Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 9 x 20 VGW with .355 | 115gr | Norma HP bullet and 65 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Alliant BULLSEYE, Vihtavuori 3N37 and Alliant UNIQUE.
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: 4.5"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate No. 2 | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,463 psi | 86% | 1329 fps | 99.4% |
| Accurate No. 5*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 36,318 psi | 83% | 1388 fps | 93.4% |
| Accurate Solo 1000 | <<locked>> | 92% | 38,725 psi | 89% | 1270 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250 | <<locked>> | 96% | 36,390 psi | 84% | 1302 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 70N | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,463 psi | 84% | 1325 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,231 psi | 86% | 1138 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450 | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,174 psi | 88% | 1184 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30 | <<locked>> | 92% | 37,304 psi | 86% | 1227 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,305 psi | 88% | 1286 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BE-86 | <<locked>> | 96% | 38,696 psi | 89% | 1319 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,607 psi | 82% | 1358 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot | <<locked>> | 92% | 37,681 psi | 87% | 1283 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Hercoᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 27,137 psi | 62% | 1237 fps | 98.9% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL* | <<locked>> | 96% | 36,492 psi | 84% | 1434 fps | 90.7% |
| Alliant RED DOT | <<locked>> | 96% | 39,001 psi | 90% | 1270 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,623 psi | 86% | 1385 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUEᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 38,885 psi | 89% | 1407 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100 | <<locked>> | 92% | 38,464 psi | 88% | 1273 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistolᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 27,789 psi | 64% | 1171 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol | <<locked>> | 88% | 39,363 psi | 90% | 1306 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE Pistol² | <<locked>> | 72% | 39,117 psi | 90% | 1355 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Claysᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 38,870 psi | 89% | 1191 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon HP38² | <<locked>> | 68% | 37,724 psi | 87% | 1302 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon HS-6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,145 psi | 88% | 1398 fps | 95.9% |
| Hodgdon Longshot² | <<locked>> | 76% | 37,391 psi | 86% | 1388 fps | 97.2% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 11,792 psi | 27% | 837 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal | <<locked>> | 92% | 38,972 psi | 90% | 1352 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D036*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 36,361 psi | 84% | 1388 fps | 93.4% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 76% | 35,491 psi | 82% | 1260 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020 | <<locked>> | 88% | 36,782 psi | 85% | 1339 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,274 psi | 83% | 1299 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 38,711 psi | 89% | 1345 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3 | <<locked>> | 96% | 38,450 psi | 88% | 1302 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4 | <<locked>> | 92% | 37,681 psi | 87% | 1273 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,607 psi | 82% | 1201 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Silhouette | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,550 psi | 84% | 1368 fps | 99.6% |
| Ramshot True Blue² | <<locked>> | 76% | 39,320 psi | 90% | 1407 fps | 97.7% |
| Ramshot Zip² | <<locked>> | 68% | 36,347 psi | 84% | 1293 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12 | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,100 psi | 83% | 1299 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 10,269 psi | 24% | 814 fps | 97.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,347 psi | 86% | 1391 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 801 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,406 psi | 88% | 1286 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 27,876 psi | 64% | 1358 fps | 92.6% |
| Shooters World Auto Pistol*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 36,361 psi | 84% | 1388 fps | 93.4% |
| SNPE Vectan A0ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,782 psi | 87% | 1339 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A1 | <<locked>> | 88% | 36,506 psi | 84% | 1286 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9 | <<locked>> | 92% | 38,754 psi | 89% | 1325 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,825 psi | 85% | 1171 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,880 psi | 76% | 1309 fps | 95.1% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2 | <<locked>> | 92% | 36,535 psi | 84% | 1316 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2* | <<locked>> | 92% | 35,128 psi | 81% | 1434 fps | 92.3% |
| Somchem MP200 | <<locked>> | 92% | 39,073 psi | 90% | 1391 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MS200 | <<locked>> | 96% | 38,377 psi | 88% | 1362 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S221* | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,405 psi | 86% | 1407 fps | 88% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 39,291 psi | 90% | 1424 fps | 98% |
| Vihtavuori N310² | <<locked>> | 68% | 34,954 psi | 80% | 1158 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N320 | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,521 psi | 86% | 1280 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Starᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 21,118 psi | 49% | 1014 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330 | <<locked>> | 88% | 35,592 psi | 82% | 1319 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340 | <<locked>> | 96% | 38,406 psi | 88% | 1362 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,257 psi | 76% | 1342 fps | 96.6% |
| Winchester 231² | <<locked>> | 76% | 36,347 psi | 84% | 1293 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 244² | <<locked>> | 64% | 35,650 psi | 82% | 1276 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 572² | <<locked>> | 68% | 37,086 psi | 85% | 1394 fps | 96.6% |
| Winchester AutoComp ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 38,725 psi | 89% | 1345 fps | 100% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
Start Load - Barrel Length: 4.5"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate No. 2*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,157 psi | 37% | 974 fps | 89.6% |
| Accurate No. 5*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,569 psi | 54% | 1178 fps | 86.2% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,101 psi | 42% | 981 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,388 psi | 33% | 938 fps | 96.8% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,349 psi | 47% | 1086 fps | 99.8% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,089 psi | 48% | 938 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,914 psi | 46% | 948 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,463 psi | 42% | 968 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,014 psi | 44% | 1014 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,620 psi | 34% | 948 fps | 98.8% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | 4.3 gr | 60% | 18,782 psi | 43% | 1066 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,158 psi | 39% | 978 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 11,835 psi | 27% | 886 fps | 87.2% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL* | <<locked>> | 88% | 29,602 psi | 68% | 1325 fps | 87.1% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,810 psi | 39% | 951 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,292 psi | 49% | 1122 fps | 96.5% |
| Alliant UNIQUE*² | 4.2 gr | 60% | 14,243 psi | 33% | 961 fps | 90.5% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,578 psi | 38% | 961 fps | 99.9% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 9,819 psi | 23% | 814 fps | 97.9% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,318 psi | 40% | 1007 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,455 psi | 61% | 1191 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,317 psi | 38% | 886 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon HP38² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,543 psi | 66% | 1191 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon HS-6*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,377 psi | 45% | 1086 fps | 85.2% |
| Hodgdon Longshot*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,306 psi | 49% | 1129 fps | 89.3% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 5,526 psi | 13% | 600 fps | 93.4% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,303 psi | 40% | 1017 fps | 99% |
| Lovex D036*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,525 psi | 54% | 1178 fps | 86.1% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,176 psi | 51% | 1076 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,027 psi | 37% | 997 fps | 95.1% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,866 psi | 32% | 922 fps | 96.5% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,706 psi | 32% | 955 fps | 99.6% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,519 psi | 36% | 955 fps | 99.8% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,535 psi | 40% | 984 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,508 psi | 45% | 984 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Silhouette*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,233 psi | 47% | 1102 fps | 93.7% |
| Ramshot True Blue*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,568 psi | 52% | 1148 fps | 90.4% |
| Ramshot Zip² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,485 psi | 65% | 1194 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,637 psi | 43% | 1053 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 5,105 psi | 12% | 581 fps | 86.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 12,662 psi | 29% | 932 fps | 90.9% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,118 psi | 51% | 1083 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806* | <<locked>> | 88% | 18,652 psi | 43% | 1175 fps | 85.2% |
| Shooters World Auto Pistol*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,525 psi | 54% | 1178 fps | 86.1% |
| SNPE Vectan A0*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,938 psi | 32% | 919 fps | 89.9% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,477 psi | 40% | 994 fps | 99.5% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,694 psi | 38% | 981 fps | 96.8% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,843 psi | 50% | 981 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2* | <<locked>> | 80% | 20,030 psi | 46% | 1086 fps | 87.3% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,172 psi | 37% | 981 fps | 97.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2* | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,714 psi | 57% | 1263 fps | 86.2% |
| Somchem MP200*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,592 psi | 38% | 1010 fps | 91.6% |
| Somchem MS200*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,026 psi | 35% | 958 fps | 92.7% |
| Somchem S221* | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,518 psi | 75% | 1339 fps | 85.6% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37*² | 6.1 gr | 72% | 17,767 psi | 41% | 1066 fps | 86.6% |
| Vihtavuori N310² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,166 psi | 65% | 1083 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,506 psi | 40% | 1001 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | <<locked>> | 60% | 8,833 psi | 20% | 748 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,795 psi | 36% | 1007 fps | 99% |
| Vihtavuori N340*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,402 psi | 33% | 951 fps | 91.2% |
| Vihtavuori N350*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 17,158 psi | 39% | 1050 fps | 86.3% |
| Winchester 231² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,742 psi | 52% | 1106 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 244² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,198 psi | 74% | 1234 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 572*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,804 psi | 64% | 1257 fps | 92.9% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,011 psi | 32% | 935 fps | 95.4% |
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 65 powders for 9 x 20 VGW loaded with the .355 | 115gr | Norma HP. Alliant POWER PISTOL delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 1,434 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 814 fps to 1,434 fps. Alliant Herco gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 52 of the 65 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (300 MPa), the top charges use 24–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. Alliant Herco, Alliant UNIQUE, Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol 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 BULLSEYE, Vihtavuori 3N37, Alliant UNIQUE rank at the top here: for 9 x 20 VGW with the .355 | 115gr | Norma HP they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, Accurate No. 5, Alliant POWER PISTOL, Lovex D036 burn incompletely and react more sensitively to barrel length and temperature. Accurate No. 2, Accurate Solo 1000, Accurate Solo 1250 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.