Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .280 Ackley Improved with .284 | 120gr | Barnes X BT bullet and 93 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are ReloadSwiss RS 70, Hodgdon Superformance and Alliant Reloder-17.
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: 24"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 82% | 57,682 psi | 89% | 3051 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 86% | 58,073 psi | 89% | 3091 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 82% | 58,479 psi | 90% | 3146 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2700 | <<locked>> | 88% | 58,537 psi | 90% | 3117 fps | 97.1% |
| Accurate 3100ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,095 psi | 74% | 3025 fps | 96.8% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 88% | 57,885 psi | 89% | 3136 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 96% | 57,435 psi | 88% | 3222 fps | 99.5% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,318 psi | 87% | 3153 fps | 99.9% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,101 psi | 88% | 3146 fps | 99.7% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 84% | 58,421 psi | 90% | 3153 fps | 100% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,449 psi | 87% | 3077 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,970 psi | 86% | 3278 fps | 99.7% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,986 psi | 89% | 3182 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 88% | 58,247 psi | 90% | 3202 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 98% | 57,406 psi | 88% | 3271 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,434 psi | 85% | 3251 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-23ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,092 psi | 69% | 3054 fps | 99.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-26ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,850 psi | 78% | 3235 fps | 98.8% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,014 psi | 86% | 3159 fps | 99.5% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,521 psi | 85% | 3146 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 94% | 58,421 psi | 90% | 3163 fps | 97.3% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,420 psi | 87% | 3077 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,984 psi | 85% | 3130 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,941 psi | 86% | 3153 fps | 99.1% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,709 psi | 86% | 3202 fps | 97.5% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,999 psi | 86% | 3163 fps | 96.2% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,913 psi | 88% | 3166 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100Vᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 57,711 psi | 89% | 3192 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,681 psi | 87% | 3199 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,159 psi | 86% | 3238 fps | 97.2% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,245 psi | 56% | 1972 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 86% | 57,740 psi | 89% | 3163 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,363 psi | 88% | 3153 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,695 psi | 87% | 3133 fps | 99.8% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,347 psi | 87% | 3107 fps | 97.5% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 98% | 58,784 psi | 90% | 3186 fps | 97.4% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,550 psi | 87% | 3136 fps | 97.4% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 98% | 57,580 psi | 89% | 3205 fps | 99.6% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,347 psi | 87% | 3182 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 84% | 58,421 psi | 90% | 3153 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,884 psi | 88% | 3133 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 86% | 58,581 psi | 90% | 3123 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 88% | 57,101 psi | 88% | 3133 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,594 psi | 87% | 3136 fps | 98.6% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 96% | 57,783 psi | 89% | 3176 fps | 98% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,680 psi | 86% | 3100 fps | 100% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,898 psi | 86% | 3100 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 88% | 57,522 psi | 88% | 3186 fps | 99.9% |
| Norma MRPᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,357 psi | 77% | 3182 fps | 96.2% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,753 psi | 86% | 3199 fps | 99.4% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 88% | 58,131 psi | 89% | 3212 fps | 99.9% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 98% | 58,073 psi | 89% | 3248 fps | 98.6% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 84% | 58,755 psi | 90% | 3169 fps | 99% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 84% | 58,682 psi | 90% | 3189 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,883 psi | 57% | 2018 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,101 psi | 86% | 3130 fps | 98% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,463 psi | 85% | 3219 fps | 99.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 92% | 58,798 psi | 90% | 3314 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,797 psi | 87% | 3238 fps | 99.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,753 psi | 86% | 3261 fps | 99.1% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,869 psi | 87% | 3087 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,304 psi | 87% | 3100 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,637 psi | 86% | 3140 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 94% | 58,421 psi | 90% | 3163 fps | 97.3% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,594 psi | 87% | 3136 fps | 98.6% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,884 psi | 88% | 3133 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 88% | 57,101 psi | 88% | 3133 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 96% | 57,783 psi | 89% | 3176 fps | 98% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,536 psi | 87% | 3192 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 84% | 58,044 psi | 89% | 3156 fps | 99.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 86% | 58,102 psi | 89% | 3173 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,333 psi | 87% | 3031 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,623 psi | 87% | 3028 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,695 psi | 87% | 3081 fps | 97.5% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,144 psi | 86% | 3031 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,130 psi | 88% | 3140 fps | 99.9% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,680 psi | 86% | 3136 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S365ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 57,812 psi | 89% | 3258 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,780 psi | 83% | 3130 fps | 96.4% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,492 psi | 87% | 3015 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,999 psi | 86% | 3064 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,246 psi | 87% | 3074 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,695 psi | 87% | 3107 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 96% | 57,943 psi | 89% | 3192 fps | 99.5% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,492 psi | 85% | 3094 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 88% | 57,972 psi | 89% | 3120 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 96% | 57,217 psi | 88% | 3199 fps | 99.4% |
| Vihtavuori N555ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,140 psi | 77% | 3140 fps | 99.2% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 96% | 58,044 psi | 89% | 3163 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,883 psi | 86% | 3150 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,912 psi | 86% | 3209 fps | 97.5% |
| Winchester StaBALL HDᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,973 psi | 63% | 3074 fps | 99.5% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 86% | 58,363 psi | 90% | 3182 fps | 100% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
Start Load - Barrel Length: 24"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,360 psi | 84% | 3005 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,327 psi | 74% | 2940 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,824 psi | 84% | 3091 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2700 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,677 psi | 80% | 3002 fps | 95.7% |
| Accurate 3100 | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,308 psi | 65% | 2910 fps | 95.2% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,672 psi | 70% | 2936 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,579 psi | 56% | 2805 fps | 95.3% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,922 psi | 77% | 3038 fps | 99.4% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,627 psi | 66% | 2874 fps | 97.7% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,808 psi | 80% | 3041 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,040 psi | 82% | 3031 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,847 psi | 71% | 3077 fps | 98.4% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,844 psi | 66% | 2907 fps | 99% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,672 psi | 70% | 2972 fps | 98.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,855 psi | 58% | 2861 fps | 95.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | 52.5 gr | 80% | 37,434 psi | 58% | 2877 fps | 97.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 88% | 31,691 psi | 49% | 2707 fps | 95% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 92% | 38,928 psi | 60% | 2963 fps | 95.5% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,226 psi | 76% | 3041 fps | 98.7% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,366 psi | 67% | 2923 fps | 99.2% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,849 psi | 75% | 2989 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,345 psi | 82% | 3028 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,619 psi | 79% | 3074 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,613 psi | 67% | 2917 fps | 96.9% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,108 psi | 71% | 3022 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,504 psi | 81% | 3097 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,459 psi | 78% | 3051 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,270 psi | 48% | 2641 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,789 psi | 72% | 3025 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | 62.4 gr | 90% | 48,863 psi | 75% | 3100 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,209 psi | 42% | 1768 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,240 psi | 74% | 2995 fps | 99.5% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,459 psi | 78% | 3045 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,802 psi | 69% | 2913 fps | 98.4% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,934 psi | 72% | 2930 fps | 95.4% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,965 psi | 75% | 3012 fps | 95.3% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,195 psi | 73% | 2963 fps | 95.4% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,304 psi | 57% | 2808 fps | 95.7% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,818 psi | 72% | 3009 fps | 99.1% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,808 psi | 80% | 3041 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,285 psi | 77% | 3028 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,327 psi | 76% | 2966 fps | 99.4% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,281 psi | 70% | 2923 fps | 99.6% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,366 psi | 65% | 2861 fps | 95.6% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 88% | 45,484 psi | 70% | 2946 fps | 95.3% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,356 psi | 76% | 2992 fps | 99.9% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,501 psi | 76% | 2995 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,078 psi | 69% | 2959 fps | 98.8% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,268 psi | 73% | 3120 fps | 95.3% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,493 psi | 59% | 2854 fps | 95.8% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,802 psi | 69% | 2972 fps | 98.6% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,308 psi | 65% | 2946 fps | 95.1% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,011 psi | 80% | 3051 fps | 98.1% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,779 psi | 80% | 3074 fps | 99.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,644 psi | 43% | 1808 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,526 psi | 67% | 2887 fps | 95.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,544 psi | 75% | 3094 fps | 98.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,624 psi | 61% | 2946 fps | 99.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,174 psi | 59% | 2867 fps | 95.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | 57.3 gr | 86% | 40,161 psi | 62% | 2933 fps | 95.4% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,693 psi | 83% | 3038 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,108 psi | 72% | 2940 fps | 99.7% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,915 psi | 63% | 2861 fps | 98.5% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,849 psi | 75% | 2989 fps | 95.2% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,366 psi | 65% | 2861 fps | 95.6% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,285 psi | 77% | 3028 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,281 psi | 70% | 2923 fps | 99.6% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 45,484 psi | 70% | 2946 fps | 95.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,307 psi | 64% | 2904 fps | 97.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,937 psi | 78% | 3035 fps | 98.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,443 psi | 75% | 3005 fps | 99.2% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,980 psi | 77% | 2930 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,148 psi | 65% | 2785 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,210 psi | 73% | 2913 fps | 95.5% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,879 psi | 77% | 2933 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,096 psi | 77% | 3018 fps | 99.4% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,162 psi | 63% | 2858 fps | 98.4% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,879 psi | 48% | 2690 fps | 96.6% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 98% | 50,662 psi | 78% | 3074 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,198 psi | 77% | 2920 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,746 psi | 72% | 2917 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,992 psi | 72% | 2923 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,334 psi | 61% | 2789 fps | 99% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 82% | 37,521 psi | 58% | 2792 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,243 psi | 80% | 3041 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,440 psi | 70% | 2910 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 82% | 37,144 psi | 57% | 2795 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 88% | 34,635 psi | 53% | 2799 fps | 95.3% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,693 psi | 53% | 2700 fps | 96.9% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,359 psi | 81% | 3094 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,108 psi | 71% | 3022 fps | 95.3% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 92% | 32,010 psi | 49% | 2799 fps | 95.8% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,312 psi | 74% | 3015 fps | 99.5% |
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 113 powders for .280 Ackley Improved loaded with the .284 | 120gr | Barnes X BT. ReloadSwiss RS 60 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,314 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,972 fps to 3,314 fps. Accurate 3100 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 113 of the 113 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (448 MPa), the top charges use 56–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 120.0 gr projectile in 0.284" calls for a 1:11.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 3100, ADI AR 2209, ADI AR 2213 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. ReloadSwiss RS 70, Hodgdon Superformance, Alliant Reloder-17 rank at the top here: for .280 Ackley Improved with the .284 | 120gr | Barnes X BT they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, ADI AR 2213, Alliant Reloder-22, Alliant Reloder-25 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.