Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .38-45 ACP with .355 | 124gr | Sierra Sig V-Crown bullet and 53 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Alliant Herco, 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: 5"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate No. 2² | <<locked>> | 68% | 27,876 psi | 82% | 1289 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,123 psi | 83% | 1204 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,602 psi | 87% | 1286 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 100* | <<locked>> | 92% | 29,428 psi | 86% | 1381 fps | 93.9% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 64% | 30,472 psi | 89% | 1312 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 68% | 30,574 psi | 90% | 1132 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,515 psi | 87% | 1152 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 72% | 30,429 psi | 89% | 1207 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,820 psi | 87% | 1247 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 76% | 30,748 psi | 90% | 1293 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 64% | 28,079 psi | 82% | 1322 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 72% | 30,240 psi | 89% | 1257 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco | <<locked>> | 92% | 30,530 psi | 90% | 1365 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,559 psi | 87% | 1424 fps | 93.1% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,182 psi | 86% | 1211 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,747 psi | 87% | 1355 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 72% | 30,385 psi | 89% | 1243 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol | <<locked>> | 88% | 28,094 psi | 82% | 1230 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,762 psi | 87% | 1260 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,008 psi | 85% | 1142 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon HS-6² | <<locked>> | 64% | 30,618 psi | 90% | 1388 fps | 97.7% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 15,490 psi | 45% | 965 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,906 psi | 85% | 1289 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,442 psi | 83% | 1299 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,298 psi | 89% | 1293 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 76% | 30,385 psi | 89% | 1299 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,529 psi | 84% | 1243 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 68% | 27,572 psi | 81% | 1207 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 64% | 28,500 psi | 84% | 1175 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 64% | 30,458 psi | 89% | 1365 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 64% | 28,529 psi | 84% | 1257 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 14,141 psi | 41% | 965 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,036 psi | 82% | 1332 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806 | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,195 psi | 83% | 1434 fps | 97.4% |
| SNPE Vectan A0 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,443 psi | 89% | 1325 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,369 psi | 83% | 1250 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 72% | 30,298 psi | 89% | 1296 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 64% | 29,501 psi | 87% | 1152 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,805 psi | 87% | 1358 fps | 98.1% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,747 psi | 87% | 1296 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,805 psi | 85% | 1424 fps | 94.6% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 68% | 27,630 psi | 81% | 1312 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,311 psi | 83% | 1302 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S221*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 27,427 psi | 80% | 1355 fps | 89.2% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,094 psi | 82% | 1352 fps | 98.3% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38* | <<locked>> | 92% | 28,514 psi | 84% | 1388 fps | 87.2% |
| Vihtavuori N105*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 30,139 psi | 88% | 1480 fps | 92.6% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,733 psi | 87% | 1250 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Starᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 28,979 psi | 85% | 1165 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,413 psi | 83% | 1286 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 76% | 30,661 psi | 90% | 1342 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 30,821 psi | 90% | 1394 fps | 99.2% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,138 psi | 85% | 1296 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% | 21,089 psi | 62% | 1165 fps | 98.1% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,727 psi | 67% | 1119 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,913 psi | 55% | 1102 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 100*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 19,334 psi | 57% | 1171 fps | 86.6% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,412 psi | 80% | 1266 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,222 psi | 74% | 1056 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,859 psi | 70% | 1066 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,061 psi | 68% | 1099 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,323 psi | 71% | 1161 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,609 psi | 58% | 1112 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,366 psi | 71% | 1253 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,901 psi | 64% | 1122 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco² | 5.9 gr | 60% | 13,967 psi | 41% | 1010 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 20,668 psi | 61% | 1234 fps | 86.7% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,901 psi | 64% | 1096 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,319 psi | 57% | 1155 fps | 98.8% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,292 psi | 62% | 1106 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | 5.5 gr | 60% | 13,445 psi | 39% | 958 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,163 psi | 68% | 1161 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,943 psi | 59% | 1001 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon HS-6² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,774 psi | 79% | 1322 fps | 96.2% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss² | <<locked>> | 60% | 7,208 psi | 21% | 712 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,495 psi | 66% | 1181 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,872 psi | 64% | 1188 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,173 psi | 53% | 1083 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,000 psi | 56% | 1115 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,566 psi | 60% | 1112 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,278 psi | 65% | 1122 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,106 psi | 74% | 1125 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,006 psi | 79% | 1309 fps | 99.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,411 psi | 75% | 1211 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14² | <<locked>> | 60% | 6,614 psi | 19% | 696 fps | 96.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,231 psi | 51% | 1122 fps | 99.3% |
| Rottweil P 806*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 13,895 psi | 41% | 1099 fps | 85.3% |
| SNPE Vectan A0² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,854 psi | 52% | 1086 fps | 98% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,408 psi | 66% | 1152 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,567 psi | 63% | 1152 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,006 psi | 79% | 1115 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,156 psi | 44% | 1040 fps | 88.4% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,422 psi | 63% | 1155 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,927 psi | 56% | 1211 fps | 87.4% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,872 psi | 64% | 1201 fps | 99% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,856 psi | 58% | 1142 fps | 99.5% |
| Somchem S221*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,569 psi | 69% | 1276 fps | 86.4% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,347 psi | 51% | 1125 fps | 92.1% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38* | <<locked>> | 88% | 26,063 psi | 76% | 1342 fps | 85.6% |
| Vihtavuori N105* | <<locked>> | 88% | 21,074 psi | 62% | 1289 fps | 85.5% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,192 psi | 68% | 1152 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | 4.3 gr | 60% | 11,879 psi | 35% | 863 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,741 psi | 64% | 1181 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,072 psi | 56% | 1132 fps | 98.9% |
| Vihtavuori N350*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,084 psi | 44% | 1063 fps | 90.1% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,492 psi | 54% | 1102 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 53 powders for .38-45 ACP loaded with the .355 | 124gr | Sierra Sig V-Crown. Vihtavuori N105 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 1,480 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 965 fps to 1,480 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 13 of the 53 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (235 MPa), the top charges use 41–90 %, 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. Alliant Herco, Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol, Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star rank at the top here: for .38-45 ACP with the .355 | 124gr | Sierra Sig V-Crown 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 Solo 1000, Accurate Solo 1250, ADI APS 350 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.