Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .38 Special with .355 | 115gr | X-TREME FMJ bullet and 7 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are ReloadSwiss RS 14 and Hodgdon TrailBoss.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alliant Herco² | <<locked>> | 64% | 17,840 psi | 82% | 1050 fps | 95.7% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 68% | 19,377 psi | 89% | 1040 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 17,579 psi | 81% | 961 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 16,897 psi | 78% | 974 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 19,363 psi | 89% | 1086 fps | 88.9% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | <<locked>> | 72% | 18,492 psi | 85% | 965 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 19,232 psi | 88% | 1102 fps | 90.2% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
Start Load - Barrel Length: 4"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alliant Herco*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,259 psi | 75% | 1007 fps | 94.4% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,780 psi | 73% | 961 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss² | 3.4 gr | 60% | 8,920 psi | 41% | 719 fps | 99.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14² | 3.5 gr | 60% | 8,673 psi | 40% | 722 fps | 97.5% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,289 psi | 79% | 1033 fps | 86.8% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,315 psi | 66% | 876 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,042 psi | 78% | 1047 fps | 88% |
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 2 powders for .38 Special loaded with the .355 | 115gr | X-TREME FMJ. ReloadSwiss RS 14 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 974 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 961 fps to 974 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 (150 MPa), the top charges use 78–81 %, leaving at least 19 % 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. ReloadSwiss RS 14, Hodgdon TrailBoss rank at the top here: for .38 Special with the .355 | 115gr | X-TREME FMJ they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. 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.