Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .45 ACP with .451 | 200gr | Frontier Bullets CMJ bullet and 9 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are 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.
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: 5"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alliant Herco*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 15,838 psi | 84% | 942 fps | 93.4% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 76% | 16,679 psi | 88% | 932 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 13,053 psi | 69% | 804 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 64% | 16,070 psi | 85% | 915 fps | 98.5% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 64% | 16,679 psi | 88% | 961 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 12,183 psi | 65% | 801 fps | 99.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 68% | 16,636 psi | 88% | 988 fps | 96.4% |
| SNPE Vectan A0*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 16,230 psi | 86% | 919 fps | 93.3% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star | <<locked>> | 84% | 16,882 psi | 90% | 876 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alliant Herco*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 11,922 psi | 63% | 827 fps | 88.6% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 11,197 psi | 59% | 794 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss² | 3.1 gr | 60% | 7,063 psi | 37% | 597 fps | 97.8% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,808 psi | 79% | 883 fps | 97.8% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,852 psi | 79% | 919 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14*² | 3.2 gr | 60% | 6,947 psi | 37% | 597 fps | 93.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,518 psi | 72% | 902 fps | 93.2% |
| SNPE Vectan A0*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,605 psi | 77% | 876 fps | 91.6% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | <<locked>> | 60% | 10,283 psi | 55% | 722 fps | 100% |
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 | 200gr | Frontier Bullets CMJ. Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 876 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 801 fps to 876 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 65–90 %, leaving at least 10 % 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 rank at the top here: for .45 ACP with the .451 | 200gr | Frontier Bullets CMJ 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.