Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .45 Auto Rim with .452 | 230gr | H&N SWC KB bullet and 9 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.
A valid access license is required to use the Personalized Load Calculator.
You can find more information in our FAQ: How can I use the Personalized Load Calculator?
Max Load - Barrel Length: 5"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alliant Herco² | <<locked>> | 76% | 15,679 psi | 90% | 925 fps | 96.2% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 76% | 15,592 psi | 90% | 886 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 11,226 psi | 65% | 755 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 64% | 15,476 psi | 89% | 883 fps | 99.6% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 64% | 15,534 psi | 89% | 912 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 9,674 psi | 56% | 741 fps | 99.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 64% | 14,243 psi | 82% | 909 fps | 97.1% |
| SNPE Vectan A0² | <<locked>> | 64% | 15,722 psi | 90% | 889 fps | 95.8% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star | <<locked>> | 84% | 15,635 psi | 90% | 833 fps | 100% |
Start Load - Barrel Length: 5"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alliant Herco*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 9,819 psi | 56% | 764 fps | 88.7% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 9,456 psi | 54% | 741 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 4,699 psi | 27% | 535 fps | 94.8% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,648 psi | 78% | 843 fps | 98.9% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,605 psi | 78% | 873 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 4,061 psi | 23% | 512 fps | 87.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 60% | 12,633 psi | 73% | 866 fps | 95.4% |
| SNPE Vectan A0*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,011 psi | 81% | 850 fps | 94.2% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | <<locked>> | 60% | 7,934 psi | 46% | 666 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 9 powders for .45 Auto Rim loaded with the .452 | 230gr | H&N SWC KB. Alliant Herco delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 925 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 741 fps to 925 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 3 of the 9 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (120 MPa), the top charges use 56–90 %, leaving at least 10 % 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. 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.