Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .45 ACP with .451 | 225gr | Rim Rock TC Top Shelf bullet and 21 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.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate No. 2*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 17,013 psi | 90% | 863 fps | 92% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 68% | 16,810 psi | 89% | 869 fps | 99.2% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 64% | 15,374 psi | 82% | 846 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Herco* | <<locked>> | 80% | 16,201 psi | 86% | 889 fps | 94.6% |
| Alliant UNIQUE*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 16,346 psi | 87% | 892 fps | 94.6% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol | <<locked>> | 80% | 15,476 psi | 82% | 843 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE Pistol² | <<locked>> | 64% | 16,592 psi | 88% | 869 fps | 98.8% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 10,820 psi | 57% | 705 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 64% | 16,882 psi | 90% | 889 fps | 97.1% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 68% | 16,070 psi | 85% | 850 fps | 98.9% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 68% | 15,635 psi | 83% | 876 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 64% | 16,592 psi | 88% | 850 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 9,703 psi | 51% | 696 fps | 98.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 72% | 16,230 psi | 86% | 909 fps | 96.8% |
| SNPE Vectan A0*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 16,143 psi | 86% | 846 fps | 93.9% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 64% | 16,955 psi | 90% | 873 fps | 99.1% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 64% | 16,317 psi | 87% | 863 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star | <<locked>> | 92% | 16,998 psi | 90% | 817 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 64% | 16,186 psi | 86% | 889 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 68% | 16,911 psi | 90% | 886 fps | 95.3% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 68% | 16,360 psi | 87% | 873 fps | 98.4% |
Start Load - Barrel Length: 5"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate No. 2*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,258 psi | 81% | 827 fps | 90.2% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,503 psi | 72% | 797 fps | 97.3% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,474 psi | 71% | 804 fps | 99.1% |
| Alliant Herco*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 9,747 psi | 52% | 712 fps | 85.7% |
| Alliant UNIQUE*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,010 psi | 69% | 810 fps | 90.9% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 9,224 psi | 49% | 696 fps | 98.5% |
| Hodgdon CFE Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,562 psi | 77% | 830 fps | 97.7% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 5,207 psi | 28% | 509 fps | 94.3% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,200 psi | 81% | 853 fps | 95.8% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 12,546 psi | 67% | 771 fps | 96.5% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 12,502 psi | 66% | 810 fps | 99.8% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,866 psi | 79% | 814 fps | 99.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 4,815 psi | 26% | 495 fps | 87.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 11,763 psi | 62% | 794 fps | 91.6% |
| SNPE Vectan A0*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 12,850 psi | 68% | 771 fps | 90.2% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,360 psi | 81% | 837 fps | 98.3% |
| Somchem MS200*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,315 psi | 76% | 817 fps | 93.5% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | <<locked>> | 60% | 7,905 psi | 42% | 627 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,504 psi | 77% | 853 fps | 99.2% |
| Vihtavuori N340*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,387 psi | 71% | 807 fps | 91.8% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 60% | 12,850 psi | 68% | 791 fps | 95.7% |
* 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 | 225gr | Rim Rock TC Top Shelf. Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 817 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 696 fps to 817 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 51–90 %, 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, 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.