Lindcott Armory ReferenceGet the App
Jump toCartridge LibraryFactory LoadsPowder LibraryFirearm DatabaseBallistic Compare
ReferenceCartridge LibraryPowder LibraryFactory LoadsAmmo BrandsBullet CatalogBullet TypesBurn Rate ChartHeadstampsFirearm DatabaseDate Your GunToolsCartridge Family TreeBallistic CompareHead-to-HeadsAmmo Price HistoryField GuideOverviewHunting GuideMilitary TimelineGun HistoryBuying ChecklistStolen / Missing GunsAppsGet the App

Rifle · SAAMI

.280 Ackley Improved

.280 AI.280 Rem AI

Improved .280 Remington with more powder capacity.

Caliber
0.284″ · 7.214 mm
Introduced
1960
Case
Rimless
Parent
.280 Remington
Primary use
Hunting, Target
Status
Active
Velocity2,900–3,100 fps
Energy2,950–3,300 ft·lb
Typical grains140 · 150 · 168 gr
Identity
Introduced
1960
Type
Rifle
Origin
United States
Inventor
P.O. Ackley
Manufacturer
Nosler (commercial)
Standard
SAAMI
Status
Active
Availability
Moderate
Build
Case capacity
70 gr H₂O
Twist (typical)
1:8.5 to 1:9
Primer
Large Rifle
Case type
Rimless
Pressure & range
Max pressure
65,000 psi
Eff. range
600 yd
Max range
4300 yd
Recoil
13–18 ft·lb

Ballistics

Real trajectory computed from a representative load — Hornady Precision Hunter ELD-X 175 gr, 2,800 fps, BC 0.354 G7 · 100 yd zero.

overlay up to 2
RangeVelocityEnergyDrop (in)Drop (MOA)
0 yd27993045-1.5″—
100 yd267127720.0″0.0
200 yd25462518-3.4″-1.6
300 yd24232281-12.1″-3.9
400 yd23042063-26.8″-6.4
500 yd21881860-48.0″-9.2
600 yd20761674-76.5″-12.2
700 yd19661501-113.0″-15.4
800 yd18581342-158.6″-18.9

Point-mass G7/G1 drag model, standard atmosphere — within ~2% of reference solvers to 1000 yd; real barrels and conditions vary. Open in Ballistic Compare →

Performance

Best for HuntingHornady Precision Hunter ELD-X175 gr · ELD-X · 2,800 fps · BC 0.354 G7Buy now →
Best for TargetHornady Match162 gr · ELD-M · 2,850 fps · BC 0.321 G7Buy now →

Buy links open .280 Ackley Improved ammunition at Rivertown Munitions.

Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds

Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.

SAAMI · verified
Measuremmin✓
Bullet ⌀7.210.284✓
Neck ⌀8.000.315✓
Shoulder ⌀11.530.454✓
Shoulder angle40°—✓
Base ⌀11.900.469✓
Rim ⌀11.990.472✓
Belt ⌀n/a
Rim thickness1.190.047~
Neck length8.780.346≈
Case length64.142.525✓
Overall length84.583.330✓

Size vs familiar rounds

Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. .280 Ackley Improved is highlighted below.

Factory loads

In production — 36 active loads across 13 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 36 →.

BrandLoadGrainBulletFPSft·lbBC
FederalTerminal Ascent155Terminal Ascent3,0003,0970.586 G1
FederalPremium Berger Hybrid Hunter168Berger Hybrid Hunter OTM2,9503,2460.337 G7
HornadyPrecision Hunter ELD-X162ELD-X2,9503,1300.323 G7
HornadyPrecision Hunter162ELD-X2,9503,1300.323 G7
BergerHunting168VLD Hunting2,9503,2460.337 G7
BergerHunting VLD168VLD Hunting2,9503,2460.337 G7
BergerElite Hunter168Elite Hunter Hybrid2,9503,2460.337 G7
Black HillsGold162ELD-X2,9003,0250.323 G7
HornadyMatch162ELD-M2,8502,9210.321 G7
HornadyPrecision Hunter ELD-X175ELD-X2,8003,0460.354 G7
NoslerBallistic Tip Hunting140Ballistic Tip3,1503,084—
BarnesVOR-TX TTSX BT140TTSX BT3,1503,084—
NoslerTrophy Grade AccuBond140AccuBond3,1503,084—
NormaTipStrike140TipStrike3,1503,084—
WinchesterBallistic Silvertip140BST3,1503,084—

Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.

Suitable powders

2 reloading powders listed for .280 Ackley Improved, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →

Reloader 17Reloader 19
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory

Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.

Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.

Firearms chambered in .280 Ackley Improved

12 models in the database chamber .280 Ackley Improved. Browse all →

Weatherby Mark V Backcountry 2.0 .300 Wby Mag 26-inchSavage Arms 110 Timberline .280 Ackley Improved 22-inchNosler Model 21 6.5 CreedmoorChristensen Arms Ridgeline 6.5 PRCNosler Model 21 280 AISavage 110 High Country 280 AISavage 110 Ultralite 6.5 CreedmoorSavage Arms Model 110 UltraliteNosler M21 .280 AISavage Arms 110 Ultralite .280 AI 22-inchChristensen Arms Ridgeline 280 Ackley ImprovedSavage Arms Model 110 Hunter .280 Ackley Improved

Lineage

Immediate parent
.280 Remington
Family TreeOpen .280 Ackley Improved in the interactive cartridge family tree↗

Connected reference

Loads36 factory loads for .280 Ackley Improved↗Reloading2 suitable powders — cross-reference↗FirearmsFirearms in .280 Ackley Improved↗ToolCompare ballistics↗

History

Created by legendary wildcatter P.O. Ackley by fire-forming .280 Remington brass to 40-degree shoulder with less body taper. Increases powder capacity by ~6%. Wildcat for 45+ years until Nosler commercialized it in 2007 and achieved SAAMI standardization. Provides 7mm Rem Mag ballistics with standard-length action and less powder. Growing in popularity.

FAQs

What twist rate does .280 Ackley Improved use?
.280 Ackley Improved typically uses a 1:8.5 to 1:9 twist rate.
What bullet diameter is .280 Ackley Improved?
.280 Ackley Improved uses a 0.284″ (7.214 mm) diameter bullet.
Is .280 Ackley Improved still in production?
.280 Ackley Improved is active; typical availability is moderate.
What is .280 Ackley Improved used for?
.280 Ackley Improved is primarily used for hunting, target.
What is .280 Ackley Improved based on?
.280 Ackley Improved is derived from the .280 Remington case.
What are the best powders for .280 Ackley Improved?
Reloading powders commonly listed for .280 Ackley Improved include Reloader 17, Reloader 19.

Sources & provenance

Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 36 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →