Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .38-45 ACP with .358 | 148gr | Rim Rock WC 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% | 27,731 psi | 81% | 1138 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,268 psi | 83% | 1063 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 76% | 30,443 psi | 89% | 1145 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 100 | <<locked>> | 92% | 29,312 psi | 86% | 1230 fps | 95.5% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 68% | 30,603 psi | 90% | 991 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,240 psi | 86% | 1007 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,485 psi | 84% | 1037 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 68% | 30,400 psi | 89% | 1106 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,500 psi | 84% | 1112 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 64% | 28,369 psi | 83% | 1175 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,137 psi | 83% | 1079 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco | <<locked>> | 88% | 28,587 psi | 84% | 1181 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,689 psi | 87% | 1273 fps | 94.9% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,950 psi | 88% | 1073 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE² | <<locked>> | 76% | 30,385 psi | 89% | 1211 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 72% | 30,806 psi | 90% | 1102 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol | <<locked>> | 88% | 28,282 psi | 83% | 1089 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,660 psi | 87% | 1112 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,863 psi | 85% | 1001 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 15,766 psi | 46% | 853 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,587 psi | 84% | 1132 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,689 psi | 84% | 1152 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 76% | 27,934 psi | 82% | 1109 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 76% | 30,589 psi | 90% | 1148 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,616 psi | 84% | 1096 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 72% | 30,792 psi | 90% | 1102 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 64% | 28,137 psi | 83% | 1027 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 64% | 28,892 psi | 85% | 1112 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 14,489 psi | 43% | 860 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,166 psi | 83% | 1181 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24* | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,806 psi | 90% | 1286 fps | 89.9% |
| Rottweil P 806 | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,398 psi | 83% | 1289 fps | 98.7% |
| SNPE Vectan A0² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,021 psi | 82% | 1138 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,587 psi | 84% | 1106 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 68% | 27,615 psi | 81% | 1109 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 64% | 30,211 psi | 89% | 1020 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 30,139 psi | 88% | 1214 fps | 99.1% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,892 psi | 88% | 1145 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,472 psi | 86% | 1283 fps | 96.5% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,311 psi | 83% | 1171 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,558 psi | 84% | 1155 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S221*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 27,775 psi | 81% | 1217 fps | 91.5% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,776 psi | 84% | 1214 fps | 99.4% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38* | <<locked>> | 92% | 28,993 psi | 85% | 1250 fps | 89.8% |
| Vihtavuori N105* | <<locked>> | 96% | 27,006 psi | 79% | 1273 fps | 92.9% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,660 psi | 87% | 1096 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Starᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 28,921 psi | 85% | 1024 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,427 psi | 83% | 1138 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,094 psi | 82% | 1152 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,615 psi | 81% | 1194 fps | 99.3% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,646 psi | 87% | 1152 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% | 21,625 psi | 63% | 1043 fps | 99.2% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,916 psi | 67% | 988 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,551 psi | 57% | 984 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 100*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 15,983 psi | 47% | 965 fps | 85.3% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,469 psi | 75% | 928 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,569 psi | 72% | 948 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,916 psi | 67% | 961 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,889 psi | 73% | 1030 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,696 psi | 58% | 984 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,918 psi | 73% | 1119 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,945 psi | 67% | 1004 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco² | 5.1 gr | 60% | 14,112 psi | 41% | 906 fps | 97.1% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,434 psi | 54% | 1053 fps | 86.9% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,437 psi | 66% | 971 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,682 psi | 58% | 1033 fps | 99.6% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,959 psi | 64% | 984 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | 4.8 gr | 60% | 13,822 psi | 41% | 856 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,395 psi | 69% | 1030 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,175 psi | 59% | 883 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss² | <<locked>> | 60% | 7,426 psi | 22% | 636 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,814 psi | 67% | 1047 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,727 psi | 67% | 1066 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,086 psi | 53% | 955 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,798 psi | 58% | 997 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,002 psi | 62% | 988 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,626 psi | 66% | 994 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,237 psi | 74% | 988 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,194 psi | 77% | 1076 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14² | <<locked>> | 60% | 6,817 psi | 20% | 627 fps | 98% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,811 psi | 52% | 1007 fps | 99.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 23,960 psi | 70% | 1168 fps | 85.3% |
| Rottweil P 806*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 12,502 psi | 37% | 948 fps | 86.2% |
| SNPE Vectan A0² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,115 psi | 53% | 968 fps | 99.1% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,177 psi | 68% | 1030 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,307 psi | 65% | 1030 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,296 psi | 80% | 984 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,490 psi | 45% | 938 fps | 91% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,843 psi | 64% | 1027 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,856 psi | 58% | 1106 fps | 90.7% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,321 psi | 65% | 1076 fps | 99.8% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,233 psi | 59% | 1020 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S221*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,975 psi | 70% | 1148 fps | 88.9% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,564 psi | 52% | 1010 fps | 94.3% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38* | <<locked>> | 84% | 23,627 psi | 69% | 1158 fps | 86.1% |
| Vihtavuori N105* | <<locked>> | 84% | 18,855 psi | 55% | 1109 fps | 85.9% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,960 psi | 70% | 1024 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | 3.7 gr | 60% | 11,951 psi | 35% | 761 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,394 psi | 66% | 1053 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,653 psi | 58% | 1017 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N350*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,374 psi | 45% | 958 fps | 92.7% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,247 psi | 56% | 994 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 | 148gr | Rim Rock WC. Rottweil P 806 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 1,289 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 853 fps to 1,289 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 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 .358 | 148gr | Rim Rock 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, 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.