Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .280 Ackley Improved with .284 | 160gr | Barnes XLC S bullet and 90 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Alliant Reloder-26, Norma MRP and ReloadSwiss RS 70.
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 2700 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,695 psi | 86% | 2700 fps | 98.9% |
| Accurate 3100ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 58,175 psi | 89% | 2808 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,478 psi | 87% | 2694 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,594 psi | 87% | 2802 fps | 100% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,521 psi | 85% | 2884 fps | 96.4% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 86% | 58,001 psi | 89% | 2759 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,304 psi | 87% | 2831 fps | 98.5% |
| ADI AR 2213ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 57,609 psi | 89% | 2884 fps | 97.7% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 82% | 57,595 psi | 89% | 2881 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,956 psi | 86% | 2736 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,304 psi | 87% | 2759 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,101 psi | 86% | 2841 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 88% | 57,537 psi | 89% | 2864 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,782 psi | 86% | 2822 fps | 98.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-22ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,782 psi | 87% | 2884 fps | 98.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-23ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,012 psi | 83% | 2815 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,079 psi | 72% | 2753 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 98% | 57,914 psi | 89% | 2956 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP15ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,243 psi | 80% | 2812 fps | 98% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,435 psi | 88% | 2759 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP5ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,782 psi | 87% | 2884 fps | 98.8% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,999 psi | 86% | 2740 fps | 99.1% |
| Hodgdon H1000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,644 psi | 72% | 2687 fps | 96% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,203 psi | 88% | 2772 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,914 psi | 89% | 2844 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 57,392 psi | 88% | 2799 fps | 98.9% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 98% | 57,827 psi | 89% | 2828 fps | 97.1% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,536 psi | 87% | 2808 fps | 96.9% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,695 psi | 87% | 2769 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 82% | 58,175 psi | 89% | 2802 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumboᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,311 psi | 71% | 2792 fps | 97.6% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,798 psi | 89% | 2877 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,840 psi | 57% | 1699 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 82% | 58,494 psi | 90% | 2759 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,783 psi | 89% | 2743 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,550 psi | 87% | 2726 fps | 99.5% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,884 psi | 88% | 2772 fps | 99.2% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 88% | 57,290 psi | 88% | 2762 fps | 99.5% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,463 psi | 87% | 2789 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 82% | 57,667 psi | 89% | 2785 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,724 psi | 86% | 2759 fps | 96.9% |
| IMR 7828 SSCᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,027 psi | 85% | 2854 fps | 97.3% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 84% | 58,450 psi | 90% | 2740 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,928 psi | 89% | 2766 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,985 psi | 86% | 2759 fps | 99.5% |
| Lovex S071ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,965 psi | 75% | 2674 fps | 99.2% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,608 psi | 86% | 2746 fps | 100% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 92% | 57,508 psi | 88% | 2825 fps | 98.6% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,550 psi | 87% | 2910 fps | 99.6% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 92% | 58,160 psi | 89% | 2828 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,912 psi | 86% | 2769 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grandᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,550 psi | 85% | 2874 fps | 97.8% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,579 psi | 87% | 2828 fps | 99.9% |
| Ramshot Magnumᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,038 psi | 77% | 2759 fps | 98.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,666 psi | 58% | 1742 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,768 psi | 87% | 2756 fps | 99.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 86% | 57,101 psi | 88% | 2858 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,796 psi | 86% | 2818 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 92% | 57,493 psi | 88% | 2894 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,166 psi | 71% | 2782 fps | 98.5% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 82% | 57,087 psi | 88% | 2703 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 86% | 57,508 psi | 88% | 2756 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 96% | 58,015 psi | 89% | 2802 fps | 97.8% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 98% | 58,682 psi | 90% | 2861 fps | 99% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,999 psi | 86% | 2740 fps | 99.1% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,928 psi | 89% | 2766 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 84% | 58,450 psi | 90% | 2740 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,985 psi | 86% | 2759 fps | 99.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 86% | 58,320 psi | 90% | 2808 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 57,551 psi | 89% | 2631 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,595 psi | 89% | 2720 fps | 99.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 98% | 58,175 psi | 89% | 2858 fps | 98.9% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 86% | 57,000 psi | 88% | 2746 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,202 psi | 86% | 2743 fps | 96.7% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 94% | 57,537 psi | 89% | 2831 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,072 psi | 86% | 2789 fps | 99.2% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 82% | 57,319 psi | 88% | 2657 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 82% | 57,130 psi | 88% | 2671 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 88% | 58,001 psi | 89% | 2717 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,623 psi | 87% | 2772 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N165ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,216 psi | 85% | 2766 fps | 98.8% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,448 psi | 85% | 2674 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,709 psi | 86% | 2779 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 98% | 57,130 psi | 88% | 2844 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,623 psi | 87% | 2897 fps | 97.3% |
| Vihtavuori N565ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,284 psi | 76% | 2766 fps | 96% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,709 psi | 86% | 2736 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,914 psi | 89% | 2844 fps | 99.6% |
| Winchester StaBALL HDᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,284 psi | 76% | 2887 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,825 psi | 86% | 2779 fps | 98.4% |
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 2700 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,127 psi | 80% | 2644 fps | 98.5% |
| Accurate 3100 | <<locked>> | 82% | 33,214 psi | 51% | 2359 fps | 95.5% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,447 psi | 82% | 2654 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,176 psi | 63% | 2546 fps | 99.2% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,112 psi | 80% | 2828 fps | 95.6% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,776 psi | 75% | 2618 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,307 psi | 64% | 2562 fps | 95.1% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,601 psi | 73% | 2710 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,998 psi | 83% | 2831 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,705 psi | 76% | 2644 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,968 psi | 81% | 2710 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,247 psi | 60% | 2543 fps | 99.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,251 psi | 68% | 2657 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,220 psi | 63% | 2559 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,727 psi | 64% | 2615 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,805 psi | 46% | 2333 fps | 97.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 88% | 33,156 psi | 51% | 2438 fps | 95.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | 50.6 gr | 80% | 31,662 psi | 49% | 2441 fps | 96.3% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,162 psi | 63% | 2602 fps | 95.2% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,691 psi | 78% | 2664 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,727 psi | 64% | 2615 fps | 95.6% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,324 psi | 68% | 2543 fps | 97.2% |
| Hodgdon H1000 | <<locked>> | 98% | 43,830 psi | 67% | 2631 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,546 psi | 78% | 2671 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,264 psi | 65% | 2575 fps | 97.3% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,933 psi | 69% | 2589 fps | 96.6% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 94% | 50,821 psi | 78% | 2717 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,777 psi | 77% | 2700 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,115 psi | 57% | 2444 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,650 psi | 84% | 2753 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,031 psi | 63% | 2671 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,104 psi | 63% | 2589 fps | 96.6% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,818 psi | 43% | 1522 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,027 psi | 85% | 2710 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,285 psi | 79% | 2648 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,185 psi | 82% | 2674 fps | 99.1% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,726 psi | 61% | 2470 fps | 96% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,252 psi | 70% | 2562 fps | 97.8% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,247 psi | 60% | 2493 fps | 98.9% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,259 psi | 83% | 2736 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,617 psi | 76% | 2661 fps | 95.6% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 94% | 45,774 psi | 70% | 2690 fps | 95% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,011 psi | 80% | 2648 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,511 psi | 67% | 2526 fps | 98.6% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,829 psi | 64% | 2513 fps | 97.4% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 86% | 32,532 psi | 50% | 2343 fps | 95.2% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,359 psi | 81% | 2700 fps | 100% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,698 psi | 64% | 2549 fps | 95.1% |
| Norma MRP | 51.6 gr | 84% | 36,071 psi | 55% | 2520 fps | 95.1% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,306 psi | 62% | 2530 fps | 98.9% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,605 psi | 81% | 2720 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 94% | 45,643 psi | 70% | 2700 fps | 95.3% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,914 psi | 60% | 2516 fps | 97.3% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 92% | 38,435 psi | 59% | 2530 fps | 95% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,413 psi | 44% | 1558 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,314 psi | 77% | 2654 fps | 99.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,833 psi | 72% | 2703 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,364 psi | 62% | 2556 fps | 98.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | 50.2 gr | 80% | 38,972 psi | 60% | 2562 fps | 98.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | <<locked>> | 94% | 38,058 psi | 59% | 2598 fps | 95.7% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,925 psi | 83% | 2661 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,979 psi | 74% | 2615 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 88% | 45,701 psi | 70% | 2598 fps | 95.2% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,408 psi | 62% | 2546 fps | 95.2% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,324 psi | 68% | 2543 fps | 97.2% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,511 psi | 67% | 2526 fps | 98.6% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,011 psi | 80% | 2648 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,829 psi | 64% | 2513 fps | 97.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,254 psi | 74% | 2657 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,153 psi | 74% | 2503 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,554 psi | 65% | 2474 fps | 97.4% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,030 psi | 62% | 2543 fps | 95.1% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,950 psi | 74% | 2608 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,647 psi | 76% | 2638 fps | 95.3% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,854 psi | 57% | 2493 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,015 psi | 60% | 2487 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,070 psi | 83% | 2615 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,983 psi | 83% | 2631 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,716 psi | 70% | 2539 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,568 psi | 64% | 2523 fps | 99.1% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,495 psi | 62% | 2510 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,257 psi | 80% | 2628 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,133 psi | 63% | 2530 fps | 98.9% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,040 psi | 51% | 2408 fps | 97.9% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,719 psi | 76% | 2782 fps | 95.8% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 98% | 46,282 psi | 71% | 2710 fps | 95.2% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,466 psi | 62% | 2493 fps | 99.9% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,467 psi | 65% | 2582 fps | 97.4% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,629 psi | 41% | 2323 fps | 97.2% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 90% | 43,047 psi | 66% | 2569 fps | 95.7% |
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 90 powders for .280 Ackley Improved loaded with the .284 | 160gr | Barnes XLC S. Alliant Reloder-26 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,956 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,699 fps to 2,956 fps. Accurate 3100 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 90 of the 90 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (448 MPa), the top charges use 57–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 160.0 gr projectile in 0.284" calls for a 1:10.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 3100, ADI AR 2213, Alliant Reloder-22 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 Reloder-26, Norma MRP, ReloadSwiss RS 70 rank at the top here: for .280 Ackley Improved with the .284 | 160gr | Barnes XLC S 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.