Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .280 Ackley Improved with .284 | 180gr | Berger VLD Hunting 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 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.
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% | 55,941 psi | 86% | 2569 fps | 99.6% |
| Accurate 3100ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 58,349 psi | 90% | 2674 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,753 psi | 86% | 2546 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,884 psi | 88% | 2661 fps | 100% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,956 psi | 88% | 2769 fps | 98% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,492 psi | 85% | 2579 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 96% | 57,348 psi | 88% | 2710 fps | 99.4% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,013 psi | 85% | 2710 fps | 98.4% |
| ADI AR 2225ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 38,043 psi | 59% | 2464 fps | 97.7% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,405 psi | 87% | 2598 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,420 psi | 87% | 2618 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 92% | 57,334 psi | 88% | 2707 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,085 psi | 85% | 2680 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,710 psi | 87% | 2697 fps | 99.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-22ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 58,204 psi | 90% | 2762 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-23ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,158 psi | 85% | 2680 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,601 psi | 73% | 2631 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,376 psi | 85% | 2769 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 109ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 57,522 psi | 88% | 2677 fps | 96% |
| Bofors RP15ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,229 psi | 82% | 2690 fps | 99.1% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,334 psi | 88% | 2615 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP30ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,497 psi | 67% | 2562 fps | 96.8% |
| Bofors RP5ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 58,204 psi | 90% | 2762 fps | 99.6% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,565 psi | 87% | 2615 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon H1000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,181 psi | 73% | 2582 fps | 97.7% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,754 psi | 89% | 2638 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 90% | 58,653 psi | 90% | 2713 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 58,291 psi | 90% | 2674 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,187 psi | 85% | 2657 fps | 97.8% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 98% | 57,769 psi | 89% | 2694 fps | 98.2% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 94% | 57,783 psi | 89% | 2635 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumboᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,847 psi | 72% | 2684 fps | 99% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,998 psi | 85% | 2697 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,869 psi | 57% | 1604 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 58,421 psi | 90% | 2605 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 82% | 57,188 psi | 88% | 2598 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 57,479 psi | 88% | 2644 fps | 99.8% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 88% | 58,015 psi | 89% | 2635 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 92% | 57,101 psi | 88% | 2651 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 82% | 57,899 psi | 89% | 2641 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,507 psi | 87% | 2641 fps | 98.2% |
| IMR 7828 SSCᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,246 psi | 87% | 2743 fps | 98.7% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 84% | 58,740 psi | 90% | 2598 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 90% | 58,204 psi | 90% | 2628 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,304 psi | 87% | 2628 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex S071ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,704 psi | 75% | 2539 fps | 99.8% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,767 psi | 86% | 2605 fps | 100% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 92% | 58,784 psi | 90% | 2703 fps | 99.5% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 98% | 57,740 psi | 89% | 2782 fps | 100% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 92% | 58,740 psi | 90% | 2690 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,623 psi | 87% | 2631 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grandᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,768 psi | 87% | 2759 fps | 99% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 92% | 57,812 psi | 89% | 2703 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Magnumᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,734 psi | 78% | 2644 fps | 99.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,420 psi | 58% | 1640 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,508 psi | 88% | 2625 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 86% | 58,508 psi | 90% | 2717 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,739 psi | 87% | 2687 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,984 psi | 85% | 2713 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,586 psi | 72% | 2674 fps | 99.6% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,956 psi | 88% | 2559 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 86% | 57,508 psi | 88% | 2612 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,405 psi | 85% | 2631 fps | 98.5% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,144 psi | 86% | 2687 fps | 99.4% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,565 psi | 87% | 2615 fps | 99.7% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 90% | 58,204 psi | 90% | 2628 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 84% | 58,740 psi | 90% | 2598 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,304 psi | 87% | 2628 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,463 psi | 85% | 2621 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 58,146 psi | 89% | 2493 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,972 psi | 89% | 2592 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,680 psi | 86% | 2684 fps | 99.4% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 86% | 57,392 psi | 88% | 2608 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,971 psi | 88% | 2628 fps | 98% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 94% | 58,813 psi | 90% | 2694 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,681 psi | 87% | 2661 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 82% | 57,783 psi | 89% | 2516 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 82% | 57,580 psi | 89% | 2533 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 88% | 58,755 psi | 90% | 2582 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,421 psi | 88% | 2638 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N165ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,927 psi | 86% | 2641 fps | 99.6% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,883 psi | 86% | 2536 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,362 psi | 87% | 2644 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 98% | 57,783 psi | 89% | 2707 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 98% | 57,827 psi | 89% | 2779 fps | 98.6% |
| Vihtavuori N565ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,690 psi | 76% | 2644 fps | 97.4% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,724 psi | 87% | 2602 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,245 psi | 85% | 2664 fps | 99.9% |
| Winchester StaBALL HDᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,894 psi | 78% | 2756 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,942 psi | 88% | 2661 fps | 99.3% |
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% | 52,417 psi | 81% | 2520 fps | 99.3% |
| Accurate 3100 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,950 psi | 46% | 2175 fps | 95.6% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,475 psi | 81% | 2503 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,538 psi | 62% | 2411 fps | 99.7% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,122 psi | 71% | 2595 fps | 95.6% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,950 psi | 75% | 2484 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,492 psi | 56% | 2343 fps | 95% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,148 psi | 65% | 2487 fps | 95.4% |
| ADI AR 2225 | <<locked>> | 96% | 33,417 psi | 51% | 2349 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,748 psi | 77% | 2507 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,171 psi | 82% | 2572 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,175 psi | 60% | 2418 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,715 psi | 69% | 2530 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,260 psi | 56% | 2339 fps | 95.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,550 psi | 56% | 2388 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,921 psi | 44% | 2208 fps | 98.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,732 psi | 44% | 2215 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | 49.7 gr | 80% | 30,995 psi | 48% | 2320 fps | 97.6% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 109 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,172 psi | 83% | 2625 fps | 95.2% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 88% | 36,318 psi | 56% | 2382 fps | 95.1% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,415 psi | 78% | 2523 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP30 | <<locked>> | 96% | 38,159 psi | 59% | 2457 fps | 95.1% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,550 psi | 56% | 2388 fps | 95.4% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,990 psi | 68% | 2415 fps | 98.2% |
| Hodgdon H1000 | <<locked>> | 94% | 38,653 psi | 59% | 2415 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,575 psi | 78% | 2536 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,308 psi | 65% | 2454 fps | 98.4% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,165 psi | 69% | 2467 fps | 97.9% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 90% | 45,208 psi | 70% | 2497 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 90% | 44,193 psi | 68% | 2480 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,796 psi | 57% | 2316 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | <<locked>> | 92% | 36,158 psi | 56% | 2448 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,147 psi | 63% | 2467 fps | 97.9% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,586 psi | 42% | 1430 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,517 psi | 79% | 2513 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,621 psi | 82% | 2546 fps | 99.7% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,581 psi | 61% | 2352 fps | 97.3% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,339 psi | 70% | 2441 fps | 98.8% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,827 psi | 60% | 2365 fps | 99.5% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,534 psi | 84% | 2595 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 88% | 44,106 psi | 68% | 2441 fps | 95.6% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,422 psi | 62% | 2467 fps | 95% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,851 psi | 80% | 2507 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,047 psi | 66% | 2398 fps | 99.3% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,321 psi | 64% | 2385 fps | 98.3% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,414 psi | 45% | 2165 fps | 95.4% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,504 psi | 81% | 2559 fps | 100% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,204 psi | 60% | 2382 fps | 95.9% |
| Norma MRP | 49.4 gr | 82% | 33,344 psi | 51% | 2343 fps | 95.7% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,118 psi | 62% | 2402 fps | 99.6% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,040 psi | 82% | 2585 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,045 psi | 62% | 2474 fps | 95.3% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,841 psi | 60% | 2395 fps | 98.4% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 90% | 35,418 psi | 54% | 2359 fps | 95.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,152 psi | 43% | 1467 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,589 psi | 78% | 2526 fps | 99.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,500 psi | 73% | 2572 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,234 psi | 62% | 2428 fps | 99.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,769 psi | 60% | 2441 fps | 99.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | <<locked>> | 90% | 33,011 psi | 51% | 2369 fps | 95.3% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,664 psi | 83% | 2516 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,529 psi | 73% | 2474 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,393 psi | 62% | 2379 fps | 95.1% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,476 psi | 55% | 2326 fps | 95% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,990 psi | 68% | 2415 fps | 98.2% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,047 psi | 66% | 2398 fps | 99.3% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,851 psi | 80% | 2507 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,321 psi | 64% | 2385 fps | 98.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,646 psi | 75% | 2526 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,399 psi | 74% | 2372 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,076 psi | 65% | 2349 fps | 98.3% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,478 psi | 58% | 2372 fps | 95.7% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,674 psi | 73% | 2470 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 86% | 43,903 psi | 68% | 2421 fps | 95.3% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,593 psi | 56% | 2362 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,823 psi | 52% | 2264 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,331 psi | 84% | 2477 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,273 psi | 83% | 2493 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,527 psi | 70% | 2405 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,481 psi | 64% | 2398 fps | 99.7% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 86% | 35,592 psi | 55% | 2297 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,431 psi | 81% | 2490 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,886 psi | 63% | 2402 fps | 99.6% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,198 psi | 50% | 2274 fps | 98.6% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | 54.2 gr | 90% | 44,135 psi | 68% | 2552 fps | 95.8% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 94% | 40,741 psi | 63% | 2484 fps | 95% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,364 psi | 62% | 2369 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,308 psi | 65% | 2454 fps | 98.4% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,527 psi | 39% | 2201 fps | 98.4% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,695 psi | 58% | 2346 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 90 powders for .280 Ackley Improved loaded with the .284 | 180gr | Berger VLD Hunting. Norma MRP delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,782 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,604 fps to 2,782 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 180.0 gr projectile in 0.284" calls for a 1:9.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 3100, ADI AR 2225, 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, Vihtavuori N560 rank at the top here: for .280 Ackley Improved with the .284 | 180gr | Berger VLD Hunting 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.