Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .357 Maximum with .357 | 180gr | Hornady XTP 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 N32C Tin Star, Hodgdon LilGun and ReloadSwiss RS 14.
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>> | 80% | 36,492 psi | 81% | 1526 fps | 92.7% |
| Accurate No. 11 FS* | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,263 psi | 90% | 1585 fps | 87.6% |
| Accurate No. 2² | <<locked>> | 64% | 38,711 psi | 86% | 1339 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 9² | <<locked>> | 68% | 36,361 psi | 81% | 1506 fps | 97.1% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 68% | 39,479 psi | 88% | 1250 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 68% | 37,507 psi | 83% | 1276 fps | 100% |
| Accurate TCM² | <<locked>> | 68% | 36,085 psi | 80% | 1496 fps | 97.8% |
| ADI AP 100 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,318 psi | 83% | 1434 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 68% | 38,319 psi | 85% | 1152 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 68% | 37,637 psi | 84% | 1171 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 68% | 38,363 psi | 85% | 1211 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 64% | 38,725 psi | 86% | 1253 fps | 100% |
| Alliant 2400 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,669 psi | 90% | 1591 fps | 96.5% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 68% | 38,798 psi | 86% | 1276 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BLUE DOT | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,101 psi | 83% | 1506 fps | 99.4% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 68% | 39,624 psi | 88% | 1266 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,826 psi | 84% | 1352 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL² | <<locked>> | 68% | 40,422 psi | 90% | 1516 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 300-MP* | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,869 psi | 84% | 1581 fps | 90.9% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 68% | 37,347 psi | 83% | 1214 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE² | <<locked>> | 68% | 39,189 psi | 87% | 1371 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 68% | 39,914 psi | 89% | 1253 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,421 psi | 88% | 1257 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 64% | 40,234 psi | 89% | 1273 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 76% | 37,579 psi | 84% | 1168 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H110* | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,204 psi | 87% | 1604 fps | 90.6% |
| Hodgdon LilGun | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,479 psi | 86% | 1634 fps | 96.8% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 23,844 psi | 53% | 1017 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 64% | 39,334 psi | 87% | 1309 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.2² | <<locked>> | 68% | 37,405 psi | 83% | 1522 fps | 97.4% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 72% | 38,856 psi | 86% | 1286 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 68% | 39,450 psi | 88% | 1283 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 68% | 38,638 psi | 86% | 1263 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 68% | 40,219 psi | 89% | 1263 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 64% | 38,537 psi | 86% | 1201 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Enforcer | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,408 psi | 90% | 1594 fps | 97.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 22,437 psi | 50% | 1030 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 68% | 38,566 psi | 86% | 1345 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24² | <<locked>> | 68% | 38,580 psi | 86% | 1512 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 30*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,997 psi | 76% | 1545 fps | 91.7% |
| Rottweil P 806² | <<locked>> | 68% | 36,158 psi | 80% | 1444 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Heavy Pistol² | <<locked>> | 68% | 37,405 psi | 83% | 1522 fps | 97.4% |
| SNPE Vectan A0² | <<locked>> | 72% | 39,334 psi | 87% | 1332 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 64% | 37,753 psi | 84% | 1266 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 64% | 37,333 psi | 83% | 1280 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 64% | 38,305 psi | 85% | 1181 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,314 psi | 72% | 1467 fps | 96.6% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2² | <<locked>> | 76% | 40,321 psi | 90% | 1414 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 64% | 36,999 psi | 82% | 1280 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 64% | 39,856 psi | 89% | 1371 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 68% | 39,508 psi | 88% | 1345 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S265* | <<locked>> | 96% | 39,334 psi | 87% | 1535 fps | 89.5% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37² | <<locked>> | 68% | 39,305 psi | 87% | 1414 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,842 psi | 89% | 1509 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N105 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,565 psi | 84% | 1503 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N110 | <<locked>> | 96% | 36,637 psi | 81% | 1552 fps | 95.9% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 64% | 40,292 psi | 90% | 1260 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star | <<locked>> | 96% | 39,175 psi | 87% | 1181 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 68% | 39,900 psi | 89% | 1348 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350² | <<locked>> | 72% | 38,261 psi | 85% | 1394 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 296* | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,611 psi | 90% | 1647 fps | 88.4% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 68% | 37,130 psi | 83% | 1289 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>> | 68% | 24,033 psi | 53% | 1306 fps | 85.4% |
| Accurate No. 11 FS* | <<locked>> | 88% | 35,491 psi | 79% | 1516 fps | 85.3% |
| Accurate No. 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,258 psi | 76% | 1289 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 9*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,064 psi | 60% | 1352 fps | 93.3% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,677 psi | 73% | 1168 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,284 psi | 67% | 1188 fps | 100% |
| Accurate TCM*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,209 psi | 61% | 1348 fps | 94.4% |
| ADI AP 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,509 psi | 48% | 1181 fps | 99.7% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,097 psi | 71% | 1076 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,198 psi | 69% | 1096 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,213 psi | 72% | 1135 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 35,288 psi | 78% | 1211 fps | 100% |
| Alliant 2400*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,842 psi | 46% | 1237 fps | 85.7% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,111 psi | 69% | 1188 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BLUE DOT*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,479 psi | 46% | 1201 fps | 92.6% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,242 psi | 72% | 1178 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,974 psi | 51% | 1142 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,560 psi | 70% | 1394 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 300-MP*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,645 psi | 64% | 1430 fps | 85.9% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,169 psi | 69% | 1138 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,604 psi | 70% | 1273 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,416 psi | 72% | 1168 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,785 psi | 48% | 1033 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 35,839 psi | 80% | 1227 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,542 psi | 59% | 1030 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H110*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,689 psi | 66% | 1450 fps | 85.7% |
| Hodgdon LilGun*² | 17.5 gr | 72% | 21,263 psi | 47% | 1322 fps | 86.8% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss² | <<locked>> | 60% | 11,008 psi | 24% | 768 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 60% | 35,302 psi | 79% | 1260 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.2*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,876 psi | 62% | 1368 fps | 93.7% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,326 psi | 63% | 1158 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,575 psi | 70% | 1191 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,415 psi | 70% | 1178 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,706 psi | 73% | 1175 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 60% | 35,012 psi | 78% | 1161 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Enforcer*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,769 psi | 44% | 1224 fps | 86% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14² | 4.8 gr | 60% | 10,530 psi | 23% | 778 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,400 psi | 68% | 1247 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,559 psi | 66% | 1375 fps | 99.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 30* | <<locked>> | 92% | 27,311 psi | 61% | 1421 fps | 87.1% |
| Rottweil P 806² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,311 psi | 61% | 1319 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Heavy Pistol*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,876 psi | 62% | 1368 fps | 93.7% |
| SNPE Vectan A0² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,601 psi | 64% | 1198 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,576 psi | 75% | 1217 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,054 psi | 74% | 1230 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 60% | 35,012 psi | 78% | 1142 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2* | <<locked>> | 80% | 18,681 psi | 42% | 1194 fps | 87.5% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,483 psi | 57% | 1217 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,214 psi | 74% | 1234 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 35,389 psi | 79% | 1319 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,923 psi | 71% | 1253 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S265* | <<locked>> | 88% | 31,444 psi | 70% | 1414 fps | 85.5% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,560 psi | 68% | 1302 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,306 psi | 47% | 1207 fps | 96.9% |
| Vihtavuori N105² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,145 psi | 43% | 1198 fps | 98.6% |
| Vihtavuori N110*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 19,609 psi | 44% | 1237 fps | 85.4% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 60% | 35,897 psi | 80% | 1214 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | 6.4 gr | 60% | 18,579 psi | 41% | 912 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,039 psi | 71% | 1257 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,789 psi | 60% | 1243 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 296* | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,302 psi | 79% | 1565 fps | 85.9% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,921 psi | 67% | 1201 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 .357 | 180gr | Hornady XTP. Winchester 296 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 1,647 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,017 fps to 1,647 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 21 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 50–90 %, 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. Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star, Hodgdon LilGun, ReloadSwiss RS 14 rank at the top here: for .357 Maximum with the .357 | 180gr | Hornady XTP they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, Accurate 4100, Accurate No. 11 FS, Alliant Power Pro 300-MP burn incompletely and react more sensitively to barrel length and temperature. ADI APS 350, ADI APS 450, Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol 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.