Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .38 Super Auto with .355 | 154gr | Geco FMJ FLAT NOSE bullet and 60 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Rottweil P 806, Vihtavuori N350 and ReloadSwiss RS 20.
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% | 28,616 psi | 86% | 1020 fps | 99.5% |
| Accurate No. 5*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 29,066 psi | 87% | 1089 fps | 94.3% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,485 psi | 85% | 951 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250 | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,834 psi | 89% | 1020 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 100*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 27,644 psi | 83% | 1066 fps | 91.6% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 68% | 27,833 psi | 83% | 1010 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,022 psi | 87% | 863 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 72% | 27,731 psi | 83% | 883 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,877 psi | 87% | 935 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,979 psi | 90% | 984 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BE-86 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,238 psi | 82% | 988 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,906 psi | 87% | 1060 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,268 psi | 85% | 968 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Hercoᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 28,935 psi | 87% | 1070 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL* | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,616 psi | 86% | 1119 fps | 91.5% |
| Alliant RED DOT | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,109 psi | 87% | 955 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,167 psi | 87% | 1063 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,398 psi | 85% | 1063 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 76% | 26,876 psi | 81% | 942 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistolᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 30,081 psi | 90% | 997 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,762 psi | 89% | 1004 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,659 psi | 83% | 879 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon HS-6² | <<locked>> | 68% | 27,325 psi | 82% | 1056 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon Longshot² | <<locked>> | 64% | 27,151 psi | 81% | 1053 fps | 97% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 12,647 psi | 38% | 715 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,080 psi | 87% | 1027 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D036*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 29,008 psi | 87% | 1089 fps | 94.3% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,950 psi | 90% | 994 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,384 psi | 85% | 1030 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1 | <<locked>> | 84% | 26,818 psi | 80% | 981 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,240 psi | 88% | 1027 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,572 psi | 86% | 984 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 76% | 27,992 psi | 84% | 961 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,472 psi | 88% | 935 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 68% | 27,789 psi | 83% | 1050 fps | 99.7% |
| Ramshot True Blue² | <<locked>> | 64% | 27,688 psi | 83% | 1056 fps | 97.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,427 psi | 85% | 1004 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 11,037 psi | 33% | 705 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20 | <<locked>> | 88% | 29,936 psi | 90% | 1086 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 64% | 26,556 psi | 80% | 951 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806 | <<locked>> | 96% | 28,210 psi | 85% | 1171 fps | 97% |
| Shooters World Auto Pistol*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 29,008 psi | 87% | 1089 fps | 94.3% |
| SNPE Vectan A0 | <<locked>> | 84% | 27,499 psi | 82% | 1007 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,935 psi | 87% | 994 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 76% | 27,862 psi | 84% | 994 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,080 psi | 87% | 896 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2 | <<locked>> | 92% | 29,124 psi | 87% | 1066 fps | 97.1% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,573 psi | 89% | 1024 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2* | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,253 psi | 82% | 1122 fps | 93.1% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,050 psi | 84% | 1047 fps | 99.9% |
| Somchem MS200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,471 psi | 85% | 1033 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S221*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 27,934 psi | 84% | 1083 fps | 88.1% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37 | <<locked>> | 84% | 27,427 psi | 82% | 1070 fps | 97.5% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,138 psi | 87% | 981 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Starᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 23,569 psi | 71% | 866 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,311 psi | 85% | 1024 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,253 psi | 82% | 1024 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 28,805 psi | 86% | 1083 fps | 98.2% |
| Winchester 231² | <<locked>> | 64% | 27,543 psi | 83% | 984 fps | 100% |
| Winchester AutoComp | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,616 psi | 86% | 1024 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% | 17,114 psi | 51% | 846 fps | 94.9% |
| Accurate No. 5*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,904 psi | 78% | 1047 fps | 92.7% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,913 psi | 57% | 827 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,650 psi | 47% | 817 fps | 99.7% |
| ADI AP 100* | <<locked>> | 84% | 18,913 psi | 57% | 922 fps | 85.1% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,234 psi | 67% | 938 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,973 psi | 66% | 784 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,393 psi | 64% | 807 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,956 psi | 57% | 807 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,291 psi | 61% | 863 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,853 psi | 48% | 823 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,899 psi | 60% | 922 fps | 99% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,985 psi | 57% | 843 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 11,081 psi | 33% | 735 fps | 91.3% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 20,218 psi | 61% | 978 fps | 85.5% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,999 psi | 54% | 810 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,307 psi | 67% | 965 fps | 99.4% |
| Alliant UNIQUE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,098 psi | 45% | 837 fps | 95.9% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,927 psi | 54% | 823 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 10,660 psi | 32% | 709 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,695 psi | 56% | 866 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,114 psi | 51% | 745 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon HS-6*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,972 psi | 63% | 958 fps | 91.8% |
| Hodgdon Longshot² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,293 psi | 70% | 997 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss² | <<locked>> | 60% | 5,714 psi | 17% | 512 fps | 97.7% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,304 psi | 55% | 873 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D036*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,947 psi | 78% | 1047 fps | 92.7% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,554 psi | 71% | 919 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,448 psi | 52% | 873 fps | 99% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,272 psi | 43% | 784 fps | 99.3% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,504 psi | 43% | 817 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,434 psi | 52% | 833 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,608 psi | 56% | 837 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,480 psi | 64% | 843 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,799 psi | 65% | 961 fps | 98.1% |
| Ramshot True Blue² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,685 psi | 74% | 1014 fps | 95.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,320 psi | 61% | 902 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 5,598 psi | 17% | 515 fps | 93.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | 3.7 gr | 60% | 13,648 psi | 41% | 823 fps | 96.8% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,061 psi | 69% | 909 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806*² | 6.9 gr | 76% | 14,112 psi | 42% | 919 fps | 86.2% |
| Shooters World Auto Pistol*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,947 psi | 78% | 1047 fps | 92.7% |
| SNPE Vectan A0² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,663 psi | 44% | 794 fps | 95.1% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,724 psi | 56% | 856 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,912 psi | 54% | 850 fps | 99.6% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,815 psi | 71% | 837 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 13,822 psi | 41% | 797 fps | 85.7% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,042 psi | 51% | 843 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 18,246 psi | 55% | 965 fps | 86.3% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,492 psi | 52% | 876 fps | 96.4% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,650 psi | 50% | 846 fps | 97.7% |
| Somchem S221*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 24,352 psi | 73% | 1027 fps | 85.7% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,431 psi | 40% | 814 fps | 86.9% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,131 psi | 57% | 860 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | <<locked>> | 60% | 9,471 psi | 28% | 640 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,187 psi | 52% | 873 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,519 psi | 47% | 833 fps | 96.5% |
| Vihtavuori N350*² | 4.2 gr | 64% | 13,198 psi | 40% | 807 fps | 87% |
| Winchester 231² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,033 psi | 72% | 942 fps | 100% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,302 psi | 46% | 820 fps | 99.2% |
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 60 powders for .38 Super Auto loaded with the .355 | 154gr | Geco FMJ FLAT NOSE. Rottweil P 806 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 1,171 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 705 fps to 1,171 fps. ADI AP 100 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 26 of the 60 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (230 MPa), the top charges use 33–90 %, 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. Rottweil P 806, Vihtavuori N350, ReloadSwiss RS 20 rank at the top here: for .38 Super Auto with the .355 | 154gr | Geco FMJ FLAT NOSE 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 No. 5, Accurate Solo 1000 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.