Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .38-45 ACP with .357 | 147gr | H&N HP HS bullet and 55 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Rottweil P 806, Alliant Herco and Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol.
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% | 30,574 psi | 90% | 1165 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 72% | 30,603 psi | 90% | 1083 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,080 psi | 85% | 1119 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 100 | <<locked>> | 96% | 30,618 psi | 90% | 1237 fps | 95.4% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 64% | 29,907 psi | 88% | 1142 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,631 psi | 87% | 971 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,529 psi | 84% | 991 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,675 psi | 87% | 1043 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,732 psi | 84% | 1076 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 76% | 30,139 psi | 88% | 1125 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,762 psi | 87% | 1184 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,356 psi | 86% | 1086 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco | <<locked>> | 92% | 29,457 psi | 86% | 1184 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,326 psi | 83% | 1240 fps | 93.6% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,051 psi | 85% | 1056 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 64% | 30,414 psi | 89% | 1198 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,384 psi | 83% | 1175 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,385 psi | 86% | 1076 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol | <<locked>> | 92% | 30,081 psi | 88% | 1102 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,442 psi | 83% | 1089 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,195 psi | 83% | 984 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon HS-6² | <<locked>> | 64% | 29,211 psi | 86% | 1204 fps | 97.9% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 15,040 psi | 44% | 837 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,021 psi | 82% | 1119 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 68% | 27,427 psi | 80% | 1129 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,356 psi | 86% | 1119 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,109 psi | 85% | 1125 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 72% | 27,978 psi | 82% | 1079 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 72% | 30,168 psi | 89% | 1089 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 68% | 30,356 psi | 89% | 1043 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 64% | 29,718 psi | 87% | 1191 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 64% | 27,224 psi | 80% | 1086 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 13,793 psi | 40% | 840 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,747 psi | 87% | 1194 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24* | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,471 psi | 84% | 1237 fps | 87.6% |
| Rottweil P 806 | <<locked>> | 88% | 29,892 psi | 88% | 1306 fps | 98.8% |
| SNPE Vectan A0 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,559 psi | 87% | 1148 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 72% | 30,168 psi | 89% | 1115 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,153 psi | 86% | 1119 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 64% | 29,573 psi | 87% | 1004 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,195 psi | 83% | 1175 fps | 98.3% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,645 psi | 84% | 1122 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2² | <<locked>> | 72% | 27,209 psi | 80% | 1237 fps | 95% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,907 psi | 88% | 1184 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 76% | 30,081 psi | 88% | 1168 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S221*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,747 psi | 87% | 1237 fps | 91.8% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,705 psi | 90% | 1234 fps | 99.5% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38* | <<locked>> | 96% | 30,618 psi | 90% | 1263 fps | 89.8% |
| Vihtavuori N105*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 28,572 psi | 84% | 1286 fps | 93% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,921 psi | 85% | 1083 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Starᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 27,731 psi | 81% | 1004 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 68% | 26,963 psi | 79% | 1109 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,704 psi | 87% | 1168 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,501 psi | 87% | 1211 fps | 99.4% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,065 psi | 82% | 1125 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% | 21,016 psi | 62% | 1020 fps | 98.7% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,988 psi | 65% | 968 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,753 psi | 55% | 965 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 100*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 16,737 psi | 49% | 978 fps | 85.4% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,223 psi | 77% | 1093 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,279 psi | 71% | 906 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,641 psi | 69% | 928 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,857 psi | 64% | 938 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,148 psi | 68% | 997 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,174 psi | 56% | 968 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,250 psi | 71% | 1099 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,002 psi | 65% | 981 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco² | 4.8 gr | 60% | 13,561 psi | 40% | 883 fps | 96.1% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,579 psi | 52% | 1024 fps | 85.2% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,277 psi | 62% | 948 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,701 psi | 78% | 1142 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,347 psi | 54% | 997 fps | 99% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,147 psi | 62% | 965 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | 4.5 gr | 60% | 13,184 psi | 39% | 840 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,002 psi | 65% | 1004 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,145 psi | 56% | 860 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon HS-6² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,440 psi | 75% | 1145 fps | 96.4% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss² | <<locked>> | 60% | 7,034 psi | 21% | 620 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,075 psi | 65% | 1030 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,364 psi | 63% | 1037 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,318 psi | 51% | 932 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,130 psi | 53% | 965 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,146 psi | 59% | 968 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,698 psi | 64% | 974 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,149 psi | 71% | 968 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,657 psi | 75% | 1132 fps | 99.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,468 psi | 72% | 1050 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14² | <<locked>> | 60% | 6,454 psi | 19% | 607 fps | 97% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,491 psi | 48% | 978 fps | 99.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 25,614 psi | 75% | 1188 fps | 85.7% |
| Rottweil P 806*² | 8.1 gr | 64% | 12,966 psi | 38% | 961 fps | 86.4% |
| SNPE Vectan A0² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,521 psi | 51% | 948 fps | 98.5% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,988 psi | 65% | 1004 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,147 psi | 62% | 1004 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,513 psi | 78% | 968 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,692 psi | 43% | 909 fps | 89.3% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,407 psi | 60% | 997 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,347 psi | 54% | 1063 fps | 88.6% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,176 psi | 62% | 1047 fps | 99.3% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,609 psi | 58% | 1001 fps | 99.8% |
| Somchem S221*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,916 psi | 67% | 1119 fps | 87.3% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,665 psi | 49% | 981 fps | 92.8% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38* | <<locked>> | 88% | 24,671 psi | 72% | 1165 fps | 86.1% |
| Vihtavuori N105* | <<locked>> | 88% | 20,160 psi | 59% | 1129 fps | 86.4% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,032 psi | 68% | 1004 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | <<locked>> | 60% | 11,560 psi | 34% | 748 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,842 psi | 61% | 1020 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,391 psi | 54% | 984 fps | 99.2% |
| Vihtavuori N350*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,446 psi | 42% | 925 fps | 90.9% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,144 psi | 53% | 968 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 55 powders for .38-45 ACP loaded with the .357 | 147gr | H&N HP HS. Rottweil P 806 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 1,306 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 837 fps to 1,306 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 16 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 40–90 %, 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, Alliant Herco, Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol rank at the top here: for .38-45 ACP with the .357 | 147gr | H&N HP HS they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, Alliant POWER PISTOL, ReloadSwiss RS 24, Somchem S221 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.