Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .38 Long Colt with .355 | 90gr | Lehigh Defense Xtreme Penetrator bullet and 4 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above.
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: 4"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 76% | 11,531 psi | 88% | 965 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 8,383 psi | 64% | 827 fps | 94.1% |
| Maxam CSB 2*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 10,950 psi | 84% | 978 fps | 92.7% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star | <<locked>> | 84% | 11,298 psi | 87% | 938 fps | 100% |
Start Load - Barrel Length: 4"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 7,252 psi | 56% | 797 fps | 86.6% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss* | <<locked>> | 80% | 5,424 psi | 42% | 686 fps | 85.9% |
| Maxam CSB 2*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 9,384 psi | 72% | 922 fps | 89.8% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 5,845 psi | 45% | 725 fps | 93.1% |
* 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 2 powders for .38 Long Colt loaded with the .355 | 90gr | Lehigh Defense Xtreme Penetrator. Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 938 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 827 fps to 938 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 2 of the 2 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (90 MPa), the top charges use 64–87 %, leaving at least 13 % headroom. Hodgdon TrailBoss 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. As outliers, Hodgdon TrailBoss burn incompletely and react more sensitively to barrel length and temperature. Hodgdon TrailBoss, Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star 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.