Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .38-45 ACP with .357 | 158gr | Sierra Sports Master bullet and 53 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.
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Max Load - Barrel Length: 5"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate No. 2² | <<locked>> | 68% | 27,340 psi | 80% | 1076 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,195 psi | 83% | 1004 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 76% | 30,081 psi | 88% | 1079 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 100 | <<locked>> | 92% | 28,848 psi | 85% | 1165 fps | 95.6% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 64% | 27,673 psi | 81% | 906 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,935 psi | 85% | 951 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 72% | 30,240 psi | 89% | 1004 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,486 psi | 87% | 1033 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 72% | 27,688 psi | 81% | 1047 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 68% | 30,748 psi | 90% | 1145 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 72% | 30,139 psi | 88% | 1043 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco | <<locked>> | 92% | 30,777 psi | 90% | 1152 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,950 psi | 85% | 1201 fps | 94.9% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,675 psi | 87% | 1014 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,486 psi | 87% | 1135 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 72% | 30,284 psi | 89% | 1037 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol | <<locked>> | 92% | 30,400 psi | 89% | 1053 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,675 psi | 87% | 1053 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,631 psi | 84% | 945 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon HS-6² | <<locked>> | 64% | 30,690 psi | 90% | 1175 fps | 98.9% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 15,432 psi | 45% | 804 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,979 psi | 85% | 1079 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,500 psi | 84% | 1093 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,385 psi | 89% | 1079 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 76% | 30,255 psi | 89% | 1086 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,819 psi | 85% | 1040 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 68% | 27,862 psi | 82% | 1010 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 64% | 27,702 psi | 81% | 965 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 64% | 30,139 psi | 88% | 1145 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 64% | 29,225 psi | 86% | 1056 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 14,199 psi | 42% | 807 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,297 psi | 83% | 1122 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24* | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,182 psi | 89% | 1214 fps | 89.9% |
| Rottweil P 806 | <<locked>> | 84% | 27,789 psi | 82% | 1224 fps | 98.8% |
| SNPE Vectan A0 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,734 psi | 90% | 1112 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,442 psi | 83% | 1047 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 72% | 30,211 psi | 89% | 1083 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 64% | 29,979 psi | 88% | 961 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,559 psi | 87% | 1145 fps | 99.1% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,660 psi | 87% | 1083 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,848 psi | 85% | 1214 fps | 96.7% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 68% | 27,557 psi | 81% | 1102 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,398 psi | 83% | 1093 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S221*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 26,890 psi | 79% | 1145 fps | 91.3% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37² | <<locked>> | 76% | 27,978 psi | 82% | 1145 fps | 99.4% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38* | <<locked>> | 92% | 28,485 psi | 84% | 1181 fps | 89.9% |
| Vihtavuori N105ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 29,965 psi | 88% | 1260 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,834 psi | 88% | 1040 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Starᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 28,645 psi | 84% | 968 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,079 psi | 82% | 1073 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,050 psi | 82% | 1093 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 30,110 psi | 88% | 1168 fps | 99.8% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,240 psi | 86% | 1089 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% | 21,698 psi | 64% | 991 fps | 99.3% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,308 psi | 68% | 942 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,290 psi | 57% | 932 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 100*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 15,853 psi | 47% | 919 fps | 85.7% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,483 psi | 75% | 879 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,917 psi | 70% | 889 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,105 psi | 68% | 915 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,569 psi | 72% | 971 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,812 psi | 58% | 938 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,947 psi | 73% | 1063 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,452 psi | 66% | 945 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco² | 4.7 gr | 60% | 13,982 psi | 41% | 856 fps | 97.3% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,738 psi | 52% | 988 fps | 86.7% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,596 psi | 63% | 909 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,942 psi | 56% | 968 fps | 99.6% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,698 psi | 64% | 928 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | 4.4 gr | 60% | 13,605 psi | 40% | 810 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,945 psi | 67% | 971 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,131 psi | 59% | 837 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon HS-6² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,658 psi | 78% | 1119 fps | 97.7% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss² | <<locked>> | 60% | 7,078 psi | 21% | 594 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,698 psi | 67% | 994 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,133 psi | 65% | 1004 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,782 psi | 52% | 899 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,537 psi | 57% | 942 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,624 psi | 61% | 928 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,162 psi | 65% | 935 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,570 psi | 75% | 942 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,701 psi | 78% | 1099 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,324 psi | 74% | 1010 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14² | <<locked>> | 60% | 6,817 psi | 20% | 597 fps | 98.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,143 psi | 50% | 945 fps | 99.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 23,612 psi | 69% | 1106 fps | 85.5% |
| Rottweil P 806*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 12,053 psi | 35% | 896 fps | 86.3% |
| SNPE Vectan A0² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,043 psi | 53% | 919 fps | 99.2% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,640 psi | 66% | 968 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,770 psi | 64% | 968 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,876 psi | 79% | 925 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,229 psi | 45% | 886 fps | 91.1% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,987 psi | 62% | 961 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,363 psi | 57% | 1043 fps | 90.8% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,930 psi | 64% | 1014 fps | 99.8% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,218 psi | 59% | 968 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S221*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,540 psi | 69% | 1086 fps | 89.1% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,434 psi | 51% | 958 fps | 94.6% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38* | <<locked>> | 84% | 22,742 psi | 67% | 1086 fps | 85.9% |
| Vihtavuori N105* | <<locked>> | 84% | 18,594 psi | 55% | 1050 fps | 86.2% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,656 psi | 69% | 965 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | 3.4 gr | 60% | 11,792 psi | 35% | 719 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,611 psi | 63% | 988 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,014 psi | 56% | 951 fps | 99.7% |
| Vihtavuori N350*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,040 psi | 44% | 902 fps | 92.8% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,811 psi | 55% | 935 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 53 powders for .38-45 ACP loaded with the .357 | 158gr | Sierra Sports Master. Vihtavuori N105 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 1,260 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 804 fps to 1,260 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 14 of the 53 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (235 MPa), the top charges use 42–90 %, 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. Alliant Herco, Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol, Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star rank at the top here: for .38-45 ACP with the .357 | 158gr | Sierra Sports Master 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.