Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 9 x 20 VGW with .357 | 148gr | Berry's HBWC bullet and 1 powder. 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: 4.5"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hodgdon CFE Pistol² | <<locked>> | 68% | 38,943 psi | 90% | 1122 fps | 100% |
Start Load - Barrel Length: 4.5"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hodgdon CFE Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,110 psi | 69% | 1033 fps | 100% |
² fill rate low - you might want to consider using a filler to ensure proper ignition.
This overview compares 1 powders for 9 x 20 VGW loaded with the .357 | 148gr | Berry's HBWC . Hodgdon CFE Pistol delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 1,122 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,122 fps to 1,122 fps. Hodgdon CFE Pistol gives the best case fill at 68 %, and 0 of the 1 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (300 MPa), the top charges use 90–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. Hodgdon CFE Pistol 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.