Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .45 ACP with .451 | 185gr | Nosler Custom Competition bullet and 17 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above.
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 Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 64% | 15,563 psi | 83% | 984 fps | 97.9% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 64% | 15,882 psi | 84% | 997 fps | 99.5% |
| Alliant Herco* | <<locked>> | 80% | 16,737 psi | 89% | 1043 fps | 93.7% |
| Alliant UNIQUE*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 16,998 psi | 90% | 1053 fps | 93.9% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol | <<locked>> | 80% | 16,172 psi | 86% | 997 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 11,008 psi | 58% | 827 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 68% | 16,230 psi | 86% | 994 fps | 98.3% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 68% | 16,230 psi | 86% | 1033 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 64% | 16,853 psi | 89% | 997 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 9,834 psi | 52% | 814 fps | 97.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 72% | 16,679 psi | 88% | 1066 fps | 95.9% |
| SNPE Vectan A0*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 16,723 psi | 89% | 1004 fps | 93.2% |
| Somchem MS200*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 16,679 psi | 88% | 1017 fps | 94.6% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star | <<locked>> | 88% | 16,099 psi | 85% | 942 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 64% | 17,056 psi | 90% | 1053 fps | 99.6% |
| Vihtavuori N340*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 15,519 psi | 82% | 997 fps | 92.8% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 68% | 16,853 psi | 89% | 1024 fps | 97.8% |
Start Load - Barrel Length: 5"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,808 psi | 73% | 938 fps | 96.6% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,924 psi | 74% | 948 fps | 98.6% |
| Alliant Herco*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 11,182 psi | 59% | 879 fps | 86.6% |
| Alliant UNIQUE*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,416 psi | 71% | 955 fps | 89.9% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 9,544 psi | 51% | 817 fps | 97.9% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 5,352 psi | 28% | 600 fps | 93.3% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 12,908 psi | 68% | 909 fps | 95.8% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 12,792 psi | 68% | 948 fps | 99.5% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,447 psi | 82% | 965 fps | 99.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 4,946 psi | 26% | 584 fps | 86.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 11,893 psi | 63% | 925 fps | 90.1% |
| SNPE Vectan A0*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,242 psi | 70% | 909 fps | 89.3% |
| Somchem MS200*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,649 psi | 78% | 961 fps | 92.6% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | <<locked>> | 60% | 8,398 psi | 45% | 748 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,721 psi | 78% | 997 fps | 98.6% |
| Vihtavuori N340*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,532 psi | 72% | 942 fps | 90.5% |
| Winchester AutoComp *² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,169 psi | 70% | 928 fps | 94.8% |
* 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 3 powders for .45 ACP loaded with the .451 | 185gr | Nosler Custom Competition. Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 942 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 814 fps to 942 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 3 of the 3 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (130 MPa), the top charges use 52–85 %, leaving at least 15 % headroom. Hodgdon TrailBoss, ReloadSwiss RS 14 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. Hodgdon TrailBoss, ReloadSwiss RS 14, Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star 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.