Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .30-30 Ackley Improved with .308 | 180gr | A-Square DeadTough bullet and 58 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are ReloadSwiss RS 60, Hodgdon BL-C2 and Accurate 2520.
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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Max Load - Barrel Length: 24"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,596 psi | 87% | 2149 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,452 psi | 89% | 2185 fps | 99% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,176 psi | 89% | 2218 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,045 psi | 86% | 2211 fps | 98.5% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,045 psi | 86% | 2211 fps | 98.5% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 98% | 40,959 psi | 88% | 2238 fps | 99.5% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,857 psi | 88% | 2195 fps | 99.6% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 88% | 39,842 psi | 86% | 2159 fps | 96.7% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,147 psi | 87% | 2211 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,914 psi | 86% | 2231 fps | 96.2% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,205 psi | 89% | 2228 fps | 96.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,379 psi | 89% | 2169 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,379 psi | 89% | 2110 fps | 99.8% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 98% | 40,683 psi | 88% | 2234 fps | 96.9% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,045 psi | 86% | 2123 fps | 97.3% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,595 psi | 85% | 2211 fps | 97.4% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 86% | 39,407 psi | 85% | 2169 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,335 psi | 87% | 2188 fps | 99% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,030 psi | 86% | 2192 fps | 96.1% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 96% | 40,683 psi | 88% | 2241 fps | 96.6% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,185 psi | 72% | 1385 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 94% | 40,770 psi | 88% | 2185 fps | 96.1% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,669 psi | 90% | 2257 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,147 psi | 87% | 2110 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 94% | 40,915 psi | 88% | 2234 fps | 95.8% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 88% | 39,842 psi | 86% | 2159 fps | 96.7% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,292 psi | 89% | 2185 fps | 98% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,045 psi | 86% | 2211 fps | 98.5% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,843 psi | 90% | 2146 fps | 95.7% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,989 psi | 90% | 2211 fps | 97.4% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,452 psi | 89% | 2188 fps | 97.2% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,350 psi | 89% | 2205 fps | 99.2% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,713 psi | 90% | 2238 fps | 96% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,083 psi | 71% | 1414 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,827 psi | 86% | 2159 fps | 98.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 98% | 39,639 psi | 85% | 2257 fps | 97.7% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,306 psi | 87% | 2156 fps | 98.8% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,916 psi | 90% | 2188 fps | 97.3% |
| Rottweil R 903ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,176 psi | 87% | 2218 fps | 96.4% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,045 psi | 86% | 2211 fps | 98.5% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,989 psi | 90% | 2211 fps | 97.4% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 82% | 39,639 psi | 85% | 2119 fps | 96.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,568 psi | 90% | 2201 fps | 99.1% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 82% | 39,552 psi | 85% | 2136 fps | 99.8% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,785 psi | 90% | 2133 fps | 99.1% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 40,321 psi | 87% | 2126 fps | 99.5% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 86% | 39,784 psi | 86% | 2182 fps | 97.1% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,495 psi | 87% | 2133 fps | 99.4% |
| Somchem S355ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,756 psi | 90% | 2228 fps | 96.5% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,046 psi | 88% | 2119 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,857 psi | 88% | 2129 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 94% | 39,494 psi | 85% | 2178 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,002 psi | 88% | 2182 fps | 99.3% |
| Vihtavuori N150ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,331 psi | 76% | 2100 fps | 96.1% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 86% | 39,450 psi | 85% | 2165 fps | 96.8% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 94% | 40,596 psi | 87% | 2201 fps | 99% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,379 psi | 89% | 2238 fps | 98% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,713 psi | 90% | 2228 fps | 96.5% |
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 2015 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,749 psi | 68% | 2001 fps | 99.2% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,040 psi | 73% | 2060 fps | 97.4% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,192 psi | 52% | 1900 fps | 97.5% |
| Accurate 2520 | 31 gr | 82% | 30,356 psi | 65% | 2037 fps | 95.8% |
| Accurate 2520 | 31 gr | 82% | 30,356 psi | 65% | 2037 fps | 95.8% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 26,150 psi | 56% | 1955 fps | 95.5% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,290 psi | 83% | 2152 fps | 99.3% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,244 psi | 76% | 2077 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,037 psi | 63% | 2014 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 82% | 37,391 psi | 81% | 2185 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 94% | 36,376 psi | 78% | 2149 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,419 psi | 78% | 2090 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,711 psi | 83% | 2070 fps | 99.5% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 94% | 35,360 psi | 76% | 2146 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,417 psi | 72% | 2005 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | 32 gr | 84% | 32,285 psi | 70% | 2077 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,503 psi | 70% | 2047 fps | 98.1% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,565 psi | 81% | 2146 fps | 98.5% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,681 psi | 81% | 2152 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 92% | 36,100 psi | 78% | 2156 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,584 psi | 53% | 1237 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 92% | 38,392 psi | 83% | 2146 fps | 95.4% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,657 psi | 55% | 1942 fps | 96.5% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,956 psi | 82% | 2077 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 92% | 38,406 psi | 83% | 2192 fps | 95.1% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,244 psi | 76% | 2077 fps | 95.3% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,649 psi | 73% | 2054 fps | 96% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 82% | 28,456 psi | 61% | 1995 fps | 95% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 88% | 39,450 psi | 85% | 2106 fps | 95% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 90% | 34,882 psi | 75% | 2090 fps | 95.4% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 86% | 34,418 psi | 74% | 2067 fps | 95.2% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,297 psi | 61% | 1965 fps | 95.7% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 94% | 39,189 psi | 84% | 2195 fps | 95.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,279 psi | 52% | 1263 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,867 psi | 75% | 2073 fps | 96.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | 34.6 gr | 92% | 32,924 psi | 71% | 2116 fps | 95% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,850 psi | 69% | 2001 fps | 96.7% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 88% | 34,838 psi | 75% | 2067 fps | 95.3% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 98% | 37,666 psi | 81% | 2175 fps | 95.6% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 82% | 28,456 psi | 61% | 1995 fps | 95% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 90% | 34,882 psi | 75% | 2090 fps | 95.4% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,912 psi | 80% | 2073 fps | 95.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,754 psi | 84% | 2156 fps | 98.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,057 psi | 80% | 2096 fps | 99.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,661 psi | 66% | 1939 fps | 96.4% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,816 psi | 53% | 1824 fps | 95.1% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 82% | 34,925 psi | 75% | 2096 fps | 95.7% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,834 psi | 64% | 1942 fps | 97.1% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 96% | 36,854 psi | 79% | 2146 fps | 95.1% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,258 psi | 74% | 2011 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,384 psi | 61% | 1909 fps | 98.2% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,483 psi | 55% | 1913 fps | 97.7% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,527 psi | 57% | 1906 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 98% | 33,228 psi | 72% | 2060 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 82% | 34,418 psi | 74% | 2073 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 82% | 27,920 psi | 60% | 1959 fps | 95.4% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,589 psi | 68% | 2054 fps | 95% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,566 psi | 83% | 2175 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 81 powders for .30-30 Ackley Improved loaded with the .308 | 180gr | A-Square DeadTough. ReloadSwiss RS 52 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,280 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,385 fps to 2,280 fps. Alliant Reloder-17 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 81 of the 81 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (320 MPa), the top charges use 65–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 180.0 gr projectile in 0.308" calls for a 1:6.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Alliant Reloder-17, Hodgdon Hybrid 100V, Hodgdon TrailBoss 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 60, Hodgdon BL-C2, Accurate 2520 rank at the top here: for .30-30 Ackley Improved with the .308 | 180gr | A-Square DeadTough they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, ADI AR 2208, Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR, Alliant Reloder-15 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.