Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .280 Ackley Improved with .284 | 180gr | Berger VLD Target 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.
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 2495 | <<locked>> | 82% | 58,450 psi | 90% | 2526 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2700 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,680 psi | 86% | 2562 fps | 99.6% |
| Accurate 3100ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 58,131 psi | 89% | 2667 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,376 psi | 85% | 2539 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,289 psi | 87% | 2651 fps | 100% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,434 psi | 87% | 2759 fps | 97.8% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 86% | 58,566 psi | 90% | 2618 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 96% | 57,116 psi | 88% | 2703 fps | 99.4% |
| ADI AR 2213ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 58,392 psi | 90% | 2759 fps | 98.9% |
| ADI AR 2225ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,666 psi | 58% | 2454 fps | 97.5% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 82% | 58,523 psi | 90% | 2740 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,072 psi | 86% | 2592 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,086 psi | 86% | 2612 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 92% | 57,000 psi | 88% | 2700 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 88% | 58,653 psi | 90% | 2723 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,507 psi | 87% | 2694 fps | 99.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-22ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 57,638 psi | 89% | 2753 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-23ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,607 psi | 84% | 2674 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,427 psi | 73% | 2628 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,737 psi | 84% | 2762 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 109ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 57,145 psi | 88% | 2667 fps | 95.9% |
| Bofors RP15ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,982 psi | 82% | 2684 fps | 99% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,000 psi | 88% | 2608 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP30ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,308 psi | 67% | 2559 fps | 96.7% |
| Bofors RP5ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 57,638 psi | 89% | 2753 fps | 99.6% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,289 psi | 87% | 2608 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon H1000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,789 psi | 72% | 2572 fps | 97.6% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,145 psi | 88% | 2628 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 90% | 58,436 psi | 90% | 2707 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 57,711 psi | 89% | 2664 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 98% | 58,566 psi | 90% | 2700 fps | 98.3% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 98% | 57,246 psi | 88% | 2684 fps | 98.1% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 94% | 57,508 psi | 88% | 2628 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 82% | 58,581 psi | 90% | 2654 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumboᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,412 psi | 71% | 2671 fps | 98.9% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,752 psi | 84% | 2690 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,651 psi | 56% | 1598 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 58,131 psi | 89% | 2598 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,913 psi | 88% | 2592 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 57,246 psi | 88% | 2638 fps | 99.8% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 88% | 57,754 psi | 89% | 2628 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,507 psi | 87% | 2641 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 82% | 57,566 psi | 89% | 2635 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,333 psi | 87% | 2635 fps | 98.1% |
| IMR 7828 SSCᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,738 psi | 86% | 2733 fps | 98.6% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 84% | 58,407 psi | 90% | 2592 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,943 psi | 89% | 2625 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,014 psi | 86% | 2621 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex S071ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,501 psi | 75% | 2536 fps | 99.7% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,434 psi | 85% | 2598 fps | 100% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 92% | 58,218 psi | 90% | 2694 fps | 99.4% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 98% | 57,522 psi | 88% | 2779 fps | 100% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 92% | 58,494 psi | 90% | 2684 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,289 psi | 87% | 2625 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grandᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,579 psi | 87% | 2756 fps | 99% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 92% | 57,203 psi | 88% | 2694 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Magnumᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,575 psi | 78% | 2638 fps | 99.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,463 psi | 58% | 1637 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,927 psi | 88% | 2615 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 86% | 58,160 psi | 89% | 2710 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,173 psi | 86% | 2677 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 92% | 58,276 psi | 90% | 2753 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,166 psi | 71% | 2664 fps | 99.5% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,913 psi | 88% | 2556 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 86% | 57,203 psi | 88% | 2608 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 96% | 58,624 psi | 90% | 2671 fps | 98.8% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,927 psi | 86% | 2680 fps | 99.4% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,289 psi | 87% | 2608 fps | 99.7% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,943 psi | 89% | 2625 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 84% | 58,407 psi | 90% | 2592 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,014 psi | 86% | 2621 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,187 psi | 85% | 2618 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 57,841 psi | 89% | 2490 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,740 psi | 89% | 2585 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,463 psi | 85% | 2677 fps | 99.3% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 86% | 57,101 psi | 88% | 2602 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,855 psi | 87% | 2621 fps | 98% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 94% | 58,175 psi | 89% | 2684 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,434 psi | 87% | 2657 fps | 99.7% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 82% | 57,392 psi | 88% | 2510 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 82% | 57,305 psi | 88% | 2526 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 88% | 58,131 psi | 89% | 2572 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,811 psi | 87% | 2628 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N165ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,724 psi | 86% | 2635 fps | 99.5% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,593 psi | 86% | 2530 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,086 psi | 86% | 2638 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 98% | 57,188 psi | 88% | 2697 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 98% | 57,609 psi | 89% | 2772 fps | 98.5% |
| Vihtavuori N565ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,197 psi | 76% | 2635 fps | 97.3% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,492 psi | 87% | 2598 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 90% | 58,436 psi | 90% | 2707 fps | 100% |
| Winchester StaBALL HDᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,299 psi | 77% | 2746 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,405 psi | 87% | 2651 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 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,940 psi | 85% | 2484 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2700 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,156 psi | 80% | 2513 fps | 99.2% |
| Accurate 3100 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,689 psi | 46% | 2169 fps | 95.5% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,141 psi | 80% | 2497 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,219 psi | 62% | 2402 fps | 99.6% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 92% | 45,600 psi | 70% | 2585 fps | 95.4% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,907 psi | 75% | 2484 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,595 psi | 59% | 2388 fps | 95.7% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,930 psi | 65% | 2480 fps | 95.3% |
| ADI AR 2225 | <<locked>> | 96% | 33,257 psi | 51% | 2343 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,621 psi | 84% | 2687 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,734 psi | 77% | 2503 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,837 psi | 81% | 2566 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,885 psi | 60% | 2411 fps | 99.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,179 psi | 68% | 2520 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,493 psi | 59% | 2385 fps | 95.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,332 psi | 56% | 2382 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,674 psi | 44% | 2198 fps | 98.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,543 psi | 44% | 2208 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | 49.3 gr | 80% | 30,603 psi | 47% | 2306 fps | 97.3% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 109 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,795 psi | 83% | 2615 fps | 95.1% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 90% | 38,377 psi | 59% | 2425 fps | 95.8% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,082 psi | 77% | 2516 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP30 | <<locked>> | 98% | 40,422 psi | 62% | 2500 fps | 95.8% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,332 psi | 56% | 2382 fps | 95.2% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,947 psi | 68% | 2411 fps | 98.2% |
| Hodgdon H1000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 40,973 psi | 63% | 2461 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,328 psi | 77% | 2533 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,032 psi | 65% | 2448 fps | 98.3% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,875 psi | 69% | 2461 fps | 97.8% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 90% | 44,730 psi | 69% | 2487 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 90% | 43,990 psi | 68% | 2474 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,521 psi | 56% | 2310 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,810 psi | 84% | 2605 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | <<locked>> | 92% | 35,940 psi | 55% | 2441 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,915 psi | 63% | 2461 fps | 97.9% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,572 psi | 42% | 1427 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,474 psi | 79% | 2510 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,635 psi | 83% | 2543 fps | 99.7% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,537 psi | 61% | 2349 fps | 97.2% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,324 psi | 70% | 2438 fps | 98.8% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,522 psi | 59% | 2359 fps | 99.5% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,201 psi | 83% | 2589 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 88% | 43,903 psi | 68% | 2434 fps | 95.5% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,801 psi | 66% | 2513 fps | 95.7% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,808 psi | 80% | 2507 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,801 psi | 66% | 2392 fps | 99.3% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,031 psi | 63% | 2379 fps | 98.2% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,167 psi | 45% | 2156 fps | 95.2% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,170 psi | 80% | 2552 fps | 100% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,943 psi | 60% | 2375 fps | 95.7% |
| Norma MRP | 49.1 gr | 82% | 33,112 psi | 51% | 2336 fps | 95.5% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,813 psi | 61% | 2395 fps | 99.5% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,721 psi | 81% | 2579 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,610 psi | 61% | 2461 fps | 95% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,580 psi | 59% | 2388 fps | 98.3% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 90% | 35,230 psi | 54% | 2352 fps | 95.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,123 psi | 43% | 1463 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,053 psi | 77% | 2516 fps | 99.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,876 psi | 72% | 2562 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,958 psi | 61% | 2421 fps | 99.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,537 psi | 59% | 2434 fps | 99.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | <<locked>> | 90% | 32,851 psi | 51% | 2362 fps | 95.1% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,606 psi | 82% | 2513 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,210 psi | 73% | 2467 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,147 psi | 62% | 2369 fps | 95% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,579 psi | 58% | 2369 fps | 95.8% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,947 psi | 68% | 2411 fps | 98.2% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,801 psi | 66% | 2392 fps | 99.3% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,808 psi | 80% | 2507 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,031 psi | 63% | 2379 fps | 98.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,341 psi | 74% | 2520 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,109 psi | 74% | 2365 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,843 psi | 64% | 2343 fps | 98.3% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,231 psi | 57% | 2362 fps | 95.6% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,340 psi | 73% | 2464 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 86% | 43,700 psi | 67% | 2415 fps | 95.1% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,492 psi | 56% | 2359 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,562 psi | 52% | 2254 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,954 psi | 83% | 2470 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,940 psi | 83% | 2487 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,237 psi | 70% | 2398 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,191 psi | 63% | 2392 fps | 99.7% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 86% | 35,186 psi | 54% | 2287 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,127 psi | 80% | 2487 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,611 psi | 62% | 2395 fps | 99.5% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,908 psi | 49% | 2267 fps | 98.5% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | 53.9 gr | 90% | 43,888 psi | 68% | 2546 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 96% | 43,120 psi | 66% | 2526 fps | 95.8% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,147 psi | 62% | 2362 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,032 psi | 65% | 2448 fps | 98.3% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,338 psi | 39% | 2192 fps | 98.2% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,478 psi | 58% | 2339 fps | 95.4% |
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 | 180gr | Berger VLD Target. Norma MRP delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,779 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,598 fps to 2,779 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 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 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 | 180gr | Berger VLD Target they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, IMR 8133 Enduron, ReloadSwiss RS 80, Vihtavuori N568 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.