Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .38 Special with .357 | 158gr | Norma FMJ SWC bullet and 8 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.
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: 4"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alliant Herco² | <<locked>> | 68% | 18,463 psi | 85% | 889 fps | 98.6% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 68% | 17,825 psi | 82% | 830 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 16,201 psi | 74% | 768 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 14,939 psi | 69% | 771 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 17,666 psi | 81% | 948 fps | 90.1% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 18,405 psi | 85% | 889 fps | 92.1% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | <<locked>> | 76% | 18,927 psi | 87% | 797 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 17,970 psi | 83% | 896 fps | 93.3% |
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 Herco² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,649 psi | 67% | 807 fps | 96.2% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,315 psi | 66% | 768 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss² | 2.7 gr | 60% | 7,745 psi | 36% | 574 fps | 99.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14² | 2.7 gr | 60% | 7,092 psi | 33% | 561 fps | 97.4% |
| Rottweil P 806*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 15,461 psi | 71% | 899 fps | 87.4% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,244 psi | 75% | 843 fps | 90% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | <<locked>> | 60% | 12,647 psi | 58% | 689 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,244 psi | 75% | 860 fps | 91.7% |
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 8 powders for .38 Special loaded with the .357 | 158gr | Norma FMJ SWC. Rottweil P 806 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 948 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 768 fps to 948 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 2 of the 8 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (150 MPa), the top charges use 69–87 %, leaving at least 13 % 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 .357 | 158gr | Norma FMJ SWC they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, Rottweil P 806, SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2, Vihtavuori N350 burn incompletely and react more sensitively to barrel length and temperature. Alliant Herco, Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol, Hodgdon TrailBoss 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.