Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .250 Savage with .257 | 87gr | Speer MHP bullet and 60 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are IMR 3031, Winchester 748 and Accurate 2520.
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>> | 90% | 46,905 psi | 89% | 2963 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 86% | 45,339 psi | 86% | 2963 fps | 98.7% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,977 psi | 87% | 3005 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 90% | 45,803 psi | 87% | 3009 fps | 98.5% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 98% | 45,556 psi | 86% | 3028 fps | 99.3% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 82% | 45,527 psi | 86% | 2867 fps | 99.6% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 82% | 45,919 psi | 87% | 2881 fps | 98.5% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,587 psi | 90% | 3028 fps | 99.7% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 90% | 45,919 psi | 87% | 2976 fps | 96.9% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,702 psi | 88% | 3045 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,282 psi | 87% | 3077 fps | 96.4% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 98% | 45,281 psi | 86% | 3015 fps | 96.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,456 psi | 90% | 2989 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,152 psi | 89% | 2907 fps | 99.8% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 98% | 44,947 psi | 85% | 3018 fps | 96.5% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 88% | 45,571 psi | 86% | 2923 fps | 97.4% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,702 psi | 88% | 3048 fps | 97.7% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,340 psi | 88% | 3009 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,065 psi | 89% | 3022 fps | 99.1% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,630 psi | 88% | 3028 fps | 96.4% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,747 psi | 90% | 3094 fps | 97.1% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,446 psi | 63% | 1903 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 92% | 44,918 psi | 85% | 2969 fps | 95.8% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,471 psi | 90% | 3091 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 84% | 45,629 psi | 86% | 2913 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,703 psi | 90% | 3077 fps | 96.1% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 90% | 45,919 psi | 87% | 2976 fps | 96.9% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 86% | 45,440 psi | 86% | 2963 fps | 97.7% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,152 psi | 89% | 3045 fps | 98.7% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,413 psi | 90% | 2949 fps | 95.8% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,687 psi | 86% | 2986 fps | 97% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,195 psi | 89% | 2959 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,848 psi | 90% | 3012 fps | 97.4% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 92% | 45,107 psi | 85% | 2982 fps | 98.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,359 psi | 63% | 1942 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 86% | 45,614 psi | 86% | 2972 fps | 98.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,195 psi | 87% | 3114 fps | 98.2% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,311 psi | 87% | 2972 fps | 98.9% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 94% | 45,194 psi | 85% | 2953 fps | 96.8% |
| Rottweil R 903ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,846 psi | 85% | 3005 fps | 96.1% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,152 psi | 89% | 3045 fps | 98.7% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,687 psi | 86% | 2986 fps | 97% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 45,716 psi | 86% | 2930 fps | 96.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 82% | 44,875 psi | 85% | 2972 fps | 98.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 84% | 45,092 psi | 85% | 2946 fps | 99.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,848 psi | 90% | 3031 fps | 95.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,848 psi | 90% | 2943 fps | 99.2% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 98% | 46,615 psi | 88% | 2927 fps | 99.6% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,673 psi | 88% | 3012 fps | 97.4% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,543 psi | 88% | 2933 fps | 99.5% |
| Somchem S355ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,818 psi | 87% | 3009 fps | 96.1% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,529 psi | 90% | 2930 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,456 psi | 90% | 2943 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,369 psi | 88% | 3005 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 94% | 45,368 psi | 86% | 2959 fps | 99.2% |
| Vihtavuori N150ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,512 psi | 84% | 2953 fps | 97.2% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,282 psi | 87% | 2976 fps | 97.1% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,702 psi | 88% | 2999 fps | 99% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,674 psi | 90% | 3074 fps | 98.2% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,659 psi | 88% | 3028 fps | 96.4% |
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% | 34,229 psi | 65% | 2700 fps | 98.7% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,840 psi | 70% | 2782 fps | 96.8% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,818 psi | 51% | 2562 fps | 96.7% |
| Accurate 2520 | 32.6 gr | 82% | 34,867 psi | 66% | 2772 fps | 95.7% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 86% | 30,922 psi | 58% | 2694 fps | 95.6% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,888 psi | 81% | 2815 fps | 99.3% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,250 psi | 82% | 2828 fps | 98% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,292 psi | 78% | 2907 fps | 98.9% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,466 psi | 76% | 2864 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,343 psi | 59% | 2720 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 84% | 43,149 psi | 82% | 3009 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,641 psi | 81% | 2963 fps | 95.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,102 psi | 74% | 2828 fps | 99.9% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,495 psi | 78% | 2799 fps | 99.3% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,192 psi | 80% | 2963 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 82% | 38,014 psi | 72% | 2759 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 86% | 38,000 psi | 72% | 2864 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,782 psi | 71% | 2831 fps | 98.2% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,348 psi | 72% | 2841 fps | 97.5% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 90% | 43,598 psi | 82% | 2966 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,800 psi | 79% | 2972 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,845 psi | 47% | 1706 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,322 psi | 80% | 2917 fps | 95% |
| IMR 3031 | 29.1 gr | 80% | 29,994 psi | 57% | 2687 fps | 96.6% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,306 psi | 76% | 2812 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 94% | 44,556 psi | 84% | 3015 fps | 95.3% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,466 psi | 76% | 2864 fps | 95.4% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,651 psi | 69% | 2776 fps | 95.4% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 84% | 33,402 psi | 63% | 2746 fps | 95.1% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 90% | 44,744 psi | 85% | 2900 fps | 95.1% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,234 psi | 76% | 2871 fps | 95.5% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,469 psi | 84% | 2910 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 88% | 39,697 psi | 75% | 2844 fps | 95.3% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 82% | 32,750 psi | 62% | 2703 fps | 95.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,584 psi | 46% | 1736 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,507 psi | 71% | 2799 fps | 96.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 94% | 37,811 psi | 71% | 2913 fps | 95.4% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,258 psi | 65% | 2700 fps | 95.9% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,147 psi | 76% | 2844 fps | 95.4% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,771 psi | 79% | 2943 fps | 95.2% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 33,402 psi | 63% | 2746 fps | 95.1% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,234 psi | 76% | 2871 fps | 95.5% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,714 psi | 81% | 2871 fps | 95.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,916 psi | 79% | 2913 fps | 98.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,784 psi | 75% | 2841 fps | 99.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 92% | 44,701 psi | 84% | 2972 fps | 95.1% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,837 psi | 62% | 2618 fps | 95.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 82% | 28,253 psi | 53% | 2513 fps | 95% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,437 psi | 76% | 2884 fps | 95.8% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,256 psi | 61% | 2621 fps | 96.5% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 98% | 43,134 psi | 81% | 2956 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,333 psi | 71% | 2733 fps | 99.7% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,634 psi | 62% | 2635 fps | 98.2% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,644 psi | 52% | 2575 fps | 96.9% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 82% | 30,763 psi | 58% | 2628 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 96% | 38,986 psi | 74% | 2838 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,234 psi | 76% | 2851 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 84% | 31,647 psi | 60% | 2664 fps | 95% |
| Winchester 748 | 33.1 gr | 84% | 36,318 psi | 69% | 2828 fps | 95.1% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 92% | 43,627 psi | 82% | 2969 fps | 95.6% |
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 60 powders for .250 Savage loaded with the .257 | 87gr | Speer MHP. ReloadSwiss RS 60 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,114 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,903 fps to 3,114 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 60 of the 60 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (365 MPa), the top charges use 63–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 87.0 gr projectile in 0.257" calls for a 1:12.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Hodgdon TrailBoss, ReloadSwiss RS 14, ReloadSwiss RS 60 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. IMR 3031, Winchester 748, Accurate 2520 rank at the top here: for .250 Savage with the .257 | 87gr | Speer MHP 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.