Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .38-45 ACP with .358 | 158gr | Rim Rock RNFP Top Shelf 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% | 28,065 psi | 82% | 1089 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,051 psi | 85% | 1020 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 76% | 30,806 psi | 90% | 1096 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 100 | <<locked>> | 92% | 29,849 psi | 88% | 1184 fps | 96.2% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 64% | 28,790 psi | 84% | 925 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,820 psi | 87% | 968 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,079 psi | 82% | 984 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 68% | 30,356 psi | 89% | 1050 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,239 psi | 83% | 1056 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 64% | 28,529 psi | 84% | 1122 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 68% | 27,992 psi | 82% | 1024 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco | <<locked>> | 88% | 28,645 psi | 84% | 1129 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL² | <<locked>> | 76% | 30,095 psi | 88% | 1224 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,588 psi | 87% | 1020 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE² | <<locked>> | 76% | 30,081 psi | 88% | 1152 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 68% | 27,050 psi | 79% | 1004 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol | <<locked>> | 88% | 28,993 psi | 85% | 1047 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,878 psi | 88% | 1063 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,486 psi | 87% | 961 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 16,114 psi | 47% | 820 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,790 psi | 84% | 1083 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,182 psi | 86% | 1106 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,210 psi | 83% | 1060 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,094 psi | 82% | 1066 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,631 psi | 87% | 1056 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,747 psi | 84% | 1027 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 64% | 28,747 psi | 84% | 984 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 64% | 29,080 psi | 85% | 1063 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 14,272 psi | 42% | 814 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,906 psi | 85% | 1135 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 27,224 psi | 80% | 1178 fps | 88.5% |
| Rottweil P 806 | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,485 psi | 84% | 1237 fps | 99.1% |
| SNPE Vectan A0² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,543 psi | 84% | 1093 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,993 psi | 85% | 1060 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 72% | 30,690 psi | 90% | 1096 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 64% | 29,805 psi | 87% | 968 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 30,560 psi | 90% | 1165 fps | 99.4% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 72% | 30,313 psi | 89% | 1096 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,182 psi | 86% | 1224 fps | 97% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,950 psi | 85% | 1129 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,993 psi | 85% | 1106 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S221*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 27,731 psi | 81% | 1165 fps | 92.1% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,095 psi | 85% | 1165 fps | 99.6% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38* | <<locked>> | 92% | 29,312 psi | 86% | 1204 fps | 90.8% |
| Vihtavuori N105ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 30,821 psi | 90% | 1280 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,675 psi | 87% | 1047 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Starᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 29,312 psi | 86% | 981 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,790 psi | 84% | 1089 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,645 psi | 84% | 1109 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,833 psi | 82% | 1145 fps | 99.6% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,631 psi | 87% | 1099 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% | 21,567 psi | 63% | 994 fps | 99.4% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,337 psi | 68% | 948 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,305 psi | 57% | 938 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 100*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 16,259 psi | 48% | 932 fps | 86.6% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,585 psi | 75% | 886 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,946 psi | 70% | 896 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,192 psi | 68% | 922 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,555 psi | 72% | 978 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,450 psi | 60% | 951 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,874 psi | 73% | 1066 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,539 psi | 66% | 951 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco² | 4.9 gr | 60% | 14,504 psi | 43% | 876 fps | 97.8% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,217 psi | 53% | 1004 fps | 87.5% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,655 psi | 66% | 928 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,653 psi | 58% | 988 fps | 99.8% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,712 psi | 64% | 935 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | 4.5 gr | 60% | 13,663 psi | 40% | 814 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,351 psi | 69% | 981 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,262 psi | 59% | 843 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss² | <<locked>> | 60% | 7,266 psi | 21% | 604 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,511 psi | 69% | 1010 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,872 psi | 67% | 1020 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,521 psi | 54% | 919 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,595 psi | 57% | 948 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,480 psi | 63% | 948 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,090 psi | 68% | 955 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,599 psi | 75% | 945 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,237 psi | 77% | 1027 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14² | <<locked>> | 60% | 7,005 psi | 21% | 607 fps | 98.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,811 psi | 52% | 965 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 23,859 psi | 70% | 1119 fps | 86.1% |
| Rottweil P 806*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 12,343 psi | 36% | 909 fps | 87% |
| SNPE Vectan A0² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,666 psi | 55% | 935 fps | 99.5% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,250 psi | 68% | 984 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,423 psi | 66% | 984 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,789 psi | 79% | 932 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,650 psi | 46% | 899 fps | 91.9% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,756 psi | 64% | 978 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,827 psi | 58% | 1056 fps | 91.5% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,510 psi | 66% | 1030 fps | 99.9% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,885 psi | 61% | 984 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S221*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,352 psi | 71% | 1109 fps | 90% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,898 psi | 53% | 974 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38* | <<locked>> | 84% | 23,583 psi | 69% | 1109 fps | 86.9% |
| Vihtavuori N105* | <<locked>> | 84% | 19,348 psi | 57% | 1076 fps | 87.6% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,656 psi | 69% | 971 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | 3.5 gr | 60% | 11,995 psi | 35% | 725 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,423 psi | 66% | 1004 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,682 psi | 58% | 971 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N350*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,534 psi | 46% | 919 fps | 93.6% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,363 psi | 57% | 948 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 | 158gr | Rim Rock RNFP Top Shelf. Vihtavuori N105 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 1,280 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 814 fps to 1,280 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 11 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 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 | 158gr | Rim Rock RNFP 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.