Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .308 Marlin Express with .308 | 166gr | Hammer Stone Hammer 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 Accurate 2520.
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% | 40,770 psi | 85% | 2336 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,727 psi | 87% | 2375 fps | 98.1% |
| Accurate 2495ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 39,943 psi | 83% | 2395 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,698 psi | 87% | 2411 fps | 97.8% |
| Accurate 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,144 psi | 78% | 2365 fps | 98% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,901 psi | 88% | 2270 fps | 99.1% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,293 psi | 88% | 2277 fps | 97.7% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,307 psi | 86% | 2306 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,814 psi | 87% | 2388 fps | 99.1% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,902 psi | 90% | 2385 fps | 96.1% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,844 psi | 90% | 2444 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,394 psi | 86% | 2352 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,699 psi | 89% | 2313 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,627 psi | 89% | 2306 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 92% | 43,192 psi | 90% | 2346 fps | 96.8% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,380 psi | 89% | 2441 fps | 96.8% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 90% | 43,308 psi | 90% | 2415 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,031 psi | 86% | 2382 fps | 98.2% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,082 psi | 67% | 1467 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 96% | 40,451 psi | 85% | 2428 fps | 99.5% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,205 psi | 86% | 2303 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,902 psi | 90% | 2385 fps | 96.1% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,119 psi | 88% | 2382 fps | 97.6% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,423 psi | 87% | 2369 fps | 96.9% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 98% | 42,351 psi | 88% | 2434 fps | 97.9% |
| Lovex S062ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,510 psi | 87% | 2385 fps | 96% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,249 psi | 86% | 2333 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,568 psi | 87% | 2369 fps | 95.9% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,524 psi | 87% | 2392 fps | 98.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,140 psi | 67% | 1506 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 90% | 43,076 psi | 90% | 2392 fps | 97.6% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,714 psi | 89% | 2379 fps | 98.3% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,727 psi | 87% | 2362 fps | 95.9% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,119 psi | 88% | 2382 fps | 97.6% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 98% | 42,351 psi | 88% | 2434 fps | 97.9% |
| Shooters World Precisionᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,510 psi | 87% | 2385 fps | 96% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,090 psi | 88% | 2392 fps | 98.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,525 psi | 89% | 2362 fps | 99.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,163 psi | 88% | 2313 fps | 98.2% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,596 psi | 85% | 2303 fps | 98.8% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,975 psi | 90% | 2415 fps | 96.5% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 94% | 40,553 psi | 85% | 2310 fps | 98.7% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,510 psi | 87% | 2267 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,308 psi | 88% | 2316 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,582 psi | 87% | 2316 fps | 99.7% |
| Vihtavuori N135ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,756 psi | 87% | 2405 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,843 psi | 87% | 2375 fps | 98.6% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 94% | 43,178 psi | 90% | 2385 fps | 96.2% |
| Vihtavuori N540ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,815 psi | 89% | 2408 fps | 98.4% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,133 psi | 86% | 2411 fps | 96.7% |
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% | 27,630 psi | 58% | 2073 fps | 97.1% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 82% | 31,633 psi | 66% | 2182 fps | 95.3% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 84% | 22,945 psi | 48% | 2031 fps | 95.6% |
| Accurate 2520 | 34.2 gr | 88% | 33,518 psi | 70% | 2260 fps | 95.6% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 92% | 28,471 psi | 59% | 2182 fps | 95.2% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,782 psi | 77% | 2178 fps | 98.2% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,159 psi | 78% | 2185 fps | 96.5% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,725 psi | 81% | 2264 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,098 psi | 71% | 2244 fps | 97.5% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,437 psi | 84% | 2343 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,657 psi | 54% | 2090 fps | 98.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,430 psi | 68% | 2188 fps | 99.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,132 psi | 84% | 2274 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,027 psi | 73% | 2172 fps | 98.1% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,406 psi | 80% | 2260 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 92% | 37,173 psi | 78% | 2346 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,169 psi | 65% | 2178 fps | 96.5% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,415 psi | 66% | 2192 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 23,815 psi | 50% | 1312 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031 | 29.2 gr | 82% | 25,918 psi | 54% | 2100 fps | 95.1% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,418 psi | 72% | 2182 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,437 psi | 84% | 2343 fps | 95.4% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,405 psi | 76% | 2280 fps | 96.2% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,260 psi | 76% | 2277 fps | 95.4% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 92% | 34,301 psi | 72% | 2290 fps | 95.8% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 98% | 39,059 psi | 82% | 2343 fps | 95.3% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,405 psi | 76% | 2251 fps | 99.9% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 94% | 38,812 psi | 81% | 2320 fps | 95.1% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 86% | 29,921 psi | 63% | 2162 fps | 95% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 23,380 psi | 49% | 1339 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,259 psi | 74% | 2247 fps | 95.6% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 84% | 31,633 psi | 66% | 2162 fps | 95.3% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 96% | 39,233 psi | 82% | 2320 fps | 95.2% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,405 psi | 76% | 2280 fps | 96.2% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 92% | 34,301 psi | 72% | 2290 fps | 95.8% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 98% | 39,059 psi | 82% | 2343 fps | 95.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,505 psi | 72% | 2251 fps | 96.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,938 psi | 69% | 2188 fps | 98% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 84% | 30,821 psi | 64% | 2096 fps | 95.1% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 28,094 psi | 59% | 2054 fps | 95.2% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,724 psi | 79% | 2323 fps | 95.1% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 82% | 28,036 psi | 59% | 2057 fps | 95.1% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,928 psi | 81% | 2228 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,038 psi | 65% | 2110 fps | 98.8% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,948 psi | 56% | 2028 fps | 96.6% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 82% | 23,569 psi | 49% | 2014 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 88% | 30,371 psi | 63% | 2152 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,147 psi | 84% | 2336 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 90% | 30,951 psi | 65% | 2178 fps | 95% |
| Winchester 748 | 34.8 gr | 90% | 36,158 psi | 76% | 2316 fps | 95.1% |
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 | 166gr | Hammer Stone Hammer. Alliant AR-Comp delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,444 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,467 fps to 2,444 fps. Accurate 2495 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 67–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 166.0 gr projectile in 0.308" calls for a 1:12.5 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. IMR 3031, Winchester 748, Accurate 2520 rank at the top here: for .308 Marlin Express with the .308 | 166gr | Hammer Stone Hammer 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.