Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .38-45 ACP with .357 | 125gr | X-TREME RP HP bullet and 50 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above.
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% | 28,616 psi | 84% | 1273 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,211 psi | 86% | 1198 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 76% | 30,501 psi | 89% | 1273 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 100* | <<locked>> | 92% | 30,385 psi | 89% | 1371 fps | 94.1% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 64% | 28,442 psi | 83% | 1079 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,457 psi | 86% | 1129 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,167 psi | 86% | 1165 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 64% | 28,079 psi | 82% | 1194 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,124 psi | 85% | 1243 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 64% | 28,645 psi | 84% | 1306 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,529 psi | 84% | 1201 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco | <<locked>> | 88% | 29,660 psi | 87% | 1322 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 30,545 psi | 90% | 1414 fps | 93.4% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 72% | 30,632 psi | 90% | 1204 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,253 psi | 83% | 1306 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 68% | 27,876 psi | 82% | 1184 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol | <<locked>> | 88% | 29,559 psi | 87% | 1224 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 68% | 30,763 psi | 90% | 1247 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,892 psi | 88% | 1132 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 17,100 psi | 50% | 965 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 68% | 30,255 psi | 89% | 1280 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,704 psi | 87% | 1293 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,964 psi | 85% | 1247 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,718 psi | 84% | 1247 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,211 psi | 86% | 1227 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,892 psi | 85% | 1204 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 64% | 28,747 psi | 84% | 1152 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 64% | 30,066 psi | 88% | 1247 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 16,041 psi | 47% | 971 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,298 psi | 86% | 1325 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806 | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,849 psi | 88% | 1437 fps | 97.9% |
| SNPE Vectan A0² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,514 psi | 84% | 1270 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,167 psi | 86% | 1237 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,253 psi | 83% | 1240 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 64% | 30,313 psi | 89% | 1138 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 30,792 psi | 90% | 1348 fps | 98.3% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 72% | 30,792 psi | 90% | 1283 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2² | <<locked>> | 72% | 30,313 psi | 89% | 1424 fps | 95.1% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,979 psi | 85% | 1306 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,370 psi | 86% | 1293 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S221*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 28,529 psi | 84% | 1345 fps | 89.6% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,733 psi | 87% | 1355 fps | 98.7% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38* | <<locked>> | 92% | 30,066 psi | 88% | 1388 fps | 87.9% |
| Vihtavuori N105* | <<locked>> | 96% | 27,876 psi | 82% | 1411 fps | 91% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 68% | 30,545 psi | 90% | 1234 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Starᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 30,327 psi | 89% | 1155 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,515 psi | 87% | 1276 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,776 psi | 84% | 1286 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,050 psi | 82% | 1322 fps | 98.4% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 76% | 30,719 psi | 90% | 1289 fps | 100% |
Start Load - Barrel Length: 5"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate No. 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,452 psi | 66% | 1165 fps | 98.5% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,612 psi | 69% | 1112 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,247 psi | 59% | 1102 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 100*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 18,753 psi | 55% | 1129 fps | 85.9% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,744 psi | 76% | 1040 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,526 psi | 72% | 1056 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,236 psi | 71% | 1089 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,744 psi | 76% | 1158 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,755 psi | 61% | 1106 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,614 psi | 75% | 1253 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,221 psi | 68% | 1115 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,635 psi | 46% | 1027 fps | 96.7% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,450 psi | 57% | 1175 fps | 85.3% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,119 psi | 68% | 1089 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,479 psi | 60% | 1152 fps | 99.1% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,669 psi | 67% | 1102 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,026 psi | 44% | 968 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,613 psi | 72% | 1158 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,610 psi | 60% | 991 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss² | <<locked>> | 60% | 8,586 psi | 25% | 722 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,395 psi | 72% | 1184 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,728 psi | 70% | 1194 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,942 psi | 56% | 1070 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,929 psi | 61% | 1119 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,828 psi | 64% | 1109 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,409 psi | 69% | 1115 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,150 psi | 77% | 1115 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,977 psi | 79% | 1201 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14² | <<locked>> | 60% | 8,369 psi | 25% | 725 fps | 98.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,826 psi | 55% | 1132 fps | 99.7% |
| Rottweil P 806*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,112 psi | 41% | 1076 fps | 85.8% |
| SNPE Vectan A0² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,131 psi | 56% | 1089 fps | 98.6% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,786 psi | 70% | 1152 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,887 psi | 67% | 1152 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,746 psi | 81% | 1106 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,331 psi | 48% | 1043 fps | 89.6% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,278 psi | 65% | 1142 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,798 psi | 61% | 1227 fps | 89% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,003 psi | 67% | 1198 fps | 99.3% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,350 psi | 63% | 1145 fps | 99.7% |
| Somchem S221*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,135 psi | 74% | 1280 fps | 87.3% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,753 psi | 55% | 1132 fps | 93.2% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38* | <<locked>> | 88% | 27,050 psi | 79% | 1335 fps | 86% |
| Vihtavuori N105* | <<locked>> | 88% | 22,626 psi | 66% | 1299 fps | 86.7% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,729 psi | 73% | 1148 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,445 psi | 39% | 866 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,438 psi | 69% | 1181 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,726 psi | 61% | 1142 fps | 99.4% |
| Vihtavuori N350*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,288 psi | 48% | 1070 fps | 91.4% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,291 psi | 60% | 1112 fps | 100% |
* 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 50 powders for .38-45 ACP loaded with the .357 | 125gr | X-TREME RP HP. Rottweil P 806 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 1,437 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 965 fps to 1,437 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 11 of the 50 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (235 MPa), the top charges use 47–90 %, 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. As outliers, ADI AP 100, Alliant POWER PISTOL, Somchem S221 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.