Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .38-45 ACP with .356 | 125gr | SNS Coated Bullets RN bullet and 51 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% | 30,792 psi | 90% | 1296 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,369 psi | 83% | 1175 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,892 psi | 88% | 1257 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 100* | <<locked>> | 92% | 29,196 psi | 86% | 1339 fps | 93.1% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 68% | 30,139 psi | 88% | 1093 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,501 psi | 87% | 1119 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,195 psi | 83% | 1138 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 68% | 30,647 psi | 90% | 1220 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,021 psi | 82% | 1220 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 68% | 30,487 psi | 89% | 1325 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 72% | 30,284 psi | 89% | 1217 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco | <<locked>> | 88% | 28,747 psi | 84% | 1299 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,095 psi | 85% | 1375 fps | 92.2% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,573 psi | 87% | 1181 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,979 psi | 88% | 1322 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 72% | 30,545 psi | 90% | 1211 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol | <<locked>> | 88% | 28,500 psi | 84% | 1201 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,472 psi | 86% | 1220 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE Pistol² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,878 psi | 88% | 1263 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,124 psi | 85% | 1112 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon HS-6² | <<locked>> | 64% | 30,356 psi | 89% | 1345 fps | 97.1% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 16,404 psi | 48% | 945 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,805 psi | 85% | 1247 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,153 psi | 86% | 1273 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,821 psi | 90% | 1263 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 76% | 30,385 psi | 89% | 1263 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,529 psi | 84% | 1207 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 72% | 30,676 psi | 90% | 1217 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 64% | 28,543 psi | 84% | 1138 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 64% | 29,240 psi | 86% | 1227 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 15,345 psi | 45% | 948 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 76% | 27,992 psi | 82% | 1296 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806 | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,369 psi | 83% | 1401 fps | 97% |
| SNPE Vectan A0 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,356 psi | 89% | 1286 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,108 psi | 82% | 1211 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 72% | 30,066 psi | 88% | 1257 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 64% | 29,486 psi | 87% | 1119 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,501 psi | 87% | 1316 fps | 97.6% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 72% | 30,327 psi | 89% | 1266 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,863 psi | 85% | 1385 fps | 94.1% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,587 psi | 84% | 1289 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,181 psi | 83% | 1263 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S221*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 27,427 psi | 80% | 1312 fps | 88.4% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,311 psi | 83% | 1319 fps | 98% |
| Vihtavuori N105*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 29,573 psi | 87% | 1427 fps | 91.4% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,704 psi | 87% | 1211 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Starᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 29,022 psi | 85% | 1129 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 68% | 27,992 psi | 82% | 1247 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 76% | 30,806 psi | 90% | 1309 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 30,110 psi | 88% | 1345 fps | 98.8% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,080 psi | 85% | 1257 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% | 21,770 psi | 64% | 1142 fps | 98% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,424 psi | 69% | 1099 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,479 psi | 57% | 1079 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 100*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 19,870 psi | 58% | 1145 fps | 86.4% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,382 psi | 74% | 1027 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,294 psi | 71% | 1043 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,177 psi | 68% | 1063 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,831 psi | 73% | 1132 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,189 psi | 59% | 1086 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,874 psi | 73% | 1230 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,960 psi | 67% | 1102 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco² | 5.4 gr | 60% | 15,113 psi | 44% | 1004 fps | 96% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 21,147 psi | 62% | 1207 fps | 86.4% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,785 psi | 67% | 1073 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,754 psi | 58% | 1125 fps | 98.7% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,814 psi | 64% | 1079 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | 5 gr | 60% | 14,373 psi | 42% | 945 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,801 psi | 70% | 1138 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,625 psi | 63% | 1125 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,305 psi | 60% | 974 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon HS-6² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,035 psi | 79% | 1286 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss² | <<locked>> | 60% | 8,528 psi | 25% | 715 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,540 psi | 69% | 1161 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,003 psi | 67% | 1171 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,811 psi | 55% | 1056 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,059 psi | 59% | 1096 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,958 psi | 61% | 1083 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,452 psi | 66% | 1093 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,875 psi | 76% | 1102 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,092 psi | 77% | 1181 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14² | <<locked>> | 60% | 8,079 psi | 24% | 705 fps | 98.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,101 psi | 53% | 1109 fps | 99.4% |
| Rottweil P 806*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 15,127 psi | 44% | 1102 fps | 86.8% |
| SNPE Vectan A0² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,478 psi | 54% | 1063 fps | 98% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,568 psi | 66% | 1122 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,712 psi | 64% | 1119 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,789 psi | 79% | 1083 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,969 psi | 47% | 1027 fps | 88.8% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,596 psi | 63% | 1122 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,856 psi | 58% | 1194 fps | 87.7% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,510 psi | 66% | 1178 fps | 99% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,668 psi | 61% | 1122 fps | 99.5% |
| Somchem S221*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,076 psi | 71% | 1243 fps | 86% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,869 psi | 52% | 1099 fps | 92% |
| Vihtavuori N105* | <<locked>> | 92% | 23,859 psi | 70% | 1316 fps | 87.2% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,699 psi | 70% | 1122 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | 3.9 gr | 60% | 13,068 psi | 38% | 850 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,626 psi | 66% | 1161 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,073 psi | 59% | 1115 fps | 99% |
| Vihtavuori N350*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,809 psi | 46% | 1047 fps | 90.4% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,232 psi | 56% | 1083 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 9 powders for .38-45 ACP loaded with the .356 | 125gr | SNS Coated Bullets RN. Rottweil P 806 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 1,401 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 945 fps to 1,401 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 9 of the 9 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (235 MPa), the top charges use 45–88 %, leaving at least 12 % 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 | 125gr | SNS Coated Bullets RN they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, ADI AP 100 burn incompletely and react more sensitively to barrel length and temperature. Hodgdon TrailBoss, ReloadSwiss RS 14, Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star 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.