Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .357 Maximum with .355 | 123gr | Geco SOFTPOINT bullet and 62 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Vihtavuori 3N38, Vihtavuori N105 and ADI AP 100.
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: 7.5"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate No. 2² | <<locked>> | 68% | 37,826 psi | 84% | 1667 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 7² | <<locked>> | 68% | 38,392 psi | 85% | 1864 fps | 97.1% |
| Accurate No. 9*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 38,261 psi | 85% | 1857 fps | 92.7% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 72% | 39,146 psi | 87% | 1562 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 76% | 40,190 psi | 89% | 1637 fps | 100% |
| Accurate TCM*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 37,971 psi | 84% | 1844 fps | 93.7% |
| ADI AP 100 | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,087 psi | 85% | 1788 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 72% | 38,812 psi | 86% | 1444 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 72% | 37,985 psi | 84% | 1467 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 72% | 38,058 psi | 85% | 1512 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 68% | 38,174 psi | 85% | 1565 fps | 100% |
| Alliant 2400* | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,332 psi | 81% | 1847 fps | 89.1% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 72% | 37,826 psi | 84% | 1588 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BLUE DOT | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,565 psi | 84% | 1844 fps | 96% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 64% | 36,941 psi | 82% | 1683 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 72% | 38,914 psi | 87% | 1578 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,986 psi | 87% | 1706 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL² | <<locked>> | 72% | 37,898 psi | 84% | 1841 fps | 100% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 76% | 40,393 psi | 90% | 1565 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE² | <<locked>> | 72% | 36,782 psi | 82% | 1683 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 72% | 39,247 psi | 87% | 1562 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,797 psi | 84% | 1552 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 68% | 39,798 psi | 89% | 1581 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,710 psi | 84% | 1460 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon LilGun* | <<locked>> | 96% | 36,956 psi | 82% | 1942 fps | 90.3% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 20,581 psi | 46% | 1220 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 68% | 37,971 psi | 84% | 1624 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.1² | <<locked>> | 68% | 38,392 psi | 85% | 1864 fps | 97.1% |
| Lovex D037.2*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 39,320 psi | 87% | 1873 fps | 93.1% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 68% | 39,465 psi | 88% | 1667 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 76% | 37,304 psi | 83% | 1594 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 72% | 37,782 psi | 84% | 1594 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 72% | 37,420 psi | 83% | 1572 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 72% | 39,465 psi | 88% | 1572 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 68% | 39,015 psi | 87% | 1512 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Enforcer* | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,665 psi | 79% | 1844 fps | 90.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 64% | 38,943 psi | 87% | 1591 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 19,406 psi | 43% | 1237 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 76% | 40,509 psi | 90% | 1716 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24² | <<locked>> | 76% | 40,422 psi | 90% | 1883 fps | 98.9% |
| Rottweil P 806² | <<locked>> | 76% | 37,043 psi | 82% | 1804 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Heavy Pistol*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 39,320 psi | 87% | 1873 fps | 93.1% |
| Shooters World Major Pistol² | <<locked>> | 68% | 38,392 psi | 85% | 1864 fps | 97.1% |
| SNPE Vectan A0² | <<locked>> | 76% | 37,536 psi | 83% | 1644 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 68% | 36,898 psi | 82% | 1575 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 72% | 40,263 psi | 90% | 1644 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 68% | 38,624 psi | 86% | 1476 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,594 psi | 84% | 1722 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 72% | 39,900 psi | 89% | 1644 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2² | <<locked>> | 68% | 39,146 psi | 87% | 1850 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 68% | 38,232 psi | 85% | 1696 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 72% | 38,029 psi | 85% | 1667 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S221² | <<locked>> | 64% | 40,030 psi | 89% | 1841 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37² | <<locked>> | 72% | 36,579 psi | 81% | 1726 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38 | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,132 psi | 89% | 1860 fps | 99.2% |
| Vihtavuori N105 | <<locked>> | 88% | 36,230 psi | 81% | 1841 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 68% | 39,262 psi | 87% | 1572 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Starᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,086 psi | 82% | 1453 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 68% | 39,566 psi | 88% | 1637 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 72% | 38,014 psi | 85% | 1663 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,987 psi | 89% | 1765 fps | 100% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 76% | 39,552 psi | 88% | 1644 fps | 100% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
Start Load - Barrel Length: 7.5"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate No. 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,486 psi | 66% | 1539 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 7*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,210 psi | 63% | 1670 fps | 92.9% |
| Accurate No. 9*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,863 psi | 64% | 1673 fps | 87.9% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,877 psi | 64% | 1411 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,092 psi | 58% | 1427 fps | 100% |
| Accurate TCM*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 24,860 psi | 55% | 1578 fps | 86.4% |
| ADI AP 100*² | 10.4 gr | 60% | 17,840 psi | 40% | 1352 fps | 93.9% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,950 psi | 67% | 1316 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,616 psi | 64% | 1329 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,906 psi | 64% | 1375 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,473 psi | 70% | 1467 fps | 100% |
| Alliant 2400* | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,807 psi | 71% | 1759 fps | 86.7% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,919 psi | 60% | 1427 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BLUE DOT*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 21,480 psi | 48% | 1490 fps | 86.8% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,301 psi | 74% | 1627 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,863 psi | 64% | 1427 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,334 psi | 43% | 1345 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,150 psi | 58% | 1608 fps | 98% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,891 psi | 62% | 1378 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,658 psi | 59% | 1512 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,471 psi | 63% | 1411 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,724 psi | 42% | 1237 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,531 psi | 70% | 1473 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,366 psi | 54% | 1253 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon LilGun* | <<locked>> | 92% | 31,734 psi | 71% | 1841 fps | 87.3% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss² | <<locked>> | 60% | 9,645 psi | 21% | 925 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,009 psi | 69% | 1522 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.1*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,210 psi | 63% | 1670 fps | 92.9% |
| Lovex D037.2*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 25,498 psi | 57% | 1601 fps | 85.5% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,415 psi | 70% | 1552 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,468 psi | 54% | 1388 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,977 psi | 60% | 1430 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,673 psi | 62% | 1421 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,182 psi | 65% | 1424 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,995 psi | 71% | 1414 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Enforcer* | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,183 psi | 69% | 1759 fps | 87.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 60% | 35,215 psi | 78% | 1539 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14² | <<locked>> | 60% | 9,123 psi | 20% | 932 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,512 psi | 57% | 1483 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,004 psi | 53% | 1558 fps | 92.5% |
| Rottweil P 806² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,147 psi | 47% | 1499 fps | 99.3% |
| Shooters World Heavy Pistol*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 25,498 psi | 57% | 1601 fps | 85.5% |
| Shooters World Major Pistol*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,210 psi | 63% | 1670 fps | 92.9% |
| SNPE Vectan A0² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,323 psi | 54% | 1427 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,573 psi | 66% | 1467 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,834 psi | 64% | 1480 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,981 psi | 71% | 1381 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,263 psi | 47% | 1414 fps | 99.4% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,601 psi | 64% | 1476 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,168 psi | 67% | 1696 fps | 99.8% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,589 psi | 68% | 1578 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,209 psi | 61% | 1490 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S221² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,940 psi | 78% | 1759 fps | 99.2% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,411 psi | 57% | 1529 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38*² | 11.9 gr | 60% | 17,071 psi | 38% | 1355 fps | 87.4% |
| Vihtavuori N105*² | 11.8 gr | 60% | 14,446 psi | 32% | 1322 fps | 88.4% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,502 psi | 70% | 1463 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,288 psi | 36% | 1102 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,966 psi | 69% | 1519 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,861 psi | 60% | 1490 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,988 psi | 49% | 1450 fps | 99.9% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,672 psi | 57% | 1434 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 62 powders for .357 Maximum loaded with the .355 | 123gr | Geco SOFTPOINT. Hodgdon LilGun delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 1,942 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,220 fps to 1,942 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 15 of the 62 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (310 MPa), the top charges use 43–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. Hodgdon TrailBoss, ReloadSwiss RS 14, Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star 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. Vihtavuori 3N38, Vihtavuori N105, ADI AP 100 rank at the top here: for .357 Maximum with the .355 | 123gr | Geco SOFTPOINT they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, Accurate No. 9, Accurate TCM, Alliant 2400 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.