Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .357 Maximum with .357 | 158gr | Swift A-Frame bullet and 63 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are ADI AP 100, Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol and Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star.
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% | 36,230 psi | 81% | 1608 fps | 89.8% |
| Accurate No. 2² | <<locked>> | 68% | 40,611 psi | 90% | 1457 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 7² | <<locked>> | 64% | 36,405 psi | 81% | 1594 fps | 98.7% |
| Accurate No. 9² | <<locked>> | 72% | 36,941 psi | 82% | 1604 fps | 95.4% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 68% | 37,318 psi | 83% | 1312 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 72% | 38,450 psi | 86% | 1378 fps | 100% |
| Accurate TCM² | <<locked>> | 72% | 36,738 psi | 82% | 1598 fps | 96.2% |
| ADI AP 100 | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,449 psi | 83% | 1535 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 72% | 40,393 psi | 90% | 1253 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 72% | 39,508 psi | 88% | 1273 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 72% | 39,871 psi | 89% | 1312 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 64% | 36,419 psi | 81% | 1312 fps | 100% |
| Alliant 2400* | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,972 psi | 89% | 1677 fps | 94.2% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 72% | 39,740 psi | 88% | 1378 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BLUE DOT | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,391 psi | 83% | 1604 fps | 98.3% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 64% | 39,726 psi | 88% | 1473 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 68% | 37,347 psi | 83% | 1329 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,319 psi | 85% | 1457 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL² | <<locked>> | 68% | 36,724 psi | 82% | 1572 fps | 100% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 72% | 38,769 psi | 86% | 1316 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE² | <<locked>> | 72% | 39,755 psi | 88% | 1476 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 68% | 37,550 psi | 84% | 1312 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,567 psi | 90% | 1355 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 64% | 37,768 psi | 84% | 1335 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,682 psi | 86% | 1260 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon LilGun* | <<locked>> | 92% | 36,680 psi | 82% | 1706 fps | 93.9% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 22,060 psi | 49% | 1063 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 64% | 36,767 psi | 82% | 1371 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.1² | <<locked>> | 64% | 36,405 psi | 81% | 1594 fps | 98.7% |
| Lovex D037.2² | <<locked>> | 72% | 37,449 psi | 83% | 1611 fps | 95.5% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 64% | 38,247 psi | 85% | 1411 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 76% | 39,769 psi | 88% | 1388 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 72% | 40,219 psi | 89% | 1385 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 72% | 39,769 psi | 88% | 1365 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 68% | 37,913 psi | 84% | 1325 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 64% | 37,188 psi | 83% | 1266 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Enforcer | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,001 psi | 89% | 1683 fps | 95.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 21,016 psi | 47% | 1083 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 72% | 39,015 psi | 87% | 1450 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24² | <<locked>> | 72% | 38,943 psi | 87% | 1614 fps | 99.8% |
| Rottweil P 806² | <<locked>> | 72% | 36,405 psi | 81% | 1552 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Heavy Pistol² | <<locked>> | 72% | 37,449 psi | 83% | 1611 fps | 95.5% |
| Shooters World Major Pistol² | <<locked>> | 64% | 36,405 psi | 81% | 1594 fps | 98.7% |
| SNPE Vectan A0² | <<locked>> | 76% | 40,103 psi | 89% | 1437 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 68% | 39,392 psi | 88% | 1375 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 68% | 38,856 psi | 86% | 1391 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 68% | 40,190 psi | 89% | 1280 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 27,644 psi | 61% | 1470 fps | 91.9% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2² | <<locked>> | 76% | 36,463 psi | 81% | 1467 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 68% | 37,840 psi | 84% | 1381 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2² | <<locked>> | 64% | 38,029 psi | 85% | 1578 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 64% | 36,535 psi | 81% | 1430 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 72% | 40,277 psi | 90% | 1450 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37² | <<locked>> | 72% | 39,537 psi | 88% | 1516 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38 | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,610 psi | 88% | 1608 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N105 | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,651 psi | 82% | 1598 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N110*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,491 psi | 79% | 1631 fps | 93.1% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 64% | 36,999 psi | 82% | 1312 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Starᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 39,204 psi | 87% | 1263 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 64% | 37,420 psi | 83% | 1375 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 68% | 37,144 psi | 83% | 1414 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350² | <<locked>> | 76% | 38,566 psi | 86% | 1499 fps | 100% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 72% | 38,363 psi | 85% | 1394 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* | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,778 psi | 71% | 1535 fps | 87.5% |
| Accurate No. 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,589 psi | 70% | 1345 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 7² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,169 psi | 69% | 1509 fps | 97.2% |
| Accurate No. 9*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,757 psi | 53% | 1365 fps | 88.3% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,560 psi | 68% | 1224 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,876 psi | 62% | 1240 fps | 100% |
| Accurate TCM*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,946 psi | 53% | 1362 fps | 89.8% |
| ADI AP 100² | 9.4 gr | 60% | 19,522 psi | 43% | 1214 fps | 97.9% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,082 psi | 69% | 1135 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,197 psi | 67% | 1155 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,139 psi | 67% | 1188 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,011 psi | 73% | 1270 fps | 100% |
| Alliant 2400*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 24,091 psi | 54% | 1388 fps | 85.5% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,950 psi | 64% | 1247 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BLUE DOT*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,217 psi | 41% | 1217 fps | 87.8% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 35,447 psi | 79% | 1421 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,676 psi | 68% | 1240 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,002 psi | 47% | 1188 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,834 psi | 64% | 1444 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,022 psi | 65% | 1191 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,442 psi | 63% | 1322 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,153 psi | 67% | 1224 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | 8 gr | 60% | 20,436 psi | 45% | 1086 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,460 psi | 74% | 1286 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,483 psi | 57% | 1086 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon LilGun* | <<locked>> | 80% | 23,801 psi | 53% | 1463 fps | 85.9% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss² | <<locked>> | 60% | 10,356 psi | 23% | 807 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,822 psi | 73% | 1322 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,169 psi | 69% | 1509 fps | 97.2% |
| Lovex D037.2*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,163 psi | 54% | 1375 fps | 88.7% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,359 psi | 74% | 1352 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,092 psi | 58% | 1211 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,631 psi | 66% | 1253 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,138 psi | 65% | 1230 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,125 psi | 69% | 1240 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,605 psi | 75% | 1224 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Enforcer*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 22,916 psi | 51% | 1375 fps | 85.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14² | <<locked>> | 60% | 9,863 psi | 22% | 817 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,688 psi | 62% | 1299 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,469 psi | 59% | 1407 fps | 96.9% |
| Rottweil P 806² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,033 psi | 53% | 1358 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Heavy Pistol*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,163 psi | 54% | 1375 fps | 88.7% |
| Shooters World Major Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,169 psi | 69% | 1509 fps | 97.2% |
| SNPE Vectan A0² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,339 psi | 59% | 1250 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,502 psi | 70% | 1280 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,893 psi | 69% | 1289 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,388 psi | 74% | 1198 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2* | <<locked>> | 88% | 20,088 psi | 45% | 1299 fps | 85.6% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,960 psi | 51% | 1253 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,864 psi | 69% | 1293 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,185 psi | 74% | 1509 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,837 psi | 73% | 1381 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,544 psi | 66% | 1309 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,456 psi | 61% | 1348 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,116 psi | 43% | 1234 fps | 93.3% |
| Vihtavuori N105*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,215 psi | 36% | 1204 fps | 94.7% |
| Vihtavuori N110* | <<locked>> | 88% | 24,192 psi | 54% | 1424 fps | 86.4% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,417 psi | 74% | 1270 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | 6.2 gr | 60% | 17,318 psi | 39% | 955 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,243 psi | 74% | 1322 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,935 psi | 64% | 1302 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,873 psi | 53% | 1283 fps | 100% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,253 psi | 61% | 1250 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 63 powders for .357 Maximum loaded with the .357 | 158gr | Swift A-Frame. Hodgdon LilGun delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 1,706 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,063 fps to 1,706 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 16 of the 63 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (310 MPa), the top charges use 47–90 %, 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. ADI AP 100, Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol, Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star rank at the top here: for .357 Maximum with the .357 | 158gr | Swift A-Frame they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, Accurate 4100, Alliant 2400, Hodgdon LilGun burn incompletely and react more sensitively to barrel length and temperature. Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol, Hodgdon Clays, Hodgdon TrailBoss 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.