Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .38-45 ACP with .356 | 100gr | Rim Rock FP Top Shelf 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>> | 72% | 28,892 psi | 85% | 1480 fps | 98.9% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,428 psi | 86% | 1404 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,371 psi | 89% | 1483 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 100* | <<locked>> | 96% | 29,196 psi | 86% | 1549 fps | 90.6% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 64% | 28,268 psi | 83% | 1460 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,051 psi | 85% | 1276 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 72% | 30,690 psi | 90% | 1335 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,790 psi | 84% | 1362 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 72% | 30,821 psi | 90% | 1444 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,558 psi | 84% | 1440 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,427 psi | 83% | 1509 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,137 psi | 83% | 1404 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco | <<locked>> | 92% | 28,471 psi | 84% | 1509 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL* | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,110 psi | 88% | 1608 fps | 90.1% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,965 psi | 88% | 1401 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 64% | 29,051 psi | 85% | 1522 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant UNIQUE | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,805 psi | 87% | 1542 fps | 99.9% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 72% | 27,862 psi | 82% | 1385 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol | <<locked>> | 92% | 28,718 psi | 84% | 1414 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 72% | 30,719 psi | 90% | 1447 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,008 psi | 88% | 1325 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon HS-6*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 28,021 psi | 82% | 1512 fps | 94.2% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 14,112 psi | 41% | 1070 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,979 psi | 85% | 1473 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 64% | 30,226 psi | 89% | 1450 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,573 psi | 87% | 1499 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1 | <<locked>> | 84% | 30,835 psi | 90% | 1486 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,618 psi | 90% | 1493 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,124 psi | 85% | 1434 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,674 psi | 84% | 1404 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,399 psi | 86% | 1362 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 64% | 27,963 psi | 82% | 1499 fps | 99% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,269 psi | 86% | 1453 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 12,778 psi | 37% | 1060 fps | 99.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,340 psi | 83% | 1522 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 64% | 30,153 psi | 88% | 1427 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806* | <<locked>> | 88% | 27,920 psi | 82% | 1604 fps | 94.7% |
| SNPE Vectan A0 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,500 psi | 84% | 1470 fps | 99.8% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,602 psi | 87% | 1447 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,616 psi | 84% | 1447 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 64% | 28,369 psi | 83% | 1302 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2 | <<locked>> | 88% | 29,820 psi | 87% | 1529 fps | 96% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 76% | 30,356 psi | 89% | 1490 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,341 psi | 86% | 1614 fps | 91.8% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,964 psi | 85% | 1512 fps | 99.6% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,732 psi | 84% | 1490 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,790 psi | 84% | 1542 fps | 96.6% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 72% | 30,414 psi | 89% | 1440 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Starᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 26,237 psi | 77% | 1296 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,819 psi | 85% | 1480 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,514 psi | 84% | 1486 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 30,835 psi | 90% | 1575 fps | 97.6% |
| Winchester AutoComp | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,095 psi | 88% | 1490 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% | 19,406 psi | 57% | 1273 fps | 94.7% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,074 psi | 62% | 1250 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,608 psi | 52% | 1224 fps | 99.6% |
| ADI AP 100* | <<locked>> | 84% | 21,741 psi | 64% | 1378 fps | 85.1% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,961 psi | 73% | 1401 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,250 psi | 71% | 1198 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,611 psi | 66% | 1201 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,596 psi | 63% | 1234 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,350 psi | 66% | 1293 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,869 psi | 52% | 1227 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,510 psi | 66% | 1381 fps | 98.9% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,842 psi | 61% | 1263 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco*² | 6.4 gr | 60% | 12,865 psi | 38% | 1102 fps | 90.9% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 23,815 psi | 70% | 1467 fps | 85.7% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,523 psi | 60% | 1230 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,672 psi | 75% | 1453 fps | 99.4% |
| Alliant UNIQUE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,680 psi | 52% | 1263 fps | 95.8% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,986 psi | 59% | 1237 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | 6 gr | 60% | 12,459 psi | 37% | 1063 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,972 psi | 62% | 1283 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,029 psi | 56% | 1132 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon HS-6*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,729 psi | 73% | 1444 fps | 92.2% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss² | <<locked>> | 60% | 6,512 psi | 19% | 778 fps | 97.2% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,769 psi | 61% | 1309 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,484 psi | 78% | 1385 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,349 psi | 60% | 1316 fps | 98.9% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,433 psi | 48% | 1184 fps | 99.2% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,347 psi | 51% | 1237 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,377 psi | 57% | 1243 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,479 psi | 60% | 1250 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,322 psi | 68% | 1260 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,395 psi | 72% | 1424 fps | 97.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,105 psi | 68% | 1345 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 6,193 psi | 18% | 768 fps | 92.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,490 psi | 45% | 1220 fps | 96.2% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,571 psi | 78% | 1371 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 18,681 psi | 55% | 1385 fps | 87.4% |
| SNPE Vectan A0*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,520 psi | 48% | 1194 fps | 94.8% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,219 psi | 62% | 1289 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,349 psi | 60% | 1280 fps | 99.6% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,411 psi | 75% | 1253 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 15,867 psi | 47% | 1194 fps | 85.5% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,798 psi | 58% | 1280 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 22,539 psi | 66% | 1457 fps | 86.9% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,291 psi | 60% | 1322 fps | 96.4% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,347 psi | 54% | 1257 fps | 97.2% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,708 psi | 46% | 1217 fps | 86.6% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,596 psi | 63% | 1289 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | 4.6 gr | 60% | 10,660 psi | 31% | 955 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,247 psi | 59% | 1316 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,898 psi | 53% | 1253 fps | 96.4% |
| Vihtavuori N350*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 15,345 psi | 45% | 1207 fps | 86.6% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,231 psi | 51% | 1220 fps | 98.9% |
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 .356 | 100gr | Rim Rock FP Top Shelf. SNPE Vectan SP 2 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 1,614 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,060 fps to 1,614 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 19 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 37–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. Hodgdon TrailBoss, ReloadSwiss RS 14, Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star 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 .356 | 100gr | Rim Rock FP Top Shelf they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, ADI AP 100, Alliant POWER PISTOL, Hodgdon HS-6 burn incompletely and react more sensitively to barrel length and temperature. Alliant Herco, Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol, Hodgdon TrailBoss 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.