Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .308 Marlin Express with .308 | 165gr | Geco EXPRESS bullet and 49 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Hodgdon BL-C2, Lovex D073.6 and Shooters World Match Rifle.
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% | 42,902 psi | 90% | 2375 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,263 psi | 86% | 2375 fps | 98.1% |
| Accurate 2495ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,801 psi | 89% | 2444 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,031 psi | 86% | 2411 fps | 97.7% |
| Accurate 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 39,784 psi | 83% | 2415 fps | 98.5% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 84% | 43,163 psi | 90% | 2300 fps | 99.3% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,162 psi | 86% | 2267 fps | 97.5% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 82% | 43,076 psi | 90% | 2339 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,654 psi | 85% | 2379 fps | 99% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,047 psi | 88% | 2382 fps | 96% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,047 psi | 88% | 2441 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,973 psi | 86% | 2356 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,452 psi | 87% | 2297 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,395 psi | 89% | 2343 fps | 96.7% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,843 psi | 87% | 2441 fps | 96.7% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,453 psi | 89% | 2411 fps | 99.2% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 88% | 43,062 psi | 90% | 2428 fps | 98.6% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,648 psi | 68% | 1483 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,612 psi | 89% | 2474 fps | 99.7% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,699 psi | 89% | 2336 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,047 psi | 88% | 2382 fps | 96% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,539 psi | 87% | 2379 fps | 97.6% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,886 psi | 85% | 2369 fps | 96.8% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,655 psi | 87% | 2431 fps | 97.8% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,191 psi | 86% | 2388 fps | 95.9% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,162 psi | 86% | 2336 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,046 psi | 86% | 2369 fps | 95.8% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 96% | 43,279 psi | 90% | 2431 fps | 98.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,793 psi | 69% | 1522 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,916 psi | 88% | 2382 fps | 97.5% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,511 psi | 89% | 2379 fps | 98.3% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,162 psi | 86% | 2362 fps | 95.8% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,539 psi | 87% | 2379 fps | 97.6% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,655 psi | 87% | 2431 fps | 97.8% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,191 psi | 86% | 2388 fps | 95.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,336 psi | 86% | 2388 fps | 98.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,843 psi | 87% | 2362 fps | 99.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,437 psi | 87% | 2310 fps | 98.2% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,525 psi | 89% | 2346 fps | 99.1% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,105 psi | 88% | 2408 fps | 96.4% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,699 psi | 89% | 2352 fps | 99.1% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 82% | 43,221 psi | 90% | 2300 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,698 psi | 87% | 2313 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,886 psi | 85% | 2316 fps | 99.7% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,408 psi | 87% | 2408 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,017 psi | 86% | 2369 fps | 98.5% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,221 psi | 88% | 2382 fps | 96.1% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 98% | 42,221 psi | 88% | 2408 fps | 98.3% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 94% | 43,018 psi | 90% | 2457 fps | 97.2% |
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% | 29,631 psi | 62% | 2123 fps | 97.8% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,473 psi | 66% | 2182 fps | 95.3% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 22,046 psi | 46% | 2001 fps | 95.1% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 86% | 33,359 psi | 70% | 2264 fps | 95.6% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 90% | 28,935 psi | 60% | 2195 fps | 95.4% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,421 psi | 80% | 2218 fps | 98.6% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,812 psi | 81% | 2224 fps | 97% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,553 psi | 85% | 2300 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,795 psi | 75% | 2287 fps | 98% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,436 psi | 82% | 2333 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,093 psi | 57% | 2136 fps | 99.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,171 psi | 71% | 2228 fps | 99.6% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,506 psi | 76% | 2208 fps | 98.5% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,579 psi | 79% | 2254 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | 36.2 gr | 90% | 36,651 psi | 77% | 2343 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,590 psi | 68% | 2218 fps | 97.1% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,793 psi | 69% | 2228 fps | 96% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,221 psi | 51% | 1325 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,034 psi | 54% | 2106 fps | 95.2% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,926 psi | 75% | 2218 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,436 psi | 82% | 2333 fps | 95.2% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,479 psi | 80% | 2323 fps | 96.8% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,723 psi | 75% | 2270 fps | 95.3% |
| Lovex D073.6 | 35 gr | 90% | 34,040 psi | 71% | 2290 fps | 95.8% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 96% | 38,537 psi | 81% | 2339 fps | 95.2% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,450 psi | 80% | 2290 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 92% | 38,435 psi | 80% | 2320 fps | 95.1% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,834 psi | 62% | 2165 fps | 95% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,178 psi | 51% | 1358 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 82% | 34,621 psi | 72% | 2241 fps | 95.4% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 82% | 31,662 psi | 66% | 2165 fps | 95.3% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 94% | 38,798 psi | 81% | 2320 fps | 95.1% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,479 psi | 80% | 2323 fps | 96.8% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | 35 gr | 90% | 34,040 psi | 71% | 2290 fps | 95.8% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 96% | 38,537 psi | 81% | 2339 fps | 95.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,955 psi | 75% | 2287 fps | 96.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,461 psi | 72% | 2228 fps | 98.4% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 82% | 30,676 psi | 64% | 2100 fps | 95.1% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 27,905 psi | 58% | 2054 fps | 95.2% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 88% | 39,450 psi | 82% | 2362 fps | 95.7% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,920 psi | 58% | 2057 fps | 95.1% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,625 psi | 85% | 2264 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,605 psi | 68% | 2149 fps | 99.1% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,355 psi | 59% | 2067 fps | 97.2% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 23,627 psi | 49% | 2018 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 86% | 30,197 psi | 63% | 2152 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,436 psi | 82% | 2333 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 88% | 30,690 psi | 64% | 2182 fps | 95% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 90% | 37,753 psi | 79% | 2359 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 49 powders for .308 Marlin Express loaded with the .308 | 165gr | Geco EXPRESS. IMR 3031 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,474 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,483 fps to 2,474 fps. Accurate 2495 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 49 of the 49 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (330 MPa), the top charges use 68–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 165.0 gr projectile in 0.308" calls for a 1:13.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 2495, Accurate 4064, 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. Hodgdon BL-C2, Lovex D073.6, Shooters World Match Rifle rank at the top here: for .308 Marlin Express with the .308 | 165gr | Geco EXPRESS 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.