Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .460 S&W Mag. with .451 | 250gr | Nosler Sporting Handgun bullet and 80 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Hodgdon LilGun, Ramshot Enforcer and Alliant 2400.
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.
A valid access license is required to use the Personalized Load Calculator.
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% | 49,124 psi | 79% | 1909 fps | 96.6% |
| Accurate No. 11 FS*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,795 psi | 88% | 1982 fps | 92.5% |
| Accurate No. 2² | <<locked>> | 76% | 55,985 psi | 90% | 1713 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 7² | <<locked>> | 72% | 55,709 psi | 90% | 1949 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 9 | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,883 psi | 90% | 1969 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate Solo 1000 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,043 psi | 90% | 1611 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,448 psi | 90% | 1650 fps | 100% |
| Accurate TCM | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,332 psi | 89% | 1952 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 100 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,564 psi | 90% | 1847 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 68% | 52,460 psi | 85% | 1644 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,927 psi | 90% | 1516 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,782 psi | 90% | 1545 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,635 psi | 87% | 1558 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 76% | 51,677 psi | 83% | 1581 fps | 100% |
| Alliant 2400 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,576 psi | 85% | 1969 fps | 98.9% |
| Alliant BE-86 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,924 psi | 85% | 1608 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BLUE DOT | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,112 psi | 84% | 1913 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 72% | 52,837 psi | 85% | 1726 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,680 psi | 90% | 1627 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,998 psi | 87% | 1726 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL² | <<locked>> | 76% | 51,663 psi | 83% | 1867 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 300-MP | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,097 psi | 83% | 1978 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant RED DOT | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,083 psi | 84% | 1565 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 68% | 54,317 psi | 88% | 1742 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,475 psi | 85% | 1719 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,258 psi | 86% | 1572 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistolᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,999 psi | 90% | 1598 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 72% | 50,792 psi | 82% | 1558 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE Pistol² | <<locked>> | 76% | 51,140 psi | 83% | 1621 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,809 psi | 87% | 1519 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H110 | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,794 psi | 85% | 2005 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon HS-6² | <<locked>> | 64% | 52,533 psi | 85% | 1772 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon LilGun | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,113 psi | 86% | 2041 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 23,873 psi | 39% | 1165 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 76% | 53,330 psi | 86% | 1654 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.1² | <<locked>> | 72% | 55,709 psi | 90% | 1949 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.2² | <<locked>> | 76% | 50,111 psi | 81% | 1903 fps | 99.5% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 68% | 52,214 psi | 84% | 1598 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 72% | 51,982 psi | 84% | 1650 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,840 psi | 90% | 1650 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,402 psi | 85% | 1608 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,998 psi | 89% | 1624 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,576 psi | 85% | 1581 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,839 psi | 89% | 1555 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Enforcer | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,375 psi | 88% | 1988 fps | 99.5% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 68% | 55,927 psi | 90% | 1749 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 72% | 54,810 psi | 89% | 1617 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 22,727 psi | 37% | 1184 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,692 psi | 85% | 1693 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24 | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,985 psi | 90% | 1932 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 30*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,766 psi | 56% | 1765 fps | 92% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 68% | 53,258 psi | 86% | 1575 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,418 psi | 88% | 1847 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Heavy Pistol² | <<locked>> | 76% | 50,111 psi | 81% | 1903 fps | 99.5% |
| Shooters World Major Pistol² | <<locked>> | 72% | 55,709 psi | 90% | 1949 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A0 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,431 psi | 85% | 1667 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A1 | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,854 psi | 90% | 1644 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9 | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,825 psi | 90% | 1663 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,635 psi | 87% | 1522 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,141 psi | 54% | 1677 fps | 96.8% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,244 psi | 88% | 1762 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,969 psi | 89% | 1660 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2² | <<locked>> | 72% | 55,259 psi | 89% | 1880 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 76% | 55,434 psi | 90% | 1739 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MS200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,243 psi | 86% | 1690 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S221² | <<locked>> | 64% | 48,863 psi | 79% | 1811 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S265*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,194 psi | 73% | 1824 fps | 91.6% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37 | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,317 psi | 89% | 1785 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,840 psi | 90% | 1903 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N105 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,128 psi | 87% | 1896 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N110ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,757 psi | 69% | 1854 fps | 97.6% |
| Vihtavuori N310² | <<locked>> | 64% | 51,024 psi | 82% | 1483 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 76% | 53,969 psi | 87% | 1588 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Starᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,901 psi | 68% | 1381 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 72% | 51,401 psi | 83% | 1617 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340 | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,129 psi | 89% | 1699 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,156 psi | 86% | 1755 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 231² | <<locked>> | 68% | 55,695 psi | 90% | 1647 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 296* | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,492 psi | 90% | 2067 fps | 93.4% |
| Winchester AutoComp | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,347 psi | 89% | 1667 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% | 24,511 psi | 40% | 1493 fps | 85.5% |
| Accurate No. 11 FS* | <<locked>> | 88% | 36,274 psi | 59% | 1732 fps | 85.7% |
| Accurate No. 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,577 psi | 56% | 1480 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 7² | <<locked>> | 60% | 36,013 psi | 58% | 1699 fps | 99.5% |
| Accurate No. 9*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,340 psi | 44% | 1542 fps | 93.2% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,663 psi | 53% | 1342 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,530 psi | 49% | 1365 fps | 100% |
| Accurate TCM*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,615 psi | 45% | 1542 fps | 94.5% |
| ADI AP 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,640 psi | 35% | 1352 fps | 99.6% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 42,395 psi | 68% | 1535 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,300 psi | 52% | 1240 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,314 psi | 51% | 1257 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,981 psi | 52% | 1299 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 35,476 psi | 57% | 1391 fps | 100% |
| Alliant 2400*² | 25.2 gr | 60% | 21,277 psi | 34% | 1417 fps | 85.8% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,198 psi | 50% | 1362 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BLUE DOT*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,813 psi | 34% | 1378 fps | 92.6% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 38,479 psi | 62% | 1555 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,605 psi | 53% | 1355 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,047 psi | 37% | 1309 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,242 psi | 52% | 1604 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 300-MP*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,399 psi | 47% | 1634 fps | 86.2% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,183 psi | 50% | 1306 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 43,468 psi | 70% | 1624 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,488 psi | 51% | 1457 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,677 psi | 53% | 1342 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,162 psi | 36% | 1191 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 36,245 psi | 59% | 1404 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,692 psi | 54% | 1421 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,745 psi | 43% | 1184 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H110*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 30,385 psi | 49% | 1657 fps | 85.9% |
| Hodgdon HS-6² | <<locked>> | 60% | 45,745 psi | 74% | 1699 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon LilGun*² | 33.1 gr | 72% | 21,872 psi | 35% | 1512 fps | 87.1% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss² | <<locked>> | 60% | 11,081 psi | 18% | 883 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 60% | 35,462 psi | 57% | 1447 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 36,013 psi | 58% | 1699 fps | 99.5% |
| Lovex D037.2*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,036 psi | 45% | 1558 fps | 93.6% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 60% | 41,930 psi | 68% | 1490 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 60% | 36,999 psi | 60% | 1490 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,529 psi | 46% | 1329 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,894 psi | 51% | 1368 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,546 psi | 51% | 1352 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,083 psi | 53% | 1352 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 60% | 35,273 psi | 57% | 1335 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Enforcer*² | 27.1 gr | 60% | 20,247 psi | 33% | 1401 fps | 86.2% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 60% | 44,150 psi | 71% | 1627 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 60% | 40,538 psi | 65% | 1467 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14² | <<locked>> | 60% | 10,617 psi | 17% | 896 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,748 psi | 50% | 1430 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,878 psi | 48% | 1575 fps | 99.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 30* | <<locked>> | 92% | 27,644 psi | 45% | 1614 fps | 87.2% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 60% | 43,308 psi | 70% | 1470 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,833 psi | 45% | 1512 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Heavy Pistol*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,036 psi | 45% | 1558 fps | 93.6% |
| Shooters World Major Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 36,013 psi | 58% | 1699 fps | 99.5% |
| SNPE Vectan A0² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,761 psi | 46% | 1375 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,968 psi | 55% | 1398 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,504 psi | 54% | 1414 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,998 psi | 57% | 1309 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2* | <<locked>> | 80% | 18,869 psi | 30% | 1362 fps | 87.4% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,773 psi | 42% | 1394 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,417 psi | 54% | 1414 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 37,420 psi | 60% | 1670 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 35,781 psi | 58% | 1516 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,879 psi | 51% | 1434 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S221² | <<locked>> | 60% | 42,685 psi | 69% | 1739 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S265* | <<locked>> | 88% | 32,024 psi | 52% | 1617 fps | 85.8% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,864 psi | 50% | 1493 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,814 psi | 35% | 1391 fps | 97% |
| Vihtavuori N105² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,421 psi | 31% | 1375 fps | 98.5% |
| Vihtavuori N110*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 20,146 psi | 33% | 1417 fps | 85.6% |
| Vihtavuori N310² | <<locked>> | 60% | 46,050 psi | 74% | 1430 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 60% | 36,158 psi | 58% | 1394 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,652 psi | 30% | 1047 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 60% | 36,724 psi | 59% | 1457 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,082 psi | 52% | 1437 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,774 psi | 43% | 1421 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 231² | <<locked>> | 60% | 44,947 psi | 73% | 1539 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 296* | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,347 psi | 59% | 1788 fps | 86.3% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,095 psi | 49% | 1375 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 33 powders for .460 S&W Mag. loaded with the .451 | 250gr | Nosler Sporting Handgun. Winchester 296 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,067 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,165 fps to 2,067 fps. Accurate No. 11 FS gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 33 of the 33 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. Accurate No. 11 FS, Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol, 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 LilGun, Ramshot Enforcer, Alliant 2400 rank at the top here: for .460 S&W Mag. with the .451 | 250gr | Nosler Sporting Handgun they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, Accurate No. 11 FS, Winchester 296 burn incompletely and react more sensitively to barrel length and temperature. Hodgdon TrailBoss, ReloadSwiss RS 14 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.