Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .308 Marlin Express with .308 | 165gr | Hornady BTSP bullet and 50 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are IMR 3031, Winchester 748 and Alliant AR-Comp.
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>> | 90% | 40,872 psi | 85% | 2352 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,989 psi | 88% | 2395 fps | 98.3% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,002 psi | 86% | 2425 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,785 psi | 87% | 2431 fps | 98% |
| Accurate 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,915 psi | 85% | 2444 fps | 98.8% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,263 psi | 86% | 2277 fps | 99.2% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,640 psi | 87% | 2287 fps | 97.8% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,495 psi | 87% | 2402 fps | 99.2% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,801 psi | 89% | 2405 fps | 96.3% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,844 psi | 90% | 2461 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,917 psi | 90% | 2484 fps | 95.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,553 psi | 87% | 2372 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,076 psi | 88% | 2316 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 90% | 43,091 psi | 90% | 2365 fps | 97% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,511 psi | 89% | 2461 fps | 97% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,946 psi | 90% | 2428 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,988 psi | 86% | 2402 fps | 98.4% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,677 psi | 68% | 1493 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 94% | 40,901 psi | 85% | 2451 fps | 99.6% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 86% | 43,294 psi | 90% | 2352 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,801 psi | 89% | 2405 fps | 96.3% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,076 psi | 88% | 2395 fps | 97.8% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,669 psi | 87% | 2388 fps | 97.1% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,714 psi | 89% | 2457 fps | 98.2% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,887 psi | 88% | 2408 fps | 96.3% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,756 psi | 87% | 2356 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,771 psi | 87% | 2392 fps | 96.2% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,553 psi | 87% | 2411 fps | 98.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,822 psi | 69% | 1529 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,670 psi | 89% | 2405 fps | 97.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,059 psi | 84% | 2457 fps | 96.3% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,640 psi | 85% | 2356 fps | 98.1% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,829 psi | 87% | 2382 fps | 96.2% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,076 psi | 88% | 2395 fps | 97.8% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,714 psi | 89% | 2457 fps | 98.2% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,887 psi | 88% | 2408 fps | 96.3% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 86% | 43,134 psi | 90% | 2369 fps | 95.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,105 psi | 88% | 2411 fps | 98.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,380 psi | 89% | 2379 fps | 99.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,163 psi | 88% | 2329 fps | 98.4% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,192 psi | 90% | 2365 fps | 99.3% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 90% | 43,105 psi | 90% | 2434 fps | 96.8% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,712 psi | 85% | 2329 fps | 98.9% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,206 psi | 88% | 2329 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,640 psi | 87% | 2336 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 98% | 42,279 psi | 88% | 2428 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,974 psi | 88% | 2395 fps | 98.8% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,975 psi | 90% | 2402 fps | 96.4% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 98% | 42,801 psi | 89% | 2428 fps | 98.5% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,191 psi | 86% | 2434 fps | 96.9% |
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% | 30,139 psi | 63% | 2142 fps | 98.1% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,966 psi | 67% | 2201 fps | 95.7% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 22,553 psi | 47% | 2021 fps | 95.5% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 84% | 31,850 psi | 67% | 2238 fps | 95.2% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 88% | 27,688 psi | 58% | 2169 fps | 95% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,972 psi | 81% | 2238 fps | 98.8% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,291 psi | 82% | 2244 fps | 97.3% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,274 psi | 76% | 2306 fps | 98.2% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,103 psi | 84% | 2356 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | 29.7 gr | 80% | 27,572 psi | 58% | 2156 fps | 99.3% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,118 psi | 84% | 2431 fps | 95% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,751 psi | 73% | 2247 fps | 99.7% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,927 psi | 77% | 2224 fps | 98.7% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,201 psi | 76% | 2238 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 90% | 37,231 psi | 78% | 2365 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,373 psi | 70% | 2244 fps | 97.4% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,460 psi | 70% | 2251 fps | 96.4% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,076 psi | 50% | 1329 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031 | 29.7 gr | 80% | 26,426 psi | 55% | 2126 fps | 95.6% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,216 psi | 76% | 2231 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,103 psi | 84% | 2356 fps | 95.6% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,276 psi | 82% | 2349 fps | 97.2% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,448 psi | 76% | 2293 fps | 95.7% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 88% | 32,489 psi | 68% | 2267 fps | 95.4% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 96% | 39,523 psi | 83% | 2365 fps | 95.7% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,088 psi | 82% | 2310 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 92% | 39,117 psi | 82% | 2343 fps | 95.5% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 84% | 30,298 psi | 63% | 2185 fps | 95.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,033 psi | 50% | 1362 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,112 psi | 69% | 2218 fps | 95% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 98% | 37,608 psi | 79% | 2405 fps | 95.4% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,414 psi | 64% | 2142 fps | 95% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 94% | 39,537 psi | 83% | 2343 fps | 95.5% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,276 psi | 82% | 2349 fps | 97.2% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 88% | 32,489 psi | 68% | 2267 fps | 95.4% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 96% | 39,523 psi | 83% | 2365 fps | 95.7% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,059 psi | 84% | 2316 fps | 95.1% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,724 psi | 77% | 2310 fps | 97.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,114 psi | 73% | 2247 fps | 98.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 82% | 31,169 psi | 65% | 2119 fps | 95.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 28,268 psi | 59% | 2073 fps | 95.5% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,608 psi | 79% | 2336 fps | 95.3% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,369 psi | 59% | 2077 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,141 psi | 69% | 2165 fps | 99.3% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,819 psi | 60% | 2083 fps | 97.5% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,047 psi | 50% | 2037 fps | 95.8% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,848 psi | 60% | 2129 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,161 psi | 84% | 2352 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 88% | 31,270 psi | 65% | 2201 fps | 95.4% |
| Winchester 748 | 35.4 gr | 88% | 36,245 psi | 76% | 2339 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 50 powders for .308 Marlin Express loaded with the .308 | 165gr | Hornady BTSP. Alliant Power Pro 1200-R delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,484 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,493 fps to 2,484 fps. Accurate 4064 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 50 of the 50 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 4064, 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. IMR 3031, Winchester 748, Alliant AR-Comp rank at the top here: for .308 Marlin Express with the .308 | 165gr | Hornady BTSP 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.