Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .308 Marlin Express with .308 | 165gr | NorthFork Bonded Core 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, 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% | 42,438 psi | 89% | 2365 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,495 psi | 85% | 2356 fps | 97.9% |
| Accurate 2495ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,395 psi | 89% | 2434 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,654 psi | 85% | 2398 fps | 97.6% |
| Accurate 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 39,421 psi | 82% | 2405 fps | 98.4% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,757 psi | 89% | 2290 fps | 99.2% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 84% | 43,178 psi | 90% | 2297 fps | 97.9% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,917 psi | 90% | 2336 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 86% | 43,105 psi | 90% | 2418 fps | 99.3% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,684 psi | 87% | 2372 fps | 95.8% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,626 psi | 87% | 2431 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 88% | 43,004 psi | 90% | 2385 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,104 psi | 86% | 2287 fps | 99.2% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,018 psi | 88% | 2333 fps | 96.5% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,191 psi | 86% | 2425 fps | 96.5% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,018 psi | 88% | 2398 fps | 99.1% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,670 psi | 89% | 2415 fps | 98.5% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,619 psi | 68% | 1480 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,221 psi | 88% | 2461 fps | 99.7% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,177 psi | 88% | 2323 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,684 psi | 87% | 2372 fps | 95.8% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,162 psi | 86% | 2369 fps | 97.4% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,553 psi | 85% | 2359 fps | 96.6% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,263 psi | 86% | 2421 fps | 97.7% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 98% | 40,509 psi | 85% | 2372 fps | 95.7% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 84% | 43,149 psi | 90% | 2365 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 96% | 43,134 psi | 90% | 2402 fps | 96.3% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,931 psi | 90% | 2421 fps | 98.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,416 psi | 68% | 1512 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,524 psi | 87% | 2369 fps | 97.3% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,134 psi | 88% | 2369 fps | 98.2% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 98% | 43,207 psi | 90% | 2392 fps | 96.3% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,162 psi | 86% | 2369 fps | 97.4% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,263 psi | 86% | 2421 fps | 97.7% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 98% | 40,509 psi | 85% | 2372 fps | 95.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,017 psi | 86% | 2379 fps | 98.1% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,336 psi | 86% | 2349 fps | 99.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,002 psi | 86% | 2297 fps | 98% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,206 psi | 88% | 2336 fps | 99.1% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,814 psi | 87% | 2398 fps | 96.2% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,351 psi | 88% | 2343 fps | 99% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 82% | 43,062 psi | 90% | 2297 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,278 psi | 86% | 2303 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,931 psi | 90% | 2343 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,002 psi | 86% | 2395 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 98% | 43,105 psi | 90% | 2402 fps | 98.8% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,872 psi | 87% | 2369 fps | 95.9% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,553 psi | 87% | 2392 fps | 98.1% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,670 psi | 89% | 2448 fps | 97.1% |
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% | 29,225 psi | 61% | 2110 fps | 97.6% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,111 psi | 65% | 2172 fps | 95.1% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 82% | 23,351 psi | 49% | 2037 fps | 95.8% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 86% | 32,982 psi | 69% | 2251 fps | 95.3% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 90% | 28,543 psi | 60% | 2182 fps | 95.1% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,029 psi | 79% | 2208 fps | 98.5% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,377 psi | 80% | 2211 fps | 96.8% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,364 psi | 84% | 2293 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,389 psi | 74% | 2277 fps | 97.8% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,363 psi | 82% | 2329 fps | 95.1% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,745 psi | 56% | 2123 fps | 99% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,692 psi | 70% | 2215 fps | 99.5% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,216 psi | 76% | 2198 fps | 98.4% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,521 psi | 78% | 2247 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 92% | 38,508 psi | 80% | 2375 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,518 psi | 68% | 2215 fps | 97% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,721 psi | 68% | 2224 fps | 95.9% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,134 psi | 50% | 1322 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031 | 29.6 gr | 82% | 27,282 psi | 57% | 2139 fps | 95.8% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,447 psi | 74% | 2205 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,363 psi | 82% | 2329 fps | 95.1% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,363 psi | 80% | 2320 fps | 96.7% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,360 psi | 74% | 2260 fps | 95.1% |
| Lovex D073.6 | 34.7 gr | 90% | 33,692 psi | 70% | 2280 fps | 95.6% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 96% | 38,203 psi | 80% | 2329 fps | 95% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,319 psi | 80% | 2287 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 92% | 38,377 psi | 80% | 2313 fps | 95% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 86% | 31,343 psi | 65% | 2198 fps | 95.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,091 psi | 50% | 1355 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 82% | 34,548 psi | 72% | 2238 fps | 95.3% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 82% | 31,314 psi | 65% | 2152 fps | 95.1% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 96% | 40,756 psi | 85% | 2349 fps | 95.6% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,363 psi | 80% | 2320 fps | 96.7% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | 34.7 gr | 90% | 33,692 psi | 70% | 2280 fps | 95.6% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 96% | 38,203 psi | 80% | 2329 fps | 95% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,882 psi | 75% | 2280 fps | 96.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,374 psi | 72% | 2221 fps | 98.3% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 84% | 32,213 psi | 67% | 2129 fps | 95.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 29,298 psi | 61% | 2083 fps | 95.7% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 88% | 39,102 psi | 82% | 2352 fps | 95.5% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 82% | 29,472 psi | 62% | 2090 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,524 psi | 85% | 2257 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,489 psi | 68% | 2142 fps | 99.1% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,239 psi | 59% | 2060 fps | 97.1% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 23,511 psi | 49% | 2008 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 86% | 29,863 psi | 62% | 2142 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,073 psi | 82% | 2320 fps | 95.1% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 90% | 32,460 psi | 68% | 2218 fps | 95.6% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 90% | 37,391 psi | 78% | 2346 fps | 95.5% |
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 | NorthFork Bonded Core. IMR 3031 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,461 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,480 fps to 2,461 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 1:13.0 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. IMR 3031, Lovex D073.6, Shooters World Match Rifle rank at the top here: for .308 Marlin Express with the .308 | 165gr | NorthFork Bonded Core 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.