Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .38 Super Auto with .356 | 123gr | LOS FP bullet and 54 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Vihtavuori N350, Alliant Herco and Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol.
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>> | 72% | 27,731 psi | 83% | 1194 fps | 98.8% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,616 psi | 86% | 1135 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,283 psi | 88% | 1201 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 100* | <<locked>> | 96% | 27,369 psi | 82% | 1247 fps | 89.8% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 64% | 27,688 psi | 83% | 1188 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,543 psi | 86% | 1027 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,718 psi | 89% | 1076 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 72% | 27,847 psi | 83% | 1093 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 72% | 30,153 psi | 90% | 1168 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 76% | 27,267 psi | 82% | 1165 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 68% | 27,804 psi | 83% | 1234 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 72% | 27,775 psi | 83% | 1138 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco | <<locked>> | 96% | 29,530 psi | 89% | 1263 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL* | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,021 psi | 84% | 1296 fps | 89.3% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,283 psi | 88% | 1132 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 64% | 27,615 psi | 83% | 1230 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant UNIQUE | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,834 psi | 86% | 1257 fps | 99.9% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,689 psi | 89% | 1155 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol | <<locked>> | 96% | 29,921 psi | 90% | 1178 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,341 psi | 88% | 1178 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,472 psi | 88% | 1073 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon HS-6*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 26,789 psi | 80% | 1230 fps | 93.8% |
| Hodgdon Longshot² | <<locked>> | 64% | 29,385 psi | 88% | 1273 fps | 96.7% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 14,518 psi | 44% | 873 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,601 psi | 86% | 1201 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 64% | 28,964 psi | 87% | 1168 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,703 psi | 86% | 1220 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1 | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,573 psi | 89% | 1201 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,370 psi | 88% | 1211 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,123 psi | 84% | 1158 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,224 psi | 85% | 1142 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,108 psi | 84% | 1093 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 68% | 30,168 psi | 90% | 1273 fps | 99.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,500 psi | 85% | 1181 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 13,677 psi | 41% | 876 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20 | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,704 psi | 89% | 1280 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 64% | 29,211 psi | 88% | 1155 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806 | <<locked>> | 92% | 28,601 psi | 86% | 1362 fps | 95.7% |
| SNPE Vectan A0 | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,907 psi | 90% | 1230 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 72% | 27,891 psi | 84% | 1165 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 72% | 26,948 psi | 81% | 1165 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,704 psi | 89% | 1076 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2 | <<locked>> | 88% | 28,210 psi | 85% | 1237 fps | 95.5% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,066 psi | 87% | 1201 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 27,615 psi | 83% | 1312 fps | 91.4% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 72% | 27,804 psi | 83% | 1227 fps | 99.5% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 76% | 27,818 psi | 83% | 1207 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,050 psi | 81% | 1247 fps | 96.1% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,037 psi | 87% | 1161 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Starᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 25,773 psi | 77% | 1050 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 72% | 27,978 psi | 84% | 1204 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,095 psi | 90% | 1247 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 29,022 psi | 87% | 1276 fps | 97.2% |
| Winchester AutoComp | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,805 psi | 86% | 1207 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% | 18,942 psi | 57% | 1030 fps | 94.8% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,045 psi | 63% | 1017 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,492 psi | 52% | 997 fps | 99.7% |
| ADI AP 100* | <<locked>> | 84% | 21,176 psi | 63% | 1125 fps | 85.2% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,034 psi | 75% | 1145 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,134 psi | 72% | 968 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,669 psi | 68% | 978 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,147 psi | 63% | 991 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,539 psi | 68% | 1053 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,724 psi | 53% | 1001 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,698 psi | 65% | 1119 fps | 98.9% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,595 psi | 62% | 1020 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco*² | 4.4 gr | 60% | 13,460 psi | 40% | 915 fps | 92.6% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 22,916 psi | 69% | 1198 fps | 85.7% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,523 psi | 62% | 997 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,961 psi | 75% | 1184 fps | 99.4% |
| Alliant UNIQUE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,550 psi | 53% | 1030 fps | 96.3% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,769 psi | 59% | 1004 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | 4.1 gr | 60% | 12,778 psi | 38% | 873 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,856 psi | 63% | 1053 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,116 psi | 57% | 919 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon HS-6*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,250 psi | 70% | 1165 fps | 91.6% |
| Hodgdon Longshot*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,454 psi | 76% | 1207 fps | 94.9% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss² | <<locked>> | 60% | 7,905 psi | 24% | 663 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,045 psi | 63% | 1073 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,976 psi | 78% | 1125 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,146 psi | 60% | 1073 fps | 99.2% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,940 psi | 51% | 978 fps | 99.6% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,767 psi | 53% | 1017 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,695 psi | 56% | 1001 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,827 psi | 62% | 1027 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,047 psi | 69% | 1020 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,801 psi | 71% | 1165 fps | 97.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,105 psi | 69% | 1099 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14² | <<locked>> | 60% | 7,484 psi | 22% | 653 fps | 96.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,534 psi | 47% | 1004 fps | 97% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,411 psi | 79% | 1115 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 15,693 psi | 47% | 1089 fps | 85.5% |
| SNPE Vectan A0² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,563 psi | 50% | 974 fps | 95.3% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,813 psi | 62% | 1047 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,943 psi | 60% | 1040 fps | 99.6% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,555 psi | 74% | 1007 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 15,809 psi | 47% | 978 fps | 86.2% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,319 psi | 58% | 1037 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 21,828 psi | 65% | 1198 fps | 87.2% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,305 psi | 61% | 1083 fps | 96.9% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,652 psi | 56% | 1033 fps | 97.8% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,606 psi | 47% | 1001 fps | 87.4% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,263 psi | 64% | 1047 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | <<locked>> | 60% | 11,734 psi | 35% | 791 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,319 psi | 58% | 1063 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,448 psi | 52% | 1014 fps | 96.6% |
| Vihtavuori N350*² | 5 gr | 60% | 13,503 psi | 40% | 938 fps | 85.1% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,056 psi | 51% | 994 fps | 99.1% |
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 54 powders for .38 Super Auto loaded with the .356 | 123gr | LOS FP. Rottweil P 806 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 1,362 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 873 fps to 1,362 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 20 of the 54 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (230 MPa), the top charges use 41–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. Hodgdon TrailBoss, ReloadSwiss RS 14, Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star 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. Vihtavuori N350, Alliant Herco, Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol rank at the top here: for .38 Super Auto with the .356 | 123gr | LOS FP they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, ADI AP 100, Alliant POWER PISTOL, Hodgdon HS-6 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.