Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .460 S&W Mag. with .452 | 250gr | Hornady FTX 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, Accurate 4100 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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Max Load - Barrel Length: 8.38"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 4100 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,345 psi | 86% | 1962 fps | 97.6% |
| Accurate No. 11 FS* | <<locked>> | 96% | 51,547 psi | 83% | 1949 fps | 92% |
| Accurate No. 2² | <<locked>> | 72% | 51,677 psi | 83% | 1677 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 7² | <<locked>> | 68% | 51,851 psi | 84% | 1906 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 9² | <<locked>> | 76% | 52,518 psi | 85% | 1932 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate Solo 1000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,084 psi | 86% | 1585 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,692 psi | 85% | 1627 fps | 100% |
| Accurate TCM² | <<locked>> | 76% | 51,895 psi | 84% | 1916 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 100 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,055 psi | 86% | 1824 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 68% | 54,592 psi | 88% | 1663 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,185 psi | 86% | 1496 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,634 psi | 85% | 1522 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,897 psi | 89% | 1575 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 76% | 53,534 psi | 86% | 1601 fps | 100% |
| Alliant 2400 | <<locked>> | 84% | 50,546 psi | 82% | 1942 fps | 98.7% |
| Alliant BE-86 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,766 psi | 88% | 1627 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BLUE DOT | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,593 psi | 90% | 1955 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 72% | 54,578 psi | 88% | 1745 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,185 psi | 86% | 1604 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,373 psi | 85% | 1709 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL² | <<locked>> | 76% | 54,259 psi | 88% | 1896 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 300-MP | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,385 psi | 80% | 1955 fps | 95% |
| Alliant RED DOT | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,534 psi | 86% | 1581 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 64% | 50,488 psi | 82% | 1706 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,013 psi | 89% | 1745 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100 | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,361 psi | 89% | 1594 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,577 psi | 87% | 1578 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 72% | 52,605 psi | 85% | 1578 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE Pistol² | <<locked>> | 76% | 53,374 psi | 86% | 1644 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,766 psi | 88% | 1535 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H110* | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,923 psi | 82% | 1978 fps | 94.8% |
| Hodgdon HS-6² | <<locked>> | 64% | 55,201 psi | 89% | 1798 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon LilGun | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,894 psi | 82% | 2011 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 25,541 psi | 41% | 1184 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 76% | 55,463 psi | 90% | 1673 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.1² | <<locked>> | 68% | 51,851 psi | 84% | 1906 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.2² | <<locked>> | 76% | 53,867 psi | 87% | 1949 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 68% | 53,751 psi | 87% | 1617 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 72% | 54,549 psi | 88% | 1677 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,243 psi | 86% | 1627 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,114 psi | 89% | 1634 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,373 psi | 85% | 1601 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,172 psi | 87% | 1601 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 76% | 52,069 psi | 84% | 1532 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Enforcer | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,837 psi | 84% | 1955 fps | 99.4% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 64% | 52,214 psi | 84% | 1716 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 68% | 52,112 psi | 84% | 1591 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 24,685 psi | 40% | 1207 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20 | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,042 psi | 89% | 1716 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24² | <<locked>> | 76% | 52,895 psi | 85% | 1900 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 30*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 38,232 psi | 62% | 1827 fps | 94% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 68% | 55,303 psi | 89% | 1594 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806² | <<locked>> | 76% | 52,417 psi | 85% | 1821 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Heavy Pistol² | <<locked>> | 76% | 53,867 psi | 87% | 1949 fps | 99.9% |
| Shooters World Major Pistol² | <<locked>> | 68% | 51,851 psi | 84% | 1906 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A0 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,273 psi | 88% | 1686 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 76% | 52,649 psi | 85% | 1617 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 76% | 52,605 psi | 85% | 1637 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,621 psi | 88% | 1542 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,347 psi | 59% | 1726 fps | 97.9% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,880 psi | 84% | 1742 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 76% | 52,054 psi | 84% | 1634 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2² | <<locked>> | 68% | 52,040 psi | 84% | 1844 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 72% | 52,243 psi | 84% | 1709 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MS200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,361 psi | 89% | 1713 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S221² | <<locked>> | 64% | 51,895 psi | 84% | 1844 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S265*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,269 psi | 80% | 1880 fps | 93.2% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37² | <<locked>> | 76% | 52,199 psi | 84% | 1755 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,229 psi | 86% | 1877 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N105 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,156 psi | 84% | 1873 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N110ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,934 psi | 76% | 1909 fps | 98.6% |
| Vihtavuori N310² | <<locked>> | 64% | 52,373 psi | 85% | 1499 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 76% | 55,956 psi | 90% | 1608 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Starᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,729 psi | 71% | 1401 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 72% | 53,476 psi | 86% | 1640 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 76% | 52,098 psi | 84% | 1673 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,386 psi | 81% | 1729 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 231² | <<locked>> | 64% | 51,808 psi | 84% | 1614 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 296* | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,272 psi | 86% | 2037 fps | 93.1% |
| Winchester AutoComp | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,620 psi | 85% | 1644 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 | 30.2 gr | 64% | 24,163 psi | 39% | 1476 fps | 85.6% |
| Accurate No. 11 FS* | <<locked>> | 84% | 34,998 psi | 57% | 1709 fps | 85.4% |
| Accurate No. 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 36,361 psi | 59% | 1503 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 7² | <<locked>> | 60% | 39,233 psi | 63% | 1745 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate No. 9*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,211 psi | 49% | 1594 fps | 94.9% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,895 psi | 55% | 1358 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,155 psi | 52% | 1385 fps | 100% |
| Accurate TCM² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,211 psi | 49% | 1591 fps | 96% |
| ADI AP 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,496 psi | 38% | 1388 fps | 99.9% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 44,353 psi | 72% | 1555 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,011 psi | 53% | 1253 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,285 psi | 52% | 1273 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,504 psi | 54% | 1319 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 36,999 psi | 60% | 1411 fps | 100% |
| Alliant 2400*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,931 psi | 39% | 1473 fps | 88.4% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,286 psi | 54% | 1388 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BLUE DOT*² | 22.3 gr | 60% | 23,090 psi | 37% | 1427 fps | 94.5% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 40,176 psi | 65% | 1578 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,185 psi | 55% | 1375 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,121 psi | 41% | 1335 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,432 psi | 56% | 1634 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 300-MP*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,979 psi | 47% | 1617 fps | 86.3% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,837 psi | 53% | 1329 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 45,382 psi | 73% | 1647 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,692 psi | 54% | 1483 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,127 psi | 55% | 1358 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,859 psi | 39% | 1211 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 38,130 psi | 62% | 1427 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 35,563 psi | 57% | 1440 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,557 psi | 44% | 1198 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H110*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,849 psi | 48% | 1637 fps | 85.9% |
| Hodgdon HS-6² | <<locked>> | 60% | 48,182 psi | 78% | 1726 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon LilGun*² | 32.3 gr | 68% | 21,944 psi | 35% | 1503 fps | 87.5% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss² | <<locked>> | 60% | 12,604 psi | 20% | 906 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 60% | 37,637 psi | 61% | 1470 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 39,233 psi | 63% | 1745 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex D037.2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,937 psi | 50% | 1608 fps | 95.3% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 60% | 43,352 psi | 70% | 1509 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 60% | 39,030 psi | 63% | 1509 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,429 psi | 49% | 1352 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,330 psi | 55% | 1394 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,040 psi | 53% | 1368 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,505 psi | 56% | 1371 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 60% | 36,593 psi | 59% | 1352 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Enforcer*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,206 psi | 37% | 1467 fps | 89.2% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 60% | 46,267 psi | 75% | 1654 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 60% | 42,830 psi | 69% | 1490 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14² | <<locked>> | 60% | 12,256 psi | 20% | 922 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,837 psi | 53% | 1457 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,329 psi | 52% | 1614 fps | 99.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 30* | <<locked>> | 88% | 27,383 psi | 44% | 1604 fps | 87.4% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 60% | 45,252 psi | 73% | 1490 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,502 psi | 51% | 1558 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Heavy Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,937 psi | 50% | 1608 fps | 95.3% |
| Shooters World Major Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 39,233 psi | 63% | 1745 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan A0² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,472 psi | 49% | 1398 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 35,375 psi | 57% | 1417 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,954 psi | 56% | 1434 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 60% | 35,853 psi | 58% | 1322 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 17,289 psi | 28% | 1302 fps | 85.9% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,572 psi | 45% | 1421 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,896 psi | 56% | 1434 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 40,538 psi | 65% | 1706 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 37,956 psi | 61% | 1542 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,692 psi | 54% | 1457 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S221² | <<locked>> | 60% | 45,440 psi | 73% | 1768 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S265* | <<locked>> | 84% | 31,937 psi | 52% | 1608 fps | 86% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,141 psi | 54% | 1522 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,178 psi | 39% | 1437 fps | 98.2% |
| Vihtavuori N105² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,249 psi | 36% | 1427 fps | 99.5% |
| Vihtavuori N110*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 20,552 psi | 33% | 1417 fps | 86.3% |
| Vihtavuori N310² | <<locked>> | 60% | 47,572 psi | 77% | 1450 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 60% | 37,797 psi | 61% | 1411 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,334 psi | 33% | 1066 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 60% | 38,783 psi | 63% | 1480 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,069 psi | 55% | 1460 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,080 psi | 47% | 1453 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 231² | <<locked>> | 60% | 46,731 psi | 75% | 1562 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 296* | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,636 psi | 58% | 1772 fps | 86.2% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,923 psi | 52% | 1398 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 .452 | 250gr | Hornady FTX. Winchester 296 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,037 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,184 fps to 2,037 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 43 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 40–90 %, 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. Hodgdon LilGun, Accurate 4100, Alliant BLUE DOT rank at the top here: for .460 S&W Mag. with the .452 | 250gr | Hornady FTX they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, Accurate No. 11 FS, Hodgdon H110, ReloadSwiss RS 30 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.