Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .38 Short Colt with .356 | 124gr | LEE Mold 356-124-2R bullet and 10 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.
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: 3"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alliant BE-86*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 11,313 psi | 87% | 679 fps | 88.5% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 11,545 psi | 88% | 659 fps | 91.1% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol* | <<locked>> | 84% | 10,805 psi | 83% | 673 fps | 92.6% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 11,385 psi | 87% | 682 fps | 92% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 6,179 psi | 47% | 522 fps | 87% |
| Maxam CSB 2*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 11,313 psi | 87% | 715 fps | 92% |
| Maxam CSB 3*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 10,965 psi | 84% | 656 fps | 90% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 10,907 psi | 84% | 705 fps | 94.3% |
| Vihtavuori N320*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 11,531 psi | 88% | 689 fps | 94.5% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star | <<locked>> | 96% | 11,531 psi | 88% | 679 fps | 99.8% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
Start Load - Barrel Length: 3"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alliant BE-86*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 9,747 psi | 75% | 640 fps | 85.6% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 10,617 psi | 81% | 636 fps | 89.6% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 8,050 psi | 62% | 594 fps | 86.8% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 9,993 psi | 77% | 650 fps | 89.6% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss* | <<locked>> | 96% | 6,179 psi | 47% | 522 fps | 87% |
| Maxam CSB 2*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 8,862 psi | 68% | 646 fps | 87% |
| Maxam CSB 3*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 10,066 psi | 77% | 633 fps | 88.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 10,008 psi | 77% | 682 fps | 92.9% |
| Vihtavuori N320*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 10,530 psi | 81% | 663 fps | 93.1% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star*² | 1.9 gr | 64% | 5,207 psi | 40% | 495 fps | 89.2% |
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 10 powders for .38 Short Colt loaded with the .356 | 124gr | LEE Mold 356-124-2R. Maxam CSB 2 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 715 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 522 fps to 715 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 3 of the 10 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (90 MPa), the top charges use 47–88 %, leaving at least 12 % 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 | 124gr | LEE Mold 356-124-2R they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, Alliant BE-86, Baschieri & Pellagri 100, Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol burn incompletely and react more sensitively to barrel length and temperature. Alliant BE-86, Baschieri & Pellagri 100, Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol 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.