Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .250 Savage with .257 | 100gr | Rhino Penetrator bullet and 71 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 LEVERevolution and Bofors RP3.
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% | 47,079 psi | 89% | 2759 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 84% | 45,165 psi | 85% | 2759 fps | 99.4% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 94% | 45,919 psi | 87% | 2799 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 88% | 45,716 psi | 86% | 2805 fps | 99.3% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,774 psi | 86% | 2828 fps | 99.8% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 90% | 45,818 psi | 87% | 2805 fps | 96.8% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,992 psi | 89% | 2802 fps | 96.2% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 82% | 46,920 psi | 89% | 2812 fps | 100% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 88% | 45,542 psi | 86% | 2772 fps | 97.9% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,021 psi | 89% | 2831 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 84% | 46,224 psi | 87% | 2871 fps | 97.6% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,324 psi | 86% | 2818 fps | 97.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,181 psi | 89% | 2772 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,543 psi | 88% | 2838 fps | 96.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-17ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,934 psi | 87% | 2904 fps | 97.1% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 82% | 46,659 psi | 88% | 2700 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,252 psi | 85% | 2828 fps | 97.8% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 86% | 45,179 psi | 85% | 2723 fps | 98.4% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,369 psi | 88% | 2841 fps | 98.6% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 86% | 44,904 psi | 85% | 2864 fps | 95.9% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 84% | 46,079 psi | 87% | 2795 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 84% | 46,934 psi | 89% | 2815 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,137 psi | 87% | 2818 fps | 97.5% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,500 psi | 90% | 2894 fps | 98.2% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,968 psi | 64% | 1759 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 90% | 44,643 psi | 84% | 2772 fps | 97% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 90% | 44,889 psi | 85% | 2831 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,398 psi | 88% | 2785 fps | 96.4% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 82% | 45,107 psi | 85% | 2694 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,616 psi | 90% | 2874 fps | 97.3% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 88% | 45,542 psi | 86% | 2772 fps | 97.9% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 84% | 45,034 psi | 85% | 2759 fps | 98.6% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,282 psi | 89% | 2844 fps | 99.4% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,181 psi | 89% | 2753 fps | 97.1% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 94% | 45,774 psi | 86% | 2792 fps | 98.1% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,659 psi | 90% | 2812 fps | 98.4% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,848 psi | 90% | 2831 fps | 99.8% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 94% | 45,643 psi | 86% | 2828 fps | 96.8% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 94% | 45,818 psi | 87% | 2844 fps | 96.5% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 88% | 44,744 psi | 85% | 2792 fps | 96.5% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,978 psi | 89% | 2772 fps | 96.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,997 psi | 64% | 1798 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 84% | 45,455 psi | 86% | 2769 fps | 99% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 92% | 45,281 psi | 86% | 2884 fps | 96% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 98% | 45,788 psi | 86% | 2920 fps | 99.2% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,456 psi | 88% | 2772 fps | 99.5% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 92% | 45,339 psi | 86% | 2759 fps | 97.9% |
| Rottweil R 903ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,718 psi | 90% | 2864 fps | 97.9% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,282 psi | 89% | 2844 fps | 99.4% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 94% | 45,774 psi | 86% | 2792 fps | 98.1% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 82% | 45,237 psi | 85% | 2726 fps | 97.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,601 psi | 90% | 2818 fps | 99.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,239 psi | 89% | 2877 fps | 97% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,152 psi | 89% | 2733 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,224 psi | 89% | 2828 fps | 97.1% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,384 psi | 90% | 2733 fps | 99.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,383 psi | 88% | 2726 fps | 99.9% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,369 psi | 88% | 2808 fps | 98.4% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,166 psi | 87% | 2730 fps | 99.9% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,166 psi | 87% | 2792 fps | 96.7% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 98% | 45,876 psi | 87% | 2815 fps | 97.3% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,253 psi | 89% | 2720 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,152 psi | 89% | 2733 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,369 psi | 88% | 2795 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 92% | 45,368 psi | 86% | 2762 fps | 99.7% |
| Vihtavuori N150ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,108 psi | 89% | 2805 fps | 98.7% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 88% | 45,963 psi | 87% | 2776 fps | 98.1% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,601 psi | 88% | 2802 fps | 99.6% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALLᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,700 psi | 83% | 2736 fps | 96.5% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,616 psi | 90% | 2871 fps | 99.1% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,775 psi | 88% | 2838 fps | 97.6% |
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% | 36,492 psi | 69% | 2562 fps | 99.7% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,421 psi | 74% | 2648 fps | 98.5% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,892 psi | 55% | 2444 fps | 98.6% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,737 psi | 66% | 2585 fps | 97% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,354 psi | 52% | 2411 fps | 95.5% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,524 psi | 77% | 2700 fps | 95.4% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 94% | 44,179 psi | 83% | 2749 fps | 95.5% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,019 psi | 83% | 2759 fps | 99.8% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,578 psi | 67% | 2562 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,591 psi | 63% | 2582 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,582 psi | 77% | 2753 fps | 96.2% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 90% | 37,434 psi | 71% | 2661 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,495 psi | 78% | 2674 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 92% | 43,700 psi | 83% | 2785 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 96% | 40,292 psi | 76% | 2782 fps | 95.3% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,656 psi | 82% | 2648 fps | 99.9% |
| Bofors RP3 | 32.6 gr | 90% | 36,854 psi | 70% | 2661 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,681 psi | 71% | 2569 fps | 96.6% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,982 psi | 62% | 2559 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,901 psi | 79% | 2802 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,103 psi | 76% | 2684 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,669 psi | 77% | 2697 fps | 98.9% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,305 psi | 72% | 2657 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | 32.2 gr | 86% | 36,593 psi | 69% | 2667 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,208 psi | 48% | 1575 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 86% | 39,465 psi | 75% | 2667 fps | 95.6% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,169 psi | 61% | 2566 fps | 98.6% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 92% | 43,598 psi | 82% | 2733 fps | 95.7% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,685 psi | 81% | 2651 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 88% | 39,131 psi | 74% | 2707 fps | 95.1% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,578 psi | 67% | 2562 fps | 95.2% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,363 psi | 74% | 2651 fps | 97.5% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,227 psi | 59% | 2510 fps | 95.7% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,363 psi | 74% | 2598 fps | 95% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 86% | 35,665 psi | 67% | 2582 fps | 95.4% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 82% | 34,911 psi | 66% | 2549 fps | 95.1% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,750 psi | 62% | 2520 fps | 97.1% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,943 psi | 75% | 2713 fps | 95.3% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,728 psi | 81% | 2782 fps | 95.7% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,742 psi | 79% | 2733 fps | 95.6% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,379 psi | 78% | 2664 fps | 95.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,019 psi | 47% | 1604 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,769 psi | 75% | 2657 fps | 97.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,453 psi | 80% | 2828 fps | 95.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | 33.1 gr | 88% | 33,243 psi | 63% | 2618 fps | 95.2% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,332 psi | 69% | 2566 fps | 97.8% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,404 psi | 67% | 2552 fps | 95.3% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 92% | 36,782 psi | 69% | 2648 fps | 95.1% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,227 psi | 59% | 2510 fps | 95.7% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 86% | 35,665 psi | 67% | 2582 fps | 95.4% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,090 psi | 80% | 2667 fps | 96.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,396 psi | 84% | 2762 fps | 99.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,481 psi | 78% | 2762 fps | 95.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,621 psi | 65% | 2497 fps | 99.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,829 psi | 79% | 2723 fps | 95.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,722 psi | 66% | 2484 fps | 97.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,195 psi | 53% | 2343 fps | 96.5% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,550 psi | 71% | 2631 fps | 96.3% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,040 psi | 64% | 2487 fps | 98.2% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,466 psi | 76% | 2684 fps | 95.2% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 92% | 37,985 psi | 72% | 2657 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,508 psi | 75% | 2582 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,621 psi | 65% | 2497 fps | 99.4% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,675 psi | 56% | 2454 fps | 98.7% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,024 psi | 59% | 2457 fps | 96.9% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 90% | 34,185 psi | 65% | 2549 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,302 psi | 67% | 2556 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,689 psi | 56% | 2438 fps | 95.7% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 98% | 40,799 psi | 77% | 2677 fps | 95.6% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,866 psi | 64% | 2582 fps | 95.7% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 86% | 38,130 psi | 72% | 2664 fps | 95.3% |
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 71 powders for .250 Savage loaded with the .257 | 100gr | Rhino Penetrator. ReloadSwiss RS 60 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,920 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,759 fps to 2,920 fps. Alliant Reloder-17 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 71 of the 71 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (365 MPa), the top charges use 64–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 100.0 gr projectile in 0.257" calls for a 1:10.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Alliant Reloder-17, Hodgdon TrailBoss, ReloadSwiss RS 14 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 LEVERevolution, Bofors RP3 rank at the top here: for .250 Savage with the .257 | 100gr | Rhino Penetrator they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. Always begin at the start load and work up in small increments while checking case and primer for pressure signs.