Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .38-45 ACP with .357 | 150gr | Nosler SP bullet and 51 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.
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>> | 68% | 27,905 psi | 82% | 1132 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,442 psi | 83% | 1056 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 76% | 30,632 psi | 90% | 1138 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 100 | <<locked>> | 92% | 30,313 psi | 89% | 1237 fps | 96.1% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 68% | 30,705 psi | 90% | 988 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,341 psi | 86% | 1001 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,616 psi | 84% | 1030 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 68% | 30,618 psi | 90% | 1096 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,689 psi | 84% | 1106 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 64% | 28,543 psi | 84% | 1165 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,326 psi | 83% | 1073 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco | <<locked>> | 88% | 28,776 psi | 84% | 1175 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,907 psi | 88% | 1270 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 72% | 30,124 psi | 88% | 1070 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE² | <<locked>> | 76% | 30,647 psi | 90% | 1204 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 68% | 27,224 psi | 80% | 1050 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol | <<locked>> | 88% | 28,471 psi | 84% | 1083 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 68% | 30,589 psi | 90% | 1112 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,907 psi | 88% | 1007 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 15,911 psi | 47% | 850 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,689 psi | 87% | 1138 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,950 psi | 85% | 1148 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,108 psi | 82% | 1102 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 76% | 30,806 psi | 90% | 1142 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,704 psi | 87% | 1102 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,065 psi | 82% | 1063 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 64% | 28,268 psi | 83% | 1020 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 64% | 29,124 psi | 85% | 1106 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 14,576 psi | 43% | 853 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,427 psi | 83% | 1175 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 27,456 psi | 81% | 1224 fps | 88.1% |
| Rottweil P 806 | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,718 psi | 84% | 1286 fps | 98.9% |
| SNPE Vectan A0² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,195 psi | 83% | 1132 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,747 psi | 84% | 1099 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 68% | 27,804 psi | 82% | 1102 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 64% | 30,313 psi | 89% | 1014 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 30,342 psi | 89% | 1207 fps | 99.2% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 72% | 30,110 psi | 88% | 1138 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,733 psi | 87% | 1276 fps | 96.8% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,485 psi | 84% | 1165 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,761 psi | 84% | 1148 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S221*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 27,978 psi | 82% | 1214 fps | 91.8% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,037 psi | 85% | 1211 fps | 99.5% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38* | <<locked>> | 92% | 29,327 psi | 86% | 1247 fps | 90.3% |
| Vihtavuori N105* | <<locked>> | 96% | 27,296 psi | 80% | 1270 fps | 93.4% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,849 psi | 88% | 1089 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Starᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 29,153 psi | 86% | 1020 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,645 psi | 84% | 1129 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,282 psi | 83% | 1148 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,862 psi | 82% | 1191 fps | 99.4% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,863 psi | 88% | 1145 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% | 21,770 psi | 64% | 1037 fps | 99.3% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,032 psi | 68% | 981 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,682 psi | 58% | 981 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 100*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 16,114 psi | 47% | 965 fps | 85.8% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,556 psi | 75% | 925 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,685 psi | 72% | 942 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,076 psi | 68% | 958 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,077 psi | 74% | 1024 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,508 psi | 60% | 991 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,077 psi | 74% | 1112 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,061 psi | 68% | 997 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco² | 5.1 gr | 60% | 14,199 psi | 42% | 899 fps | 97.3% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,623 psi | 55% | 1050 fps | 87.4% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,553 psi | 66% | 965 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,870 psi | 58% | 1030 fps | 99.7% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,118 psi | 65% | 978 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | 4.8 gr | 60% | 13,953 psi | 41% | 853 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,598 psi | 69% | 1024 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,247 psi | 59% | 879 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss² | <<locked>> | 60% | 7,498 psi | 22% | 633 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,772 psi | 70% | 1053 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,945 psi | 67% | 1060 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,202 psi | 53% | 948 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,943 psi | 59% | 991 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,176 psi | 62% | 981 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,756 psi | 67% | 988 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,367 psi | 74% | 981 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,411 psi | 77% | 1070 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14² | <<locked>> | 60% | 6,860 psi | 20% | 623 fps | 98.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,956 psi | 53% | 1004 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 24,221 psi | 71% | 1165 fps | 85.8% |
| Rottweil P 806*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 12,676 psi | 37% | 948 fps | 86.8% |
| SNPE Vectan A0² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,217 psi | 53% | 965 fps | 99.2% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,308 psi | 68% | 1024 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,481 psi | 66% | 1024 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,441 psi | 81% | 978 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,606 psi | 46% | 935 fps | 91.4% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,973 psi | 64% | 1024 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,044 psi | 59% | 1102 fps | 91.1% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,495 psi | 66% | 1070 fps | 99.8% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,392 psi | 60% | 1014 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S221*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,149 psi | 71% | 1145 fps | 89.4% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,753 psi | 52% | 1007 fps | 94.7% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38* | <<locked>> | 84% | 23,830 psi | 70% | 1155 fps | 86.6% |
| Vihtavuori N105* | <<locked>> | 84% | 19,609 psi | 58% | 1119 fps | 87.1% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,120 psi | 71% | 1017 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | 3.7 gr | 60% | 12,038 psi | 35% | 758 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,568 psi | 66% | 1047 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,812 psi | 58% | 1010 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N350*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,519 psi | 46% | 955 fps | 93% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,377 psi | 57% | 988 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 51 powders for .38-45 ACP loaded with the .357 | 150gr | Nosler SP. Rottweil P 806 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 1,286 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 850 fps to 1,286 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 11 of the 51 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (235 MPa), the top charges use 43–90 %, 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 .357 | 150gr | Nosler SP they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, ReloadSwiss RS 24, Somchem S221, 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.