Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .30-40 Krag with .308 | 155gr | Merlin Virtus bullet and 51 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are ReloadSwiss RS 60, IMR 3031 and Accurate 4064.
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 ≥ 80% and propellant combustion ≥ 95%. 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: 24"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,583 psi | 90% | 2523 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,596 psi | 86% | 2516 fps | 98.6% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 94% | 40,524 psi | 86% | 2552 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,147 psi | 87% | 2562 fps | 98.5% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 96% | 40,553 psi | 86% | 2579 fps | 99.2% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,626 psi | 88% | 2533 fps | 96.9% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,264 psi | 90% | 2592 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,843 psi | 89% | 2615 fps | 96.3% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 96% | 40,785 psi | 87% | 2569 fps | 96.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,335 psi | 86% | 2490 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 96% | 40,103 psi | 85% | 2572 fps | 96.3% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,669 psi | 88% | 2490 fps | 97.4% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,003 psi | 89% | 2598 fps | 97.6% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,945 psi | 89% | 2556 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,467 psi | 90% | 2572 fps | 99.1% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,003 psi | 89% | 2575 fps | 96.3% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,306 psi | 86% | 2585 fps | 96.2% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,286 psi | 71% | 1617 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,973 psi | 87% | 2533 fps | 95.8% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,335 psi | 86% | 2585 fps | 99.8% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,901 psi | 89% | 2474 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,626 psi | 88% | 2533 fps | 96.9% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,553 psi | 86% | 2516 fps | 97.6% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,119 psi | 89% | 2592 fps | 98.6% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,234 psi | 87% | 2546 fps | 96.9% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,872 psi | 87% | 2523 fps | 96.8% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,872 psi | 87% | 2543 fps | 98.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,315 psi | 71% | 1657 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,597 psi | 88% | 2533 fps | 98.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,655 psi | 88% | 2657 fps | 98% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,047 psi | 89% | 2530 fps | 98.9% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,162 psi | 87% | 2520 fps | 96.8% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 98% | 40,001 psi | 85% | 2559 fps | 95.9% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,119 psi | 89% | 2592 fps | 98.6% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,234 psi | 87% | 2546 fps | 96.9% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,249 psi | 88% | 2487 fps | 96.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,220 psi | 87% | 2503 fps | 99.8% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,915 psi | 87% | 2457 fps | 98.8% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,453 psi | 90% | 2497 fps | 99.6% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,945 psi | 89% | 2562 fps | 97.3% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,467 psi | 90% | 2503 fps | 99.5% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,495 psi | 88% | 2569 fps | 96% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,089 psi | 87% | 2454 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,698 psi | 86% | 2461 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,771 psi | 89% | 2559 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,176 psi | 87% | 2526 fps | 99.2% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 98% | 39,958 psi | 85% | 2516 fps | 97.1% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,872 psi | 89% | 2533 fps | 97% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,366 psi | 90% | 2562 fps | 99% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,176 psi | 85% | 2566 fps | 97.5% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,177 psi | 89% | 2585 fps | 96.3% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
Start Load - Barrel Length: 24"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,040 psi | 70% | 2339 fps | 99.2% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,317 psi | 75% | 2411 fps | 97.5% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,150 psi | 53% | 2211 fps | 97.3% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,951 psi | 66% | 2349 fps | 95.6% |
| Accurate 4064 | 37 gr | 84% | 27,209 psi | 58% | 2277 fps | 95.4% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,666 psi | 78% | 2434 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,414 psi | 65% | 2359 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 82% | 39,117 psi | 83% | 2559 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 94% | 38,493 psi | 82% | 2526 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,971 psi | 81% | 2448 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 94% | 37,478 psi | 80% | 2520 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,708 psi | 74% | 2346 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 33,968 psi | 72% | 2434 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,637 psi | 78% | 2454 fps | 98.8% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,043 psi | 79% | 2467 fps | 98.1% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 88% | 39,378 psi | 84% | 2523 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 90% | 37,594 psi | 80% | 2530 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,352 psi | 52% | 1440 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,421 psi | 82% | 2484 fps | 95% |
| IMR 3031 | 34.8 gr | 80% | 28,892 psi | 61% | 2329 fps | 97.5% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,465 psi | 84% | 2431 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,666 psi | 78% | 2434 fps | 95.4% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,288 psi | 75% | 2408 fps | 96.1% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 82% | 29,791 psi | 63% | 2333 fps | 95% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 90% | 36,230 psi | 77% | 2444 fps | 95.5% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 86% | 35,911 psi | 76% | 2421 fps | 95.3% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,327 psi | 62% | 2290 fps | 95.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,526 psi | 52% | 1480 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,274 psi | 77% | 2425 fps | 96.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | 43.5 gr | 92% | 34,287 psi | 73% | 2484 fps | 95.3% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,721 psi | 69% | 2333 fps | 96.6% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 88% | 36,143 psi | 77% | 2418 fps | 95.3% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 96% | 37,391 psi | 79% | 2510 fps | 95.1% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 82% | 29,791 psi | 63% | 2333 fps | 95% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 90% | 36,230 psi | 77% | 2444 fps | 95.5% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,624 psi | 82% | 2438 fps | 95.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,783 psi | 82% | 2461 fps | 99.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,763 psi | 67% | 2267 fps | 96.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,614 psi | 54% | 2133 fps | 95.1% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,376 psi | 77% | 2454 fps | 95.7% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,067 psi | 66% | 2270 fps | 97.2% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 96% | 38,870 psi | 82% | 2520 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,274 psi | 77% | 2365 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,647 psi | 67% | 2283 fps | 98.8% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,527 psi | 56% | 2234 fps | 97.6% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,775 psi | 59% | 2231 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 94% | 34,969 psi | 74% | 2415 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,405 psi | 77% | 2425 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 84% | 30,501 psi | 65% | 2316 fps | 95.9% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 82% | 32,866 psi | 70% | 2405 fps | 95.1% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,276 psi | 83% | 2530 fps | 95.4% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
ᴾ possible press load - work up slowly to this load while watching for signs of excessive pressure.
This overview compares 51 powders for .30-40 Krag loaded with the .308 | 155gr | Merlin Virtus. ReloadSwiss RS 60 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,657 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,617 fps to 2,657 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 51 of the 51 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (325 MPa), the top charges use 71–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 155.0 gr projectile in 0.308" calls for a 1:12.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. 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. ReloadSwiss RS 60, IMR 3031, Accurate 4064 rank at the top here: for .30-40 Krag with the .308 | 155gr | Merlin Virtus they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. Always begin at the start load and work up in small increments while checking case and primer for pressure signs.