Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .357 Maximum with .356 | 115gr | H&N HP HS 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% | 37,594 psi | 84% | 1742 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 7² | <<locked>> | 68% | 38,522 psi | 86% | 1939 fps | 96.7% |
| Accurate No. 9*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 38,392 psi | 85% | 1929 fps | 92.2% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 72% | 39,392 psi | 88% | 1640 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 76% | 39,929 psi | 89% | 1713 fps | 100% |
| Accurate TCM*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 38,711 psi | 86% | 1929 fps | 93.5% |
| ADI AP 100 | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,189 psi | 85% | 1867 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 72% | 39,030 psi | 87% | 1519 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 72% | 37,869 psi | 84% | 1539 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 72% | 37,985 psi | 84% | 1585 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 68% | 38,479 psi | 86% | 1644 fps | 100% |
| Alliant 2400* | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,506 psi | 81% | 1923 fps | 88.6% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 72% | 37,753 psi | 84% | 1660 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BLUE DOT | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,826 psi | 84% | 1919 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 64% | 36,985 psi | 82% | 1765 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 72% | 38,551 psi | 86% | 1650 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco | <<locked>> | 88% | 39,001 psi | 87% | 1785 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL² | <<locked>> | 72% | 38,319 psi | 85% | 1926 fps | 100% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 76% | 40,248 psi | 90% | 1640 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE² | <<locked>> | 72% | 37,057 psi | 82% | 1768 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 72% | 39,233 psi | 87% | 1637 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,130 psi | 85% | 1627 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 68% | 39,958 psi | 89% | 1657 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,451 psi | 90% | 1568 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon LilGun* | <<locked>> | 96% | 37,260 psi | 83% | 2014 fps | 89.7% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 20,755 psi | 46% | 1283 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 68% | 38,479 psi | 86% | 1709 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.1² | <<locked>> | 68% | 38,522 psi | 86% | 1939 fps | 96.7% |
| Lovex D037.2*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 39,856 psi | 89% | 1955 fps | 92.8% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 68% | 39,697 psi | 88% | 1749 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 76% | 37,101 psi | 83% | 1667 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 72% | 37,652 psi | 84% | 1667 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 72% | 37,536 psi | 83% | 1647 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 72% | 39,653 psi | 88% | 1650 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 68% | 38,957 psi | 87% | 1585 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Enforcer* | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,911 psi | 80% | 1916 fps | 89.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 64% | 38,928 psi | 87% | 1667 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 19,493 psi | 43% | 1299 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 76% | 40,292 psi | 90% | 1795 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24² | <<locked>> | 76% | 40,451 psi | 90% | 1962 fps | 98.6% |
| Rottweil P 806² | <<locked>> | 76% | 37,536 psi | 83% | 1886 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Heavy Pistol*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 39,856 psi | 89% | 1955 fps | 92.8% |
| Shooters World Major Pistol² | <<locked>> | 68% | 38,522 psi | 86% | 1939 fps | 96.7% |
| SNPE Vectan A0² | <<locked>> | 76% | 37,623 psi | 84% | 1722 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 68% | 37,086 psi | 82% | 1650 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 72% | 40,205 psi | 89% | 1719 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 68% | 39,044 psi | 87% | 1555 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,826 psi | 84% | 1801 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 72% | 39,523 psi | 88% | 1716 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2² | <<locked>> | 68% | 39,421 psi | 88% | 1932 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 68% | 38,725 psi | 86% | 1781 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 72% | 38,218 psi | 85% | 1745 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S221² | <<locked>> | 64% | 40,161 psi | 89% | 1923 fps | 99.7% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37² | <<locked>> | 72% | 36,579 psi | 81% | 1801 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38 | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,074 psi | 89% | 1936 fps | 98.9% |
| Vihtavuori N105 | <<locked>> | 88% | 36,883 psi | 82% | 1926 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 68% | 39,436 psi | 88% | 1650 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Starᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,420 psi | 83% | 1526 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 68% | 39,320 psi | 87% | 1713 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 72% | 38,667 psi | 86% | 1752 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,813 psi | 89% | 1844 fps | 100% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 76% | 39,697 psi | 88% | 1726 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% | 29,225 psi | 65% | 1608 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 7*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,514 psi | 63% | 1742 fps | 92.5% |
| Accurate No. 9*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,051 psi | 65% | 1745 fps | 87.3% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,153 psi | 65% | 1483 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,136 psi | 58% | 1493 fps | 100% |
| Accurate TCM*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 25,411 psi | 57% | 1657 fps | 86.1% |
| ADI AP 100*² | 11.1 gr | 60% | 17,912 psi | 40% | 1411 fps | 93.3% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,081 psi | 67% | 1381 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,051 psi | 65% | 1401 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,834 psi | 64% | 1444 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,053 psi | 69% | 1532 fps | 100% |
| Alliant 2400* | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,198 psi | 72% | 1837 fps | 86.2% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,035 psi | 60% | 1496 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BLUE DOT*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 21,509 psi | 48% | 1552 fps | 86% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,996 psi | 73% | 1696 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,558 psi | 64% | 1493 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,638 psi | 44% | 1414 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,237 psi | 58% | 1677 fps | 97.6% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,920 psi | 62% | 1447 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,498 psi | 59% | 1581 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,514 psi | 63% | 1480 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,826 psi | 42% | 1296 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,314 psi | 70% | 1539 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,482 psi | 54% | 1316 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon LilGun* | <<locked>> | 92% | 32,256 psi | 72% | 1916 fps | 86.8% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss² | <<locked>> | 60% | 9,544 psi | 21% | 968 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,864 psi | 69% | 1591 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.1*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,514 psi | 63% | 1742 fps | 92.5% |
| Lovex D037.2*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,820 psi | 66% | 1762 fps | 87.8% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,937 psi | 69% | 1617 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,555 psi | 55% | 1457 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,470 psi | 61% | 1506 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,311 psi | 61% | 1483 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,399 psi | 65% | 1496 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,763 psi | 71% | 1480 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Enforcer* | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,285 psi | 70% | 1827 fps | 87% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,882 psi | 78% | 1608 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14² | <<locked>> | 60% | 9,021 psi | 20% | 971 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,251 psi | 56% | 1549 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,120 psi | 54% | 1621 fps | 91.8% |
| Rottweil P 806² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,306 psi | 47% | 1562 fps | 99% |
| Shooters World Heavy Pistol*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,820 psi | 66% | 1762 fps | 87.8% |
| Shooters World Major Pistol*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,514 psi | 63% | 1742 fps | 92.5% |
| SNPE Vectan A0² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,642 psi | 55% | 1499 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,631 psi | 66% | 1535 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,935 psi | 64% | 1549 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,242 psi | 72% | 1453 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,567 psi | 48% | 1483 fps | 99.3% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,935 psi | 64% | 1552 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,921 psi | 67% | 1762 fps | 99.6% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,501 psi | 68% | 1650 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,485 psi | 61% | 1565 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S221² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,940 psi | 78% | 1831 fps | 98.9% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,164 psi | 56% | 1591 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38*² | 12.7 gr | 60% | 17,172 psi | 38% | 1411 fps | 86.6% |
| Vihtavuori N105*² | 12.5 gr | 60% | 14,286 psi | 32% | 1365 fps | 87% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,546 psi | 70% | 1535 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,099 psi | 36% | 1152 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,169 psi | 69% | 1594 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,064 psi | 60% | 1562 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,002 psi | 49% | 1512 fps | 99.8% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,715 psi | 57% | 1499 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 .356 | 115gr | H&N HP HS. Hodgdon LilGun delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,014 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,283 fps to 2,014 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 .356 | 115gr | H&N HP HS 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 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.