Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .38-45 ACP with .358 | 125gr | Rim Rock RNFP Cowboy 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.
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Max Load - Barrel Length: 5"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate No. 2² | <<locked>> | 68% | 27,905 psi | 82% | 1289 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,268 psi | 83% | 1204 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 76% | 30,458 psi | 89% | 1299 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 100* | <<locked>> | 92% | 29,907 psi | 88% | 1388 fps | 94.4% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 68% | 30,763 psi | 90% | 1132 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,631 psi | 87% | 1152 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,036 psi | 82% | 1171 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 68% | 30,777 psi | 90% | 1257 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,529 psi | 84% | 1260 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 64% | 28,152 psi | 83% | 1322 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 72% | 30,400 psi | 89% | 1257 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco | <<locked>> | 88% | 29,124 psi | 85% | 1342 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 30,110 psi | 88% | 1434 fps | 93.6% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 72% | 30,197 psi | 89% | 1224 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE² | <<locked>> | 76% | 30,530 psi | 90% | 1368 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 72% | 30,458 psi | 89% | 1243 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol | <<locked>> | 88% | 28,761 psi | 84% | 1237 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 68% | 30,255 psi | 89% | 1263 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,066 psi | 85% | 1142 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 15,708 psi | 46% | 965 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,993 psi | 85% | 1289 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,283 psi | 86% | 1312 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,050 psi | 82% | 1257 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 76% | 30,530 psi | 90% | 1299 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,457 psi | 86% | 1253 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,529 psi | 84% | 1220 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 64% | 28,660 psi | 84% | 1175 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 64% | 29,530 psi | 87% | 1270 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 14,315 psi | 42% | 965 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,819 psi | 85% | 1342 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24* | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,763 psi | 90% | 1437 fps | 88.1% |
| Rottweil P 806 | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,211 psi | 86% | 1450 fps | 97.9% |
| SNPE Vectan A0² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,268 psi | 83% | 1289 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,037 psi | 85% | 1257 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,123 psi | 83% | 1263 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 64% | 29,617 psi | 87% | 1152 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 30,313 psi | 89% | 1368 fps | 98.5% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 72% | 30,589 psi | 90% | 1306 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,472 psi | 86% | 1434 fps | 95.2% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,340 psi | 83% | 1322 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,355 psi | 83% | 1299 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S221*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 27,833 psi | 82% | 1365 fps | 89.8% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,674 psi | 84% | 1362 fps | 98.7% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38* | <<locked>> | 92% | 29,501 psi | 87% | 1407 fps | 88.3% |
| Vihtavuori N105* | <<locked>> | 96% | 27,833 psi | 82% | 1434 fps | 91.5% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,907 psi | 88% | 1247 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Starᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 28,993 psi | 85% | 1165 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,298 psi | 86% | 1299 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,384 psi | 83% | 1306 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,833 psi | 82% | 1345 fps | 98.6% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,762 psi | 87% | 1302 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% | 21,930 psi | 64% | 1181 fps | 98.6% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,916 psi | 67% | 1122 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,740 psi | 58% | 1119 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 100*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 17,985 psi | 53% | 1135 fps | 85.6% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,512 psi | 75% | 1060 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,076 psi | 71% | 1070 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,337 psi | 68% | 1099 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,511 psi | 72% | 1161 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,305 psi | 60% | 1125 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,222 psi | 74% | 1270 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,814 psi | 67% | 1135 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco² | 6 gr | 60% | 14,098 psi | 41% | 1014 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 21,205 psi | 62% | 1247 fps | 87.5% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,191 psi | 65% | 1099 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,464 psi | 57% | 1158 fps | 99% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,191 psi | 65% | 1122 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | 5.7 gr | 60% | 14,054 psi | 41% | 971 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,685 psi | 69% | 1168 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,175 psi | 59% | 1004 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss² | <<locked>> | 60% | 7,136 psi | 21% | 709 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,351 psi | 69% | 1194 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,698 psi | 67% | 1204 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,347 psi | 54% | 1083 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,856 psi | 58% | 1129 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,798 psi | 61% | 1115 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,510 psi | 66% | 1125 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,367 psi | 74% | 1125 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,672 psi | 75% | 1211 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14² | <<locked>> | 60% | 6,802 psi | 20% | 705 fps | 96.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,956 psi | 53% | 1138 fps | 99.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 27,079 psi | 79% | 1365 fps | 85.6% |
| Rottweil P 806*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 14,620 psi | 43% | 1119 fps | 86.8% |
| SNPE Vectan A0² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,521 psi | 54% | 1102 fps | 98.5% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,134 psi | 68% | 1165 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,263 psi | 65% | 1165 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,180 psi | 80% | 1115 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,635 psi | 46% | 1053 fps | 89.3% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,567 psi | 63% | 1158 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,551 psi | 57% | 1224 fps | 88.3% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,553 psi | 66% | 1217 fps | 99.3% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,595 psi | 60% | 1158 fps | 99.7% |
| Somchem S221*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,018 psi | 70% | 1286 fps | 87.1% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,477 psi | 51% | 1129 fps | 92.5% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38* | <<locked>> | 88% | 26,440 psi | 78% | 1352 fps | 86.3% |
| Vihtavuori N105* | <<locked>> | 88% | 21,944 psi | 64% | 1312 fps | 86.8% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,192 psi | 71% | 1165 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | 4.4 gr | 60% | 12,140 psi | 36% | 866 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,611 psi | 66% | 1191 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,798 psi | 58% | 1148 fps | 99.3% |
| Vihtavuori N350*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,214 psi | 45% | 1066 fps | 90.5% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,116 psi | 56% | 1115 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 .358 | 125gr | Rim Rock RNFP Cowboy. Rottweil P 806 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 1,450 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 965 fps to 1,450 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 12 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 42–90 %, 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 .358 | 125gr | Rim Rock RNFP Cowboy they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, ADI AP 100, Alliant POWER PISTOL, ReloadSwiss RS 24 burn incompletely and react more sensitively to barrel length and temperature. Accurate Solo 1000, Accurate Solo 1250, ADI APS 350 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.