Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .45 ACP with .452 | 200gr | H&N KS KB bullet and 14 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% | 16,230 psi | 86% | 958 fps | 99% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 64% | 17,042 psi | 90% | 978 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 15,983 psi | 85% | 984 fps | 94.4% |
| Alliant UNIQUE*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 16,027 psi | 85% | 988 fps | 94.3% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 76% | 15,664 psi | 83% | 942 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 11,879 psi | 63% | 814 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 64% | 15,563 psi | 83% | 938 fps | 98.7% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 64% | 15,780 psi | 84% | 978 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 10,660 psi | 57% | 804 fps | 99.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 68% | 16,201 psi | 86% | 1014 fps | 96.8% |
| SNPE Vectan A0*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 15,722 psi | 83% | 942 fps | 93.7% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star | <<locked>> | 84% | 15,998 psi | 85% | 896 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 64% | 16,650 psi | 88% | 984 fps | 95.2% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 64% | 15,998 psi | 85% | 965 fps | 98.2% |
Start Load - Barrel Length: 5"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,402 psi | 76% | 915 fps | 98% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,939 psi | 79% | 932 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Herco*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 10,573 psi | 56% | 823 fps | 87.2% |
| Alliant UNIQUE*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,431 psi | 77% | 945 fps | 92.7% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 10,051 psi | 53% | 801 fps | 99.1% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss² | <<locked>> | 60% | 5,598 psi | 30% | 587 fps | 95.3% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,895 psi | 74% | 896 fps | 97.7% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,040 psi | 74% | 938 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 5,337 psi | 28% | 581 fps | 89.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 12,778 psi | 68% | 919 fps | 93.2% |
| SNPE Vectan A0*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,112 psi | 75% | 899 fps | 92% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | <<locked>> | 60% | 8,847 psi | 47% | 725 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,562 psi | 77% | 935 fps | 93.3% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,098 psi | 75% | 915 fps | 96.9% |
* 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 | 200gr | H&N KS KB. Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 896 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 804 fps to 896 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 57–85 %, leaving at least 15 % 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.