Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .45 Auto Rim with .452 | 200gr | H&N KS KB bullet and 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alliant Herco² | <<locked>> | 72% | 15,156 psi | 87% | 1020 fps | 95.1% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 72% | 14,982 psi | 86% | 978 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 11,879 psi | 68% | 863 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 10,515 psi | 60% | 853 fps | 99.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 64% | 15,287 psi | 88% | 1043 fps | 97.3% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star | <<locked>> | 80% | 14,997 psi | 86% | 925 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 14,895 psi | 86% | 1027 fps | 87.9% |
Start Load - Barrel Length: 5"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alliant Herco*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 10,544 psi | 61% | 879 fps | 89% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 10,211 psi | 59% | 850 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 4,989 psi | 29% | 614 fps | 94.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 4,322 psi | 25% | 584 fps | 87.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,547 psi | 78% | 994 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | <<locked>> | 60% | 8,601 psi | 49% | 764 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 13,010 psi | 75% | 971 fps | 85.3% |
* 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 2 powders for .45 Auto Rim loaded with the .452 | 200gr | H&N KS KB. Hodgdon TrailBoss delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 863 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 853 fps to 863 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 2 of the 2 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (120 MPa), the top charges use 60–68 %, leaving at least 32 % 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 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.