Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .40 S&W with .400 | 165gr | X-TREME RNFP 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, SNPE Vectan A0 and Alliant Herco.
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.
A valid access license is required to use the Personalized Load Calculator.
You can find more information in our FAQ: How can I use the Personalized Load Calculator?
Max Load - Barrel Length: 4"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate No. 2² | <<locked>> | 76% | 27,224 psi | 83% | 1047 fps | 96.6% |
| Accurate No. 5*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 28,166 psi | 86% | 1115 fps | 88.9% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 76% | 27,818 psi | 85% | 1004 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250 | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,471 psi | 87% | 1063 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 68% | 27,876 psi | 85% | 1063 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,819 psi | 88% | 919 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 72% | 27,543 psi | 84% | 935 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,384 psi | 87% | 984 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 72% | 27,209 psi | 83% | 1007 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BE-86 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,861 psi | 82% | 1037 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 72% | 27,282 psi | 84% | 1086 fps | 99.1% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 76% | 27,789 psi | 85% | 1017 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Hercoᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 28,616 psi | 88% | 1109 fps | 99.1% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 76% | 26,600 psi | 82% | 981 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 68% | 27,789 psi | 85% | 1096 fps | 98.8% |
| Alliant UNIQUE | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,355 psi | 87% | 1109 fps | 99% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,283 psi | 90% | 1030 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistolᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 28,398 psi | 87% | 1040 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,080 psi | 89% | 1053 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,095 psi | 89% | 955 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon HS-6*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 27,166 psi | 83% | 1089 fps | 90.7% |
| Hodgdon Longshot*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 26,005 psi | 80% | 1073 fps | 92.2% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 13,068 psi | 40% | 748 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,660 psi | 88% | 1076 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D036*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 28,123 psi | 86% | 1112 fps | 88.8% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,892 psi | 89% | 1040 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 76% | 27,615 psi | 85% | 1073 fps | 99.7% |
| Maxam CSB 1 | <<locked>> | 88% | 28,674 psi | 88% | 1060 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 27,920 psi | 86% | 1070 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,702 psi | 85% | 1030 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 76% | 27,137 psi | 83% | 1007 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,529 psi | 87% | 984 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 68% | 26,934 psi | 83% | 1083 fps | 97.1% |
| Ramshot True Blue*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 27,195 psi | 83% | 1089 fps | 92.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,297 psi | 87% | 1060 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 12,256 psi | 38% | 748 fps | 99.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20 | <<locked>> | 88% | 28,572 psi | 88% | 1129 fps | 99.9% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,399 psi | 90% | 1040 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806* | <<locked>> | 96% | 26,382 psi | 81% | 1178 fps | 91.1% |
| Shooters World Auto Pistol*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 28,123 psi | 86% | 1112 fps | 88.8% |
| SNPE Vectan A0 | <<locked>> | 84% | 27,166 psi | 83% | 1053 fps | 98.5% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,079 psi | 86% | 1040 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,457 psi | 90% | 1070 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,500 psi | 87% | 948 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2* | <<locked>> | 92% | 27,891 psi | 85% | 1086 fps | 92.3% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,037 psi | 89% | 1073 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2* | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,153 psi | 89% | 1184 fps | 88.7% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 76% | 27,441 psi | 84% | 1083 fps | 97.9% |
| Somchem MS200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,775 psi | 85% | 1073 fps | 99.3% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37* | <<locked>> | 84% | 26,585 psi | 81% | 1096 fps | 93% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,442 psi | 87% | 1037 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Starᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 23,482 psi | 72% | 915 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 76% | 26,658 psi | 82% | 1063 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,050 psi | 83% | 1066 fps | 98.8% |
| Vihtavuori N350* | <<locked>> | 92% | 27,702 psi | 85% | 1109 fps | 93.9% |
| Winchester 231² | <<locked>> | 64% | 27,151 psi | 83% | 1033 fps | 100% |
| Winchester AutoComp | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,094 psi | 86% | 1070 fps | 100% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
Start Load - Barrel Length: 4"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate No. 2*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,593 psi | 54% | 883 fps | 90.6% |
| Accurate No. 5*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,598 psi | 75% | 1056 fps | 86.4% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,290 psi | 59% | 879 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,621 psi | 48% | 846 fps | 97.5% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,307 psi | 68% | 978 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,669 psi | 66% | 830 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,074 psi | 65% | 850 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,464 psi | 60% | 860 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,479 psi | 63% | 909 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,244 psi | 50% | 860 fps | 99.4% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,189 psi | 62% | 961 fps | 96.3% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,768 psi | 58% | 879 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco*² | 4.5 gr | 60% | 12,096 psi | 37% | 768 fps | 87.3% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,826 psi | 58% | 863 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,249 psi | 68% | 1001 fps | 96.7% |
| Alliant UNIQUE*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,635 psi | 48% | 869 fps | 91.8% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,825 psi | 55% | 860 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 11,414 psi | 35% | 741 fps | 99% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,753 psi | 57% | 906 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,085 psi | 52% | 787 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon HS-6*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,769 psi | 64% | 981 fps | 86% |
| Hodgdon Longshot*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,655 psi | 69% | 1017 fps | 89.9% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss² | <<locked>> | 60% | 7,136 psi | 22% | 558 fps | 97.1% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,811 psi | 58% | 915 fps | 99.4% |
| Lovex D036*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,555 psi | 75% | 1053 fps | 86.3% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,409 psi | 72% | 965 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,724 psi | 54% | 906 fps | 96.1% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,185 psi | 47% | 830 fps | 97.3% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,476 psi | 47% | 866 fps | 99.9% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,926 psi | 52% | 860 fps | 99.9% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,826 psi | 58% | 883 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,987 psi | 64% | 883 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Silhouette*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,422 psi | 66% | 988 fps | 94.2% |
| Ramshot True Blue*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,743 psi | 73% | 1030 fps | 90.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,160 psi | 62% | 942 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 7,049 psi | 22% | 561 fps | 92.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20*² | 4.8 gr | 60% | 13,677 psi | 42% | 840 fps | 92% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,424 psi | 72% | 961 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806* | <<locked>> | 88% | 20,494 psi | 63% | 1073 fps | 86.5% |
| Shooters World Auto Pistol*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,555 psi | 75% | 1053 fps | 86.3% |
| SNPE Vectan A0*² | 4.6 gr | 60% | 14,924 psi | 46% | 823 fps | 90.8% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,710 psi | 57% | 896 fps | 99.7% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,985 psi | 55% | 883 fps | 97.4% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,785 psi | 70% | 876 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 19,189 psi | 59% | 935 fps | 85.9% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,912 psi | 55% | 892 fps | 98.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2* | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,136 psi | 80% | 1135 fps | 86.7% |
| Somchem MP200*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,985 psi | 55% | 912 fps | 92.5% |
| Somchem MS200*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,737 psi | 51% | 873 fps | 94% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 17,260 psi | 53% | 922 fps | 85.5% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,927 psi | 58% | 899 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | <<locked>> | 60% | 10,631 psi | 33% | 682 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,868 psi | 52% | 899 fps | 99.2% |
| Vihtavuori N340*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,461 psi | 47% | 853 fps | 92% |
| Vihtavuori N350*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 16,708 psi | 51% | 909 fps | 85.3% |
| Winchester 231² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,830 psi | 73% | 988 fps | 100% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,708 psi | 48% | 853 fps | 96.6% |
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 .40 S&W loaded with the .400 | 165gr | X-TREME RNFP. SNPE Vectan SP 2 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 1,184 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 748 fps to 1,184 fps. Alliant Herco gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 25 of the 57 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (225 MPa), the top charges use 38–90 %, 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, SNPE Vectan A0, Alliant Herco rank at the top here: for .40 S&W with the .400 | 165gr | X-TREME RNFP they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, Accurate No. 5, Hodgdon HS-6, Hodgdon Longshot burn incompletely and react more sensitively to barrel length and temperature. Accurate No. 2, Accurate No. 5, Accurate Solo 1000 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.