Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 9 x 21 with .356 | 125gr | LEE Mold 356-125-2R bullet and 61 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Alliant UNIQUE, ReloadSwiss RS 20 and Somchem MP200.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate No. 2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,240 psi | 86% | 1112 fps | 97% |
| Accurate No. 5*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 30,632 psi | 90% | 1194 fps | 89.9% |
| Accurate Solo 1000 | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,037 psi | 85% | 1060 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250 | <<locked>> | 92% | 28,137 psi | 83% | 1102 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 70N | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,240 psi | 89% | 1152 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,792 psi | 90% | 974 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,124 psi | 85% | 991 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30 | <<locked>> | 88% | 30,298 psi | 89% | 1056 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,472 psi | 86% | 1089 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BE-86 | <<locked>> | 92% | 30,037 psi | 88% | 1122 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,819 psi | 85% | 1155 fps | 99.3% |
| Alliant Green Dot | <<locked>> | 88% | 29,008 psi | 85% | 1086 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Hercoᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 22,278 psi | 65% | 1066 fps | 96.8% |
| Alliant RED DOT | <<locked>> | 92% | 30,356 psi | 89% | 1076 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,964 psi | 85% | 1155 fps | 99% |
| Alliant UNIQUE | <<locked>> | 96% | 29,356 psi | 86% | 1178 fps | 99.2% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100 | <<locked>> | 88% | 29,443 psi | 86% | 1073 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistolᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 22,133 psi | 65% | 1010 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,863 psi | 88% | 1109 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE Pistol² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,124 psi | 85% | 1135 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 76% | 27,876 psi | 82% | 955 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon HP38² | <<locked>> | 64% | 28,355 psi | 83% | 1089 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon HS-6*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,442 psi | 83% | 1155 fps | 91.1% |
| Hodgdon Longshot*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 27,064 psi | 79% | 1135 fps | 92.5% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 8,717 psi | 26% | 705 fps | 98.8% |
| Hodgdon Universal | <<locked>> | 88% | 30,240 psi | 89% | 1152 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D036*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 30,574 psi | 90% | 1191 fps | 89.8% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 76% | 30,589 psi | 90% | 1099 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020 | <<locked>> | 84% | 27,427 psi | 80% | 1119 fps | 99.6% |
| Maxam CSB 1 | <<locked>> | 96% | 28,732 psi | 84% | 1109 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2 | <<locked>> | 96% | 28,471 psi | 84% | 1135 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3 | <<locked>> | 92% | 29,675 psi | 87% | 1102 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4 | <<locked>> | 88% | 30,821 psi | 90% | 1096 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,311 psi | 83% | 1024 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,079 psi | 82% | 1145 fps | 97.3% |
| Ramshot True Blue*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,921 psi | 85% | 1158 fps | 93.4% |
| Ramshot Zip² | <<locked>> | 64% | 27,137 psi | 80% | 1083 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12 | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,877 psi | 85% | 1129 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 7,107 psi | 21% | 669 fps | 92.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20 | <<locked>> | 96% | 27,354 psi | 80% | 1158 fps | 99.8% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,660 psi | 84% | 1089 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Auto Pistol*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 30,574 psi | 90% | 1191 fps | 89.8% |
| SNPE Vectan A0 | <<locked>> | 96% | 29,544 psi | 87% | 1125 fps | 98.9% |
| SNPE Vectan A1 | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,892 psi | 85% | 1093 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9 | <<locked>> | 88% | 30,255 psi | 89% | 1119 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 76% | 30,589 psi | 90% | 1007 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 27,282 psi | 80% | 1122 fps | 91.7% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2 | <<locked>> | 88% | 28,950 psi | 85% | 1119 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2* | <<locked>> | 92% | 27,934 psi | 82% | 1220 fps | 87.8% |
| Somchem MP200 | <<locked>> | 88% | 30,676 psi | 90% | 1178 fps | 98.7% |
| Somchem MS200 | <<locked>> | 92% | 30,269 psi | 89% | 1155 fps | 99.6% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37* | <<locked>> | 96% | 28,326 psi | 83% | 1168 fps | 93.6% |
| Vihtavuori N310² | <<locked>> | 64% | 26,034 psi | 76% | 974 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N320 | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,500 psi | 84% | 1086 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Starᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 16,940 psi | 50% | 883 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330 | <<locked>> | 88% | 29,965 psi | 88% | 1155 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340 | <<locked>> | 92% | 29,066 psi | 85% | 1138 fps | 99.1% |
| Vihtavuori N350*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 27,760 psi | 81% | 1155 fps | 93.7% |
| Winchester 231² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,398 psi | 83% | 1099 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 572*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 27,296 psi | 80% | 1145 fps | 91.8% |
| Winchester AutoComp | <<locked>> | 96% | 29,863 psi | 88% | 1142 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% | 13,314 psi | 39% | 830 fps | 85.3% |
| Accurate No. 5*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 26,150 psi | 77% | 1125 fps | 87.2% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,896 psi | 47% | 863 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 11,618 psi | 34% | 804 fps | 93.6% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,737 psi | 49% | 938 fps | 98.7% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,160 psi | 56% | 833 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,579 psi | 52% | 837 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,302 psi | 45% | 840 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,447 psi | 45% | 873 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 60% | 11,734 psi | 34% | 814 fps | 96.5% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,708 psi | 46% | 915 fps | 92.5% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,344 psi | 42% | 850 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Herco*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 11,168 psi | 33% | 814 fps | 85.8% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,243 psi | 42% | 837 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,941 psi | 53% | 965 fps | 93.7% |
| Alliant UNIQUE*² | 3.3 gr | 60% | 10,863 psi | 32% | 804 fps | 85.1% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,605 psi | 40% | 827 fps | 98.9% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 7,266 psi | 21% | 679 fps | 93.6% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,721 psi | 40% | 863 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon CFE Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,278 psi | 65% | 1037 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,276 psi | 57% | 846 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon HP38² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,613 psi | 72% | 1040 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon HS-6*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 21,451 psi | 63% | 1040 fps | 86.3% |
| Hodgdon Longshot*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,782 psi | 52% | 971 fps | 85.3% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 4,134 psi | 12% | 515 fps | 87.7% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,358 psi | 39% | 863 fps | 96.4% |
| Lovex D036*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 26,107 psi | 77% | 1125 fps | 87.1% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,145 psi | 56% | 938 fps | 99.7% |
| Lovex S020*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 12,821 psi | 38% | 853 fps | 91.3% |
| Maxam CSB 1*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 11,139 psi | 33% | 784 fps | 93% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 9,616 psi | 28% | 791 fps | 96.5% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,198 psi | 39% | 833 fps | 98.6% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,228 psi | 42% | 846 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,621 psi | 49% | 866 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Silhouette*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,505 psi | 48% | 942 fps | 89.9% |
| Ramshot True Blue*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,347 psi | 54% | 978 fps | 85.9% |
| Ramshot Zip² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,569 psi | 69% | 1030 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,343 psi | 39% | 886 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14* | <<locked>> | 80% | 5,076 psi | 15% | 577 fps | 86.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20*² | 3.5 gr | 60% | 10,066 psi | 30% | 787 fps | 85.5% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,013 psi | 50% | 925 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Auto Pistol*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 26,107 psi | 77% | 1125 fps | 87.1% |
| SNPE Vectan A0*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 11,269 psi | 33% | 778 fps | 85.3% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,895 psi | 44% | 866 fps | 98% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,228 psi | 42% | 850 fps | 94.3% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,856 psi | 58% | 873 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2* | <<locked>> | 88% | 19,740 psi | 58% | 994 fps | 86.3% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 12,865 psi | 38% | 833 fps | 94.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2* | <<locked>> | 88% | 24,555 psi | 72% | 1168 fps | 85.6% |
| Somchem MP200*² | 3.8 gr | 60% | 13,314 psi | 39% | 860 fps | 87.1% |
| Somchem MS200*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 12,647 psi | 37% | 830 fps | 89.3% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37* | <<locked>> | 80% | 18,333 psi | 54% | 997 fps | 86.6% |
| Vihtavuori N310² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,061 psi | 68% | 938 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,098 psi | 41% | 866 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | <<locked>> | 60% | 6,280 psi | 18% | 630 fps | 99% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 60% | 12,459 psi | 37% | 860 fps | 96.4% |
| Vihtavuori N340*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 11,516 psi | 34% | 807 fps | 86.7% |
| Vihtavuori N350* | <<locked>> | 84% | 17,666 psi | 52% | 981 fps | 86.2% |
| Winchester 231² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,261 psi | 57% | 961 fps | 99.7% |
| Winchester 572*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,003 psi | 67% | 1076 fps | 89% |
| Winchester AutoComp *² | <<locked>> | 60% | 10,689 psi | 31% | 784 fps | 90.9% |
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 61 powders for 9 x 21 loaded with the .356 | 125gr | LEE Mold 356-125-2R. SNPE Vectan SP 2 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 1,220 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 669 fps to 1,220 fps. Alliant Herco gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 43 of the 61 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (235 MPa), the top charges use 21–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. Alliant Herco, Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol, Hodgdon TrailBoss 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 UNIQUE, ReloadSwiss RS 20, Somchem MP200 rank at the top here: for 9 x 21 with the .356 | 125gr | LEE Mold 356-125-2R they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, Accurate No. 5, Hodgdon HS-6, Hodgdon Longshot 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.