Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .45 ACP with .452 | 185gr | H&N HP HS 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% | 15,331 psi | 81% | 981 fps | 97.8% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 64% | 16,070 psi | 85% | 1004 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Herco* | <<locked>> | 80% | 16,882 psi | 90% | 1050 fps | 93.9% |
| Alliant UNIQUE*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 15,563 psi | 83% | 1017 fps | 92.5% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol | <<locked>> | 80% | 16,302 psi | 86% | 1004 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 11,226 psi | 60% | 837 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 68% | 16,447 psi | 87% | 1004 fps | 98.5% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 68% | 16,520 psi | 88% | 1043 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 10,022 psi | 53% | 820 fps | 97.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 72% | 16,868 psi | 89% | 1073 fps | 96.2% |
| SNPE Vectan A0*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 16,534 psi | 88% | 1001 fps | 93.2% |
| Somchem MS200*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 16,476 psi | 87% | 1014 fps | 94.5% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star | <<locked>> | 88% | 16,360 psi | 87% | 948 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 15,693 psi | 83% | 1004 fps | 93.1% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 68% | 17,027 psi | 90% | 1030 fps | 98% |
Start Load - Barrel Length: 5"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,663 psi | 72% | 935 fps | 96.5% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,083 psi | 75% | 955 fps | 98.8% |
| Alliant Herco*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 11,327 psi | 60% | 886 fps | 87% |
| Alliant UNIQUE*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,619 psi | 72% | 961 fps | 90.3% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 9,442 psi | 50% | 817 fps | 97.8% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 5,323 psi | 28% | 600 fps | 93.3% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,140 psi | 70% | 915 fps | 96.1% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,053 psi | 69% | 958 fps | 99.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 5,076 psi | 27% | 591 fps | 87.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 12,067 psi | 64% | 935 fps | 90.6% |
| SNPE Vectan A0*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,416 psi | 71% | 919 fps | 89.7% |
| Somchem MS200*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,837 psi | 79% | 971 fps | 92.9% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | <<locked>> | 60% | 8,311 psi | 44% | 745 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,735 psi | 73% | 951 fps | 90.9% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,373 psi | 71% | 935 fps | 95.1% |
* 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 | H&N HP HS. Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 948 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 820 fps to 948 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 53–87 %, leaving at least 13 % 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.