Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .308 Marlin Express with .308 | 160gr | Peregrine VRG-3 Lever bullet and 49 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are IMR 3031, Alliant AR-Comp and Lovex D073.6.
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>> | 92% | 41,060 psi | 86% | 2398 fps | 99.7% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,713 psi | 87% | 2431 fps | 98% |
| Accurate 2495ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,176 psi | 84% | 2457 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,858 psi | 87% | 2474 fps | 97.7% |
| Accurate 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,434 psi | 78% | 2428 fps | 97.9% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,742 psi | 87% | 2326 fps | 99% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,148 psi | 88% | 2333 fps | 97.5% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,365 psi | 86% | 2369 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,003 psi | 88% | 2454 fps | 99% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 94% | 43,294 psi | 90% | 2454 fps | 96.1% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,917 psi | 90% | 2507 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,930 psi | 88% | 2425 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,627 psi | 89% | 2375 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,685 psi | 89% | 2365 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,973 psi | 86% | 2365 fps | 96.1% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,757 psi | 89% | 2507 fps | 96.7% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,640 psi | 85% | 2431 fps | 98.8% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,350 psi | 86% | 2448 fps | 98.1% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,256 psi | 67% | 1512 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 96% | 40,886 psi | 85% | 2493 fps | 99.4% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,220 psi | 86% | 2365 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 94% | 43,294 psi | 90% | 2454 fps | 96.1% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,308 psi | 88% | 2444 fps | 97.5% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,727 psi | 87% | 2431 fps | 96.8% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 98% | 42,453 psi | 89% | 2497 fps | 97.8% |
| Lovex S062ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,742 psi | 87% | 2448 fps | 95.8% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,437 psi | 87% | 2398 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,582 psi | 87% | 2428 fps | 95.8% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,495 psi | 87% | 2451 fps | 98.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 31,937 psi | 67% | 1545 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 90% | 43,207 psi | 90% | 2454 fps | 97.5% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,946 psi | 90% | 2441 fps | 98.2% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,698 psi | 87% | 2421 fps | 95.7% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,308 psi | 88% | 2444 fps | 97.5% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 98% | 42,453 psi | 89% | 2497 fps | 97.8% |
| Shooters World Precisionᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,742 psi | 87% | 2448 fps | 95.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,163 psi | 88% | 2454 fps | 98.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,641 psi | 89% | 2428 fps | 99.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,380 psi | 89% | 2375 fps | 98.2% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,944 psi | 86% | 2369 fps | 98.8% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 94% | 40,988 psi | 86% | 2375 fps | 98.7% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,524 psi | 87% | 2329 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,714 psi | 89% | 2382 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,829 psi | 87% | 2382 fps | 99.7% |
| Vihtavuori N135ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,134 psi | 88% | 2470 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 98% | 42,061 psi | 88% | 2438 fps | 98.5% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 94% | 43,134 psi | 90% | 2444 fps | 96.1% |
| Vihtavuori N540ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,134 psi | 90% | 2474 fps | 98.3% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,278 psi | 86% | 2474 fps | 96.5% |
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% | 27,934 psi | 58% | 2133 fps | 97% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 82% | 31,705 psi | 66% | 2238 fps | 95.2% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 84% | 23,090 psi | 48% | 2083 fps | 95.4% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 88% | 33,910 psi | 71% | 2326 fps | 95.5% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 92% | 28,645 psi | 60% | 2238 fps | 95% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,086 psi | 77% | 2241 fps | 98.2% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,463 psi | 78% | 2247 fps | 96.4% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,870 psi | 81% | 2326 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,229 psi | 72% | 2303 fps | 97.3% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,480 psi | 85% | 2402 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | 29.6 gr | 80% | 25,643 psi | 54% | 2142 fps | 98.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,503 psi | 68% | 2244 fps | 99.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,190 psi | 84% | 2333 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,027 psi | 73% | 2228 fps | 98% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,377 psi | 80% | 2320 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 92% | 37,333 psi | 78% | 2408 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,401 psi | 66% | 2238 fps | 96.4% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,430 psi | 66% | 2247 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 23,627 psi | 49% | 1348 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031 | 31 gr | 84% | 27,775 psi | 58% | 2205 fps | 95.8% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,345 psi | 72% | 2238 fps | 99.8% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,480 psi | 85% | 2402 fps | 95.3% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,767 psi | 77% | 2343 fps | 96.1% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,347 psi | 76% | 2333 fps | 95.3% |
| Lovex D073.6 | 36.3 gr | 92% | 34,577 psi | 72% | 2352 fps | 95.7% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 98% | 39,378 psi | 82% | 2405 fps | 95.2% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,434 psi | 76% | 2310 fps | 99.9% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 94% | 39,218 psi | 82% | 2385 fps | 95.1% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 88% | 32,111 psi | 67% | 2267 fps | 95.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 23,496 psi | 49% | 1381 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,578 psi | 74% | 2310 fps | 95.5% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 84% | 31,546 psi | 66% | 2215 fps | 95% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 96% | 39,276 psi | 82% | 2379 fps | 95% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,767 psi | 77% | 2343 fps | 96.1% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 92% | 34,577 psi | 72% | 2352 fps | 95.7% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 98% | 39,378 psi | 82% | 2405 fps | 95.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,519 psi | 72% | 2306 fps | 96.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,025 psi | 69% | 2244 fps | 97.8% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 84% | 31,024 psi | 65% | 2156 fps | 95% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 28,152 psi | 59% | 2106 fps | 95% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,907 psi | 62% | 2156 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,073 psi | 82% | 2290 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,111 psi | 65% | 2165 fps | 98.7% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,006 psi | 56% | 2080 fps | 96.4% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 82% | 23,786 psi | 50% | 2070 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 88% | 30,589 psi | 64% | 2211 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,553 psi | 85% | 2402 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 92% | 33,373 psi | 70% | 2290 fps | 95.8% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 92% | 38,638 psi | 81% | 2425 fps | 95.8% |
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 81 powders for .308 Marlin Express loaded with the .308 | 160gr | Peregrine VRG-3 Lever. Alliant Power Pro 1200-R delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,526 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,512 fps to 2,526 fps. Accurate 2495 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 81 of the 81 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (330 MPa), the top charges use 67–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 160.0 gr projectile in 0.308" calls for a 1:13.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 2495, Accurate 4064, ADI AR 2208 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. IMR 3031, Alliant AR-Comp, Lovex D073.6 rank at the top here: for .308 Marlin Express with the .308 | 160gr | Peregrine VRG-3 Lever they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, Accurate 2200, Accurate 2230, ADI AR 2206H 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.