Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .38 Short Colt with .356 | 120gr | LEE Mold 356-120-TC bullet and 4 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are 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: 3"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol* | <<locked>> | 84% | 11,545 psi | 88% | 712 fps | 93.7% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 6,585 psi | 50% | 551 fps | 88.1% |
| Maxam CSB 2*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 10,689 psi | 82% | 719 fps | 90.7% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star | <<locked>> | 96% | 11,777 psi | 90% | 705 fps | 99.9% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
Start Load - Barrel Length: 3"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 7,644 psi | 59% | 600 fps | 85.6% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss* | <<locked>> | 92% | 6,048 psi | 46% | 531 fps | 86.4% |
| Maxam CSB 2*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 8,456 psi | 65% | 653 fps | 85.9% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star*² | 1.9 gr | 60% | 4,699 psi | 36% | 486 fps | 86.7% |
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 4 powders for .38 Short Colt loaded with the .356 | 120gr | LEE Mold 356-120-TC. Maxam CSB 2 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 719 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 551 fps to 719 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 3 of the 4 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (90 MPa), the top charges use 50–90 %, leaving at least 10 % 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. Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star rank at the top here: for .38 Short Colt with the .356 | 120gr | LEE Mold 356-120-TC they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol, Hodgdon TrailBoss, Maxam CSB 2 burn incompletely and react more sensitively to barrel length and temperature. Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol, Hodgdon TrailBoss, Maxam CSB 2 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.