Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .308 Marlin Express with .308 | 168gr | Frontier PH HPFB 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% | 41,394 psi | 86% | 2310 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,163 psi | 88% | 2346 fps | 98.1% |
| Accurate 2495ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,756 psi | 85% | 2372 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,192 psi | 88% | 2385 fps | 97.8% |
| Accurate 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,942 psi | 79% | 2343 fps | 98.1% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,974 psi | 88% | 2234 fps | 99.1% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,351 psi | 88% | 2241 fps | 97.6% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,742 psi | 87% | 2277 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,177 psi | 88% | 2359 fps | 99.1% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 94% | 43,120 psi | 90% | 2356 fps | 96% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,960 psi | 90% | 2411 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,090 psi | 88% | 2329 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 82% | 43,250 psi | 90% | 2287 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,743 psi | 89% | 2274 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,191 psi | 86% | 2277 fps | 96.2% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,873 psi | 90% | 2411 fps | 96.8% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,712 psi | 85% | 2336 fps | 98.8% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,234 psi | 86% | 2352 fps | 98.1% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,503 psi | 68% | 1447 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,017 psi | 86% | 2398 fps | 99.5% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,481 psi | 87% | 2274 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 94% | 43,120 psi | 90% | 2356 fps | 96% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,699 psi | 89% | 2352 fps | 97.6% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,945 psi | 88% | 2343 fps | 96.8% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 98% | 42,540 psi | 89% | 2402 fps | 97.9% |
| Lovex S062ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,959 psi | 88% | 2356 fps | 95.9% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,177 psi | 88% | 2313 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,018 psi | 88% | 2339 fps | 95.9% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,756 psi | 87% | 2362 fps | 98.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,314 psi | 68% | 1480 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 90% | 43,236 psi | 90% | 2356 fps | 97.6% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 94% | 43,265 psi | 90% | 2349 fps | 98.3% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 98% | 42,134 psi | 88% | 2333 fps | 95.8% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,699 psi | 89% | 2352 fps | 97.6% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 98% | 42,540 psi | 89% | 2402 fps | 97.9% |
| Shooters World Precisionᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,959 psi | 88% | 2356 fps | 95.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,612 psi | 89% | 2365 fps | 98.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 88% | 43,062 psi | 90% | 2336 fps | 99.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,670 psi | 89% | 2283 fps | 98.2% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,843 psi | 85% | 2274 fps | 98.8% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,814 psi | 85% | 2343 fps | 95.8% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,191 psi | 86% | 2283 fps | 98.7% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,843 psi | 87% | 2238 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,612 psi | 89% | 2287 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,003 psi | 88% | 2290 fps | 99.7% |
| Vihtavuori N135ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,003 psi | 88% | 2372 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 98% | 42,119 psi | 88% | 2343 fps | 98.6% |
| Vihtavuori N540ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,265 psi | 90% | 2379 fps | 98.3% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,495 psi | 87% | 2382 fps | 96.6% |
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% | 28,543 psi | 60% | 2060 fps | 97.3% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 82% | 32,372 psi | 68% | 2162 fps | 95.5% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 82% | 22,539 psi | 47% | 1985 fps | 95.2% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 88% | 34,243 psi | 72% | 2241 fps | 95.7% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 92% | 29,414 psi | 61% | 2169 fps | 95.4% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,115 psi | 78% | 2152 fps | 98.2% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,507 psi | 78% | 2156 fps | 96.4% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,131 psi | 82% | 2238 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,330 psi | 72% | 2215 fps | 97.4% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,625 psi | 85% | 2310 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,252 psi | 55% | 2070 fps | 98.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,938 psi | 69% | 2162 fps | 99.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,654 psi | 85% | 2247 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,375 psi | 74% | 2146 fps | 98.1% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,827 psi | 81% | 2234 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 92% | 37,594 psi | 79% | 2320 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,749 psi | 66% | 2159 fps | 96.6% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,836 psi | 67% | 2165 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,033 psi | 50% | 1293 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031 | 28.4 gr | 82% | 26,571 psi | 56% | 2083 fps | 95.3% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,621 psi | 72% | 2152 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,625 psi | 85% | 2310 fps | 95.3% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,260 psi | 78% | 2257 fps | 96.3% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,709 psi | 77% | 2247 fps | 95.4% |
| Lovex D073.6 | 33.3 gr | 90% | 32,605 psi | 68% | 2221 fps | 95.1% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 98% | 39,479 psi | 82% | 2313 fps | 95.2% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,260 psi | 78% | 2228 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 94% | 39,537 psi | 83% | 2297 fps | 95.2% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 86% | 30,647 psi | 64% | 2146 fps | 95.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 23,989 psi | 50% | 1325 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,665 psi | 75% | 2221 fps | 95.5% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 84% | 32,329 psi | 68% | 2139 fps | 95.4% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 96% | 39,668 psi | 83% | 2290 fps | 95.2% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,260 psi | 78% | 2257 fps | 96.3% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | 33.3 gr | 90% | 32,605 psi | 68% | 2221 fps | 95.1% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 98% | 39,479 psi | 82% | 2313 fps | 95.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,896 psi | 73% | 2221 fps | 96.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,344 psi | 70% | 2162 fps | 98% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 84% | 31,430 psi | 66% | 2077 fps | 95.2% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 28,703 psi | 60% | 2034 fps | 95.3% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,072 psi | 80% | 2293 fps | 95% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 82% | 28,776 psi | 60% | 2041 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,262 psi | 82% | 2201 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,575 psi | 66% | 2087 fps | 98.8% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,398 psi | 57% | 2005 fps | 96.6% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 82% | 24,236 psi | 51% | 1998 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 88% | 30,864 psi | 64% | 2129 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 90% | 31,531 psi | 66% | 2159 fps | 95.1% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 90% | 36,492 psi | 76% | 2287 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 49 powders for .308 Marlin Express loaded with the .308 | 168gr | Frontier PH HPFB. Alliant AR-Comp delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,411 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,447 fps to 2,411 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 168.0 gr projectile in 0.308" calls for a 1:12.0 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 | 168gr | Frontier PH HPFB 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.