Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .250 Savage with .257 | 90gr | Sierra Blitzking BT bullet and 61 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Hodgdon BL-C2, Alliant AR-Comp and IMR 3031.
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% | 46,862 psi | 89% | 2904 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 86% | 44,976 psi | 85% | 2897 fps | 98.8% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,324 psi | 86% | 2940 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 90% | 45,687 psi | 86% | 2949 fps | 98.6% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 98% | 44,976 psi | 85% | 2963 fps | 99.3% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 82% | 45,571 psi | 86% | 2808 fps | 99.6% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 82% | 45,934 psi | 87% | 2822 fps | 98.6% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,094 psi | 89% | 2963 fps | 99.7% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 90% | 45,571 psi | 86% | 2913 fps | 96.9% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,267 psi | 87% | 2976 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 86% | 45,759 psi | 86% | 3009 fps | 96.4% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,688 psi | 90% | 3002 fps | 97.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,152 psi | 89% | 2927 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 84% | 46,905 psi | 89% | 2844 fps | 99.8% |
| Bofors RP3ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,587 psi | 90% | 3012 fps | 97.2% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 88% | 45,498 psi | 86% | 2864 fps | 97.5% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,311 psi | 87% | 2986 fps | 97.8% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 86% | 45,788 psi | 86% | 2940 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,818 psi | 88% | 2959 fps | 99.2% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 92% | 45,992 psi | 87% | 2956 fps | 96.3% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,021 psi | 89% | 3025 fps | 97% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,489 psi | 63% | 1857 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,514 psi | 90% | 2963 fps | 96.6% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,152 psi | 89% | 3025 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 84% | 45,078 psi | 85% | 2848 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,195 psi | 89% | 3009 fps | 96.1% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 90% | 45,571 psi | 86% | 2913 fps | 96.9% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 86% | 44,788 psi | 85% | 2897 fps | 97.7% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,659 psi | 88% | 2979 fps | 98.7% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,123 psi | 89% | 2887 fps | 95.9% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,136 psi | 85% | 2920 fps | 97% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 82% | 46,818 psi | 88% | 2897 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,616 psi | 90% | 2953 fps | 97.5% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,659 psi | 90% | 2972 fps | 99.3% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,616 psi | 90% | 2982 fps | 96% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,446 psi | 63% | 1896 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 86% | 45,208 psi | 85% | 2907 fps | 98.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,745 psi | 86% | 3048 fps | 98.2% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 90% | 45,788 psi | 86% | 2907 fps | 98.9% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,776 psi | 90% | 2946 fps | 97.5% |
| Rottweil R 903ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,034 psi | 83% | 2936 fps | 96% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,659 psi | 88% | 2979 fps | 98.7% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,136 psi | 85% | 2920 fps | 97% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 45,411 psi | 86% | 2867 fps | 96.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,630 psi | 90% | 2966 fps | 99.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,616 psi | 90% | 2933 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,355 psi | 89% | 2966 fps | 95.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,398 psi | 90% | 2877 fps | 99.2% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 98% | 46,441 psi | 88% | 2867 fps | 99.6% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,180 psi | 87% | 2946 fps | 97.4% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,267 psi | 87% | 2874 fps | 99.5% |
| Somchem S355ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,426 psi | 86% | 2946 fps | 96.1% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,268 psi | 89% | 2867 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,007 psi | 89% | 2877 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,006 psi | 87% | 2943 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 94% | 45,150 psi | 85% | 2900 fps | 99.2% |
| Vihtavuori N150ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,758 psi | 83% | 2884 fps | 97.1% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 90% | 45,571 psi | 86% | 2907 fps | 97% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,267 psi | 87% | 2936 fps | 99% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,268 psi | 89% | 3009 fps | 98.2% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,325 psi | 88% | 2969 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% | 34,127 psi | 64% | 2644 fps | 98.8% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,666 psi | 69% | 2723 fps | 96.9% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,484 psi | 50% | 2503 fps | 96.8% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 82% | 34,447 psi | 65% | 2710 fps | 95.8% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 86% | 30,443 psi | 58% | 2631 fps | 95.6% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,844 psi | 81% | 2759 fps | 99.3% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,207 psi | 82% | 2769 fps | 98.1% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,031 psi | 78% | 2844 fps | 99% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,074 psi | 76% | 2799 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | 28.2 gr | 80% | 31,241 psi | 59% | 2664 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,931 psi | 81% | 2949 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 94% | 39,508 psi | 75% | 2841 fps | 95% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,001 psi | 74% | 2769 fps | 99.9% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,452 psi | 78% | 2746 fps | 99.3% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,365 psi | 78% | 2894 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 82% | 37,768 psi | 71% | 2700 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | 33.4 gr | 86% | 37,753 psi | 71% | 2805 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,449 psi | 71% | 2769 fps | 98.3% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,927 psi | 72% | 2779 fps | 97.5% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 90% | 43,279 psi | 82% | 2904 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,365 psi | 78% | 2907 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,613 psi | 46% | 1657 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,018 psi | 79% | 2854 fps | 95.1% |
| IMR 3031 | 28.2 gr | 80% | 29,965 psi | 57% | 2635 fps | 96.8% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,045 psi | 76% | 2749 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 94% | 44,005 psi | 83% | 2946 fps | 95.3% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,074 psi | 76% | 2799 fps | 95.5% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,564 psi | 69% | 2720 fps | 95.5% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 84% | 32,967 psi | 62% | 2684 fps | 95.2% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 90% | 44,382 psi | 84% | 2835 fps | 95.2% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 92% | 39,885 psi | 75% | 2812 fps | 95.6% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,034 psi | 83% | 2844 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 88% | 39,624 psi | 75% | 2792 fps | 95.5% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,501 psi | 58% | 2592 fps | 95% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 90% | 44,440 psi | 84% | 2923 fps | 95.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,685 psi | 47% | 1696 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,289 psi | 70% | 2736 fps | 96.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 94% | 37,579 psi | 71% | 2854 fps | 95.5% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,113 psi | 64% | 2648 fps | 96% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,711 psi | 75% | 2782 fps | 95.4% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,336 psi | 78% | 2881 fps | 95.2% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 32,967 psi | 62% | 2684 fps | 95.2% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 92% | 39,885 psi | 75% | 2812 fps | 95.6% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,322 psi | 80% | 2805 fps | 95.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,466 psi | 78% | 2848 fps | 98.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,639 psi | 75% | 2782 fps | 99.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 92% | 44,237 psi | 84% | 2907 fps | 95.1% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,721 psi | 62% | 2562 fps | 95.8% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 82% | 27,963 psi | 53% | 2454 fps | 95.1% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 82% | 37,449 psi | 71% | 2762 fps | 95% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,937 psi | 60% | 2562 fps | 96.5% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 98% | 42,670 psi | 81% | 2890 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,202 psi | 70% | 2677 fps | 99.7% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,518 psi | 61% | 2579 fps | 98.3% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,528 psi | 52% | 2526 fps | 97% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 82% | 30,530 psi | 58% | 2572 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 96% | 38,522 psi | 73% | 2776 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,205 psi | 76% | 2799 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 84% | 31,531 psi | 60% | 2612 fps | 95.2% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,955 psi | 68% | 2766 fps | 95.1% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 92% | 43,221 psi | 82% | 2907 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 61 powders for .250 Savage loaded with the .257 | 90gr | Sierra Blitzking BT. ReloadSwiss RS 60 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,048 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,857 fps to 3,048 fps. Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 61 of the 61 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 90.0 gr projectile in 0.257" calls for a 1:10.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5, Bofors RP3, Hodgdon TrailBoss 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. Hodgdon BL-C2, Alliant AR-Comp, IMR 3031 rank at the top here: for .250 Savage with the .257 | 90gr | Sierra Blitzking BT 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.