Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .38-45 ACP with .357 | 148gr | LOS WC bullet and 47 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol, Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star and ReloadSwiss RS 14.
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% | 30,182 psi | 89% | 1171 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 68% | 30,734 psi | 90% | 1093 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,385 psi | 86% | 1129 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 100 | <<locked>> | 88% | 29,805 psi | 87% | 1237 fps | 96% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 64% | 29,907 psi | 88% | 988 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 64% | 28,616 psi | 84% | 1001 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 68% | 30,400 psi | 89% | 1056 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 64% | 29,617 psi | 87% | 1089 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 68% | 27,891 psi | 82% | 1099 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 64% | 29,921 psi | 88% | 1194 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 68% | 30,095 psi | 88% | 1099 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,037 psi | 85% | 1181 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,935 psi | 85% | 1260 fps | 94.9% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,167 psi | 86% | 1060 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,907 psi | 88% | 1198 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,704 psi | 87% | 1086 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,442 psi | 83% | 1086 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 64% | 28,993 psi | 85% | 1099 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,340 psi | 83% | 997 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 17,985 psi | 53% | 879 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 64% | 29,109 psi | 85% | 1132 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 64% | 28,152 psi | 83% | 1142 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 76% | 30,458 psi | 89% | 1138 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 72% | 30,371 psi | 89% | 1138 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,543 psi | 84% | 1093 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 68% | 30,603 psi | 90% | 1099 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 16,911 psi | 50% | 889 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,355 psi | 83% | 1178 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,907 psi | 88% | 1273 fps | 89.8% |
| Rottweil P 806 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,602 psi | 87% | 1299 fps | 99.1% |
| SNPE Vectan A0² | <<locked>> | 76% | 30,197 psi | 89% | 1168 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 68% | 30,676 psi | 90% | 1132 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,704 psi | 87% | 1135 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,878 psi | 88% | 1207 fps | 99.2% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,892 psi | 88% | 1142 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,327 psi | 86% | 1276 fps | 96.7% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 64% | 27,775 psi | 81% | 1158 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 68% | 27,891 psi | 82% | 1142 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,195 psi | 83% | 1204 fps | 99.4% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38* | <<locked>> | 88% | 29,776 psi | 87% | 1263 fps | 90.7% |
| Vihtavuori N105* | <<locked>> | 92% | 27,934 psi | 82% | 1289 fps | 93.9% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 64% | 29,805 psi | 87% | 1093 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star | <<locked>> | 96% | 29,385 psi | 86% | 1024 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 64% | 27,833 psi | 82% | 1125 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 72% | 30,632 psi | 90% | 1184 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,705 psi | 90% | 1237 fps | 99.9% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,095 psi | 85% | 1142 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% | 24,062 psi | 71% | 1083 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,584 psi | 72% | 1010 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,509 psi | 63% | 1014 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 100*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 16,317 psi | 48% | 965 fps | 86.2% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,992 psi | 79% | 948 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,976 psi | 76% | 968 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,034 psi | 73% | 988 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,963 psi | 79% | 1053 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,336 psi | 66% | 1020 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,369 psi | 80% | 1155 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,019 psi | 73% | 1027 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,665 psi | 49% | 955 fps | 98.9% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,827 psi | 61% | 1099 fps | 89.6% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,685 psi | 72% | 997 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,944 psi | 64% | 1066 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,931 psi | 70% | 1007 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | 5 gr | 60% | 15,969 psi | 47% | 886 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,701 psi | 75% | 1056 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,741 psi | 64% | 906 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss² | <<locked>> | 60% | 9,210 psi | 27% | 669 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,933 psi | 76% | 1086 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,657 psi | 75% | 1106 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,697 psi | 61% | 994 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,452 psi | 66% | 1027 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,945 psi | 67% | 1010 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,511 psi | 72% | 1017 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14² | 2.9 gr | 60% | 8,688 psi | 25% | 666 fps | 99.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,856 psi | 58% | 1040 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 23,786 psi | 70% | 1161 fps | 85.6% |
| Rottweil P 806*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,998 psi | 47% | 1030 fps | 91.4% |
| SNPE Vectan A0² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,378 psi | 60% | 1010 fps | 99.8% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,700 psi | 72% | 1050 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,815 psi | 70% | 1050 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,666 psi | 52% | 981 fps | 93.5% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,743 psi | 70% | 1053 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,771 psi | 67% | 1158 fps | 93.3% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,874 psi | 73% | 1115 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,756 psi | 67% | 1060 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,059 psi | 59% | 1056 fps | 96.4% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38* | <<locked>> | 80% | 23,583 psi | 69% | 1155 fps | 86.6% |
| Vihtavuori N105*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 17,898 psi | 53% | 1076 fps | 85.2% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,165 psi | 77% | 1047 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | 3.9 gr | 60% | 14,359 psi | 42% | 794 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,425 psi | 75% | 1089 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,307 psi | 65% | 1056 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,303 psi | 51% | 994 fps | 94.8% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,263 psi | 62% | 1020 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 47 powders for .38-45 ACP loaded with the .357 | 148gr | LOS WC. Rottweil P 806 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 1,299 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 879 fps to 1,299 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 11 of the 47 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (235 MPa), the top charges use 50–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. Hodgdon TrailBoss, ReloadSwiss RS 14 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. Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol, Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star, ReloadSwiss RS 14 rank at the top here: for .38-45 ACP with the .357 | 148gr | LOS WC they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, Alliant POWER PISTOL, ReloadSwiss RS 24, Vihtavuori 3N38 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.