Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 5.7 x 28 with .224 | 52gr | Berger Varmint bullet and 66 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Vihtavuori 3N38, Vihtavuori N105 and ADI AP 100.
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% | 42,409 psi | 85% | 1503 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 7*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 43,076 psi | 86% | 1667 fps | 94.6% |
| Accurate No. 9* | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,656 psi | 87% | 1667 fps | 89.5% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 76% | 42,685 psi | 85% | 1401 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,947 psi | 88% | 1470 fps | 100% |
| Accurate TCM* | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,439 psi | 87% | 1663 fps | 90.8% |
| ADI AP 100 | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,121 psi | 90% | 1640 fps | 99.9% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 64% | 41,568 psi | 83% | 1453 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 76% | 42,409 psi | 85% | 1299 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 76% | 41,611 psi | 83% | 1319 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,817 psi | 90% | 1391 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 72% | 42,714 psi | 85% | 1411 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 76% | 41,524 psi | 83% | 1427 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BLUE DOT* | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,771 psi | 83% | 1640 fps | 93.2% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 68% | 41,887 psi | 84% | 1522 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 76% | 42,119 psi | 84% | 1411 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco | <<locked>> | 92% | 43,207 psi | 86% | 1532 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL² | <<locked>> | 76% | 42,163 psi | 84% | 1640 fps | 99.4% |
| Alliant RED DOT | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,034 psi | 88% | 1401 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 64% | 42,772 psi | 85% | 1539 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,570 psi | 89% | 1555 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 76% | 43,352 psi | 87% | 1407 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,843 psi | 82% | 1385 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 72% | 44,440 psi | 89% | 1430 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays | <<locked>> | 88% | 43,656 psi | 87% | 1339 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon HS-6² | <<locked>> | 64% | 44,121 psi | 88% | 1598 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 22,133 psi | 44% | 1073 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 72% | 43,381 psi | 87% | 1476 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.1*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 43,076 psi | 86% | 1667 fps | 94.6% |
| Lovex D037.2* | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,656 psi | 87% | 1667 fps | 89.5% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 64% | 41,031 psi | 82% | 1411 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 72% | 44,628 psi | 89% | 1509 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1 | <<locked>> | 84% | 45,078 psi | 90% | 1480 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 76% | 42,670 psi | 85% | 1440 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 76% | 40,234 psi | 80% | 1398 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 76% | 43,685 psi | 87% | 1417 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 72% | 41,829 psi | 84% | 1345 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 64% | 42,366 psi | 85% | 1532 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 68% | 44,208 psi | 88% | 1440 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 20,450 psi | 41% | 1076 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,106 psi | 88% | 1535 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,599 psi | 89% | 1680 fps | 97% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 64% | 42,598 psi | 85% | 1394 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,930 psi | 84% | 1627 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Heavy Pistol* | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,656 psi | 87% | 1667 fps | 89.5% |
| Shooters World Major Pistol*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 43,076 psi | 86% | 1667 fps | 94.6% |
| SNPE Vectan A0 | <<locked>> | 84% | 44,454 psi | 89% | 1516 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 76% | 44,440 psi | 89% | 1460 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 76% | 43,729 psi | 87% | 1473 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 72% | 41,597 psi | 83% | 1319 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,031 psi | 82% | 1539 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 76% | 43,410 psi | 87% | 1473 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2² | <<locked>> | 72% | 43,743 psi | 87% | 1657 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 72% | 43,656 psi | 87% | 1539 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 76% | 42,525 psi | 85% | 1499 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S221² | <<locked>> | 68% | 45,223 psi | 90% | 1657 fps | 98.9% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37² | <<locked>> | 76% | 40,567 psi | 81% | 1545 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38 | <<locked>> | 92% | 43,772 psi | 87% | 1650 fps | 97.3% |
| Vihtavuori N105 | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,059 psi | 80% | 1637 fps | 98.9% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 72% | 43,918 psi | 88% | 1417 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Starᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,695 psi | 75% | 1273 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 72% | 44,817 psi | 90% | 1486 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 76% | 42,612 psi | 85% | 1503 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 44,005 psi | 88% | 1581 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 231² | <<locked>> | 64% | 44,976 psi | 90% | 1473 fps | 100% |
| Winchester AutoComp | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,498 psi | 89% | 1490 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% | 29,588 psi | 59% | 1325 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 7*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,747 psi | 57% | 1424 fps | 87.8% |
| Accurate No. 9*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 37,855 psi | 76% | 1581 fps | 87% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,979 psi | 58% | 1220 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,238 psi | 54% | 1243 fps | 100% |
| Accurate TCM*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 32,779 psi | 66% | 1493 fps | 85.8% |
| ADI AP 100*² | 3.6 gr | 60% | 18,159 psi | 36% | 1138 fps | 89.6% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 38,130 psi | 76% | 1407 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,747 psi | 59% | 1135 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,820 psi | 60% | 1165 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,892 psi | 58% | 1184 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,198 psi | 64% | 1280 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,963 psi | 54% | 1227 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BLUE DOT*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 27,079 psi | 54% | 1378 fps | 85.5% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,272 psi | 66% | 1401 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,761 psi | 57% | 1227 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,349 psi | 41% | 1158 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,876 psi | 54% | 1371 fps | 94.8% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,079 psi | 56% | 1188 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 37,478 psi | 75% | 1467 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,369 psi | 55% | 1306 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,588 psi | 59% | 1234 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,827 psi | 40% | 1076 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,966 psi | 64% | 1283 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,366 psi | 49% | 1079 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon HS-6² | <<locked>> | 60% | 37,942 psi | 76% | 1512 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss² | <<locked>> | 60% | 10,979 psi | 22% | 810 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,734 psi | 63% | 1319 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.1*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,747 psi | 57% | 1424 fps | 87.8% |
| Lovex D037.2*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 39,233 psi | 78% | 1604 fps | 87.6% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 60% | 37,318 psi | 75% | 1368 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,169 psi | 64% | 1348 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,816 psi | 50% | 1201 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,108 psi | 56% | 1247 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,412 psi | 55% | 1220 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,878 psi | 60% | 1237 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,750 psi | 65% | 1230 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 60% | 37,579 psi | 75% | 1470 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 60% | 35,418 psi | 71% | 1332 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14² | <<locked>> | 60% | 10,370 psi | 21% | 810 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,454 psi | 51% | 1270 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,120 psi | 48% | 1312 fps | 87.3% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 60% | 39,117 psi | 78% | 1352 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,800 psi | 46% | 1299 fps | 97% |
| Shooters World Heavy Pistol*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 39,233 psi | 78% | 1604 fps | 87.6% |
| Shooters World Major Pistol*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,747 psi | 57% | 1424 fps | 87.8% |
| SNPE Vectan A0² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,150 psi | 50% | 1237 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,545 psi | 61% | 1280 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,776 psi | 60% | 1289 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,982 psi | 66% | 1211 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,307 psi | 45% | 1220 fps | 97.6% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,095 psi | 58% | 1280 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,356 psi | 61% | 1444 fps | 97.8% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,096 psi | 62% | 1368 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,180 psi | 54% | 1280 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S221² | <<locked>> | 60% | 35,143 psi | 70% | 1506 fps | 96.5% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,512 psi | 51% | 1302 fps | 99.3% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38*² | 4.5 gr | 64% | 20,726 psi | 41% | 1227 fps | 85.4% |
| Vihtavuori N105*² | 4.4 gr | 64% | 17,506 psi | 35% | 1184 fps | 85.9% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,750 psi | 65% | 1283 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,274 psi | 35% | 955 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,329 psi | 65% | 1332 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,181 psi | 56% | 1299 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,800 psi | 46% | 1243 fps | 98.7% |
| Winchester 231² | <<locked>> | 60% | 39,581 psi | 79% | 1411 fps | 100% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,179 psi | 52% | 1240 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 66 powders for 5.7 x 28 loaded with the .224 | 52gr | Berger Varmint. ReloadSwiss RS 24 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 1,680 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,073 fps to 1,680 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 26 of the 66 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (345 MPa), the top charges use 41–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 52.0 gr projectile in 0.224" calls for a 1:11.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. 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 3N38, Vihtavuori N105, ADI AP 100 rank at the top here: for 5.7 x 28 with the .224 | 52gr | Berger Varmint they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, Accurate No. 7, Accurate No. 9, Accurate TCM burn incompletely and react more sensitively to barrel length and temperature. Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol, Hodgdon Clays, Hodgdon TrailBoss 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.