Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .460 S&W Mag. with .451 | 230gr | Hornady FMJ RN bullet and 80 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Alliant 2400, Hodgdon LilGun and Alliant BLUE DOT.
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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You can find more information in our FAQ: How can I use the Personalized Load Calculator?
Max Load - Barrel Length: 8.38"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 4100 | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,299 psi | 81% | 2024 fps | 96.4% |
| Accurate No. 11 FS* | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,892 psi | 79% | 2011 fps | 90.3% |
| Accurate No. 2² | <<locked>> | 72% | 50,473 psi | 81% | 1765 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 7² | <<locked>> | 68% | 49,429 psi | 80% | 1985 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 9² | <<locked>> | 76% | 49,763 psi | 80% | 2001 fps | 99.3% |
| Accurate Solo 1000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,880 psi | 84% | 1670 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,043 psi | 90% | 1759 fps | 100% |
| Accurate TCM² | <<locked>> | 76% | 49,501 psi | 80% | 1988 fps | 99.7% |
| ADI AP 100 | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,271 psi | 83% | 1909 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 68% | 52,939 psi | 85% | 1752 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,028 psi | 90% | 1614 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,214 psi | 84% | 1604 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,592 psi | 87% | 1657 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 76% | 51,938 psi | 84% | 1683 fps | 100% |
| Alliant 2400 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,708 psi | 87% | 2087 fps | 98.7% |
| Alliant BE-86 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,997 psi | 86% | 1709 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BLUE DOT | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,881 psi | 85% | 2031 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 72% | 53,476 psi | 86% | 1837 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,927 psi | 90% | 1732 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,578 psi | 88% | 1834 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL² | <<locked>> | 76% | 52,330 psi | 84% | 1985 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 300-MP | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,779 psi | 85% | 2100 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant RED DOT | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,330 psi | 84% | 1667 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 68% | 54,955 psi | 89% | 1857 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,866 psi | 85% | 1827 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,780 psi | 87% | 1677 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol | <<locked>> | 96% | 51,721 psi | 84% | 1657 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 72% | 51,242 psi | 83% | 1660 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE Pistol² | <<locked>> | 76% | 51,735 psi | 84% | 1729 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,114 psi | 87% | 1621 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H110 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,563 psi | 88% | 2129 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon HS-6² | <<locked>> | 64% | 53,055 psi | 86% | 1883 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon LilGun | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,926 psi | 89% | 2165 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 24,149 psi | 39% | 1243 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 76% | 53,722 psi | 87% | 1762 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.1² | <<locked>> | 68% | 49,429 psi | 80% | 1985 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.2² | <<locked>> | 76% | 51,068 psi | 82% | 2018 fps | 99.5% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 68% | 52,591 psi | 85% | 1703 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 72% | 52,663 psi | 85% | 1762 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,343 psi | 83% | 1709 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,852 psi | 85% | 1713 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,434 psi | 90% | 1729 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,707 psi | 85% | 1683 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,216 psi | 89% | 1660 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Enforcer | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,434 psi | 90% | 2103 fps | 99.4% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 64% | 50,299 psi | 81% | 1798 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 72% | 55,317 psi | 89% | 1726 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 22,960 psi | 37% | 1263 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,185 psi | 86% | 1798 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24² | <<locked>> | 76% | 50,662 psi | 82% | 1982 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 30*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,636 psi | 58% | 1867 fps | 91.7% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 68% | 53,388 psi | 86% | 1677 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806 | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,288 psi | 89% | 1955 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Heavy Pistol² | <<locked>> | 76% | 51,068 psi | 82% | 2018 fps | 99.5% |
| Shooters World Major Pistol² | <<locked>> | 68% | 49,429 psi | 80% | 1985 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A0 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,808 psi | 85% | 1775 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 76% | 51,561 psi | 83% | 1699 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 76% | 51,416 psi | 83% | 1722 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,708 psi | 87% | 1621 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,852 psi | 55% | 1775 fps | 96.5% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,984 psi | 89% | 1877 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,245 psi | 89% | 1765 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2² | <<locked>> | 72% | 56,014 psi | 90% | 2001 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 76% | 55,941 psi | 90% | 1850 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MS200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,896 psi | 87% | 1801 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S221² | <<locked>> | 64% | 49,647 psi | 80% | 1926 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S265*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,311 psi | 75% | 1939 fps | 91.5% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37 | <<locked>> | 80% | 56,014 psi | 90% | 1900 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38 | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,981 psi | 82% | 1959 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N105 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,230 psi | 89% | 2014 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N110ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,932 psi | 71% | 1965 fps | 97.4% |
| Vihtavuori N310² | <<locked>> | 64% | 51,343 psi | 83% | 1585 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 76% | 54,099 psi | 87% | 1690 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Starᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,235 psi | 68% | 1473 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 72% | 51,445 psi | 83% | 1719 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340 | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,985 psi | 90% | 1814 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,853 psi | 87% | 1870 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 231² | <<locked>> | 64% | 50,575 psi | 82% | 1699 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 296* | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,559 psi | 80% | 2087 fps | 91.1% |
| Winchester AutoComp | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,651 psi | 90% | 1772 fps | 100% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
Start Load - Barrel Length: 8.38"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 4100*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 25,179 psi | 41% | 1585 fps | 85.1% |
| Accurate No. 11 FS* | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,188 psi | 60% | 1834 fps | 85.5% |
| Accurate No. 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,853 psi | 56% | 1575 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 7² | <<locked>> | 60% | 36,680 psi | 59% | 1801 fps | 99.4% |
| Accurate No. 9*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,992 psi | 45% | 1637 fps | 92.9% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,764 psi | 53% | 1427 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,618 psi | 49% | 1453 fps | 100% |
| Accurate TCM*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,181 psi | 46% | 1637 fps | 94.1% |
| ADI AP 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,930 psi | 35% | 1437 fps | 99.4% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 42,569 psi | 69% | 1634 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,300 psi | 52% | 1322 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,604 psi | 51% | 1342 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,039 psi | 52% | 1385 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 35,650 psi | 58% | 1483 fps | 100% |
| Alliant 2400*² | 27.6 gr | 60% | 21,582 psi | 35% | 1496 fps | 85.1% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,502 psi | 51% | 1450 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BLUE DOT*² | 23.7 gr | 60% | 21,103 psi | 34% | 1460 fps | 92% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 38,783 psi | 63% | 1657 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,663 psi | 53% | 1444 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,453 psi | 38% | 1394 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,460 psi | 52% | 1699 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 300-MP*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 30,139 psi | 49% | 1729 fps | 85.8% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,415 psi | 51% | 1394 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 43,845 psi | 71% | 1729 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,894 psi | 51% | 1552 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,735 psi | 53% | 1427 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,321 psi | 36% | 1266 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 36,434 psi | 59% | 1493 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,026 psi | 55% | 1512 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,760 psi | 43% | 1260 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H110*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 31,198 psi | 50% | 1752 fps | 85.5% |
| Hodgdon HS-6² | <<locked>> | 60% | 46,456 psi | 75% | 1811 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon LilGun*² | 36.3 gr | 72% | 22,466 psi | 36% | 1598 fps | 86.5% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss² | <<locked>> | 60% | 11,211 psi | 18% | 942 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 60% | 35,897 psi | 58% | 1542 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 36,680 psi | 59% | 1801 fps | 99.4% |
| Lovex D037.2*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,587 psi | 46% | 1650 fps | 93.3% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 60% | 42,032 psi | 68% | 1585 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 60% | 37,333 psi | 60% | 1585 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,660 psi | 46% | 1414 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,256 psi | 52% | 1460 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,792 psi | 51% | 1440 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,417 psi | 54% | 1444 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 60% | 35,433 psi | 57% | 1424 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Enforcer*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,755 psi | 34% | 1486 fps | 85.7% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 60% | 44,425 psi | 72% | 1732 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 60% | 40,712 psi | 66% | 1562 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14² | <<locked>> | 60% | 10,718 psi | 17% | 955 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,966 psi | 50% | 1522 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,269 psi | 49% | 1670 fps | 99% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 30* | <<locked>> | 92% | 28,326 psi | 46% | 1709 fps | 86.8% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 60% | 43,540 psi | 70% | 1565 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,384 psi | 46% | 1604 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Heavy Pistol*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,587 psi | 46% | 1650 fps | 93.3% |
| Shooters World Major Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 36,680 psi | 59% | 1801 fps | 99.4% |
| SNPE Vectan A0² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,109 psi | 47% | 1467 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,243 psi | 55% | 1490 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,779 psi | 55% | 1506 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,969 psi | 56% | 1394 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2* | <<locked>> | 80% | 19,348 psi | 31% | 1444 fps | 86.9% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,049 psi | 42% | 1483 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,460 psi | 54% | 1503 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 38,072 psi | 61% | 1778 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 36,114 psi | 58% | 1611 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,155 psi | 52% | 1526 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S221² | <<locked>> | 60% | 43,294 psi | 70% | 1844 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S265* | <<locked>> | 88% | 32,764 psi | 53% | 1713 fps | 85.5% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,183 psi | 50% | 1588 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,002 psi | 36% | 1473 fps | 96.5% |
| Vihtavuori N105² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,740 psi | 32% | 1453 fps | 98.1% |
| Vihtavuori N110* | <<locked>> | 80% | 23,554 psi | 38% | 1578 fps | 87.7% |
| Vihtavuori N310² | <<locked>> | 60% | 46,398 psi | 75% | 1529 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 60% | 36,260 psi | 59% | 1483 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,826 psi | 30% | 1119 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 60% | 36,883 psi | 60% | 1549 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,256 psi | 52% | 1529 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,224 psi | 44% | 1512 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 231² | <<locked>> | 60% | 45,092 psi | 73% | 1637 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 296* | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,463 psi | 60% | 1896 fps | 86% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,298 psi | 49% | 1463 fps | 100% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
* 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 80 powders for .460 S&W Mag. loaded with the .451 | 230gr | Hornady FMJ RN. Hodgdon LilGun delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,165 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,243 fps to 2,165 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 48 of the 80 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (427 MPa), the top charges use 37–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. Hodgdon TrailBoss, ReloadSwiss RS 14, ReloadSwiss RS 30 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. Alliant 2400, Hodgdon LilGun, Alliant BLUE DOT rank at the top here: for .460 S&W Mag. with the .451 | 230gr | Hornady FMJ RN they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, Accurate No. 11 FS, ReloadSwiss RS 30, Somchem S265 burn incompletely and react more sensitively to barrel length and temperature. Hodgdon TrailBoss, ReloadSwiss RS 14, Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star 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.