Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .308 Marlin Express with .308 | 165gr | Sierra SBT GameKing bullet and 52 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% | 41,379 psi | 86% | 2362 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,119 psi | 88% | 2398 fps | 98.4% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,118 psi | 86% | 2428 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,221 psi | 88% | 2438 fps | 98.1% |
| Accurate 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,017 psi | 86% | 2448 fps | 98.9% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,365 psi | 86% | 2280 fps | 99.2% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,742 psi | 87% | 2290 fps | 97.8% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,582 psi | 87% | 2405 fps | 99.2% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,844 psi | 90% | 2408 fps | 96.4% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,989 psi | 90% | 2464 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 88% | 43,047 psi | 90% | 2487 fps | 95.9% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,437 psi | 87% | 2438 fps | 95.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,047 psi | 88% | 2379 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,148 psi | 88% | 2320 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 90% | 43,178 psi | 90% | 2369 fps | 97.1% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,902 psi | 90% | 2470 fps | 97.2% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,553 psi | 85% | 2388 fps | 99% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,118 psi | 86% | 2405 fps | 98.4% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 94% | 43,091 psi | 90% | 2444 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,880 psi | 69% | 1496 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,031 psi | 86% | 2457 fps | 99.6% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,915 psi | 85% | 2316 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,844 psi | 90% | 2408 fps | 96.4% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,148 psi | 88% | 2402 fps | 97.8% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,076 psi | 88% | 2398 fps | 97.3% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,772 psi | 89% | 2461 fps | 98.2% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,945 psi | 88% | 2411 fps | 96.3% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,872 psi | 87% | 2359 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,901 psi | 88% | 2395 fps | 96.3% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,684 psi | 87% | 2415 fps | 98.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,706 psi | 68% | 1529 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 88% | 43,120 psi | 90% | 2411 fps | 97.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,103 psi | 84% | 2461 fps | 96.4% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,785 psi | 85% | 2359 fps | 98.1% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,279 psi | 88% | 2392 fps | 96.3% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,148 psi | 88% | 2402 fps | 97.8% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,772 psi | 89% | 2461 fps | 98.2% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,945 psi | 88% | 2411 fps | 96.3% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 86% | 43,221 psi | 90% | 2375 fps | 96% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,235 psi | 88% | 2415 fps | 98.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,496 psi | 89% | 2382 fps | 99.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,235 psi | 88% | 2333 fps | 98.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,294 psi | 90% | 2365 fps | 99.3% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 90% | 43,207 psi | 90% | 2438 fps | 96.9% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,147 psi | 86% | 2339 fps | 99% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,612 psi | 89% | 2339 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,713 psi | 87% | 2339 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 98% | 42,380 psi | 89% | 2431 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,076 psi | 88% | 2398 fps | 98.8% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 92% | 43,004 psi | 90% | 2405 fps | 96.5% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 98% | 43,236 psi | 90% | 2434 fps | 98.6% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,292 psi | 86% | 2438 fps | 97% |
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% | 30,255 psi | 63% | 2146 fps | 98.1% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,285 psi | 67% | 2208 fps | 95.8% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 22,655 psi | 47% | 2024 fps | 95.6% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 84% | 31,908 psi | 67% | 2241 fps | 95.2% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 88% | 28,036 psi | 59% | 2178 fps | 95.2% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,073 psi | 82% | 2241 fps | 98.9% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,392 psi | 82% | 2247 fps | 97.3% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,361 psi | 76% | 2310 fps | 98.3% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,985 psi | 79% | 2316 fps | 95% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | 29.8 gr | 80% | 27,673 psi | 58% | 2159 fps | 99.4% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,205 psi | 84% | 2434 fps | 95.1% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 98% | 38,870 psi | 81% | 2388 fps | 95% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,882 psi | 73% | 2251 fps | 99.7% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,260 psi | 78% | 2234 fps | 98.7% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,274 psi | 76% | 2241 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 90% | 37,333 psi | 78% | 2369 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,460 psi | 70% | 2247 fps | 97.5% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,533 psi | 70% | 2254 fps | 96.5% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,393 psi | 84% | 2398 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,279 psi | 51% | 1335 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031 | 29.8 gr | 80% | 26,527 psi | 55% | 2133 fps | 95.7% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,361 psi | 76% | 2238 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,985 psi | 79% | 2316 fps | 95% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,392 psi | 82% | 2352 fps | 97.2% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 82% | 34,214 psi | 71% | 2251 fps | 95% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 88% | 32,576 psi | 68% | 2267 fps | 95.5% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 96% | 39,639 psi | 83% | 2369 fps | 95.7% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,218 psi | 82% | 2313 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 92% | 39,523 psi | 83% | 2352 fps | 95.6% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 84% | 30,385 psi | 63% | 2188 fps | 95.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,250 psi | 51% | 1368 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,199 psi | 69% | 2221 fps | 95.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 98% | 37,681 psi | 79% | 2405 fps | 95.4% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,501 psi | 64% | 2146 fps | 95.1% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 94% | 39,581 psi | 83% | 2343 fps | 95.6% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,392 psi | 82% | 2352 fps | 97.2% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 88% | 32,576 psi | 68% | 2267 fps | 95.5% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 96% | 39,639 psi | 83% | 2369 fps | 95.7% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,495 psi | 85% | 2326 fps | 95.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,796 psi | 77% | 2313 fps | 97.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,201 psi | 74% | 2251 fps | 98.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 82% | 31,270 psi | 65% | 2123 fps | 95.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 28,340 psi | 59% | 2077 fps | 95.6% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,681 psi | 79% | 2339 fps | 95.3% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,456 psi | 59% | 2080 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,257 psi | 69% | 2169 fps | 99.3% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,921 psi | 60% | 2090 fps | 97.5% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,149 psi | 50% | 2041 fps | 95.9% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,964 psi | 61% | 2133 fps | 95.1% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,971 psi | 79% | 2316 fps | 95.1% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 88% | 31,328 psi | 65% | 2205 fps | 95.5% |
| Winchester 748 | 35.5 gr | 88% | 36,303 psi | 76% | 2339 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 52 powders for .308 Marlin Express loaded with the .308 | 165gr | Sierra SBT GameKing. Alliant Power Pro 1200-R delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,487 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,496 fps to 2,487 fps. Accurate 4064 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 52 of the 52 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, Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5, 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, Winchester 748, Alliant AR-Comp rank at the top here: for .308 Marlin Express with the .308 | 165gr | Sierra SBT GameKing 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.