Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .38-45 ACP with .355 | 115gr | Barnes TAC-XP bullet and 59 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are ReloadSwiss RS 20, Vihtavuori N350 and SNPE Vectan A0.
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: 5"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate No. 2² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,530 psi | 87% | 1306 fps | 98.9% |
| Accurate No. 5*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 30,008 psi | 88% | 1381 fps | 92.7% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,182 psi | 86% | 1224 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250 | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,791 psi | 87% | 1293 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 100*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 28,543 psi | 84% | 1352 fps | 89.8% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,703 psi | 84% | 1293 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 72% | 30,226 psi | 89% | 1122 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 76% | 30,835 psi | 90% | 1168 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,472 psi | 86% | 1198 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,210 psi | 83% | 1227 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BE-86 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,776 psi | 84% | 1273 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,572 psi | 84% | 1332 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,719 psi | 90% | 1266 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Hercoᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 30,168 psi | 89% | 1362 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL* | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,341 psi | 86% | 1411 fps | 89.4% |
| Alliant RED DOT | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,776 psi | 87% | 1224 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,095 psi | 85% | 1342 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant UNIQUE | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,428 psi | 86% | 1355 fps | 99.9% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,560 psi | 90% | 1250 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistolᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 30,400 psi | 89% | 1270 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 76% | 30,806 psi | 90% | 1280 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays | <<locked>> | 84% | 30,385 psi | 89% | 1161 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon HS-6*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,805 psi | 85% | 1348 fps | 94.2% |
| Hodgdon Longshot² | <<locked>> | 64% | 27,659 psi | 81% | 1329 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 13,140 psi | 39% | 915 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,602 psi | 87% | 1306 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D036*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 29,965 psi | 88% | 1381 fps | 92.6% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 68% | 30,240 psi | 89% | 1266 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,704 psi | 87% | 1322 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1 | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,123 psi | 83% | 1263 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 30,124 psi | 88% | 1312 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,008 psi | 85% | 1257 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,384 psi | 83% | 1227 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,921 psi | 88% | 1198 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,050 psi | 82% | 1325 fps | 98.9% |
| Ramshot True Blue² | <<locked>> | 64% | 28,921 psi | 85% | 1345 fps | 96% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,428 psi | 86% | 1286 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 12,082 psi | 35% | 912 fps | 99.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20 | <<locked>> | 88% | 30,226 psi | 89% | 1378 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 68% | 30,385 psi | 89% | 1260 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806 | <<locked>> | 96% | 29,240 psi | 86% | 1467 fps | 95.4% |
| Shooters World Auto Pistol*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 29,965 psi | 88% | 1381 fps | 92.6% |
| SNPE Vectan A0 | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,268 psi | 83% | 1286 fps | 99.7% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,182 psi | 86% | 1266 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,094 psi | 82% | 1263 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,747 psi | 84% | 1142 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2 | <<locked>> | 92% | 29,588 psi | 87% | 1345 fps | 95.6% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,197 psi | 89% | 1306 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2* | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,166 psi | 83% | 1411 fps | 91% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,384 psi | 83% | 1322 fps | 99.4% |
| Somchem MS200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,819 psi | 85% | 1309 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37 | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,471 psi | 84% | 1358 fps | 96.2% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,907 psi | 88% | 1260 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Starᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 24,192 psi | 71% | 1112 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,095 psi | 85% | 1309 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,224 psi | 83% | 1306 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 29,849 psi | 88% | 1375 fps | 97.1% |
| Winchester 231² | <<locked>> | 64% | 28,210 psi | 83% | 1260 fps | 100% |
| Winchester AutoComp | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,863 psi | 88% | 1312 fps | 100% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
Start Load - Barrel Length: 5"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate No. 2*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,550 psi | 51% | 1073 fps | 93.1% |
| Accurate No. 5*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,150 psi | 77% | 1312 fps | 90.5% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,450 psi | 57% | 1063 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,186 psi | 47% | 1043 fps | 99.1% |
| ADI AP 100* | <<locked>> | 92% | 23,627 psi | 69% | 1257 fps | 86.4% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,916 psi | 67% | 1198 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,887 psi | 67% | 1020 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,306 psi | 63% | 1027 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,392 psi | 57% | 1037 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,392 psi | 60% | 1096 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,607 psi | 49% | 1053 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,320 psi | 60% | 1171 fps | 98% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,406 psi | 57% | 1079 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 11,951 psi | 35% | 942 fps | 89.8% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 23,511 psi | 69% | 1293 fps | 85.3% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,724 psi | 55% | 1043 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,235 psi | 68% | 1234 fps | 98.6% |
| Alliant UNIQUE*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,896 psi | 47% | 1070 fps | 94.4% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,492 psi | 54% | 1056 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 11,429 psi | 34% | 909 fps | 99.8% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,203 psi | 56% | 1099 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,912 psi | 53% | 965 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon HS-6*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,944 psi | 64% | 1214 fps | 89.9% |
| Hodgdon Longshot*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,018 psi | 70% | 1263 fps | 93.5% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss² | <<locked>> | 60% | 6,382 psi | 19% | 669 fps | 97.2% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,218 psi | 56% | 1122 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D036*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,150 psi | 77% | 1309 fps | 90.4% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,555 psi | 72% | 1181 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,275 psi | 54% | 1112 fps | 98.1% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,011 psi | 44% | 1007 fps | 98.6% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,273 psi | 45% | 1043 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,535 psi | 51% | 1053 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,913 psi | 55% | 1066 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,089 psi | 65% | 1083 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,147 psi | 65% | 1214 fps | 96.7% |
| Ramshot True Blue*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,193 psi | 74% | 1276 fps | 94.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,827 psi | 61% | 1148 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 6,237 psi | 18% | 669 fps | 92.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20*² | 5 gr | 60% | 13,982 psi | 41% | 1037 fps | 94.9% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,091 psi | 71% | 1168 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806* | <<locked>> | 80% | 17,289 psi | 51% | 1214 fps | 86.6% |
| Shooters World Auto Pistol*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,150 psi | 77% | 1309 fps | 90.4% |
| SNPE Vectan A0*² | 4.8 gr | 60% | 15,331 psi | 45% | 1014 fps | 93.6% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,348 psi | 57% | 1096 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,579 psi | 55% | 1086 fps | 99% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,946 psi | 70% | 1070 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 15,940 psi | 47% | 1053 fps | 85.5% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,825 psi | 52% | 1083 fps | 99.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 21,799 psi | 64% | 1283 fps | 86.5% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,405 psi | 54% | 1122 fps | 95.1% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,143 psi | 50% | 1076 fps | 96.4% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 15,664 psi | 46% | 1076 fps | 86.7% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,769 psi | 58% | 1099 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | <<locked>> | 60% | 10,066 psi | 30% | 820 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,550 psi | 51% | 1106 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,838 psi | 46% | 1050 fps | 94.7% |
| Vihtavuori N350*² | 6.1 gr | 68% | 15,606 psi | 46% | 1073 fps | 87.1% |
| Winchester 231² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,801 psi | 73% | 1207 fps | 100% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,838 psi | 46% | 1040 fps | 98.2% |
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 59 powders for .38-45 ACP loaded with the .355 | 115gr | Barnes TAC-XP. Rottweil P 806 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 1,467 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 912 fps to 1,467 fps. ADI AP 100 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 28 of the 59 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (235 MPa), the top charges use 35–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. ADI AP 100, Alliant Herco, Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol 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. ReloadSwiss RS 20, Vihtavuori N350, SNPE Vectan A0 rank at the top here: for .38-45 ACP with the .355 | 115gr | Barnes TAC-XP they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, Accurate No. 5, ADI AP 100, Alliant POWER PISTOL burn incompletely and react more sensitively to barrel length and temperature. Accurate No. 2, Accurate Solo 1000, Accurate Solo 1250 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.