Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .280 Ackley Improved with .284 | 168gr | Nosler Custom Competition bullet and 93 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 Vihtavuori N560.
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: 24"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 82% | 58,262 psi | 90% | 2631 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2700 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,361 psi | 85% | 2661 fps | 99.3% |
| Accurate 3100ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 57,740 psi | 89% | 2762 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 58,798 psi | 90% | 2687 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,144 psi | 86% | 2756 fps | 100% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,999 psi | 86% | 2851 fps | 97.3% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 86% | 58,436 psi | 90% | 2720 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,826 psi | 87% | 2802 fps | 99.1% |
| ADI AR 2213ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 58,291 psi | 90% | 2858 fps | 98.5% |
| ADI AR 2225ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,405 psi | 58% | 2530 fps | 96.7% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 82% | 58,291 psi | 90% | 2844 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,695 psi | 86% | 2690 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,101 psi | 86% | 2717 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,608 psi | 87% | 2802 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 88% | 58,305 psi | 90% | 2825 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,159 psi | 86% | 2789 fps | 99.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-22ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 57,493 psi | 88% | 2854 fps | 99.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-23ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,375 psi | 84% | 2772 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,137 psi | 73% | 2720 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 98% | 58,624 psi | 90% | 2917 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP15ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,765 psi | 81% | 2779 fps | 98.7% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,724 psi | 87% | 2710 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP30ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,960 psi | 66% | 2644 fps | 96% |
| Bofors RP5ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 57,493 psi | 88% | 2854 fps | 99.3% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,941 psi | 86% | 2703 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon H1000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,673 psi | 72% | 2661 fps | 97% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,087 psi | 88% | 2733 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 90% | 58,088 psi | 89% | 2805 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 57,696 psi | 89% | 2766 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 98% | 58,247 psi | 90% | 2799 fps | 97.9% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 98% | 57,305 psi | 88% | 2785 fps | 97.7% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 94% | 57,261 psi | 88% | 2730 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 82% | 58,552 psi | 90% | 2759 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumboᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,021 psi | 71% | 2756 fps | 98.3% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 90% | 58,639 psi | 90% | 2848 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,622 psi | 56% | 1673 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 82% | 58,711 psi | 90% | 2720 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,856 psi | 89% | 2703 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,536 psi | 87% | 2690 fps | 99.8% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 57,029 psi | 88% | 2740 fps | 99.6% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 88% | 57,363 psi | 88% | 2726 fps | 99.8% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,289 psi | 87% | 2743 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 82% | 57,566 psi | 89% | 2743 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,072 psi | 86% | 2733 fps | 97.7% |
| IMR 7828 SSCᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,651 psi | 86% | 2831 fps | 98.2% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 84% | 58,102 psi | 89% | 2694 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,725 psi | 89% | 2723 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,666 psi | 86% | 2720 fps | 99.8% |
| Lovex S071ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,008 psi | 74% | 2625 fps | 99.5% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,390 psi | 85% | 2703 fps | 100% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 92% | 58,001 psi | 89% | 2792 fps | 99.1% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 98% | 57,232 psi | 88% | 2877 fps | 99.9% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 92% | 58,291 psi | 90% | 2785 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,101 psi | 86% | 2730 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grandᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,159 psi | 86% | 2848 fps | 98.6% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,985 psi | 88% | 2792 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Magnumᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,343 psi | 77% | 2730 fps | 99% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,376 psi | 58% | 1713 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,768 psi | 87% | 2717 fps | 99.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 86% | 57,638 psi | 89% | 2812 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,941 psi | 86% | 2776 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 92% | 58,102 psi | 89% | 2858 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,122 psi | 71% | 2756 fps | 99.2% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,565 psi | 87% | 2657 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,898 psi | 88% | 2707 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 96% | 58,450 psi | 90% | 2772 fps | 98.5% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,651 psi | 86% | 2779 fps | 99.1% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,941 psi | 86% | 2703 fps | 99.5% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,725 psi | 89% | 2723 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 84% | 58,102 psi | 89% | 2694 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,666 psi | 86% | 2720 fps | 99.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 86% | 58,566 psi | 90% | 2766 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 57,609 psi | 89% | 2589 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,348 psi | 88% | 2680 fps | 99.8% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,172 psi | 85% | 2772 fps | 99% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,579 psi | 87% | 2700 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,492 psi | 87% | 2713 fps | 97.5% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 94% | 58,015 psi | 89% | 2789 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,057 psi | 86% | 2749 fps | 99.5% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 82% | 57,159 psi | 88% | 2615 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 82% | 57,043 psi | 88% | 2628 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 88% | 58,015 psi | 89% | 2677 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,739 psi | 87% | 2730 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N165ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,361 psi | 85% | 2730 fps | 99.3% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,143 psi | 85% | 2628 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,869 psi | 86% | 2740 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 98% | 57,087 psi | 88% | 2802 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 98% | 57,334 psi | 88% | 2867 fps | 98.1% |
| Vihtavuori N565ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,211 psi | 76% | 2726 fps | 96.8% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,115 psi | 86% | 2697 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 90% | 58,363 psi | 90% | 2808 fps | 99.9% |
| Winchester StaBALL HDᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,169 psi | 77% | 2848 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,318 psi | 87% | 2749 fps | 99% |
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 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,621 psi | 84% | 2585 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2700 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,040 psi | 80% | 2612 fps | 99% |
| Accurate 3100 | <<locked>> | 82% | 31,589 psi | 49% | 2297 fps | 95.7% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,822 psi | 80% | 2595 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,045 psi | 62% | 2493 fps | 99.4% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,820 psi | 75% | 2733 fps | 95.7% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,428 psi | 75% | 2575 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,493 psi | 59% | 2474 fps | 95% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 92% | 44,614 psi | 69% | 2628 fps | 95.5% |
| ADI AR 2225 | <<locked>> | 98% | 35,157 psi | 54% | 2470 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,259 psi | 83% | 2789 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,371 psi | 76% | 2598 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,692 psi | 81% | 2667 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,638 psi | 59% | 2500 fps | 99.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,947 psi | 68% | 2615 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,319 psi | 59% | 2470 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,624 psi | 59% | 2520 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,471 psi | 44% | 2274 fps | 98% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 86% | 30,269 psi | 47% | 2336 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | 51.9 gr | 80% | 30,516 psi | 47% | 2385 fps | 96.6% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 90% | 38,116 psi | 59% | 2507 fps | 95% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,864 psi | 77% | 2615 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP30 | <<locked>> | 98% | 40,219 psi | 62% | 2585 fps | 95.1% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,624 psi | 59% | 2520 fps | 95.4% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,714 psi | 67% | 2500 fps | 97.7% |
| Hodgdon H1000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 40,901 psi | 63% | 2546 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,038 psi | 77% | 2628 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,756 psi | 64% | 2533 fps | 97.9% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,643 psi | 69% | 2552 fps | 97.3% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,819 psi | 74% | 2635 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,746 psi | 72% | 2615 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,289 psi | 56% | 2395 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,636 psi | 84% | 2707 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | <<locked>> | 94% | 38,029 psi | 59% | 2579 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,654 psi | 63% | 2549 fps | 97.3% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,543 psi | 42% | 1496 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,129 psi | 85% | 2671 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,966 psi | 78% | 2605 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,156 psi | 82% | 2638 fps | 99.5% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,204 psi | 60% | 2434 fps | 96.6% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,020 psi | 69% | 2526 fps | 98.4% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,203 psi | 59% | 2441 fps | 99.1% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,070 psi | 83% | 2694 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,543 psi | 72% | 2575 fps | 95.6% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,569 psi | 65% | 2598 fps | 95% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,271 psi | 79% | 2598 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,540 psi | 65% | 2480 fps | 98.9% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,712 psi | 63% | 2464 fps | 97.7% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 86% | 30,893 psi | 48% | 2280 fps | 95.3% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,054 psi | 80% | 2654 fps | 100% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,653 psi | 59% | 2457 fps | 95% |
| Norma MRP | 52.9 gr | 84% | 35,259 psi | 54% | 2470 fps | 95.7% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,479 psi | 61% | 2480 fps | 99.2% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,446 psi | 81% | 2677 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,250 psi | 65% | 2605 fps | 95.3% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,305 psi | 59% | 2470 fps | 97.8% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 92% | 37,681 psi | 58% | 2490 fps | 95.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,050 psi | 43% | 1532 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,922 psi | 77% | 2615 fps | 99.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,688 psi | 72% | 2657 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,740 psi | 61% | 2510 fps | 99.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,290 psi | 59% | 2516 fps | 98.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | <<locked>> | 92% | 34,867 psi | 54% | 2497 fps | 95.4% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,113 psi | 82% | 2608 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,876 psi | 72% | 2562 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,467 psi | 65% | 2507 fps | 95.1% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,449 psi | 58% | 2454 fps | 95.1% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,714 psi | 67% | 2500 fps | 97.7% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,540 psi | 65% | 2480 fps | 98.9% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,271 psi | 79% | 2598 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,712 psi | 63% | 2464 fps | 97.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,022 psi | 74% | 2615 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,761 psi | 73% | 2461 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,698 psi | 64% | 2431 fps | 97.8% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 39,668 psi | 61% | 2503 fps | 95.8% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,050 psi | 72% | 2559 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,267 psi | 71% | 2549 fps | 95.3% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,129 psi | 56% | 2444 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,607 psi | 55% | 2385 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,577 psi | 82% | 2569 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,606 psi | 82% | 2585 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,904 psi | 69% | 2490 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,060 psi | 63% | 2484 fps | 99.4% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,463 psi | 58% | 2421 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,866 psi | 80% | 2582 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,350 psi | 62% | 2484 fps | 99.2% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,633 psi | 49% | 2343 fps | 98% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | 57.9 gr | 92% | 46,688 psi | 72% | 2694 fps | 95.8% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,888 psi | 66% | 2615 fps | 95% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,871 psi | 61% | 2448 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,974 psi | 65% | 2539 fps | 97.9% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,150 psi | 39% | 2257 fps | 97.3% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 88% | 39,856 psi | 61% | 2477 fps | 95.6% |
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 98 powders for .280 Ackley Improved loaded with the .284 | 168gr | Nosler Custom Competition. Alliant Reloder-26 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,917 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,673 fps to 2,917 fps. Accurate 3100 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 98 of the 98 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (448 MPa), the top charges use 51–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 168.0 gr projectile in 0.284" calls for a 1:11.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 3100, ADI AR 2213, ADI AR 2217 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, Vihtavuori N560 rank at the top here: for .280 Ackley Improved with the .284 | 168gr | Nosler Custom Competition they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, ADI AR 2217, Norma 217, ReloadSwiss RS 80 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.