Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .38 Super Auto with .356 | 124gr | LEE Mold 356-124-2R 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 UNIQUE, ReloadSwiss RS 20 and Winchester AutoComp .
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% | 27,050 psi | 81% | 1184 fps | 98.5% |
| Accurate No. 5*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 28,239 psi | 85% | 1270 fps | 92.3% |
| Accurate Solo 1000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,153 psi | 90% | 1158 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250 | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,123 psi | 84% | 1191 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 100*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 26,281 psi | 79% | 1234 fps | 88.9% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,037 psi | 87% | 1224 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,181 psi | 84% | 1024 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,573 psi | 89% | 1076 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,472 psi | 88% | 1125 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,253 psi | 85% | 1155 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BE-86 | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,399 psi | 88% | 1204 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 76% | 30,008 psi | 90% | 1270 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,950 psi | 87% | 1168 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Hercoᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 27,340 psi | 82% | 1240 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL* | <<locked>> | 84% | 26,643 psi | 80% | 1280 fps | 88.3% |
| Alliant RED DOT | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,383 psi | 82% | 1122 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 68% | 27,659 psi | 83% | 1234 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant UNIQUE | <<locked>> | 88% | 29,588 psi | 89% | 1280 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,471 psi | 85% | 1148 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistolᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 27,412 psi | 82% | 1155 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,703 psi | 86% | 1178 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,080 psi | 87% | 1070 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon HS-6² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,733 psi | 89% | 1280 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon Longshot² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,008 psi | 87% | 1270 fps | 96.4% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 11,037 psi | 33% | 823 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,037 psi | 87% | 1224 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D036*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 28,195 psi | 85% | 1270 fps | 92.2% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,413 psi | 85% | 1161 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 76% | 26,963 psi | 81% | 1204 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1 | <<locked>> | 88% | 28,326 psi | 85% | 1191 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2 | <<locked>> | 88% | 29,907 psi | 90% | 1230 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3 | <<locked>> | 84% | 30,052 psi | 90% | 1191 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,211 psi | 88% | 1161 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,108 psi | 84% | 1099 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 72% | 30,052 psi | 90% | 1273 fps | 99.5% |
| Ramshot True Blue² | <<locked>> | 64% | 26,977 psi | 81% | 1234 fps | 95.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,646 psi | 89% | 1214 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 9,166 psi | 27% | 794 fps | 98.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20 | <<locked>> | 88% | 28,355 psi | 85% | 1266 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 68% | 27,311 psi | 82% | 1148 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 28,877 psi | 87% | 1378 fps | 95.7% |
| Shooters World Auto Pistol*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 28,195 psi | 85% | 1270 fps | 92.2% |
| SNPE Vectan A0 | <<locked>> | 88% | 29,167 psi | 87% | 1220 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 76% | 27,992 psi | 84% | 1171 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,878 psi | 90% | 1207 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 68% | 27,282 psi | 82% | 1047 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2* | <<locked>> | 92% | 27,006 psi | 81% | 1224 fps | 94.8% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,558 psi | 86% | 1204 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2* | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,703 psi | 86% | 1342 fps | 92% |
| Somchem MP200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,892 psi | 90% | 1266 fps | 99.7% |
| Somchem MS200 | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,196 psi | 88% | 1237 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37 | <<locked>> | 88% | 29,182 psi | 87% | 1286 fps | 96.9% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,456 psi | 85% | 1165 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Starᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 21,379 psi | 64% | 1010 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,515 psi | 88% | 1234 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340 | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,834 psi | 86% | 1234 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 27,891 psi | 84% | 1260 fps | 96.6% |
| Winchester 231² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,399 psi | 88% | 1198 fps | 100% |
| Winchester AutoComp | <<locked>> | 88% | 29,762 psi | 89% | 1230 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% | 15,882 psi | 48% | 974 fps | 92.1% |
| Accurate No. 5*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,033 psi | 72% | 1194 fps | 89.6% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,028 psi | 54% | 974 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,025 psi | 42% | 935 fps | 98.3% |
| ADI AP 100* | <<locked>> | 92% | 21,669 psi | 65% | 1145 fps | 85.4% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,508 psi | 61% | 1089 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,234 psi | 64% | 932 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,001 psi | 60% | 945 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,043 psi | 54% | 958 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,478 psi | 55% | 1004 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,040 psi | 42% | 942 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,652 psi | 56% | 1066 fps | 97.4% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,621 psi | 50% | 968 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 9,645 psi | 29% | 827 fps | 86.4% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL* | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,178 psi | 72% | 1230 fps | 86.5% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,331 psi | 49% | 942 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,161 psi | 63% | 1119 fps | 98.1% |
| Alliant UNIQUE*² | 4.3 gr | 60% | 13,518 psi | 41% | 955 fps | 92.5% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,186 psi | 49% | 951 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 9,123 psi | 27% | 801 fps | 98.7% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,737 psi | 50% | 994 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,244 psi | 49% | 879 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon HS-6*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,522 psi | 59% | 1096 fps | 88.5% |
| Hodgdon Longshot*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,596 psi | 65% | 1142 fps | 92.4% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 4,583 psi | 14% | 581 fps | 92.8% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,520 psi | 50% | 1007 fps | 99.7% |
| Lovex D036*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,004 psi | 72% | 1194 fps | 89.6% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,162 psi | 66% | 1070 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,201 psi | 49% | 1010 fps | 97.3% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,416 psi | 40% | 915 fps | 97.9% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,039 psi | 39% | 945 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,969 psi | 48% | 965 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,361 psi | 52% | 978 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,435 psi | 58% | 978 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,914 psi | 60% | 1099 fps | 95.8% |
| Ramshot True Blue*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,916 psi | 69% | 1161 fps | 93.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,912 psi | 54% | 1040 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 4,467 psi | 13% | 584 fps | 87% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20*² | 4.5 gr | 60% | 12,169 psi | 36% | 932 fps | 93.2% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,422 psi | 64% | 1066 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806* | <<locked>> | 84% | 16,679 psi | 50% | 1142 fps | 86.7% |
| Shooters World Auto Pistol*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,004 psi | 72% | 1194 fps | 89.6% |
| SNPE Vectan A0*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,590 psi | 41% | 915 fps | 92.2% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,187 psi | 52% | 991 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,433 psi | 49% | 978 fps | 98.3% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,944 psi | 66% | 974 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 15,824 psi | 47% | 997 fps | 86.1% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,708 psi | 47% | 974 fps | 98.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 21,886 psi | 66% | 1214 fps | 87.3% |
| Somchem MP200*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,998 psi | 48% | 1007 fps | 93.6% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,156 psi | 45% | 971 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 15,432 psi | 46% | 1017 fps | 87.1% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,216 psi | 52% | 994 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | <<locked>> | 60% | 7,977 psi | 24% | 732 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,461 psi | 46% | 1001 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N340*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,895 psi | 42% | 948 fps | 93.3% |
| Vihtavuori N350*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 15,490 psi | 46% | 1017 fps | 87.6% |
| Winchester 231² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,453 psi | 70% | 1112 fps | 100% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | 4.7 gr | 60% | 13,314 psi | 40% | 928 fps | 96.8% |
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 | 124gr | LEE Mold 356-124-2R. Rottweil P 806 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 1,378 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 794 fps to 1,378 fps. ADI AP 100 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 35 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 27–90 %, 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 UNIQUE, ReloadSwiss RS 20, Winchester AutoComp rank at the top here: for .38 Super Auto with the .356 | 124gr | LEE Mold 356-124-2R 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.