Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .38 Super Auto with .356 | 120gr | LEE Mold 356-120-TC 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 Herco, Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol and Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star.
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% | 29,675 psi | 89% | 1276 fps | 99.3% |
| Accurate No. 5*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 29,805 psi | 89% | 1348 fps | 93.6% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,283 psi | 88% | 1194 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250 | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,747 psi | 89% | 1263 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 100*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 28,326 psi | 85% | 1322 fps | 90.8% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 68% | 27,818 psi | 83% | 1253 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,399 psi | 88% | 1086 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,007 psi | 84% | 1102 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 76% | 27,934 psi | 84% | 1152 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 72% | 27,615 psi | 83% | 1194 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BE-86 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,311 psi | 85% | 1237 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,689 psi | 86% | 1302 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,168 psi | 90% | 1234 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Hercoᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 29,341 psi | 88% | 1319 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL* | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,095 psi | 87% | 1375 fps | 90.4% |
| Alliant RED DOT | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,254 psi | 88% | 1191 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,196 psi | 88% | 1312 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,790 psi | 86% | 1316 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 76% | 27,383 psi | 82% | 1181 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistolᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 29,965 psi | 90% | 1234 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 72% | 27,108 psi | 81% | 1204 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,499 psi | 82% | 1096 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon HS-6² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,485 psi | 85% | 1316 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon Longshot² | <<locked>> | 64% | 27,253 psi | 82% | 1296 fps | 96.1% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 11,429 psi | 34% | 863 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,776 psi | 86% | 1266 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D036*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 29,762 psi | 89% | 1348 fps | 93.5% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 64% | 27,398 psi | 82% | 1198 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,414 psi | 88% | 1289 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1 | <<locked>> | 84% | 27,876 psi | 84% | 1230 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,471 psi | 85% | 1260 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,863 psi | 87% | 1224 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,398 psi | 85% | 1198 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,921 psi | 87% | 1155 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,645 psi | 86% | 1302 fps | 99.4% |
| Ramshot True Blue² | <<locked>> | 64% | 28,645 psi | 86% | 1312 fps | 96.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,514 psi | 85% | 1243 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 9,993 psi | 30% | 850 fps | 99.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20 | <<locked>> | 84% | 27,412 psi | 82% | 1299 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,443 psi | 88% | 1220 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806 | <<locked>> | 96% | 29,066 psi | 87% | 1427 fps | 96.1% |
| Shooters World Auto Pistol*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 29,762 psi | 89% | 1348 fps | 93.5% |
| SNPE Vectan A0 | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,224 psi | 85% | 1257 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,124 psi | 87% | 1234 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,050 psi | 84% | 1234 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,993 psi | 87% | 1115 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2 | <<locked>> | 92% | 29,254 psi | 88% | 1312 fps | 96.3% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,950 psi | 90% | 1273 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2* | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,601 psi | 83% | 1375 fps | 91.9% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,790 psi | 86% | 1299 fps | 99.7% |
| Somchem MS200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,442 psi | 85% | 1276 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37 | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,152 psi | 84% | 1322 fps | 96.9% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,776 psi | 89% | 1227 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Starᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 23,293 psi | 70% | 1076 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,921 psi | 87% | 1273 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,934 psi | 84% | 1273 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 29,747 psi | 89% | 1342 fps | 97.7% |
| Winchester 231² | <<locked>> | 64% | 28,007 psi | 84% | 1227 fps | 100% |
| Winchester AutoComp | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,327 psi | 88% | 1273 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% | 17,158 psi | 51% | 1047 fps | 93.7% |
| Accurate No. 5*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,860 psi | 78% | 1280 fps | 91.4% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,218 psi | 58% | 1037 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,924 psi | 45% | 994 fps | 99% |
| ADI AP 100* | <<locked>> | 88% | 21,263 psi | 64% | 1184 fps | 85.7% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,799 psi | 65% | 1155 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,002 psi | 66% | 984 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,450 psi | 61% | 991 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,652 psi | 56% | 1007 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,609 psi | 59% | 1063 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,142 psi | 45% | 1004 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,102 psi | 60% | 1142 fps | 98.4% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,811 psi | 53% | 1030 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco*² | 4.7 gr | 60% | 10,196 psi | 31% | 879 fps | 87.8% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 23,076 psi | 69% | 1257 fps | 86.2% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,941 psi | 54% | 1010 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,076 psi | 69% | 1204 fps | 99% |
| Alliant UNIQUE*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,808 psi | 44% | 1027 fps | 94.2% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,143 psi | 51% | 1010 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | 4.4 gr | 60% | 9,877 psi | 30% | 853 fps | 99.3% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,318 psi | 55% | 1063 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,926 psi | 51% | 928 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon HS-6*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,335 psi | 64% | 1181 fps | 90.6% |
| Hodgdon Longshot*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,525 psi | 71% | 1227 fps | 94.2% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 4,641 psi | 14% | 604 fps | 93.2% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,043 psi | 54% | 1079 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D036*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,817 psi | 77% | 1280 fps | 91.3% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,627 psi | 71% | 1142 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,448 psi | 52% | 1076 fps | 98.2% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,272 psi | 43% | 974 fps | 98.6% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,069 psi | 42% | 1004 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,998 psi | 51% | 1024 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,507 psi | 55% | 1040 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,914 psi | 63% | 1040 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,683 psi | 65% | 1181 fps | 97.2% |
| Ramshot True Blue*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,787 psi | 74% | 1243 fps | 94.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,609 psi | 59% | 1106 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 4,279 psi | 13% | 591 fps | 86.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,242 psi | 40% | 1001 fps | 94.9% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,960 psi | 69% | 1129 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806* | <<locked>> | 80% | 16,360 psi | 49% | 1165 fps | 86.4% |
| Shooters World Auto Pistol*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,817 psi | 77% | 1280 fps | 91.3% |
| SNPE Vectan A0*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,736 psi | 44% | 984 fps | 93.9% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,289 psi | 55% | 1053 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,506 psi | 52% | 1043 fps | 99% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,119 psi | 69% | 1033 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 15,127 psi | 45% | 1017 fps | 85.7% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,085 psi | 51% | 1047 fps | 99.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 21,582 psi | 65% | 1253 fps | 87.5% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,593 psi | 53% | 1083 fps | 95.3% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,751 psi | 47% | 1024 fps | 96.1% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 14,808 psi | 44% | 1037 fps | 86.8% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,391 psi | 55% | 1053 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | 3.5 gr | 60% | 8,659 psi | 26% | 781 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,926 psi | 51% | 1070 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,055 psi | 45% | 1017 fps | 94.9% |
| Vihtavuori N350*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 14,823 psi | 44% | 1037 fps | 87.3% |
| Winchester 231² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,439 psi | 73% | 1175 fps | 100% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,272 psi | 43% | 988 fps | 97.8% |
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 .356 | 120gr | LEE Mold 356-120-TC. Rottweil P 806 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 1,427 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 850 fps to 1,427 fps. ADI AP 100 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 27 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 30–90 %, 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 Herco, Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol, Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star rank at the top here: for .38 Super Auto with the .356 | 120gr | LEE Mold 356-120-TC 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.