Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .38 Super Auto with .356 | 123gr | LOS HP bullet and 53 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% | 28,442 psi | 85% | 1214 fps | 99.1% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,543 psi | 86% | 1138 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,979 psi | 90% | 1217 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 100* | <<locked>> | 96% | 28,369 psi | 85% | 1273 fps | 90.8% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 64% | 28,485 psi | 85% | 1207 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,601 psi | 86% | 1033 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,660 psi | 89% | 1083 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,950 psi | 87% | 1115 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,065 psi | 84% | 1145 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 76% | 27,775 psi | 83% | 1181 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 68% | 27,630 psi | 83% | 1237 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 72% | 27,746 psi | 83% | 1145 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco | <<locked>> | 92% | 28,340 psi | 85% | 1250 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL* | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,080 psi | 87% | 1329 fps | 90.3% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 72% | 27,253 psi | 82% | 1112 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 64% | 28,355 psi | 85% | 1250 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant UNIQUE | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,457 psi | 88% | 1273 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 72% | 27,572 psi | 83% | 1135 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol | <<locked>> | 92% | 27,731 psi | 83% | 1158 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 68% | 26,629 psi | 80% | 1148 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,356 psi | 88% | 1076 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon HS-6*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 27,064 psi | 81% | 1243 fps | 94.2% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 15,156 psi | 45% | 892 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,341 psi | 88% | 1220 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 64% | 28,863 psi | 87% | 1171 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,500 psi | 85% | 1224 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,572 psi | 83% | 1178 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,124 psi | 90% | 1227 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,950 psi | 87% | 1178 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,123 psi | 84% | 1145 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,225 psi | 88% | 1112 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 64% | 27,311 psi | 82% | 1234 fps | 99.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,414 psi | 88% | 1198 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 13,793 psi | 41% | 886 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,601 psi | 83% | 1253 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 64% | 30,124 psi | 90% | 1171 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806 | <<locked>> | 92% | 29,950 psi | 90% | 1391 fps | 96.4% |
| SNPE Vectan A0 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,818 psi | 83% | 1204 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,485 psi | 85% | 1181 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 72% | 27,441 psi | 82% | 1178 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 64% | 27,543 psi | 83% | 1056 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2 | <<locked>> | 88% | 29,225 psi | 88% | 1263 fps | 96.3% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,675 psi | 89% | 1217 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 27,992 psi | 84% | 1325 fps | 91.9% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,413 psi | 85% | 1243 fps | 99.7% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,471 psi | 85% | 1227 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,253 psi | 85% | 1276 fps | 96.9% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,921 psi | 90% | 1181 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Starᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 26,498 psi | 79% | 1066 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,689 psi | 86% | 1220 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,007 psi | 84% | 1224 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 29,443 psi | 88% | 1289 fps | 97.5% |
| Winchester AutoComp | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,225 psi | 88% | 1224 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. 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,595 psi | 59% | 1053 fps | 95.5% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,161 psi | 63% | 1027 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,564 psi | 53% | 1004 fps | 99.8% |
| ADI AP 100* | <<locked>> | 84% | 21,524 psi | 65% | 1142 fps | 85.9% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,831 psi | 77% | 1165 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,308 psi | 73% | 974 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,814 psi | 68% | 984 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,335 psi | 64% | 997 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,611 psi | 68% | 1060 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,333 psi | 55% | 1017 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,481 psi | 67% | 1142 fps | 99.2% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,697 psi | 62% | 1030 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco*² | 4.5 gr | 60% | 13,503 psi | 40% | 922 fps | 92.9% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 23,337 psi | 70% | 1214 fps | 86.4% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,726 psi | 62% | 1004 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,657 psi | 77% | 1204 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant UNIQUE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,217 psi | 55% | 1053 fps | 97% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,885 psi | 60% | 1010 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | 4.3 gr | 60% | 13,358 psi | 40% | 896 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,277 psi | 64% | 1066 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,290 psi | 58% | 925 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon HS-6*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,279 psi | 73% | 1191 fps | 92.6% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss² | <<locked>> | 60% | 7,745 psi | 23% | 659 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,857 psi | 66% | 1096 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,976 psi | 78% | 1132 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,160 psi | 60% | 1079 fps | 99.3% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,013 psi | 51% | 984 fps | 99.7% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,883 psi | 54% | 1024 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,580 psi | 59% | 1024 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,972 psi | 63% | 1033 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,235 psi | 70% | 1027 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,279 psi | 73% | 1181 fps | 98.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,989 psi | 72% | 1119 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14² | <<locked>> | 60% | 7,658 psi | 23% | 666 fps | 96.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,099 psi | 48% | 1027 fps | 97.6% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,282 psi | 82% | 1135 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 16,360 psi | 49% | 1112 fps | 86.6% |
| SNPE Vectan A0² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,592 psi | 50% | 981 fps | 95.6% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,769 psi | 62% | 1053 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,943 psi | 60% | 1047 fps | 99.7% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,585 psi | 77% | 1027 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 16,186 psi | 49% | 994 fps | 87% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,001 psi | 60% | 1056 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 19,856 psi | 60% | 1158 fps | 85.7% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,204 psi | 61% | 1089 fps | 97.1% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,652 psi | 56% | 1040 fps | 98% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,114 psi | 48% | 1020 fps | 88.4% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,422 psi | 64% | 1053 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | <<locked>> | 60% | 11,937 psi | 36% | 801 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,146 psi | 60% | 1083 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,101 psi | 54% | 1037 fps | 97.2% |
| Vihtavuori N350*² | 5.2 gr | 60% | 13,953 psi | 42% | 958 fps | 86.1% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,622 psi | 53% | 1014 fps | 99.4% |
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 53 powders for .38 Super Auto loaded with the .356 | 123gr | LOS HP. Rottweil P 806 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 1,391 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 886 fps to 1,391 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 19 of the 53 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 HP 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.