Load data for .280 Ackley Improved + .284 | 170gr | CutEdge MTH

.280 Ackley Improved cartridge drawing
Cutting Edge logo

Load Specifications

Bullet Manufacturer:Cutting Edge
Bullet Weight:170 gr
Bullet Diameter:0.284"
Bullet Length:<<locked>>
Case Length (l3):2.54"
Cartridge Length (C.O.L.):<<locked>>
Case Capacity:74 Grains of Water
Primer Size:Large Rifle (LR)
Barrel Length:24"
Max. allowed Pressure:65,000 psi
Recommended Twist Rate:1:9.0

Load data in caliber .280 Ackley Improved with .284 | 170gr | CutEdge MTH bullet and 106 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are ReloadSwiss RS 70, Alliant Reloder-26 and Hodgdon Superformance.

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"

PowderChargeFRMaxP%V(0)z
Accurate 2495<<locked>>84%57,450 psi88%2598 fps100%
Accurate 2700<<locked>>84%55,492 psi85%2631 fps99.2%
Accurate 3100ᴾ<<locked>>100%52,968 psi81%2674 fps99.8%
Accurate 4064<<locked>>86%57,812 psi89%2651 fps100%
Accurate 4350<<locked>>92%55,230 psi85%2717 fps100%
Accurate MAGPROᴾ<<locked>>100%55,317 psi85%2815 fps96.9%
ADI AR 2206H<<locked>>82%57,174 psi88%2684 fps100%
ADI AR 2208<<locked>>88%58,610 psi90%2694 fps100%
ADI AR 2209<<locked>>98%56,449 psi87%2766 fps98.9%
ADI AR 2213ᴾ<<locked>>100%54,099 psi83%2762 fps97.6%
Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR<<locked>>84%58,320 psi90%2818 fps100%
Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5<<locked>>86%55,680 psi86%2664 fps100%
Alliant Reloder-15<<locked>>84%56,043 psi86%2690 fps100%
Alliant Reloder-16<<locked>>94%56,449 psi87%2772 fps100%
Alliant Reloder-17<<locked>>90%57,841 psi89%2795 fps100%
Alliant Reloder-19<<locked>>98%55,622 psi86%2753 fps98.9%
Alliant Reloder-22ᴾ<<locked>>100%52,852 psi81%2759 fps98.6%
Alliant Reloder-23ᴾ<<locked>>100%49,763 psi77%2687 fps100%
Alliant Reloder-25ᴾ<<locked>>100%43,395 psi67%2625 fps99.5%
Alliant Reloder-26ᴾ<<locked>>100%57,363 psi88%2877 fps100%
Baschieri & Pellagri 107<<locked>>82%57,421 psi88%2710 fps100%
Bofors RP15ᴾ<<locked>>100%48,515 psi75%2687 fps97.8%
Bofors RP3<<locked>>86%56,289 psi87%2680 fps100%
Bofors RP5ᴾ<<locked>>100%52,852 psi81%2759 fps98.6%
Bofors RP7<<locked>>90%55,753 psi86%2671 fps99.4%
Hodgdon H380<<locked>>86%57,014 psi88%2703 fps100%
Hodgdon H414<<locked>>92%57,812 psi89%2772 fps99.8%
Hodgdon H4350<<locked>>90%57,435 psi88%2733 fps99.2%
Hodgdon H4831ᴾ<<locked>>100%58,247 psi90%2766 fps97.6%
Hodgdon H4831 SCᴾ<<locked>>100%56,869 psi87%2746 fps97.4%
Hodgdon H4895<<locked>>82%57,841 psi89%2694 fps100%
Hodgdon Hybrid 100V<<locked>>96%56,536 psi87%2697 fps100%
Hodgdon LEVERevolution<<locked>>84%58,465 psi90%2733 fps100%
Hodgdon Retumboᴾ<<locked>>100%42,424 psi65%2654 fps97%
Hodgdon Superformance<<locked>>92%58,262 psi90%2815 fps99.8%
Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ<<locked>>100%36,332 psi56%1637 fps100%
Hodgdon VARGET<<locked>>82%55,535 psi85%2651 fps100%
IMR 3031<<locked>>82%58,610 psi90%2664 fps100%
IMR 4064<<locked>>86%58,073 psi89%2677 fps100%
IMR 4166 Enduron<<locked>>84%57,029 psi88%2664 fps99.7%
IMR 4350<<locked>>94%56,985 psi88%2710 fps99.5%
IMR 4451 Enduron<<locked>>90%57,783 psi89%2700 fps99.7%
IMR 4831<<locked>>94%55,767 psi86%2710 fps100%
IMR 4895<<locked>>84%57,522 psi88%2717 fps100%
IMR 4955 Enduron<<locked>>98%55,796 psi86%2697 fps97.4%
IMR 7828 SSCᴾ<<locked>>100%51,401 psi79%2733 fps97.1%
Lovex D073.6<<locked>>82%57,522 psi88%2657 fps100%
Lovex S060<<locked>>82%55,883 psi86%2612 fps100%
Lovex S062<<locked>>86%58,117 psi89%2667 fps100%
Lovex S065<<locked>>92%57,595 psi89%2694 fps100%
Lovex S070<<locked>>92%55,187 psi85%2684 fps99.7%
Lovex S071ᴾ<<locked>>100%43,859 psi67%2533 fps98.9%
Norma 201<<locked>>82%55,767 psi86%2628 fps100%
Norma 202<<locked>>82%56,753 psi87%2625 fps100%
Norma 203B<<locked>>86%58,813 psi90%2723 fps100%
Norma 204<<locked>>94%57,812 psi89%2762 fps98.9%
Norma MRPᴾ<<locked>>100%56,362 psi87%2841 fps99.8%
Norma URP<<locked>>94%57,856 psi89%2756 fps100%
Ramshot Big Game<<locked>>84%56,115 psi86%2703 fps100%
Ramshot Grandᴾ<<locked>>100%51,837 psi80%2749 fps97.6%
Ramshot Hunter<<locked>>94%56,565 psi87%2762 fps100%
Ramshot Magnumᴾ<<locked>>100%45,832 psi71%2628 fps97.9%
ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ<<locked>>100%37,043 psi57%1677 fps100%
ReloadSwiss RS 50<<locked>>86%56,985 psi88%2690 fps99.9%
ReloadSwiss RS 52<<locked>>82%56,971 psi88%2753 fps100%
ReloadSwiss RS 60<<locked>>88%57,348 psi88%2785 fps100%
ReloadSwiss RS 62<<locked>>92%55,143 psi85%2743 fps100%
ReloadSwiss RS 70<<locked>>94%57,595 psi89%2825 fps100%
ReloadSwiss RS 76ᴾ<<locked>>100%42,119 psi65%2644 fps98%
Rottweil R 902<<locked>>84%56,318 psi87%2628 fps100%
Rottweil R 903<<locked>>88%56,507 psi87%2677 fps100%
Rottweil R 904<<locked>>98%58,117 psi89%2736 fps98.2%
Rottweil R 905ᴾ<<locked>>100%58,595 psi90%2792 fps99.3%
Rottweil R 907<<locked>>90%55,753 psi86%2671 fps99.4%
Shooters World Long Rifle<<locked>>92%57,595 psi89%2694 fps100%
Shooters World Match Rifle<<locked>>82%57,522 psi88%2657 fps100%
Shooters World Precision<<locked>>86%58,117 psi89%2667 fps100%
Shooters World SW4350<<locked>>92%55,187 psi85%2684 fps99.7%
SNPE Vectan SP 11<<locked>>88%58,421 psi90%2740 fps100%
SNPE Vectan SP 7<<locked>>82%58,479 psi90%2697 fps100%
SNPE Vectan SP 9<<locked>>82%55,593 psi86%2661 fps100%
SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000<<locked>>82%56,797 psi87%2562 fps100%
SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000<<locked>>88%57,638 psi89%2562 fps100%
SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000<<locked>>92%57,276 psi88%2651 fps99.7%
SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000ᴾ<<locked>>100%58,088 psi89%2789 fps99.2%
Somchem S335<<locked>>82%56,304 psi87%2559 fps100%
Somchem S341<<locked>>82%58,392 psi90%2680 fps100%
Somchem S355<<locked>>88%56,304 psi87%2671 fps100%
Somchem S361<<locked>>96%56,449 psi87%2684 fps97.2%
Somchem S365<<locked>>96%57,116 psi88%2753 fps100%
Somchem S385<<locked>>98%55,303 psi85%2713 fps99.4%
Vihtavuori N133<<locked>>82%57,392 psi88%2543 fps100%
Vihtavuori N135<<locked>>84%57,072 psi88%2589 fps100%
Vihtavuori N140<<locked>>84%57,116 psi88%2605 fps100%
Vihtavuori N150<<locked>>90%57,812 psi89%2648 fps100%
Vihtavuori N160<<locked>>92%56,289 psi87%2697 fps100%
Vihtavuori N165ᴾ<<locked>>100%51,314 psi79%2644 fps98.6%
Vihtavuori N540<<locked>>84%55,303 psi85%2605 fps100%
Vihtavuori N550<<locked>>92%55,463 psi85%2707 fps100%
Vihtavuori N555ᴾ<<locked>>100%55,883 psi86%2762 fps100%
Vihtavuori N560ᴾ<<locked>>100%56,710 psi87%2831 fps97.8%
Winchester 6.5 StaBALL<<locked>>92%55,985 psi86%2671 fps100%
Winchester 760<<locked>>92%57,812 psi89%2772 fps99.8%
Winchester StaBALL HDᴾ<<locked>>100%44,773 psi69%2746 fps100%
Winchester StaBALL Match<<locked>>82%55,970 psi86%2671 fps100%
Winchester Supreme 780ᴾ<<locked>>100%55,869 psi86%2717 fps98.8%

Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.

Start Load - Barrel Length: 24"

PowderChargeFRMaxP%V(0)z
Accurate 2495<<locked>>80%50,473 psi78%2510 fps100%
Accurate 2700<<locked>>80%48,820 psi75%2530 fps98.3%
Accurate 3100<<locked>>86%32,547 psi50%2306 fps95.9%
Accurate 4064<<locked>>80%47,906 psi74%2520 fps100%
Accurate 4350<<locked>>80%36,434 psi56%2402 fps98.6%
Accurate MAGPRO<<locked>>96%47,659 psi73%2690 fps95.2%
ADI AR 2206H<<locked>>80%53,795 psi83%2638 fps100%
ADI AR 2208<<locked>>80%45,527 psi70%2500 fps99.9%
ADI AR 2209<<locked>>88%40,727 psi63%2497 fps95.6%
ADI AR 2213<<locked>>94%44,063 psi68%2585 fps95%
Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR<<locked>>80%50,618 psi78%2710 fps100%
Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5<<locked>>80%45,905 psi71%2523 fps100%
Alliant Reloder-15<<locked>>80%49,240 psi76%2589 fps100%
Alliant Reloder-16<<locked>>80%35,810 psi55%2415 fps98.8%
Alliant Reloder-17<<locked>>80%40,509 psi62%2530 fps100%
Alliant Reloder-19<<locked>>88%40,205 psi62%2487 fps95.6%
Alliant Reloder-22<<locked>>92%40,350 psi62%2536 fps95.8%
Alliant Reloder-23<<locked>>80%25,933 psi40%2182 fps96.6%
Alliant Reloder-25<<locked>>90%31,401 psi48%2349 fps95.8%
Alliant Reloder-2650.2 gr82%29,515 psi45%2339 fps95.9%
Baschieri & Pellagri 107<<locked>>80%53,461 psi82%2654 fps100%
Bofors RP15<<locked>>94%39,798 psi61%2523 fps95.4%
Bofors RP3<<locked>>80%46,195 psi71%2536 fps100%
Bofors RP5<<locked>>92%40,350 psi62%2536 fps95.8%
Bofors RP7<<locked>>80%40,611 psi62%2415 fps96.8%
Hodgdon H380<<locked>>80%46,688 psi72%2549 fps99.7%
Hodgdon H414<<locked>>80%38,638 psi59%2451 fps96.9%
Hodgdon H4350<<locked>>80%41,684 psi64%2470 fps96.3%
Hodgdon H4831<<locked>>94%47,355 psi73%2598 fps95.3%
Hodgdon H4831 SC<<locked>>94%46,238 psi71%2579 fps95.1%
Hodgdon H4895<<locked>>80%54,404 psi84%2648 fps100%
Hodgdon Hybrid 100V<<locked>>80%33,257 psi51%2313 fps99.2%
Hodgdon LEVERevolution<<locked>>80%51,010 psi78%2631 fps100%
Hodgdon Retumbo<<locked>>98%39,595 psi61%2589 fps96%
Hodgdon Superformance50.5 gr80%37,391 psi58%2457 fps96%
Hodgdon TrailBoss<<locked>>80%27,180 psi42%1463 fps100%
Hodgdon VARGET<<locked>>80%51,924 psi80%2598 fps100%
IMR 3031<<locked>>80%54,940 psi85%2618 fps100%
IMR 4064<<locked>>80%47,906 psi74%2533 fps100%
IMR 4166 Enduron<<locked>>80%50,227 psi77%2562 fps99.1%
IMR 4350<<locked>>80%36,376 psi56%2349 fps95.4%
IMR 4451 Enduron<<locked>>80%42,134 psi65%2448 fps97.6%
IMR 4831<<locked>>80%35,143 psi54%2359 fps98.4%
IMR 4895<<locked>>80%50,531 psi78%2615 fps100%
IMR 4955 Enduron<<locked>>92%46,195 psi71%2543 fps95.3%
IMR 7828 SSC<<locked>>96%44,889 psi69%2615 fps95.4%
Lovex D073.6<<locked>>80%54,027 psi83%2612 fps100%
Lovex S060<<locked>>80%52,605 psi81%2566 fps100%
Lovex S062<<locked>>80%47,979 psi74%2526 fps100%
Lovex S065<<locked>>80%39,595 psi61%2402 fps98.2%
Lovex S070<<locked>>80%37,811 psi58%2382 fps96.8%
Lovex S071<<locked>>90%31,575 psi49%2283 fps95.5%
Norma 201<<locked>>80%52,402 psi81%2582 fps100%
Norma 202<<locked>>80%53,055 psi82%2579 fps100%
Norma 203B<<locked>>80%48,602 psi75%2579 fps100%
Norma 204<<locked>>84%41,031 psi63%2484 fps95.6%
Norma MRP<<locked>>86%34,316 psi53%2428 fps95.1%
Norma URP<<locked>>80%36,448 psi56%2398 fps98.5%
Ramshot Big Game<<locked>>80%49,008 psi75%2602 fps100%
Ramshot Grand<<locked>>96%44,759 psi69%2628 fps95.8%
Ramshot Hunter<<locked>>80%35,360 psi54%2388 fps96.7%
Ramshot Magnum<<locked>>94%36,782 psi57%2448 fps95.1%
ReloadSwiss RS 14<<locked>>80%27,673 psi43%1499 fps100%
ReloadSwiss RS 50<<locked>>80%46,673 psi72%2533 fps99%
ReloadSwiss RS 52<<locked>>80%53,417 psi82%2703 fps100%
ReloadSwiss RS 60<<locked>>80%43,120 psi66%2579 fps100%
ReloadSwiss RS 62<<locked>>80%36,318 psi56%2421 fps98.4%
ReloadSwiss RS 7048.6 gr80%35,389 psi54%2431 fps97.8%
ReloadSwiss RS 76<<locked>>96%36,651 psi56%2516 fps95.9%
Rottweil R 902<<locked>>80%49,734 psi77%2536 fps100%
Rottweil R 903<<locked>>80%43,468 psi67%2484 fps100%
Rottweil R 904<<locked>>90%45,179 psi70%2530 fps95.7%
Rottweil R 905<<locked>>88%39,363 psi61%2474 fps95.5%
Rottweil R 907<<locked>>80%40,611 psi62%2415 fps96.8%
Shooters World Long Rifle<<locked>>80%39,595 psi61%2402 fps98.2%
Shooters World Match Rifle<<locked>>80%54,027 psi83%2612 fps100%
Shooters World Precision<<locked>>80%47,979 psi74%2526 fps100%
Shooters World SW4350<<locked>>80%37,811 psi58%2382 fps96.8%
SNPE Vectan SP 11<<locked>>80%44,802 psi69%2539 fps100%
SNPE Vectan SP 7<<locked>>80%54,665 psi84%2644 fps100%
SNPE Vectan SP 9<<locked>>80%52,286 psi80%2615 fps100%
SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000<<locked>>80%53,316 psi82%2516 fps100%
SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000<<locked>>80%45,020 psi69%2395 fps100%
SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000<<locked>>80%38,754 psi60%2349 fps96.9%
SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000<<locked>>88%38,986 psi60%2467 fps95.4%
Somchem S335<<locked>>80%53,026 psi82%2516 fps100%
Somchem S341<<locked>>80%54,331 psi84%2628 fps100%
Somchem S355<<locked>>80%43,859 psi67%2484 fps100%
Somchem S361<<locked>>92%49,139 psi76%2572 fps95.7%
Somchem S365<<locked>>80%32,750 psi50%2356 fps99.8%
Somchem S385<<locked>>86%37,173 psi57%2402 fps95.7%
Vihtavuori N133<<locked>>80%53,925 psi83%2500 fps100%
Vihtavuori N135<<locked>>80%50,198 psi77%2500 fps100%
Vihtavuori N140<<locked>>80%50,502 psi78%2520 fps100%
Vihtavuori N150<<locked>>80%41,872 psi64%2418 fps100%
Vihtavuori N160<<locked>>80%37,884 psi58%2398 fps98.8%
Vihtavuori N165<<locked>>90%36,709 psi56%2385 fps95.1%
Vihtavuori N540<<locked>>80%48,718 psi75%2513 fps100%
Vihtavuori N550<<locked>>80%37,289 psi57%2398 fps98.5%
Vihtavuori N555<<locked>>80%28,485 psi44%2251 fps96.7%
Vihtavuori N560<<locked>>94%46,035 psi71%2654 fps95.4%
Winchester 6.5 StaBALL<<locked>>80%36,883 psi57%2369 fps99.8%
Winchester 760<<locked>>80%38,638 psi59%2451 fps96.9%
Winchester StaBALL HD<<locked>>82%24,221 psi37%2205 fps96.3%
Winchester StaBALL Match<<locked>>80%52,344 psi81%2621 fps100%
Winchester Supreme 780<<locked>>90%39,131 psi60%2438 fps95.1%

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.

<<locked>> you need an access license to unlock this data.

This overview compares 113 powders for .280 Ackley Improved loaded with the .284 | 170gr | CutEdge MTH. Alliant Reloder-26 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,877 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,637 fps to 2,877 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 46–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 170.0 gr projectile in 0.284" calls for a 1:9.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 3100, Accurate MAGPRO, 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, Alliant Reloder-26, Hodgdon Superformance rank at the top here: for .280 Ackley Improved with the .284 | 170gr | CutEdge MTH they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, ADI AR 2217, ADI AR 2225, Baschieri & Pellagri 109 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.

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