Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .25 ACP with .251 | 35gr | Hornady XTP bullet and 9 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above.
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: 2.5"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 64% | 14,620 psi | 84% | 892 fps | 99.4% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 72% | 15,461 psi | 89% | 928 fps | 98.2% |
| ADI AS 30*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 14,634 psi | 84% | 938 fps | 92.3% |
| Alliant RED DOT* | <<locked>> | 80% | 14,272 psi | 82% | 945 fps | 90.7% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 76% | 14,533 psi | 84% | 906 fps | 97.3% |
| Maxam CSB 5*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 14,112 psi | 81% | 948 fps | 94.6% |
| Rottweil P 801*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 14,997 psi | 86% | 1010 fps | 90.9% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 64% | 15,447 psi | 89% | 928 fps | 98.2% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 8,920 psi | 51% | 797 fps | 85.7% |
Start Load - Barrel Length: 2.5"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 12,517 psi | 72% | 837 fps | 98.2% |
| ADI APS 450*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 11,719 psi | 67% | 827 fps | 94.9% |
| ADI AS 30*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 11,240 psi | 65% | 837 fps | 87.5% |
| Alliant RED DOT*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 10,921 psi | 63% | 843 fps | 85.6% |
| Hodgdon Clays*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 9,500 psi | 55% | 751 fps | 91% |
| Maxam CSB 5*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 10,675 psi | 61% | 840 fps | 89.6% |
| Rottweil P 801*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 11,893 psi | 68% | 919 fps | 86.3% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,460 psi | 77% | 879 fps | 96.7% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star* | <<locked>> | 96% | 8,920 psi | 51% | 797 fps | 85.7% |
* 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 9 powders for .25 ACP loaded with the .251 | 35gr | Hornady XTP. Rottweil P 801 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 1,010 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 797 fps to 1,010 fps. Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 2 of the 9 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (120 MPa), the top charges use 51–89 %, leaving at least 11 % headroom. 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. As outliers, ADI AS 30, Alliant RED DOT, Maxam CSB 5 burn incompletely and react more sensitively to barrel length and temperature. ADI APS 350, ADI APS 450, ADI AS 30 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.