Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .38 Special with .357 | 158gr | Sierra Sports Master 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% | 17,941 psi | 82% | 889 fps | 98.7% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 64% | 17,405 psi | 80% | 833 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 17,260 psi | 79% | 794 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 15,940 psi | 73% | 797 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 17,622 psi | 81% | 951 fps | 90.5% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | <<locked>> | 72% | 18,072 psi | 83% | 794 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350² | <<locked>> | 64% | 19,609 psi | 90% | 938 fps | 95.2% |
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 Herco² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,896 psi | 73% | 846 fps | 97.5% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,751 psi | 72% | 804 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss² | 3 gr | 60% | 8,195 psi | 38% | 594 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14² | 3 gr | 60% | 7,527 psi | 35% | 584 fps | 98.3% |
| Rottweil P 806*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,171 psi | 70% | 892 fps | 87.4% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,489 psi | 62% | 715 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,361 psi | 80% | 896 fps | 93.4% |
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 .357 | 158gr | Sierra Sports Master. ReloadSwiss RS 14 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 797 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 794 fps to 797 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 73–79 %, leaving at least 21 % 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 | Sierra Sports Master 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.