Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .460 S&W Mag. with .452 | 255gr | Rim Rock SWC Top Shelf 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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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% | 53,316 psi | 86% | 1962 fps | 98% |
| Accurate No. 11 FS* | <<locked>> | 96% | 51,953 psi | 84% | 1959 fps | 92.9% |
| Accurate No. 2² | <<locked>> | 72% | 52,315 psi | 84% | 1680 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 7² | <<locked>> | 68% | 51,982 psi | 84% | 1906 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 9² | <<locked>> | 76% | 52,678 psi | 85% | 1932 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate Solo 1000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,910 psi | 85% | 1585 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,620 psi | 85% | 1627 fps | 100% |
| Accurate TCM² | <<locked>> | 76% | 51,909 psi | 84% | 1913 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 100 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,330 psi | 86% | 1821 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 68% | 54,534 psi | 88% | 1667 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,229 psi | 86% | 1496 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,852 psi | 85% | 1522 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,911 psi | 89% | 1575 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 76% | 53,069 psi | 86% | 1598 fps | 100% |
| Alliant 2400 | <<locked>> | 84% | 50,212 psi | 81% | 1942 fps | 99% |
| Alliant BE-86 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,462 psi | 88% | 1624 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BLUE DOT | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,463 psi | 90% | 1949 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 72% | 55,129 psi | 89% | 1749 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,084 psi | 86% | 1604 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,098 psi | 84% | 1706 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL² | <<locked>> | 76% | 54,360 psi | 88% | 1893 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 300-MP | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,095 psi | 79% | 1955 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant RED DOT | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,214 psi | 86% | 1581 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 64% | 50,604 psi | 82% | 1703 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,868 psi | 89% | 1742 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100 | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,216 psi | 89% | 1594 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,142 psi | 86% | 1575 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 72% | 52,533 psi | 85% | 1578 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE Pistol² | <<locked>> | 76% | 53,113 psi | 86% | 1644 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,882 psi | 89% | 1535 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H110 | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,662 psi | 82% | 1982 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon HS-6² | <<locked>> | 64% | 55,042 psi | 89% | 1795 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon LilGun | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,387 psi | 83% | 2014 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 24,831 psi | 40% | 1181 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 76% | 55,347 psi | 89% | 1673 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.1² | <<locked>> | 68% | 51,982 psi | 84% | 1906 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.2² | <<locked>> | 76% | 54,099 psi | 87% | 1949 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 68% | 53,969 psi | 87% | 1617 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 72% | 54,665 psi | 88% | 1677 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,968 psi | 86% | 1624 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,534 psi | 88% | 1631 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,388 psi | 85% | 1601 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,288 psi | 88% | 1601 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 76% | 51,924 psi | 84% | 1532 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Enforcer | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,488 psi | 83% | 1952 fps | 99.6% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 64% | 52,069 psi | 84% | 1713 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 68% | 51,532 psi | 83% | 1588 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 23,699 psi | 38% | 1201 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20 | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,390 psi | 89% | 1716 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24² | <<locked>> | 76% | 52,852 psi | 85% | 1896 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 30*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 38,159 psi | 62% | 1827 fps | 94.7% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 68% | 54,708 psi | 88% | 1591 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806² | <<locked>> | 76% | 51,532 psi | 83% | 1811 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Heavy Pistol² | <<locked>> | 76% | 54,099 psi | 87% | 1949 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Major Pistol² | <<locked>> | 68% | 51,982 psi | 84% | 1906 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A0 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,810 psi | 89% | 1690 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 76% | 52,765 psi | 85% | 1614 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 76% | 52,750 psi | 85% | 1634 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,810 psi | 89% | 1542 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,143 psi | 58% | 1722 fps | 98.3% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,750 psi | 84% | 1739 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 76% | 51,822 psi | 84% | 1631 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2² | <<locked>> | 68% | 52,011 psi | 84% | 1844 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 72% | 52,156 psi | 84% | 1706 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MS200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,390 psi | 89% | 1709 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S221² | <<locked>> | 64% | 51,895 psi | 84% | 1844 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S265*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,863 psi | 79% | 1880 fps | 93.8% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37² | <<locked>> | 76% | 52,112 psi | 84% | 1752 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,272 psi | 86% | 1877 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N105 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,272 psi | 84% | 1873 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N110ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,673 psi | 75% | 1906 fps | 98.9% |
| Vihtavuori N310² | <<locked>> | 64% | 52,330 psi | 84% | 1503 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 76% | 55,869 psi | 90% | 1608 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Starᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,207 psi | 70% | 1398 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 72% | 53,200 psi | 86% | 1637 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 76% | 52,170 psi | 84% | 1673 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,517 psi | 82% | 1726 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 231² | <<locked>> | 64% | 52,054 psi | 84% | 1614 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 296* | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,359 psi | 86% | 2041 fps | 93.8% |
| Winchester AutoComp | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,199 psi | 84% | 1637 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 | 31.4 gr | 64% | 23,250 psi | 38% | 1463 fps | 85.5% |
| Accurate No. 11 FS* | <<locked>> | 84% | 34,693 psi | 56% | 1706 fps | 86.1% |
| Accurate No. 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 36,274 psi | 59% | 1503 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 7² | <<locked>> | 60% | 38,696 psi | 62% | 1739 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 9² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,573 psi | 48% | 1588 fps | 95.2% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,794 psi | 55% | 1358 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,662 psi | 51% | 1381 fps | 100% |
| Accurate TCM² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,675 psi | 48% | 1581 fps | 96.2% |
| ADI AP 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,061 psi | 37% | 1381 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 44,077 psi | 71% | 1552 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,866 psi | 53% | 1253 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,314 psi | 52% | 1276 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,909 psi | 53% | 1316 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 36,535 psi | 59% | 1407 fps | 100% |
| Alliant 2400*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,902 psi | 37% | 1457 fps | 88.2% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,706 psi | 53% | 1381 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BLUE DOT*² | 23.2 gr | 60% | 22,307 psi | 36% | 1414 fps | 94.5% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 40,161 psi | 65% | 1578 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,765 psi | 55% | 1371 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,424 psi | 39% | 1332 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,026 psi | 55% | 1627 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 300-MP*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,021 psi | 45% | 1604 fps | 86.3% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,271 psi | 52% | 1322 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 45,208 psi | 73% | 1644 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,141 psi | 54% | 1480 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,707 psi | 54% | 1355 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,061 psi | 37% | 1201 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 37,710 psi | 61% | 1421 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,998 psi | 57% | 1437 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,311 psi | 44% | 1194 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H110*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,979 psi | 47% | 1624 fps | 86% |
| Hodgdon HS-6² | <<locked>> | 60% | 48,457 psi | 78% | 1729 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon LilGun*² | 33.5 gr | 68% | 20,842 psi | 34% | 1480 fps | 87% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss² | <<locked>> | 60% | 11,647 psi | 19% | 896 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 60% | 37,130 psi | 60% | 1467 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 38,696 psi | 62% | 1739 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,269 psi | 49% | 1601 fps | 95.5% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 60% | 43,323 psi | 70% | 1509 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 60% | 38,522 psi | 62% | 1506 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,907 psi | 48% | 1348 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,388 psi | 54% | 1388 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,677 psi | 53% | 1365 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,243 psi | 55% | 1368 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 60% | 36,419 psi | 59% | 1352 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Enforcer*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,104 psi | 36% | 1447 fps | 88.9% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 60% | 46,267 psi | 75% | 1654 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 60% | 42,076 psi | 68% | 1483 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14² | <<locked>> | 60% | 11,153 psi | 18% | 909 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,372 psi | 52% | 1450 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,749 psi | 51% | 1608 fps | 99.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 30* | <<locked>> | 84% | 23,917 psi | 39% | 1526 fps | 85.1% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 60% | 44,875 psi | 72% | 1490 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,182 psi | 49% | 1542 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Heavy Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,269 psi | 49% | 1601 fps | 95.5% |
| Shooters World Major Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 38,696 psi | 62% | 1739 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A0² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,240 psi | 49% | 1398 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 35,128 psi | 57% | 1414 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,722 psi | 56% | 1430 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 60% | 35,491 psi | 57% | 1319 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 16,201 psi | 26% | 1276 fps | 85.1% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,137 psi | 44% | 1417 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,606 psi | 56% | 1430 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 39,885 psi | 64% | 1699 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 37,695 psi | 61% | 1539 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,388 psi | 54% | 1453 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S221² | <<locked>> | 60% | 45,150 psi | 73% | 1765 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S265* | <<locked>> | 84% | 30,864 psi | 50% | 1598 fps | 86.3% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,619 psi | 53% | 1516 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,264 psi | 38% | 1424 fps | 98.2% |
| Vihtavuori N105² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,161 psi | 34% | 1407 fps | 99.4% |
| Vihtavuori N110*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 19,464 psi | 31% | 1394 fps | 85.8% |
| Vihtavuori N310² | <<locked>> | 60% | 47,210 psi | 76% | 1450 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 60% | 37,289 psi | 60% | 1407 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,435 psi | 31% | 1060 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 60% | 38,334 psi | 62% | 1473 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,634 psi | 54% | 1457 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,384 psi | 46% | 1444 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 231² | <<locked>> | 60% | 46,325 psi | 75% | 1555 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 296* | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,954 psi | 56% | 1762 fps | 86.6% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,531 psi | 51% | 1394 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 29 powders for .460 S&W Mag. loaded with the .452 | 255gr | Rim Rock SWC Top Shelf. Winchester 296 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,041 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,181 fps to 2,041 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 29 of the 29 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (427 MPa), the top charges use 38–90 %, 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 | 255gr | Rim Rock SWC Top Shelf 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 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.