Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .250 Savage with .257 | 117gr | Rhino Solid Shank bullet and 78 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are ReloadSwiss RS 60, Alliant Reloder-17 and ReloadSwiss RS 52.
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>> | 84% | 46,485 psi | 88% | 2536 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,790 psi | 90% | 2595 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,818 psi | 88% | 2595 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 84% | 45,876 psi | 87% | 2605 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,746 psi | 88% | 2631 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,817 psi | 85% | 2664 fps | 97.1% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 86% | 45,847 psi | 87% | 2608 fps | 98.4% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,485 psi | 88% | 2602 fps | 97.9% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 84% | 44,947 psi | 85% | 2566 fps | 99.1% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,543 psi | 90% | 2612 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,659 psi | 90% | 2746 fps | 98% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 92% | 45,861 psi | 87% | 2628 fps | 99.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,499 psi | 88% | 2641 fps | 98.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-16ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,194 psi | 85% | 2674 fps | 97.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,687 psi | 86% | 2717 fps | 98.9% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,645 psi | 90% | 2657 fps | 97.8% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 92% | 45,266 psi | 86% | 2628 fps | 99.1% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,326 psi | 89% | 2562 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,137 psi | 87% | 2635 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,471 psi | 90% | 2717 fps | 98.3% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,934 psi | 89% | 2638 fps | 97% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,180 psi | 87% | 2621 fps | 98.9% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100Vᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,452 psi | 78% | 2566 fps | 97.9% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,239 psi | 89% | 2690 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,722 psi | 66% | 1634 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,398 psi | 90% | 2625 fps | 99% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 86% | 44,889 psi | 85% | 2615 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 90% | 45,934 psi | 87% | 2585 fps | 98% |
| IMR 4831ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,076 psi | 81% | 2615 fps | 96.8% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,616 psi | 90% | 2674 fps | 98.8% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 84% | 44,947 psi | 85% | 2566 fps | 99.1% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,805 psi | 90% | 2605 fps | 99.8% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,166 psi | 89% | 2635 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,166 psi | 87% | 2546 fps | 98.4% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 90% | 45,542 psi | 86% | 2589 fps | 99.3% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,703 psi | 90% | 2621 fps | 96.2% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,572 psi | 90% | 2608 fps | 99.5% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 86% | 45,005 psi | 85% | 2575 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 90% | 45,687 psi | 86% | 2631 fps | 98.4% |
| Norma URPᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,991 psi | 85% | 2661 fps | 97% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 90% | 45,556 psi | 86% | 2648 fps | 98.2% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,036 psi | 89% | 2638 fps | 98.6% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 82% | 46,006 psi | 87% | 2566 fps | 98.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,896 psi | 66% | 1670 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,587 psi | 90% | 2602 fps | 99.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 88% | 45,585 psi | 86% | 2690 fps | 98% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 94% | 45,411 psi | 86% | 2723 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,701 psi | 84% | 2684 fps | 96.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,963 psi | 87% | 2697 fps | 96% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 84% | 46,166 psi | 87% | 2562 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,790 psi | 90% | 2605 fps | 99.5% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 94% | 45,121 psi | 85% | 2618 fps | 98.9% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,703 psi | 90% | 2621 fps | 96.2% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,166 psi | 89% | 2635 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 90% | 45,542 psi | 86% | 2589 fps | 99.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,007 psi | 89% | 2680 fps | 98.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,688 psi | 88% | 2516 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,209 psi | 87% | 2592 fps | 96.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,036 psi | 89% | 2628 fps | 98.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,673 psi | 88% | 2523 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,093 psi | 87% | 2520 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 82% | 45,368 psi | 86% | 2592 fps | 99.4% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 86% | 45,948 psi | 87% | 2523 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 86% | 45,759 psi | 86% | 2592 fps | 98.3% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,369 psi | 88% | 2628 fps | 98.9% |
| Somchem S365ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,074 psi | 76% | 2612 fps | 98.9% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 82% | 46,470 psi | 88% | 2497 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,688 psi | 88% | 2516 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,688 psi | 88% | 2585 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 88% | 45,063 psi | 85% | 2552 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,195 psi | 89% | 2608 fps | 99.7% |
| Vihtavuori N160ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,514 psi | 90% | 2661 fps | 97.4% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 84% | 45,339 psi | 86% | 2569 fps | 99.2% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,528 psi | 88% | 2595 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,601 psi | 88% | 2667 fps | 97.1% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 98% | 45,890 psi | 87% | 2605 fps | 98.8% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,340 psi | 89% | 2657 fps | 99.8% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,485 psi | 88% | 2635 fps | 99% |
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% | 41,234 psi | 78% | 2451 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,512 psi | 84% | 2546 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,634 psi | 64% | 2365 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,987 psi | 76% | 2503 fps | 99.5% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,836 psi | 60% | 2346 fps | 98.8% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 96% | 39,059 psi | 74% | 2559 fps | 95.6% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,739 psi | 71% | 2451 fps | 96.5% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,579 psi | 69% | 2408 fps | 95.3% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,711 psi | 75% | 2467 fps | 98.2% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,711 psi | 73% | 2474 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,914 psi | 74% | 2569 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,285 psi | 59% | 2329 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,853 psi | 68% | 2431 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 96% | 40,001 psi | 76% | 2569 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | 32.8 gr | 88% | 35,085 psi | 66% | 2490 fps | 95.9% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 82% | 39,001 psi | 74% | 2497 fps | 95.6% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,342 psi | 57% | 2320 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,916 psi | 79% | 2467 fps | 99% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,898 psi | 72% | 2484 fps | 98.4% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,524 psi | 78% | 2605 fps | 97% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,988 psi | 77% | 2530 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,971 psi | 72% | 2464 fps | 97.2% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 94% | 34,301 psi | 65% | 2415 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,040 psi | 64% | 2428 fps | 96.4% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,788 psi | 49% | 1457 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,579 psi | 69% | 2418 fps | 96.7% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,043 psi | 70% | 2474 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,998 psi | 68% | 2392 fps | 95.4% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 96% | 37,884 psi | 72% | 2513 fps | 95.2% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,432 psi | 65% | 2411 fps | 95.6% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,711 psi | 75% | 2467 fps | 98.2% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,454 psi | 84% | 2549 fps | 99.6% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,100 psi | 68% | 2434 fps | 98.9% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,769 psi | 73% | 2405 fps | 96.8% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,591 psi | 63% | 2352 fps | 96.7% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 96% | 44,860 psi | 85% | 2572 fps | 95.5% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,043 psi | 70% | 2415 fps | 97.7% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,231 psi | 70% | 2431 fps | 99.4% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,244 psi | 67% | 2421 fps | 95.8% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 96% | 39,653 psi | 75% | 2556 fps | 95.5% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 82% | 34,722 psi | 66% | 2428 fps | 95.2% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,812 psi | 73% | 2484 fps | 96.8% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,975 psi | 81% | 2510 fps | 97.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,034 psi | 49% | 1493 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,730 psi | 84% | 2556 fps | 99.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | 30.1 gr | 82% | 37,159 psi | 70% | 2523 fps | 95.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | 29.8 gr | 80% | 28,848 psi | 54% | 2329 fps | 95.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 96% | 39,073 psi | 74% | 2572 fps | 95% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 98% | 43,250 psi | 82% | 2644 fps | 95.1% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,828 psi | 77% | 2467 fps | 99.7% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,273 psi | 67% | 2369 fps | 97.2% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 84% | 32,605 psi | 62% | 2369 fps | 95.7% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 96% | 44,860 psi | 85% | 2572 fps | 95.5% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,100 psi | 68% | 2434 fps | 98.9% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,591 psi | 63% | 2352 fps | 96.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 84% | 33,982 psi | 64% | 2415 fps | 95% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,928 psi | 74% | 2388 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,393 psi | 76% | 2487 fps | 95.1% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,187 psi | 68% | 2418 fps | 96% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,841 psi | 73% | 2385 fps | 99.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,850 psi | 60% | 2257 fps | 99.1% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,627 psi | 81% | 2546 fps | 99% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,232 psi | 72% | 2388 fps | 99.8% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,347 psi | 71% | 2434 fps | 96.3% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 82% | 31,778 psi | 60% | 2333 fps | 95% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 90% | 29,385 psi | 56% | 2349 fps | 95.1% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,048 psi | 83% | 2461 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,928 psi | 74% | 2388 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,171 psi | 65% | 2365 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,012 psi | 66% | 2365 fps | 99.3% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,195 psi | 53% | 2224 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 94% | 39,320 psi | 74% | 2513 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,523 psi | 75% | 2461 fps | 98.3% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,562 psi | 63% | 2352 fps | 98.7% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 96% | 40,770 psi | 77% | 2562 fps | 95.6% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 88% | 32,938 psi | 62% | 2343 fps | 95.1% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,711 psi | 73% | 2507 fps | 98.8% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,549 psi | 67% | 2425 fps | 96.5% |
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 98 powders for .250 Savage loaded with the .257 | 117gr | Rhino Solid Shank. Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,746 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,634 fps to 2,746 fps. Accurate 4350 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 98 of the 98 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (365 MPa), the top charges use 60–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 117.0 gr projectile in 0.257" calls for a 1:11.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 4350, Alliant Reloder-16, Alliant Reloder-23 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, Alliant Reloder-17, ReloadSwiss RS 52 rank at the top here: for .250 Savage with the .257 | 117gr | Rhino Solid Shank they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, Accurate 2700, Alliant Reloder-23, Alliant Reloder-26 burn incompletely and react more sensitively to barrel length and temperature. Always begin at the start load and work up in small increments while checking case and primer for pressure signs.