Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 5.7 x 28 with .224 | 45gr | Sierra VarmintKing bullet and 63 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Vihtavuori N105, ADI AP 100 and SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2.
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 ≥ 60% and propellant combustion ≥ 80%. 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: 4.8"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate No. 2² | <<locked>> | 72% | 41,307 psi | 83% | 1631 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 7*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 42,380 psi | 85% | 1791 fps | 92.4% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 76% | 42,670 psi | 85% | 1539 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,960 psi | 86% | 1598 fps | 100% |
| Accurate TCM* | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,148 psi | 84% | 1772 fps | 88.1% |
| ADI AP 100 | <<locked>> | 96% | 44,527 psi | 89% | 1775 fps | 99.4% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 64% | 40,959 psi | 82% | 1585 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 76% | 41,742 psi | 83% | 1417 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,772 psi | 87% | 1473 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,005 psi | 90% | 1532 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 72% | 40,988 psi | 82% | 1529 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BE-86 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,657 psi | 89% | 1601 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BLUE DOT* | <<locked>> | 96% | 44,077 psi | 88% | 1811 fps | 92.1% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 72% | 44,643 psi | 89% | 1703 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 76% | 42,076 psi | 84% | 1545 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,380 psi | 85% | 1667 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL² | <<locked>> | 76% | 40,886 psi | 82% | 1762 fps | 98.3% |
| Alliant RED DOT | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,627 psi | 85% | 1519 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 68% | 45,034 psi | 90% | 1713 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,599 psi | 89% | 1703 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 76% | 42,728 psi | 85% | 1542 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol | <<locked>> | 96% | 43,816 psi | 88% | 1552 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 72% | 43,163 psi | 86% | 1552 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays | <<locked>> | 88% | 43,787 psi | 88% | 1473 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon HS-6² | <<locked>> | 64% | 42,395 psi | 85% | 1719 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 20,755 psi | 41% | 1152 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 72% | 42,554 psi | 85% | 1604 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.1*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 42,380 psi | 85% | 1791 fps | 92.4% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 68% | 44,353 psi | 89% | 1591 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 72% | 43,178 psi | 86% | 1637 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1 | <<locked>> | 84% | 43,714 psi | 87% | 1604 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,107 psi | 90% | 1611 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,265 psi | 86% | 1575 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 76% | 41,785 psi | 84% | 1532 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 72% | 42,424 psi | 85% | 1486 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 64% | 41,742 psi | 83% | 1667 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 68% | 43,468 psi | 87% | 1572 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 20,059 psi | 40% | 1171 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,758 psi | 87% | 1680 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,207 psi | 86% | 1795 fps | 95% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 64% | 42,177 psi | 84% | 1522 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,886 psi | 82% | 1749 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Major Pistol*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 42,380 psi | 85% | 1791 fps | 92.4% |
| SNPE Vectan A0 | <<locked>> | 84% | 44,237 psi | 88% | 1660 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 76% | 44,440 psi | 89% | 1601 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 76% | 43,685 psi | 87% | 1617 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 72% | 42,090 psi | 84% | 1453 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2 | <<locked>> | 88% | 44,063 psi | 88% | 1722 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 76% | 42,264 psi | 84% | 1601 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2² | <<locked>> | 72% | 43,468 psi | 87% | 1798 fps | 99.6% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 72% | 41,814 psi | 84% | 1660 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MS200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,469 psi | 89% | 1670 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S221² | <<locked>> | 68% | 44,048 psi | 88% | 1785 fps | 97.6% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,874 psi | 88% | 1729 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,264 psi | 84% | 1765 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N105 | <<locked>> | 96% | 43,076 psi | 86% | 1821 fps | 98.3% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 72% | 43,613 psi | 87% | 1555 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Starᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,202 psi | 74% | 1391 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 72% | 43,482 psi | 87% | 1611 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 76% | 41,060 psi | 82% | 1624 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,612 psi | 85% | 1713 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 231² | <<locked>> | 64% | 43,787 psi | 88% | 1601 fps | 100% |
| Winchester AutoComp | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,322 psi | 85% | 1604 fps | 100% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
Start Load - Barrel Length: 4.8"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate No. 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,282 psi | 57% | 1424 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 7*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 32,416 psi | 65% | 1614 fps | 87.7% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,718 psi | 57% | 1335 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,513 psi | 53% | 1348 fps | 100% |
| Accurate TCM*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 36,999 psi | 74% | 1690 fps | 85.7% |
| ADI AP 100*² | 4 gr | 60% | 18,057 psi | 36% | 1230 fps | 87.1% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 36,318 psi | 73% | 1519 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,269 psi | 60% | 1257 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,384 psi | 57% | 1257 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,979 psi | 58% | 1306 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,647 psi | 63% | 1394 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,934 psi | 54% | 1345 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BLUE DOT* | <<locked>> | 84% | 33,054 psi | 66% | 1617 fps | 87% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,966 psi | 64% | 1512 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,442 psi | 57% | 1342 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,696 psi | 39% | 1247 fps | 99.5% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,049 psi | 52% | 1467 fps | 92.3% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,282 psi | 57% | 1309 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 36,970 psi | 74% | 1598 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,339 psi | 53% | 1404 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,877 psi | 58% | 1345 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,363 psi | 39% | 1168 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,763 psi | 61% | 1388 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,743 psi | 49% | 1191 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon HS-6² | <<locked>> | 60% | 36,912 psi | 74% | 1634 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss² | <<locked>> | 60% | 10,269 psi | 21% | 863 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,632 psi | 61% | 1430 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.1*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 32,416 psi | 65% | 1614 fps | 87.7% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 60% | 35,839 psi | 72% | 1480 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,560 psi | 61% | 1450 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,236 psi | 48% | 1302 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,296 psi | 55% | 1352 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,948 psi | 54% | 1332 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,414 psi | 59% | 1352 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,995 psi | 62% | 1325 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 60% | 36,071 psi | 72% | 1588 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 60% | 35,505 psi | 71% | 1467 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14² | <<locked>> | 60% | 10,283 psi | 21% | 883 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,469 psi | 51% | 1388 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 26,614 psi | 53% | 1480 fps | 86.7% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 60% | 38,986 psi | 78% | 1480 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,901 psi | 44% | 1378 fps | 94.5% |
| Shooters World Major Pistol*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 32,416 psi | 65% | 1614 fps | 87.7% |
| SNPE Vectan A0² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,236 psi | 48% | 1332 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,225 psi | 58% | 1381 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,427 psi | 57% | 1391 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,212 psi | 62% | 1302 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2² | 4.2 gr | 60% | 21,045 psi | 42% | 1293 fps | 95.4% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,094 psi | 56% | 1385 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,052 psi | 60% | 1558 fps | 96.1% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,676 psi | 61% | 1486 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,412 psi | 55% | 1404 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S221*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,866 psi | 68% | 1611 fps | 94.4% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,816 psi | 50% | 1401 fps | 98% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 24,874 psi | 50% | 1430 fps | 86.4% |
| Vihtavuori N105*² | 5.4 gr | 72% | 21,248 psi | 42% | 1388 fps | 87% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,908 psi | 64% | 1398 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,607 psi | 33% | 1033 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,864 psi | 62% | 1434 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,919 psi | 54% | 1398 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,452 psi | 45% | 1345 fps | 97.3% |
| Winchester 231² | <<locked>> | 60% | 39,015 psi | 78% | 1539 fps | 100% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,020 psi | 52% | 1355 fps | 100% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
* not dangerous but load has suboptimal powder burnt with possible characteristics such as extensive muzzle flash or inaccurate loads.
² fill rate low - you might want to consider using a filler to ensure proper ignition.
ᴾ possible press load - work up slowly to this load while watching for signs of excessive pressure.
This overview compares 63 powders for 5.7 x 28 loaded with the .224 | 45gr | Sierra VarmintKing. Vihtavuori N105 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 1,821 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,152 fps to 1,821 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 29 of the 63 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (345 MPa), the top charges use 40–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. Hodgdon TrailBoss, ReloadSwiss RS 14, Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star 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. Vihtavuori N105, ADI AP 100, SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2 rank at the top here: for 5.7 x 28 with the .224 | 45gr | Sierra VarmintKing they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, Accurate No. 7, Accurate TCM, Alliant BLUE DOT burn incompletely and react more sensitively to barrel length and temperature. Hodgdon TrailBoss, ReloadSwiss RS 14, Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star stay subsonic at start load. Always begin at the start load and work up in small increments while checking case and primer for pressure signs.