Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .45 ACP with .451 | 185gr | Sierra FPJ FN Match bullet and 14 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star, Hodgdon TrailBoss and ReloadSwiss RS 14.
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% | 16,215 psi | 86% | 1010 fps | 98.6% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 64% | 16,708 psi | 89% | 1027 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Herco*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 15,969 psi | 85% | 1037 fps | 93.5% |
| Alliant UNIQUE*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 15,896 psi | 84% | 1037 fps | 93.3% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol | <<locked>> | 80% | 16,940 psi | 90% | 1024 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 11,647 psi | 62% | 853 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 64% | 15,156 psi | 80% | 981 fps | 98% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 64% | 15,229 psi | 81% | 1020 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 10,414 psi | 55% | 840 fps | 98.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 68% | 15,853 psi | 84% | 1056 fps | 95.7% |
| SNPE Vectan A0*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 15,548 psi | 82% | 988 fps | 92.7% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star | <<locked>> | 88% | 16,795 psi | 89% | 961 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 16,389 psi | 87% | 1030 fps | 94.1% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 64% | 15,664 psi | 83% | 1007 fps | 97.4% |
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 Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,489 psi | 77% | 968 fps | 97.5% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,779 psi | 78% | 981 fps | 99.3% |
| Alliant Herco*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 10,559 psi | 56% | 866 fps | 86.1% |
| Alliant UNIQUE*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,344 psi | 76% | 991 fps | 91.6% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 10,095 psi | 54% | 843 fps | 98.7% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss*² | 3.6 gr | 60% | 5,540 psi | 29% | 617 fps | 94.3% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,576 psi | 72% | 938 fps | 96.9% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,590 psi | 72% | 978 fps | 99.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14*² | 3.7 gr | 60% | 5,265 psi | 28% | 607 fps | 88.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 12,328 psi | 65% | 951 fps | 91.5% |
| SNPE Vectan A0*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,735 psi | 73% | 935 fps | 90.6% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | 4.9 gr | 60% | 8,818 psi | 47% | 768 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,431 psi | 77% | 978 fps | 92.2% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,953 psi | 74% | 961 fps | 96.1% |
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 3 powders for .45 ACP loaded with the .451 | 185gr | Sierra FPJ FN Match. Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 961 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 840 fps to 961 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 55–89 %, leaving at least 11 % 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. Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star, Hodgdon TrailBoss, ReloadSwiss RS 14 rank at the top here: for .45 ACP with the .451 | 185gr | Sierra FPJ FN Match they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. 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.