Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .38-45 ACP with .358 | 148gr | Speer LHBWC 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% | 27,412 psi | 80% | 1145 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,282 psi | 83% | 1076 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,979 psi | 88% | 1152 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 100 | <<locked>> | 92% | 29,095 psi | 85% | 1240 fps | 95.6% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 64% | 30,298 psi | 89% | 1171 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,950 psi | 88% | 997 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,457 psi | 86% | 1020 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 72% | 30,110 psi | 88% | 1073 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,921 psi | 85% | 1099 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 76% | 30,182 psi | 89% | 1148 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 64% | 27,238 psi | 80% | 1168 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,443 psi | 86% | 1109 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco | <<locked>> | 92% | 30,429 psi | 89% | 1224 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,689 psi | 84% | 1270 fps | 94.7% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,587 psi | 84% | 1073 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,443 psi | 86% | 1214 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,443 psi | 86% | 1099 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol | <<locked>> | 92% | 30,792 psi | 90% | 1129 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,356 psi | 86% | 1122 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,964 psi | 85% | 1014 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 14,402 psi | 42% | 846 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 68% | 27,615 psi | 81% | 1138 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 68% | 27,920 psi | 82% | 1158 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,008 psi | 88% | 1148 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,573 psi | 87% | 1152 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,282 psi | 83% | 1106 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 72% | 30,589 psi | 90% | 1115 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 64% | 28,123 psi | 83% | 1037 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 64% | 30,530 psi | 90% | 1224 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 64% | 27,833 psi | 82% | 1115 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 12,778 psi | 37% | 843 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 76% | 27,485 psi | 81% | 1184 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24* | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,515 psi | 87% | 1280 fps | 89.5% |
| Rottweil P 806 | <<locked>> | 84% | 27,398 psi | 80% | 1289 fps | 98.5% |
| SNPE Vectan A0² | <<locked>> | 76% | 27,528 psi | 81% | 1142 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,152 psi | 83% | 1112 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 72% | 30,545 psi | 90% | 1158 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 64% | 29,457 psi | 86% | 1020 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,153 psi | 86% | 1214 fps | 99% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,269 psi | 86% | 1152 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2² | <<locked>> | 72% | 27,992 psi | 82% | 1273 fps | 96.1% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 72% | 30,792 psi | 90% | 1220 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 76% | 30,443 psi | 89% | 1194 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S221*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 30,371 psi | 89% | 1276 fps | 93.2% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37² | <<locked>> | 76% | 27,760 psi | 81% | 1214 fps | 99.3% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38* | <<locked>> | 92% | 28,340 psi | 83% | 1257 fps | 89.8% |
| Vihtavuori N105*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 29,312 psi | 86% | 1325 fps | 94.5% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,240 psi | 86% | 1106 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Starᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 28,021 psi | 82% | 1030 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 68% | 27,775 psi | 81% | 1142 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 72% | 27,383 psi | 80% | 1158 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,950 psi | 88% | 1243 fps | 99.8% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,674 psi | 84% | 1155 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% | 21,306 psi | 63% | 1050 fps | 99.2% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,916 psi | 67% | 1001 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,405 psi | 54% | 981 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 100*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 17,172 psi | 50% | 1010 fps | 87% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,774 psi | 79% | 1125 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,889 psi | 73% | 935 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,931 psi | 70% | 951 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,785 psi | 64% | 961 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,554 psi | 69% | 1027 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,956 psi | 56% | 988 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,685 psi | 72% | 1129 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,625 psi | 63% | 1001 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco² | 5.3 gr | 60% | 13,111 psi | 38% | 896 fps | 96.3% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,637 psi | 52% | 1047 fps | 86.3% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,234 psi | 62% | 971 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,188 psi | 53% | 1020 fps | 99.3% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,798 psi | 61% | 981 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | 4.9 gr | 60% | 12,546 psi | 37% | 843 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,466 psi | 66% | 1030 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,479 psi | 57% | 886 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss² | <<locked>> | 60% | 5,903 psi | 17% | 607 fps | 99.2% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,915 psi | 64% | 1053 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,234 psi | 62% | 1056 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,579 psi | 52% | 958 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,130 psi | 53% | 984 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,943 psi | 59% | 984 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,611 psi | 63% | 994 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,222 psi | 74% | 1001 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,542 psi | 78% | 1168 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,294 psi | 71% | 1070 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14² | <<locked>> | 60% | 5,439 psi | 16% | 597 fps | 95.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,549 psi | 49% | 997 fps | 99.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 25,991 psi | 76% | 1220 fps | 87.2% |
| Rottweil P 806*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 12,894 psi | 38% | 978 fps | 86.9% |
| SNPE Vectan A0² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,666 psi | 52% | 974 fps | 99% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,075 psi | 65% | 1024 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,234 psi | 62% | 1027 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,614 psi | 78% | 988 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,692 psi | 43% | 935 fps | 90.4% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,552 psi | 60% | 1020 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,550 psi | 54% | 1093 fps | 89.8% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,538 psi | 63% | 1079 fps | 99.7% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,609 psi | 58% | 1024 fps | 99.9% |
| Somchem S221*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,076 psi | 68% | 1152 fps | 88.6% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,694 psi | 49% | 1004 fps | 93.7% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38* | <<locked>> | 84% | 22,307 psi | 65% | 1148 fps | 85.4% |
| Vihtavuori N105* | <<locked>> | 84% | 18,057 psi | 53% | 1106 fps | 85.3% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,684 psi | 67% | 1020 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | 3.8 gr | 60% | 10,602 psi | 31% | 751 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,785 psi | 64% | 1056 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,014 psi | 56% | 1020 fps | 99.7% |
| Vihtavuori N350*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,098 psi | 41% | 938 fps | 91.4% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,767 psi | 52% | 981 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 .358 | 148gr | Speer LHBWC. Vihtavuori N105 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 1,325 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 843 fps to 1,325 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 13 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 37–90 %, 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 .358 | 148gr | Speer LHBWC 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.