Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .300 AAC Blackout with .308 | 85gr | MAKER Tipped expanding bullet and 4 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Hodgdon LilGun, Lovex S040 and ReloadSwiss RS 14.
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.
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: 16"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hodgdon LilGunᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,758 psi | 86% | 2654 fps | 98.7% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 21,466 psi | 42% | 1526 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S040 | <<locked>> | 96% | 44,121 psi | 87% | 2487 fps | 97.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 20,131 psi | 40% | 1549 fps | 100% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
Start Load - Barrel Length: 16"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hodgdon LilGun | 19.4 gr | 90% | 30,516 psi | 60% | 2392 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 15,316 psi | 30% | 1358 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S040 | 16.6 gr | 90% | 36,347 psi | 72% | 2346 fps | 95.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | 5.7 gr | 80% | 14,518 psi | 29% | 1381 fps | 100% |
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 6 powders for .300 AAC Blackout loaded with the .308 | 85gr | MAKER Tipped expanding. Hodgdon LilGun delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,654 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,526 fps to 2,654 fps. Hodgdon LilGun gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 6 of the 6 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (350 MPa), the top charges use 40–87 %, leaving at least 13 % headroom. Hodgdon LilGun, 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. Hodgdon LilGun, Lovex S040, ReloadSwiss RS 14 rank at the top here: for .300 AAC Blackout with the .308 | 85gr | MAKER Tipped expanding they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2, Vihtavuori N110 burn incompletely and react more sensitively to barrel length and temperature. Always begin at the start load and work up in small increments while checking case and primer for pressure signs.