Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .38-45 ACP with .357 | 127gr | H&N KS HS bullet and 56 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Rottweil P 806, SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2 and Alliant Herco.
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.
A valid access license is required to use the Personalized Load Calculator.
You can find more information in our FAQ: How can I use the Personalized Load Calculator?
Max Load - Barrel Length: 5"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate No. 2² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,993 psi | 85% | 1283 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,704 psi | 87% | 1204 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,458 psi | 89% | 1276 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 100* | <<locked>> | 96% | 30,081 psi | 88% | 1368 fps | 94.1% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 64% | 28,094 psi | 82% | 1260 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,472 psi | 86% | 1093 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 72% | 30,458 psi | 89% | 1142 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,863 psi | 85% | 1168 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 68% | 27,456 psi | 81% | 1194 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,442 psi | 83% | 1240 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,819 psi | 85% | 1312 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,428 psi | 86% | 1214 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco | <<locked>> | 92% | 28,253 psi | 83% | 1309 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL* | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,907 psi | 88% | 1407 fps | 93.2% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 76% | 30,255 psi | 89% | 1207 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 64% | 29,863 psi | 88% | 1332 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,168 psi | 89% | 1345 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 72% | 27,630 psi | 81% | 1188 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol | <<locked>> | 92% | 28,065 psi | 82% | 1211 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 72% | 30,835 psi | 90% | 1253 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,849 psi | 88% | 1132 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon HS-6² | <<locked>> | 64% | 28,340 psi | 83% | 1325 fps | 96.7% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 13,692 psi | 40% | 919 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,950 psi | 85% | 1273 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 64% | 30,414 psi | 89% | 1247 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,936 psi | 88% | 1302 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,631 psi | 84% | 1247 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,589 psi | 90% | 1286 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,124 psi | 85% | 1230 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,950 psi | 85% | 1207 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,950 psi | 85% | 1161 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 64% | 28,456 psi | 83% | 1312 fps | 99.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,153 psi | 86% | 1250 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 12,024 psi | 35% | 909 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,776 psi | 84% | 1325 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 64% | 29,820 psi | 87% | 1224 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806 | <<locked>> | 88% | 28,210 psi | 83% | 1417 fps | 97.4% |
| SNPE Vectan A0 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,211 psi | 86% | 1283 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 72% | 30,066 psi | 88% | 1253 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,066 psi | 85% | 1257 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 64% | 28,631 psi | 84% | 1115 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2 | <<locked>> | 88% | 30,385 psi | 89% | 1345 fps | 98.3% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 76% | 30,487 psi | 89% | 1283 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,428 psi | 86% | 1417 fps | 94.9% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,935 psi | 85% | 1316 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,892 psi | 85% | 1293 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S221*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,007 psi | 82% | 1345 fps | 89.5% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,022 psi | 85% | 1348 fps | 98.6% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38* | <<locked>> | 96% | 29,138 psi | 85% | 1378 fps | 87.6% |
| Vihtavuori N105*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 26,716 psi | 78% | 1394 fps | 90.4% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 72% | 30,255 psi | 89% | 1234 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Starᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 26,034 psi | 76% | 1112 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,935 psi | 85% | 1276 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,253 psi | 83% | 1286 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,181 psi | 83% | 1329 fps | 98.5% |
| Winchester AutoComp | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,849 psi | 88% | 1286 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% | 19,986 psi | 59% | 1122 fps | 97.5% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,350 psi | 63% | 1079 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,405 psi | 51% | 1056 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 100* | <<locked>> | 80% | 19,522 psi | 57% | 1158 fps | 86.8% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,932 psi | 73% | 1211 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,830 psi | 70% | 1017 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,669 psi | 67% | 1030 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,190 psi | 62% | 1053 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,770 psi | 64% | 1106 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,637 psi | 52% | 1060 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,235 psi | 68% | 1214 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,524 psi | 63% | 1089 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco*² | 5.5 gr | 60% | 11,850 psi | 35% | 942 fps | 92.8% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 20,769 psi | 61% | 1220 fps | 86.8% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,870 psi | 58% | 1050 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,846 psi | 76% | 1263 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,998 psi | 50% | 1089 fps | 97.6% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,798 psi | 58% | 1066 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 11,806 psi | 35% | 909 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,074 psi | 62% | 1112 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,536 psi | 54% | 961 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon HS-6*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,352 psi | 71% | 1257 fps | 94.9% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss² | <<locked>> | 60% | 5,627 psi | 17% | 653 fps | 97.5% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,566 psi | 60% | 1135 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,847 psi | 79% | 1198 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,682 psi | 58% | 1132 fps | 99.8% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,056 psi | 47% | 1024 fps | 99.9% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,882 psi | 50% | 1063 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,058 psi | 56% | 1070 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,740 psi | 61% | 1083 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,511 psi | 69% | 1083 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,918 psi | 73% | 1253 fps | 99.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,582 psi | 66% | 1155 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 4,888 psi | 14% | 627 fps | 91.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,229 psi | 45% | 1063 fps | 98.3% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,440 psi | 78% | 1178 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806*² | 10.6 gr | 72% | 15,490 psi | 45% | 1145 fps | 87.8% |
| SNPE Vectan A0² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,621 psi | 49% | 1043 fps | 97.3% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,769 psi | 61% | 1106 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,943 psi | 59% | 1102 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,150 psi | 74% | 1070 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2*² | 6.5 gr | 60% | 13,576 psi | 40% | 984 fps | 86.2% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,334 psi | 57% | 1099 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 19,580 psi | 57% | 1217 fps | 88.1% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,943 psi | 59% | 1148 fps | 98.3% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,420 psi | 54% | 1099 fps | 99% |
| Somchem S221*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 24,294 psi | 71% | 1276 fps | 86.9% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,156 psi | 44% | 1056 fps | 89.7% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38* | <<locked>> | 92% | 25,759 psi | 76% | 1316 fps | 85.3% |
| Vihtavuori N105* | <<locked>> | 92% | 21,002 psi | 62% | 1270 fps | 85.3% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,480 psi | 63% | 1109 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | <<locked>> | 60% | 9,790 psi | 29% | 810 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,160 psi | 59% | 1138 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,695 psi | 52% | 1089 fps | 98.3% |
| Vihtavuori N350*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 12,908 psi | 38% | 991 fps | 87.1% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,505 psi | 48% | 1050 fps | 99.7% |
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 56 powders for .38-45 ACP loaded with the .357 | 127gr | H&N KS HS. Rottweil P 806 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 1,417 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 909 fps to 1,417 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 21 of the 56 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (235 MPa), the top charges use 35–90 %, 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. Rottweil P 806, SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2, Alliant Herco rank at the top here: for .38-45 ACP with the .357 | 127gr | H&N KS HS 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 No. 2, Accurate Solo 1000, Accurate Solo 1250 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.