Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .38 Short Colt with .356 | 135gr | X-TREME RNFP 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: 3"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 10,573 psi | 81% | 610 fps | 94.5% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 10,979 psi | 84% | 594 fps | 98.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 10,530 psi | 81% | 594 fps | 93.8% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | <<locked>> | 72% | 11,429 psi | 88% | 610 fps | 100% |
Start Load - Barrel Length: 3"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 9,427 psi | 72% | 577 fps | 92.8% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 6,396 psi | 49% | 446 fps | 91% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 6,469 psi | 50% | 453 fps | 85.7% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | <<locked>> | 60% | 8,905 psi | 68% | 545 fps | 99.2% |
* 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 | 135gr | X-TREME RNFP. Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 610 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 594 fps to 610 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 2 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 81–88 %, leaving at least 12 % headroom. Hodgdon TrailBoss, ReloadSwiss RS 14 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, Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol, ReloadSwiss RS 14 burn incompletely and react more sensitively to barrel length and temperature. Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol, Hodgdon TrailBoss, ReloadSwiss RS 14 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.