Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .38-45 ACP with .355 | 124gr | Geco HEXAGON bullet and 55 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Vihtavuori N350, SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2 and Alliant Herco.
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.
A valid access license is required to use the Personalized Load Calculator.
You can find more information in our FAQ: How can I use the Personalized Load Calculator?
Max Load - Barrel Length: 5"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate No. 2² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,906 psi | 85% | 1273 fps | 99.6% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,153 psi | 86% | 1194 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,414 psi | 89% | 1273 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 100* | <<locked>> | 96% | 28,877 psi | 85% | 1339 fps | 92.4% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 64% | 28,514 psi | 84% | 1260 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,341 psi | 86% | 1089 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 72% | 30,647 psi | 90% | 1138 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,514 psi | 84% | 1158 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,210 psi | 83% | 1198 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,137 psi | 83% | 1230 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,485 psi | 84% | 1302 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 76% | 30,574 psi | 90% | 1234 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco | <<locked>> | 96% | 30,734 psi | 90% | 1342 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL* | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,196 psi | 86% | 1385 fps | 91.8% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,863 psi | 88% | 1198 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 64% | 28,834 psi | 85% | 1309 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,863 psi | 88% | 1332 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 72% | 27,456 psi | 81% | 1181 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol | <<locked>> | 92% | 27,876 psi | 82% | 1207 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 72% | 30,313 psi | 89% | 1243 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,139 psi | 88% | 1132 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon HS-6² | <<locked>> | 64% | 27,775 psi | 81% | 1312 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 13,924 psi | 41% | 912 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,385 psi | 86% | 1273 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 64% | 30,008 psi | 88% | 1237 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,312 psi | 86% | 1286 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,833 psi | 82% | 1230 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,052 psi | 88% | 1276 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,906 psi | 85% | 1224 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,500 psi | 84% | 1198 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,167 psi | 86% | 1158 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 64% | 28,195 psi | 83% | 1302 fps | 99.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,515 psi | 87% | 1250 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 12,676 psi | 37% | 909 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,152 psi | 83% | 1312 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 64% | 30,240 psi | 89% | 1224 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806 | <<locked>> | 88% | 27,122 psi | 80% | 1398 fps | 96.3% |
| SNPE Vectan A0 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,587 psi | 84% | 1266 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,385 psi | 86% | 1240 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,413 psi | 83% | 1240 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 68% | 30,632 psi | 90% | 1138 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2 | <<locked>> | 88% | 29,849 psi | 88% | 1329 fps | 97.4% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 76% | 30,632 psi | 90% | 1283 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,066 psi | 85% | 1401 fps | 93.8% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,645 psi | 84% | 1302 fps | 99.9% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,369 psi | 83% | 1276 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S221*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,282 psi | 83% | 1342 fps | 88.5% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,355 psi | 83% | 1332 fps | 97.8% |
| Vihtavuori N105*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 26,150 psi | 77% | 1371 fps | 88.5% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,994 psi | 88% | 1227 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Starᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 26,426 psi | 78% | 1112 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,950 psi | 85% | 1273 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,572 psi | 84% | 1286 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 30,501 psi | 89% | 1362 fps | 98.6% |
| Winchester AutoComp | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,820 psi | 87% | 1280 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. 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,754 psi | 58% | 1109 fps | 96.6% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,422 psi | 63% | 1076 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,216 psi | 51% | 1043 fps | 99.9% |
| ADI AP 100* | <<locked>> | 80% | 19,566 psi | 57% | 1148 fps | 85.6% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,251 psi | 74% | 1211 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,439 psi | 72% | 1020 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,553 psi | 66% | 1024 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,495 psi | 63% | 1050 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,321 psi | 65% | 1106 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,854 psi | 52% | 1056 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,829 psi | 67% | 1201 fps | 99.7% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,566 psi | 60% | 1076 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco*² | 5.2 gr | 60% | 12,821 psi | 38% | 958 fps | 93.2% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 20,711 psi | 61% | 1211 fps | 85.6% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,131 psi | 59% | 1043 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,628 psi | 75% | 1253 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant UNIQUE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,245 psi | 51% | 1086 fps | 97.2% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,493 psi | 57% | 1053 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 12,067 psi | 35% | 909 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,147 psi | 62% | 1109 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,174 psi | 56% | 968 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon HS-6*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,453 psi | 72% | 1250 fps | 94% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss² | <<locked>> | 60% | 6,614 psi | 19% | 676 fps | 98.7% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,842 psi | 61% | 1129 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,324 psi | 77% | 1184 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,783 psi | 58% | 1125 fps | 99.6% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,505 psi | 48% | 1024 fps | 99.9% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,042 psi | 50% | 1056 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,348 psi | 57% | 1066 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,958 psi | 61% | 1079 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,583 psi | 69% | 1079 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,613 psi | 72% | 1240 fps | 99% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,785 psi | 67% | 1152 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 6,077 psi | 18% | 656 fps | 94.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,273 psi | 45% | 1053 fps | 97.8% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,731 psi | 78% | 1178 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 15,751 psi | 46% | 1145 fps | 87.2% |
| SNPE Vectan A0² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,563 psi | 49% | 1033 fps | 96.5% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,682 psi | 61% | 1099 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,856 psi | 58% | 1093 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,092 psi | 74% | 1063 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2*² | 6.1 gr | 60% | 14,025 psi | 41% | 984 fps | 85.7% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,305 psi | 57% | 1093 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 19,319 psi | 57% | 1201 fps | 86.7% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,204 psi | 59% | 1142 fps | 97.8% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,507 psi | 54% | 1089 fps | 98.6% |
| Somchem S221*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 24,540 psi | 72% | 1270 fps | 85.9% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,621 psi | 46% | 1060 fps | 89.2% |
| Vihtavuori N105* | <<locked>> | 96% | 22,931 psi | 67% | 1302 fps | 85.8% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,103 psi | 62% | 1096 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | <<locked>> | 60% | 10,921 psi | 32% | 827 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,088 psi | 59% | 1132 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,782 psi | 52% | 1079 fps | 97.8% |
| Vihtavuori N350*² | 5.9 gr | 60% | 13,271 psi | 39% | 988 fps | 86.5% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,926 psi | 50% | 1050 fps | 99.6% |
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 55 powders for .38-45 ACP loaded with the .355 | 124gr | Geco HEXAGON. SNPE Vectan SP 2 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 1,401 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 909 fps to 1,401 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 20 of the 55 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (235 MPa), the top charges use 37–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. Hodgdon TrailBoss, ReloadSwiss RS 14, Vihtavuori N105 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 N350, SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2, Alliant Herco rank at the top here: for .38-45 ACP with the .355 | 124gr | Geco HEXAGON they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, ADI AP 100, Alliant POWER PISTOL, SNPE Vectan SP 2 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.