Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .45 Auto Rim with .452 | 200gr | H&N SWC KB bullet and 11 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>> | 76% | 15,708 psi | 90% | 1024 fps | 95.1% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 76% | 15,476 psi | 89% | 978 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 11,269 psi | 65% | 840 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 64% | 15,142 psi | 87% | 968 fps | 99% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 64% | 15,040 psi | 86% | 1001 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 9,674 psi | 56% | 817 fps | 98.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 64% | 14,257 psi | 82% | 1004 fps | 95.9% |
| SNPE Vectan A0*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 15,534 psi | 89% | 978 fps | 94.5% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star | <<locked>> | 84% | 15,229 psi | 88% | 919 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 15,577 psi | 90% | 1030 fps | 88% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 64% | 15,650 psi | 90% | 997 fps | 98.6% |
Start Load - Barrel Length: 5"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alliant Herco*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 9,906 psi | 57% | 846 fps | 87.1% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 9,427 psi | 54% | 817 fps | 99% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 4,540 psi | 26% | 584 fps | 92.8% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,532 psi | 78% | 928 fps | 98.1% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,373 psi | 77% | 961 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 4,090 psi | 24% | 564 fps | 85.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 12,502 psi | 72% | 951 fps | 93.9% |
| SNPE Vectan A0*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,025 psi | 81% | 938 fps | 93% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | <<locked>> | 60% | 8,108 psi | 47% | 745 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 13,851 psi | 80% | 981 fps | 85.7% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,866 psi | 80% | 951 fps | 97.4% |
* 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 Auto Rim loaded with the .452 | 200gr | H&N SWC KB. Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 919 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 817 fps to 919 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 (120 MPa), the top charges use 56–88 %, 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. 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.