Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .45 Auto Rim with .452 | 200gr | H&N RN KB bullet and 6 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 Herco*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 14,794 psi | 85% | 1004 fps | 94.5% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 72% | 14,533 psi | 84% | 961 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 11,661 psi | 67% | 853 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 10,008 psi | 57% | 833 fps | 99.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 64% | 14,837 psi | 85% | 1027 fps | 96.7% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star | <<locked>> | 80% | 14,402 psi | 83% | 909 fps | 100% |
Start Load - Barrel Length: 5"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alliant Herco*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 10,414 psi | 60% | 869 fps | 88.5% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 10,037 psi | 58% | 843 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 4,743 psi | 27% | 597 fps | 93.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 4,264 psi | 25% | 577 fps | 86.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,097 psi | 75% | 978 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | <<locked>> | 60% | 8,311 psi | 48% | 755 fps | 100% |
* 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 6 powders for .45 Auto Rim loaded with the .452 | 200gr | H&N RN KB. ReloadSwiss RS 20 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 1,027 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 833 fps to 1,027 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 3 of the 6 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (120 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. As outliers, Alliant Herco burn incompletely and react more sensitively to barrel length and temperature. Alliant Herco, Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol, Hodgdon TrailBoss 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.