | 40,799 psi | 65% | 2326 fps | 95.6% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 90% | 33,359 psi | 53% | 2129 fps | 95.2% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,274 psi | 58% | 2224 fps | 98.4% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,315 psi | 53% | 2152 fps | 95.8% |
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 117 powders for 8.5 x 63 loaded with the .338 | 230gr | Axe Copper Spitzer. Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,595 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,447 fps to 2,595 fps. Accurate 4064 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 117 of the 117 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (430 MPa), the top charges use 48–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 230.0 gr projectile in 0.338" calls for a 1:11.5 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, ReloadSwiss RS 52, Hodgdon LEVERevolution rank at the top here: for 8.5 x 63 with the .338 | 230gr | Axe Copper Spitzer they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, Accurate 2700, Alliant Reloder-23, Bofors RP7 burn incompletely and react more sensitively to barrel length and temperature. Always begin at the start load and work up in small increments while checking case and primer for pressure signs.