Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .45 ACP with .452 | 200gr | Rim Rock RNFP Top Shelf bullet and 14 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star, 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.
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Max Load - Barrel Length: 5"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 64% | 15,896 psi | 84% | 945 fps | 98.7% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 64% | 16,375 psi | 87% | 961 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant Herco*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 15,824 psi | 84% | 974 fps | 94% |
| Alliant UNIQUE*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 15,751 psi | 84% | 974 fps | 93.8% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol | <<locked>> | 80% | 16,723 psi | 89% | 961 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 11,560 psi | 61% | 801 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 64% | 15,258 psi | 81% | 925 fps | 98.4% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 68% | 16,824 psi | 89% | 997 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 10,341 psi | 55% | 791 fps | 98.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 68% | 15,606 psi | 83% | 991 fps | 96% |
| SNPE Vectan A0*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 15,476 psi | 82% | 928 fps | 93.1% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star | <<locked>> | 88% | 16,578 psi | 88% | 902 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 15,969 psi | 85% | 961 fps | 94.3% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 64% | 15,403 psi | 82% | 945 fps | 97.6% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
Start Load - Barrel Length: 5"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,040 psi | 74% | 899 fps | 97.6% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,692 psi | 78% | 922 fps | 99.5% |
| Alliant Herco*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 10,341 psi | 55% | 810 fps | 86.5% |
| Alliant UNIQUE*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,127 psi | 75% | 932 fps | 92.1% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 9,761 psi | 52% | 787 fps | 98.7% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss*² | 3.3 gr | 60% | 5,497 psi | 29% | 581 fps | 94.8% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,561 psi | 72% | 883 fps | 97.3% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,198 psi | 70% | 912 fps | 99.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14*² | 3.4 gr | 60% | 5,250 psi | 28% | 574 fps | 89.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 12,531 psi | 66% | 906 fps | 92.5% |
| SNPE Vectan A0*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,851 psi | 73% | 886 fps | 91.3% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | 4.5 gr | 60% | 8,775 psi | 47% | 722 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,286 psi | 76% | 922 fps | 92.6% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,909 psi | 74% | 906 fps | 96.5% |
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 .452 | 200gr | Rim Rock RNFP Top Shelf. Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 902 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 791 fps to 902 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 55–88 %, leaving at least 12 % 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. Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star, Hodgdon TrailBoss, ReloadSwiss RS 14 rank at the top here: for .45 ACP with the .452 | 200gr | Rim Rock RNFP Top Shelf 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.