Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .45 ACP with .452 | 185gr | ACME RNFP COATED bullet and 15 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% | 15,766 psi | 84% | 997 fps | 98.2% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 64% | 16,375 psi | 87% | 1014 fps | 99.7% |
| Alliant Herco*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 15,679 psi | 83% | 1024 fps | 93% |
| Alliant UNIQUE*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 15,476 psi | 82% | 1020 fps | 92.7% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol | <<locked>> | 80% | 16,621 psi | 88% | 1014 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 11,240 psi | 60% | 840 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 68% | 16,839 psi | 89% | 1017 fps | 98.8% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 68% | 16,969 psi | 90% | 1056 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 10,327 psi | 55% | 833 fps | 98.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 68% | 15,548 psi | 82% | 1043 fps | 95.2% |
| SNPE Vectan A0*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 15,185 psi | 81% | 971 fps | 92% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 64% | 16,810 psi | 89% | 1027 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star | <<locked>> | 88% | 16,766 psi | 89% | 958 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 16,056 psi | 85% | 1017 fps | 93.7% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 64% | 15,345 psi | 81% | 994 fps | 97.1% |
Start Load - Barrel Length: 5"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,025 psi | 74% | 951 fps | 97% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,402 psi | 76% | 968 fps | 99% |
| Alliant Herco*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 10,283 psi | 55% | 853 fps | 85.3% |
| Alliant UNIQUE*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,967 psi | 74% | 978 fps | 91% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 9,732 psi | 52% | 830 fps | 98.2% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 5,410 psi | 29% | 610 fps | 93.8% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,547 psi | 72% | 932 fps | 96.7% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,126 psi | 70% | 961 fps | 99.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 5,163 psi | 27% | 600 fps | 87.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 12,343 psi | 65% | 948 fps | 91.3% |
| SNPE Vectan A0*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,735 psi | 73% | 932 fps | 90.4% |
| Somchem MS200*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,185 psi | 81% | 984 fps | 93.5% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | <<locked>> | 60% | 8,427 psi | 45% | 751 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,054 psi | 75% | 965 fps | 91.5% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,648 psi | 72% | 948 fps | 95.6% |
* 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 .452 | 185gr | ACME RNFP COATED. Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 958 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 833 fps to 958 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. 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.