Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .38-45 ACP with .355 | 124gr | Sellier & Bellot TFMJ 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.
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Max Load - Barrel Length: 5"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate No. 2² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,877 psi | 85% | 1273 fps | 99.6% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,124 psi | 85% | 1194 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,385 psi | 89% | 1273 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 100* | <<locked>> | 96% | 28,863 psi | 85% | 1339 fps | 92.4% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 64% | 28,529 psi | 84% | 1260 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,327 psi | 86% | 1086 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 72% | 30,632 psi | 90% | 1138 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,500 psi | 84% | 1158 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,181 psi | 83% | 1198 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,123 psi | 83% | 1234 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,456 psi | 83% | 1302 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 76% | 30,560 psi | 90% | 1234 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco | <<locked>> | 96% | 30,719 psi | 90% | 1342 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL* | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,225 psi | 86% | 1385 fps | 91.8% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,878 psi | 88% | 1198 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 64% | 28,863 psi | 85% | 1309 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,849 psi | 88% | 1335 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 72% | 27,470 psi | 81% | 1181 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol | <<locked>> | 92% | 27,862 psi | 82% | 1207 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 72% | 30,298 psi | 89% | 1243 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,124 psi | 88% | 1132 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon HS-6² | <<locked>> | 64% | 27,760 psi | 81% | 1312 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 13,909 psi | 41% | 912 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,356 psi | 86% | 1273 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 64% | 29,979 psi | 88% | 1237 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,283 psi | 86% | 1289 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,847 psi | 82% | 1234 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,037 psi | 88% | 1276 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,877 psi | 85% | 1224 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,485 psi | 84% | 1198 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,138 psi | 85% | 1158 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 64% | 28,181 psi | 83% | 1302 fps | 99.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,501 psi | 87% | 1250 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 12,676 psi | 37% | 909 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,123 psi | 83% | 1312 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 64% | 30,226 psi | 89% | 1224 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806 | <<locked>> | 88% | 27,137 psi | 80% | 1398 fps | 96.3% |
| SNPE Vectan A0 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,572 psi | 84% | 1266 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,356 psi | 86% | 1240 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,384 psi | 83% | 1240 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 68% | 30,618 psi | 90% | 1138 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2 | <<locked>> | 88% | 29,820 psi | 87% | 1329 fps | 97.4% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 76% | 30,618 psi | 90% | 1283 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,037 psi | 85% | 1401 fps | 93.8% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,631 psi | 84% | 1302 fps | 99.9% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,355 psi | 83% | 1276 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S221*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,268 psi | 83% | 1339 fps | 88.4% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,340 psi | 83% | 1329 fps | 97.8% |
| Vihtavuori N105*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 26,121 psi | 77% | 1371 fps | 88.5% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,965 psi | 88% | 1227 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Starᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 26,411 psi | 77% | 1112 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,964 psi | 85% | 1273 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,558 psi | 84% | 1286 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 30,472 psi | 89% | 1362 fps | 98.6% |
| Winchester AutoComp | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,805 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% | 19,740 psi | 58% | 1109 fps | 96.6% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,408 psi | 63% | 1076 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,202 psi | 50% | 1043 fps | 99.9% |
| ADI AP 100* | <<locked>> | 80% | 19,551 psi | 57% | 1152 fps | 85.6% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,266 psi | 74% | 1211 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,424 psi | 72% | 1020 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,553 psi | 66% | 1024 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,509 psi | 63% | 1050 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,307 psi | 65% | 1106 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,840 psi | 52% | 1056 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,814 psi | 67% | 1201 fps | 99.7% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,552 psi | 60% | 1076 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco*² | 5.2 gr | 60% | 12,807 psi | 38% | 958 fps | 93.2% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 20,697 psi | 61% | 1211 fps | 85.5% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,175 psi | 59% | 1043 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,614 psi | 75% | 1253 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant UNIQUE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,274 psi | 51% | 1083 fps | 97.2% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,508 psi | 57% | 1053 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 12,082 psi | 35% | 909 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,132 psi | 62% | 1109 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,160 psi | 56% | 968 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon HS-6*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,439 psi | 72% | 1250 fps | 94% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss² | <<locked>> | 60% | 6,628 psi | 19% | 676 fps | 98.8% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,827 psi | 61% | 1129 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,310 psi | 77% | 1184 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,769 psi | 58% | 1125 fps | 99.6% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,505 psi | 48% | 1024 fps | 99.9% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,056 psi | 50% | 1056 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,348 psi | 57% | 1066 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,943 psi | 61% | 1079 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,569 psi | 69% | 1079 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,598 psi | 72% | 1240 fps | 99% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,800 psi | 67% | 1152 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 6,063 psi | 18% | 659 fps | 94.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,316 psi | 45% | 1056 fps | 97.8% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,716 psi | 78% | 1175 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 15,737 psi | 46% | 1145 fps | 87.1% |
| SNPE Vectan A0² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,549 psi | 49% | 1030 fps | 96.5% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,668 psi | 61% | 1099 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,870 psi | 58% | 1093 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,106 psi | 74% | 1063 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2*² | 6.1 gr | 60% | 14,011 psi | 41% | 984 fps | 85.7% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,290 psi | 57% | 1093 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 19,305 psi | 57% | 1198 fps | 86.7% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,247 psi | 59% | 1145 fps | 97.9% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,492 psi | 54% | 1089 fps | 98.6% |
| Somchem S221*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 24,526 psi | 72% | 1270 fps | 85.8% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,606 psi | 46% | 1060 fps | 89.2% |
| Vihtavuori N105* | <<locked>> | 96% | 22,902 psi | 67% | 1302 fps | 85.7% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,089 psi | 62% | 1096 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | <<locked>> | 60% | 10,921 psi | 32% | 827 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,073 psi | 59% | 1129 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,767 psi | 52% | 1079 fps | 97.8% |
| Vihtavuori N350*² | 5.9 gr | 60% | 13,256 psi | 39% | 988 fps | 86.5% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,911 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 | Sellier & Bellot TFMJ. 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 | Sellier & Bellot TFMJ 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.