Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .38 Super Auto with .355 | 115gr | Geco FMJ bullet and 59 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Alliant UNIQUE, ReloadSwiss RS 20 and Winchester AutoComp .
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: 5"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate No. 2² | <<locked>> | 76% | 27,383 psi | 82% | 1234 fps | 97.8% |
| Accurate No. 5*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 28,253 psi | 85% | 1312 fps | 90.9% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,340 psi | 85% | 1181 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250 | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,485 psi | 85% | 1243 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 100*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 26,310 psi | 79% | 1273 fps | 87.4% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,936 psi | 90% | 1280 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,877 psi | 87% | 1076 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 76% | 30,037 psi | 90% | 1125 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 76% | 27,093 psi | 81% | 1138 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,196 psi | 88% | 1211 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BE-86 | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,733 psi | 89% | 1253 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 72% | 27,195 psi | 82% | 1273 fps | 99.7% |
| Alliant Green Dot | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,834 psi | 86% | 1211 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Hercoᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 27,920 psi | 84% | 1293 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL* | <<locked>> | 88% | 30,139 psi | 90% | 1385 fps | 89% |
| Alliant RED DOT | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,413 psi | 85% | 1178 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 68% | 27,920 psi | 84% | 1286 fps | 99.5% |
| Alliant UNIQUE | <<locked>> | 88% | 30,110 psi | 90% | 1332 fps | 99.8% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,008 psi | 87% | 1201 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistolᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 27,804 psi | 83% | 1207 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,993 psi | 87% | 1227 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,514 psi | 85% | 1106 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon HS-6*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 26,353 psi | 79% | 1270 fps | 92.1% |
| Hodgdon Longshot² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,022 psi | 87% | 1316 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 11,777 psi | 35% | 863 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,936 psi | 90% | 1280 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D036*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 28,210 psi | 85% | 1312 fps | 90.8% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,761 psi | 86% | 1214 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 76% | 27,441 psi | 82% | 1257 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1 | <<locked>> | 88% | 28,732 psi | 86% | 1243 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 27,441 psi | 82% | 1247 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,325 psi | 82% | 1204 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,660 psi | 89% | 1214 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 72% | 27,615 psi | 83% | 1138 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 72% | 30,095 psi | 90% | 1322 fps | 99% |
| Ramshot True Blue*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 27,137 psi | 81% | 1280 fps | 94.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 72% | 27,441 psi | 82% | 1230 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 10,718 psi | 32% | 856 fps | 98.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20 | <<locked>> | 88% | 28,384 psi | 85% | 1316 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,398 psi | 85% | 1207 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 29,515 psi | 88% | 1434 fps | 94.9% |
| Shooters World Auto Pistol*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 28,210 psi | 85% | 1312 fps | 90.8% |
| SNPE Vectan A0 | <<locked>> | 88% | 29,269 psi | 88% | 1266 fps | 99.6% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,253 psi | 85% | 1220 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,979 psi | 90% | 1257 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 68% | 27,760 psi | 83% | 1099 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2* | <<locked>> | 92% | 27,151 psi | 81% | 1266 fps | 93.8% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,008 psi | 87% | 1257 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2* | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,747 psi | 86% | 1388 fps | 90.6% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 76% | 26,600 psi | 80% | 1260 fps | 98.6% |
| Somchem MS200 | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,588 psi | 89% | 1289 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37 | <<locked>> | 88% | 29,182 psi | 87% | 1332 fps | 95.9% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 76% | 27,934 psi | 84% | 1204 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Starᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 22,394 psi | 67% | 1063 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,747 psi | 89% | 1286 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340 | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,138 psi | 87% | 1286 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 27,934 psi | 84% | 1309 fps | 95.7% |
| Winchester 231² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,776 psi | 89% | 1250 fps | 100% |
| Winchester AutoComp | <<locked>> | 88% | 30,139 psi | 90% | 1283 fps | 100% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
Start Load - Barrel Length: 5"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate No. 2*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,621 psi | 50% | 1024 fps | 91.5% |
| Accurate No. 5*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,279 psi | 73% | 1240 fps | 88.4% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,826 psi | 56% | 1027 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,982 psi | 45% | 988 fps | 98.1% |
| ADI AP 100* | <<locked>> | 96% | 24,047 psi | 72% | 1230 fps | 85.8% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,943 psi | 63% | 1132 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,074 psi | 63% | 965 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,812 psi | 59% | 978 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,449 psi | 55% | 997 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,725 psi | 59% | 1060 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,011 psi | 45% | 994 fps | 99.5% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,334 psi | 58% | 1115 fps | 97% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,869 psi | 54% | 1024 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 10,892 psi | 33% | 886 fps | 87.2% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL* | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,439 psi | 73% | 1276 fps | 85.2% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,680 psi | 53% | 1001 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,683 psi | 65% | 1171 fps | 97.6% |
| Alliant UNIQUE*² | 4.4 gr | 60% | 14,721 psi | 44% | 1010 fps | 92.5% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,187 psi | 52% | 1004 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 10,269 psi | 31% | 856 fps | 99% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,506 psi | 52% | 1043 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,331 psi | 49% | 912 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon HS-6*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,015 psi | 60% | 1142 fps | 87.5% |
| Hodgdon Longshot*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,075 psi | 66% | 1188 fps | 91.4% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss² | <<locked>> | 60% | 5,656 psi | 17% | 630 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,869 psi | 54% | 1066 fps | 99.7% |
| Lovex D036*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,236 psi | 73% | 1237 fps | 88.3% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,771 psi | 68% | 1122 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,462 psi | 49% | 1047 fps | 96.5% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,793 psi | 41% | 951 fps | 97.4% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,721 psi | 41% | 988 fps | 99.9% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,172 psi | 48% | 1001 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,448 psi | 52% | 1014 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,421 psi | 61% | 1030 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,436 psi | 61% | 1148 fps | 95.1% |
| Ramshot True Blue*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,235 psi | 70% | 1207 fps | 92.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,463 psi | 55% | 1083 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 5,221 psi | 16% | 610 fps | 88.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20*² | 4.6 gr | 60% | 13,024 psi | 39% | 984 fps | 93% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,713 psi | 68% | 1122 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806* | <<locked>> | 84% | 17,332 psi | 52% | 1191 fps | 85.8% |
| Shooters World Auto Pistol*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,236 psi | 73% | 1237 fps | 88.3% |
| SNPE Vectan A0*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,373 psi | 43% | 965 fps | 91.8% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,898 psi | 54% | 1037 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,114 psi | 51% | 1027 fps | 98% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,626 psi | 68% | 1024 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 16,549 psi | 50% | 1043 fps | 85.3% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,665 psi | 50% | 1030 fps | 98.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 22,365 psi | 67% | 1263 fps | 86.1% |
| Somchem MP200*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,955 psi | 51% | 1060 fps | 93.3% |
| Somchem MS200*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,505 psi | 46% | 1007 fps | 94.4% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 16,143 psi | 48% | 1066 fps | 86.4% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,260 psi | 55% | 1047 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | <<locked>> | 60% | 8,963 psi | 27% | 774 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,346 psi | 49% | 1056 fps | 99.7% |
| Vihtavuori N340*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,808 psi | 44% | 1001 fps | 93.1% |
| Vihtavuori N350*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 15,548 psi | 47% | 1047 fps | 86.1% |
| Winchester 231² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,192 psi | 70% | 1152 fps | 100% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | 4.8 gr | 60% | 14,373 psi | 43% | 981 fps | 96.8% |
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 59 powders for .38 Super Auto loaded with the .355 | 115gr | Geco FMJ. Rottweil P 806 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 1,434 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 856 fps to 1,434 fps. ADI AP 100 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 32 of the 59 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (230 MPa), the top charges use 32–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. ADI AP 100, Alliant Herco, Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol 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. Alliant UNIQUE, ReloadSwiss RS 20, Winchester AutoComp rank at the top here: for .38 Super Auto with the .355 | 115gr | Geco FMJ they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, Accurate No. 5, ADI AP 100, Alliant POWER PISTOL burn incompletely and react more sensitively to barrel length and temperature. Accurate No. 2, Accurate Solo 1000, Accurate Solo 1250 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.