Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .38-45 ACP with .358 | 148gr | Rim Rock DEWC Top Shelf bullet and 49 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% | 29,892 psi | 88% | 1191 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 68% | 30,110 psi | 88% | 1106 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,080 psi | 85% | 1148 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 100 | <<locked>> | 88% | 29,182 psi | 86% | 1253 fps | 96.1% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 64% | 28,921 psi | 85% | 994 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 64% | 28,369 psi | 83% | 1017 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,631 psi | 87% | 1073 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 64% | 28,631 psi | 84% | 1099 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 72% | 30,037 psi | 88% | 1152 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 64% | 29,834 psi | 88% | 1214 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,095 psi | 85% | 1109 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,326 psi | 83% | 1198 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,442 psi | 83% | 1276 fps | 95.1% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,369 psi | 83% | 1073 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,037 psi | 85% | 1211 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,486 psi | 87% | 1106 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol | <<locked>> | 88% | 30,472 psi | 89% | 1132 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 64% | 28,326 psi | 83% | 1112 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 76% | 30,560 psi | 90% | 1043 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 16,795 psi | 49% | 886 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 64% | 27,615 psi | 81% | 1138 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 64% | 27,398 psi | 80% | 1155 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,965 psi | 88% | 1155 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,457 psi | 86% | 1152 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 68% | 27,615 psi | 81% | 1102 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,762 psi | 87% | 1109 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 64% | 30,356 psi | 89% | 1073 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 15,418 psi | 45% | 889 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 72% | 27,630 psi | 81% | 1191 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,501 psi | 87% | 1289 fps | 90.1% |
| Rottweil P 806 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,282 psi | 83% | 1302 fps | 99% |
| SNPE Vectan A0² | <<locked>> | 76% | 30,429 psi | 89% | 1191 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 68% | 30,226 psi | 89% | 1145 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,283 psi | 86% | 1152 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,298 psi | 86% | 1224 fps | 99.3% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,370 psi | 86% | 1158 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,297 psi | 83% | 1283 fps | 96.7% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 68% | 30,705 psi | 90% | 1224 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 72% | 30,371 psi | 89% | 1201 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S221*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 30,110 psi | 88% | 1280 fps | 93.6% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37² | <<locked>> | 72% | 27,615 psi | 81% | 1217 fps | 99.4% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38* | <<locked>> | 88% | 29,066 psi | 85% | 1276 fps | 90.9% |
| Vihtavuori N105 | <<locked>> | 96% | 30,777 psi | 90% | 1358 fps | 95.8% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 64% | 28,718 psi | 84% | 1102 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star | <<locked>> | 96% | 28,485 psi | 84% | 1037 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 68% | 30,734 psi | 90% | 1181 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,892 psi | 88% | 1198 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,255 psi | 89% | 1253 fps | 99.9% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,732 psi | 84% | 1158 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% | 23,134 psi | 68% | 1089 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,163 psi | 71% | 1024 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,624 psi | 61% | 1020 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 100*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 15,418 psi | 45% | 968 fps | 85.6% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,150 psi | 77% | 958 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,961 psi | 73% | 971 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,439 psi | 72% | 1001 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,092 psi | 77% | 1066 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,596 psi | 63% | 1030 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,556 psi | 78% | 1165 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,163 psi | 71% | 1040 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco² | 5.7 gr | 60% | 15,302 psi | 45% | 948 fps | 98.3% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,856 psi | 58% | 1102 fps | 89.2% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,221 psi | 68% | 1001 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,219 psi | 62% | 1079 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,003 psi | 67% | 1017 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | 5.3 gr | 60% | 14,736 psi | 43% | 889 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,150 psi | 74% | 1070 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,827 psi | 61% | 912 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss² | <<locked>> | 60% | 7,876 psi | 23% | 663 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,540 psi | 72% | 1093 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,250 psi | 71% | 1106 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,754 psi | 58% | 1001 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,031 psi | 62% | 1030 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,191 psi | 65% | 1024 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,888 psi | 70% | 1030 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,687 psi | 78% | 1027 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14² | <<locked>> | 60% | 7,237 psi | 21% | 653 fps | 98.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,305 psi | 57% | 1053 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 22,843 psi | 67% | 1168 fps | 85.4% |
| Rottweil P 806*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,141 psi | 41% | 1007 fps | 89.4% |
| SNPE Vectan A0² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,450 psi | 57% | 1014 fps | 99.8% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,366 psi | 71% | 1063 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,554 psi | 69% | 1066 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,795 psi | 49% | 988 fps | 93.2% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,351 psi | 69% | 1070 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,872 psi | 64% | 1165 fps | 93.1% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,163 psi | 71% | 1129 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,669 psi | 64% | 1066 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S221*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,339 psi | 77% | 1217 fps | 91.6% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,029 psi | 56% | 1060 fps | 96% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38* | <<locked>> | 80% | 22,989 psi | 67% | 1168 fps | 86.7% |
| Vihtavuori N105* | <<locked>> | 80% | 18,985 psi | 56% | 1132 fps | 87.2% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,237 psi | 74% | 1056 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | 4.1 gr | 60% | 12,749 psi | 37% | 787 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,134 psi | 71% | 1093 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,089 psi | 62% | 1060 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,476 psi | 48% | 1001 fps | 94.5% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,378 psi | 60% | 1030 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 49 powders for .38-45 ACP loaded with the .358 | 148gr | Rim Rock DEWC Top Shelf. Vihtavuori N105 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 1,358 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 886 fps to 1,358 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 11 of the 49 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (235 MPa), the top charges use 45–90 %, 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. Alliant Herco, Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol, Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star rank at the top here: for .38-45 ACP with the .358 | 148gr | Rim Rock DEWC Top Shelf 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.