Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .357 Maximum with .357 | 157gr | Geco SOFTPOINT bullet and 64 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star, ReloadSwiss RS 14 and Hodgdon TrailBoss.
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 4100* | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,522 psi | 86% | 1667 fps | 91.4% |
| Accurate No. 2² | <<locked>> | 64% | 37,188 psi | 83% | 1440 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 7² | <<locked>> | 64% | 38,276 psi | 85% | 1644 fps | 99.2% |
| Accurate No. 9² | <<locked>> | 72% | 38,754 psi | 86% | 1654 fps | 96.3% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 68% | 38,087 psi | 85% | 1342 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 72% | 39,610 psi | 88% | 1414 fps | 100% |
| Accurate TCM² | <<locked>> | 72% | 38,696 psi | 86% | 1647 fps | 97.2% |
| ADI AP 100 | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,363 psi | 88% | 1581 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 68% | 37,710 psi | 84% | 1243 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 72% | 40,001 psi | 89% | 1299 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 72% | 40,669 psi | 90% | 1342 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 64% | 37,304 psi | 83% | 1345 fps | 100% |
| Alliant 2400* | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,507 psi | 83% | 1663 fps | 93.7% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 68% | 37,202 psi | 83% | 1371 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BLUE DOT | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,117 psi | 87% | 1654 fps | 98.9% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 68% | 38,130 psi | 85% | 1358 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,842 psi | 89% | 1493 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL² | <<locked>> | 68% | 38,421 psi | 85% | 1614 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 300-MP* | <<locked>> | 88% | 39,668 psi | 88% | 1722 fps | 89.4% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 72% | 39,726 psi | 88% | 1348 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE² | <<locked>> | 68% | 36,912 psi | 82% | 1460 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 68% | 38,827 psi | 86% | 1348 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,377 psi | 85% | 1352 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 64% | 38,812 psi | 86% | 1368 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE Pistol² | <<locked>> | 68% | 39,668 psi | 88% | 1424 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,813 psi | 89% | 1296 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon LilGun | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,132 psi | 89% | 1778 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 22,931 psi | 51% | 1093 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 64% | 38,043 psi | 85% | 1407 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.1² | <<locked>> | 64% | 38,276 psi | 85% | 1644 fps | 99.2% |
| Lovex D037.2² | <<locked>> | 72% | 39,827 psi | 89% | 1670 fps | 96.7% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 64% | 39,392 psi | 88% | 1444 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 72% | 36,840 psi | 82% | 1375 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 68% | 37,420 psi | 83% | 1375 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 68% | 36,956 psi | 82% | 1355 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 68% | 38,682 psi | 86% | 1355 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 64% | 37,478 psi | 83% | 1293 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Enforcer* | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,173 psi | 83% | 1663 fps | 94.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 21,437 psi | 48% | 1106 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 72% | 40,567 psi | 90% | 1486 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24² | <<locked>> | 68% | 36,071 psi | 80% | 1594 fps | 99.6% |
| Rottweil P 806² | <<locked>> | 72% | 38,609 psi | 86% | 1598 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Heavy Pistol² | <<locked>> | 72% | 39,827 psi | 89% | 1670 fps | 96.7% |
| Shooters World Major Pistol² | <<locked>> | 64% | 38,276 psi | 85% | 1644 fps | 99.2% |
| SNPE Vectan A0² | <<locked>> | 72% | 37,666 psi | 84% | 1427 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 68% | 40,045 psi | 89% | 1404 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 68% | 39,537 psi | 88% | 1421 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 68% | 40,683 psi | 90% | 1309 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 29,718 psi | 66% | 1529 fps | 93.6% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2² | <<locked>> | 76% | 37,840 psi | 84% | 1503 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 68% | 39,523 psi | 88% | 1421 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2² | <<locked>> | 64% | 39,798 psi | 89% | 1621 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 64% | 38,014 psi | 85% | 1470 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 68% | 37,913 psi | 84% | 1444 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37² | <<locked>> | 68% | 36,854 psi | 82% | 1506 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,014 psi | 82% | 1594 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N105 | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,522 psi | 86% | 1640 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N110*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 38,087 psi | 85% | 1690 fps | 94.6% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 64% | 38,595 psi | 86% | 1352 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Starᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,466 psi | 90% | 1296 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 64% | 39,349 psi | 88% | 1417 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 68% | 38,116 psi | 85% | 1444 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350² | <<locked>> | 76% | 40,234 psi | 89% | 1539 fps | 100% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 72% | 39,421 psi | 88% | 1427 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 4100*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,298 psi | 65% | 1509 fps | 86.5% |
| Accurate No. 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,372 psi | 72% | 1378 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 7² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,127 psi | 74% | 1565 fps | 98.1% |
| Accurate No. 9*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,990 psi | 56% | 1407 fps | 89.7% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,647 psi | 70% | 1260 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,892 psi | 64% | 1273 fps | 100% |
| Accurate TCM*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,193 psi | 56% | 1407 fps | 91.2% |
| ADI AP 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,073 psi | 45% | 1243 fps | 98.3% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,763 psi | 71% | 1165 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,618 psi | 68% | 1181 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,792 psi | 68% | 1217 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,055 psi | 76% | 1302 fps | 100% |
| Alliant 2400*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 25,295 psi | 56% | 1434 fps | 87% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,994 psi | 67% | 1280 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BLUE DOT*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,116 psi | 43% | 1257 fps | 89.2% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,198 psi | 69% | 1266 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,712 psi | 48% | 1217 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,704 psi | 66% | 1476 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 300-MP* | <<locked>> | 84% | 34,722 psi | 77% | 1644 fps | 87% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,791 psi | 66% | 1220 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,849 psi | 66% | 1362 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,111 psi | 69% | 1253 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,798 psi | 46% | 1109 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,693 psi | 77% | 1319 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,053 psi | 71% | 1329 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,136 psi | 58% | 1112 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon LilGun* | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,889 psi | 58% | 1526 fps | 88.1% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss² | 4.9 gr | 60% | 10,602 psi | 24% | 827 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,663 psi | 75% | 1352 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,127 psi | 74% | 1565 fps | 98.1% |
| Lovex D037.2*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,715 psi | 57% | 1427 fps | 90.3% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,693 psi | 77% | 1388 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,050 psi | 60% | 1240 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,647 psi | 68% | 1286 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,211 psi | 67% | 1263 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,604 psi | 70% | 1263 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,113 psi | 76% | 1250 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Enforcer*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 24,323 psi | 54% | 1427 fps | 87.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14² | 5 gr | 60% | 10,080 psi | 22% | 837 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,080 psi | 65% | 1339 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,412 psi | 61% | 1444 fps | 97.6% |
| Rottweil P 806² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,193 psi | 56% | 1394 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Heavy Pistol*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,715 psi | 57% | 1427 fps | 90.3% |
| Shooters World Major Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,127 psi | 74% | 1565 fps | 98.1% |
| SNPE Vectan A0² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,108 psi | 60% | 1283 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,532 psi | 72% | 1309 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,923 psi | 71% | 1322 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,634 psi | 75% | 1220 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2* | <<locked>> | 84% | 19,145 psi | 43% | 1293 fps | 85.2% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,221 psi | 54% | 1296 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,633 psi | 70% | 1322 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,476 psi | 77% | 1549 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,866 psi | 75% | 1414 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,284 psi | 67% | 1339 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,805 psi | 64% | 1388 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,841 psi | 44% | 1266 fps | 94.2% |
| Vihtavuori N105² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,477 psi | 39% | 1253 fps | 96.1% |
| Vihtavuori N110* | <<locked>> | 84% | 22,960 psi | 51% | 1411 fps | 85.9% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,461 psi | 77% | 1302 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | 6.6 gr | 60% | 17,680 psi | 39% | 978 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,679 psi | 77% | 1362 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,211 psi | 67% | 1342 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,903 psi | 55% | 1319 fps | 100% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,253 psi | 63% | 1283 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 11 powders for .357 Maximum loaded with the .357 | 157gr | Geco SOFTPOINT. Hodgdon LilGun delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 1,778 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,093 fps to 1,778 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 11 of the 11 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (310 MPa), the top charges use 48–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. Hodgdon TrailBoss, ReloadSwiss RS 14, SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 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 N32C Tin Star, ReloadSwiss RS 14, Hodgdon TrailBoss rank at the top here: for .357 Maximum with the .357 | 157gr | Geco SOFTPOINT they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2, Vihtavuori N110 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.