Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .38-45 ACP with .356 | 95gr | Rim Rock RN bullet and 55 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% | 28,413 psi | 83% | 1509 fps | 98.4% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,413 psi | 83% | 1427 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,878 psi | 88% | 1519 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 100* | <<locked>> | 96% | 28,427 psi | 83% | 1572 fps | 89.3% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 64% | 27,804 psi | 82% | 1499 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,008 psi | 85% | 1312 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,791 psi | 87% | 1362 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,514 psi | 84% | 1398 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 72% | 30,400 psi | 89% | 1480 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 76% | 27,978 psi | 82% | 1473 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 68% | 27,963 psi | 82% | 1542 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 76% | 30,023 psi | 88% | 1480 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco | <<locked>> | 96% | 30,182 psi | 89% | 1585 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL* | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,674 psi | 84% | 1621 fps | 88.3% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,704 psi | 87% | 1444 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 64% | 28,529 psi | 84% | 1555 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant UNIQUE | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,225 psi | 86% | 1578 fps | 99.8% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 76% | 30,385 psi | 89% | 1470 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol | <<locked>> | 96% | 30,110 psi | 88% | 1480 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,994 psi | 88% | 1480 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,095 psi | 85% | 1352 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon HS-6*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 27,282 psi | 80% | 1535 fps | 92.9% |
| Hodgdon Longshot² | <<locked>> | 64% | 30,356 psi | 89% | 1601 fps | 96.2% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 13,938 psi | 41% | 1096 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,485 psi | 84% | 1512 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 64% | 29,109 psi | 85% | 1473 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,921 psi | 85% | 1535 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1 | <<locked>> | 84% | 30,226 psi | 89% | 1519 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,225 psi | 86% | 1519 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,732 psi | 84% | 1473 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 76% | 30,560 psi | 90% | 1476 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,398 psi | 83% | 1388 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 64% | 27,311 psi | 80% | 1526 fps | 98.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,703 psi | 84% | 1490 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 12,604 psi | 37% | 1086 fps | 99.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20 | <<locked>> | 84% | 30,327 psi | 89% | 1601 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 64% | 29,660 psi | 87% | 1463 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806 | <<locked>> | 92% | 30,487 psi | 89% | 1696 fps | 95.2% |
| SNPE Vectan A0 | <<locked>> | 84% | 30,545 psi | 90% | 1549 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,514 psi | 84% | 1470 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 76% | 30,748 psi | 90% | 1529 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 68% | 30,545 psi | 90% | 1375 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2 | <<locked>> | 88% | 29,095 psi | 85% | 1558 fps | 95.1% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,791 psi | 87% | 1526 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,355 psi | 83% | 1634 fps | 90.3% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,326 psi | 83% | 1542 fps | 99.1% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,224 psi | 83% | 1522 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,934 psi | 82% | 1565 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,950 psi | 88% | 1480 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Starᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 25,759 psi | 76% | 1329 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,166 psi | 83% | 1516 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,705 psi | 90% | 1572 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 29,907 psi | 88% | 1601 fps | 96.7% |
| Winchester 231² | <<locked>> | 64% | 30,734 psi | 90% | 1519 fps | 100% |
| Winchester AutoComp | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,819 psi | 85% | 1512 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% | 19,189 psi | 56% | 1302 fps | 93.8% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,972 psi | 62% | 1286 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,868 psi | 49% | 1237 fps | 99% |
| ADI AP 100* | <<locked>> | 88% | 23,554 psi | 69% | 1460 fps | 85.8% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,584 psi | 72% | 1434 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,554 psi | 69% | 1220 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,959 psi | 64% | 1227 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,842 psi | 61% | 1253 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,104 psi | 65% | 1325 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,564 psi | 52% | 1253 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,191 psi | 65% | 1414 fps | 98.3% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,059 psi | 59% | 1283 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco*² | 6.4 gr | 60% | 12,343 psi | 36% | 1112 fps | 89.2% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 25,846 psi | 76% | 1555 fps | 86.3% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,783 psi | 58% | 1253 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,251 psi | 74% | 1486 fps | 98.9% |
| Alliant UNIQUE*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,969 psi | 50% | 1276 fps | 94.5% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,174 psi | 56% | 1257 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | 6 gr | 60% | 11,922 psi | 35% | 1076 fps | 99.7% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,566 psi | 60% | 1312 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,434 psi | 54% | 1152 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon HS-6*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,569 psi | 69% | 1453 fps | 90.5% |
| Hodgdon Longshot*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,266 psi | 77% | 1516 fps | 94.2% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss² | <<locked>> | 60% | 6,498 psi | 19% | 801 fps | 96.6% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,479 psi | 60% | 1342 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,165 psi | 77% | 1421 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,421 psi | 57% | 1329 fps | 98.1% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,230 psi | 48% | 1214 fps | 98.8% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,520 psi | 48% | 1253 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,594 psi | 55% | 1263 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,276 psi | 59% | 1286 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,177 psi | 68% | 1299 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,873 psi | 70% | 1453 fps | 97.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,669 psi | 67% | 1378 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 5,976 psi | 18% | 778 fps | 90.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,200 psi | 45% | 1243 fps | 95.2% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,150 psi | 77% | 1404 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 17,782 psi | 52% | 1391 fps | 85.4% |
| SNPE Vectan A0*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,317 psi | 48% | 1217 fps | 93.8% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,436 psi | 60% | 1309 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,580 psi | 57% | 1299 fps | 99.1% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,642 psi | 72% | 1276 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 17,056 psi | 50% | 1263 fps | 86% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,971 psi | 56% | 1296 fps | 99.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 21,770 psi | 64% | 1476 fps | 85.2% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,450 psi | 57% | 1339 fps | 95.2% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,101 psi | 53% | 1286 fps | 96.4% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 17,361 psi | 51% | 1302 fps | 87.6% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,697 psi | 61% | 1309 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | 4.7 gr | 60% | 10,573 psi | 31% | 981 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,232 psi | 56% | 1329 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,129 psi | 50% | 1263 fps | 95.1% |
| Vihtavuori N350*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 16,592 psi | 49% | 1280 fps | 87.2% |
| Winchester 231² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,311 psi | 80% | 1460 fps | 100% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,549 psi | 49% | 1234 fps | 98.1% |
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 .356 | 95gr | Rim Rock RN. Rottweil P 806 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 1,696 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,086 fps to 1,696 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 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 | 95gr | Rim Rock RN 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.