Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .38 Super Auto with .355 | 80gr | Barnes TAC-XP bullet and 57 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are ReloadSwiss RS 20, Alliant UNIQUE and Maxam CSB 2.
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. 2* | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,950 psi | 90% | 1558 fps | 94.8% |
| Accurate Solo 1000 | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,356 psi | 88% | 1496 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250 | <<locked>> | 92% | 29,385 psi | 88% | 1562 fps | 99.9% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,935 psi | 87% | 1575 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,993 psi | 87% | 1358 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,066 psi | 87% | 1401 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30 | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,805 psi | 86% | 1460 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,934 psi | 84% | 1496 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BE-86 | <<locked>> | 88% | 27,644 psi | 83% | 1522 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,572 psi | 86% | 1598 fps | 97.6% |
| Alliant Green Dot | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,442 psi | 85% | 1506 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Hercoᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 24,192 psi | 73% | 1503 fps | 95% |
| Alliant RED DOT | <<locked>> | 88% | 29,776 psi | 89% | 1503 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,675 psi | 89% | 1617 fps | 97.3% |
| Alliant UNIQUE | <<locked>> | 92% | 28,210 psi | 85% | 1601 fps | 96.9% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100 | <<locked>> | 84% | 27,905 psi | 84% | 1480 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistolᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 24,265 psi | 73% | 1444 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,528 psi | 83% | 1499 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE Pistol² | <<locked>> | 64% | 26,629 psi | 80% | 1526 fps | 99.2% |
| Hodgdon Clays | <<locked>> | 88% | 28,543 psi | 86% | 1391 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon HP38² | <<locked>> | 64% | 29,196 psi | 88% | 1539 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon HS-6*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,022 psi | 87% | 1588 fps | 87.7% |
| Hodgdon Longshot*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,660 psi | 86% | 1591 fps | 89.9% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 10,341 psi | 31% | 1017 fps | 98.3% |
| Hodgdon Universal | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,935 psi | 87% | 1575 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,123 psi | 84% | 1499 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020 | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,761 psi | 86% | 1575 fps | 98.5% |
| Maxam CSB 1 | <<locked>> | 96% | 29,298 psi | 88% | 1555 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2 | <<locked>> | 96% | 30,153 psi | 90% | 1611 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3 | <<locked>> | 88% | 29,066 psi | 87% | 1532 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4 | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,993 psi | 87% | 1512 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,182 psi | 90% | 1476 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,979 psi | 87% | 1594 fps | 95.2% |
| Ramshot True Blue*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 30,153 psi | 90% | 1611 fps | 90.8% |
| Ramshot Zip² | <<locked>> | 64% | 28,935 psi | 87% | 1542 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,050 psi | 84% | 1558 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 9,413 psi | 28% | 997 fps | 93.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20 | <<locked>> | 96% | 28,950 psi | 87% | 1634 fps | 98.8% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 72% | 26,905 psi | 81% | 1490 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A0 | <<locked>> | 96% | 30,110 psi | 90% | 1575 fps | 97.3% |
| SNPE Vectan A1 | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,747 psi | 89% | 1542 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9 | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,631 psi | 86% | 1529 fps | 99.3% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 76% | 30,052 psi | 90% | 1417 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 28,529 psi | 86% | 1565 fps | 88.9% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2 | <<locked>> | 88% | 29,646 psi | 89% | 1572 fps | 99.9% |
| Somchem MP200 | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,108 psi | 84% | 1572 fps | 95.6% |
| Somchem MS200 | <<locked>> | 88% | 28,253 psi | 85% | 1558 fps | 97.6% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37* | <<locked>> | 96% | 30,037 psi | 90% | 1637 fps | 91.2% |
| Vihtavuori N310² | <<locked>> | 64% | 27,978 psi | 84% | 1404 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N320 | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,892 psi | 90% | 1542 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Starᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 18,782 psi | 56% | 1263 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330 | <<locked>> | 84% | 27,789 psi | 83% | 1572 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340 | <<locked>> | 88% | 27,267 psi | 82% | 1545 fps | 96.6% |
| Vihtavuori N350*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 28,398 psi | 85% | 1598 fps | 90.6% |
| Winchester 231² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,935 psi | 87% | 1542 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 572*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 28,311 psi | 85% | 1594 fps | 88.8% |
| Winchester AutoComp | <<locked>> | 92% | 28,355 psi | 85% | 1555 fps | 99.6% |
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>> | 68% | 18,971 psi | 57% | 1312 fps | 87.6% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,650 psi | 50% | 1220 fps | 99.7% |
| Accurate Solo 1250*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 12,763 psi | 38% | 1138 fps | 91.3% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,695 psi | 56% | 1339 fps | 97.5% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,551 psi | 59% | 1184 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,985 psi | 54% | 1188 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,592 psi | 50% | 1201 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,231 psi | 52% | 1253 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant BE-86*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 12,952 psi | 39% | 1152 fps | 94.6% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,926 psi | 51% | 1296 fps | 90% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,809 psi | 47% | 1214 fps | 99.1% |
| Alliant Herco*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 14,228 psi | 43% | 1211 fps | 85.9% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,258 psi | 46% | 1184 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,276 psi | 58% | 1365 fps | 91.2% |
| Alliant UNIQUE*² | 5.2 gr | 64% | 14,330 psi | 43% | 1220 fps | 85.8% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,808 psi | 44% | 1178 fps | 97.7% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 8,876 psi | 27% | 991 fps | 93% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,924 psi | 45% | 1217 fps | 98.5% |
| Hodgdon CFE Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,032 psi | 69% | 1447 fps | 98.1% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,069 psi | 45% | 1112 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon HP38² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,831 psi | 77% | 1476 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon HS-6*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 25,469 psi | 76% | 1516 fps | 85.4% |
| Hodgdon Longshot*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 21,973 psi | 66% | 1437 fps | 85.1% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 5,279 psi | 16% | 735 fps | 88.3% |
| Hodgdon Universal*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,200 psi | 46% | 1234 fps | 94.9% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,986 psi | 60% | 1325 fps | 98.7% |
| Lovex S020*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,083 psi | 42% | 1201 fps | 88.6% |
| Maxam CSB 1*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 12,386 psi | 37% | 1115 fps | 90.9% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | 4.6 gr | 60% | 11,777 psi | 35% | 1155 fps | 95.8% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,011 psi | 42% | 1171 fps | 96.9% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,809 psi | 47% | 1220 fps | 99.6% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,840 psi | 53% | 1240 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Silhouette*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,376 psi | 52% | 1309 fps | 86.7% |
| Ramshot True Blue*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 23,192 psi | 70% | 1460 fps | 86.1% |
| Ramshot Zip² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,801 psi | 74% | 1463 fps | 99.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,621 psi | 47% | 1280 fps | 99.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 6,179 psi | 19% | 810 fps | 85.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20*² | 5.4 gr | 64% | 12,531 psi | 38% | 1171 fps | 85.2% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,392 psi | 58% | 1339 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A0*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 15,606 psi | 47% | 1217 fps | 87.3% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,708 psi | 47% | 1214 fps | 96.2% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,997 psi | 45% | 1191 fps | 91.6% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,320 psi | 61% | 1240 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2* | <<locked>> | 92% | 23,801 psi | 71% | 1460 fps | 85.7% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,707 psi | 44% | 1204 fps | 93.3% |
| Somchem MP200*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 16,563 psi | 50% | 1276 fps | 86.9% |
| Somchem MS200*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,779 psi | 41% | 1168 fps | 86.6% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37* | <<locked>> | 84% | 21,538 psi | 65% | 1447 fps | 85.3% |
| Vihtavuori N310² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,961 psi | 75% | 1355 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,331 psi | 46% | 1230 fps | 99.6% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | <<locked>> | 60% | 7,789 psi | 23% | 912 fps | 98.7% |
| Vihtavuori N330*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,779 psi | 41% | 1217 fps | 94.4% |
| Vihtavuori N340*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 14,315 psi | 43% | 1201 fps | 86.3% |
| Vihtavuori N350* | <<locked>> | 92% | 23,308 psi | 70% | 1486 fps | 87.1% |
| Winchester 231² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,479 psi | 61% | 1362 fps | 98.7% |
| Winchester 572*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,627 psi | 74% | 1512 fps | 86.2% |
| Winchester AutoComp *² | <<locked>> | 60% | 12,488 psi | 37% | 1132 fps | 89.4% |
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 57 powders for .38 Super Auto loaded with the .355 | 80gr | Barnes TAC-XP. Vihtavuori 3N37 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 1,637 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 997 fps to 1,637 fps. Alliant Herco gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 41 of the 57 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (230 MPa), the top charges use 28–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. Alliant Herco, Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol, Hodgdon TrailBoss 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 20, Alliant UNIQUE, Maxam CSB 2 rank at the top here: for .38 Super Auto with the .355 | 80gr | Barnes TAC-XP they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, Accurate No. 2, Hodgdon HS-6, Hodgdon Longshot burn incompletely and react more sensitively to barrel length and temperature. Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol, Hodgdon Clays, 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.