Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .308 Marlin Express with .308 | 168gr | Hornady A-MAX 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, Hodgdon BL-C2 and Lovex D073.6.
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% | 42,569 psi | 89% | 2343 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,698 psi | 85% | 2336 fps | 98% |
| Accurate 2495ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,627 psi | 89% | 2411 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,538 psi | 85% | 2372 fps | 97.7% |
| Accurate 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 39,668 psi | 83% | 2385 fps | 98.6% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 84% | 43,091 psi | 90% | 2270 fps | 99.3% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,017 psi | 86% | 2234 fps | 97.6% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,786 psi | 89% | 2306 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 86% | 43,265 psi | 90% | 2392 fps | 99.3% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,843 psi | 87% | 2349 fps | 96% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,771 psi | 87% | 2405 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,843 psi | 85% | 2323 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,205 psi | 86% | 2264 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,453 psi | 89% | 2313 fps | 96.8% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,510 psi | 87% | 2405 fps | 96.7% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,148 psi | 88% | 2375 fps | 99.2% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,888 psi | 90% | 2395 fps | 98.6% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,837 psi | 69% | 1463 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,409 psi | 89% | 2438 fps | 99.7% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,467 psi | 89% | 2303 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,843 psi | 87% | 2349 fps | 96% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,220 psi | 86% | 2346 fps | 97.5% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,770 psi | 85% | 2336 fps | 96.8% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,582 psi | 87% | 2402 fps | 97.9% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 98% | 40,698 psi | 85% | 2349 fps | 95.9% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,640 psi | 85% | 2300 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 94% | 40,828 psi | 85% | 2336 fps | 95.9% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 96% | 43,149 psi | 90% | 2398 fps | 98.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,648 psi | 68% | 1496 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,003 psi | 88% | 2352 fps | 97.5% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,206 psi | 88% | 2346 fps | 98.3% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 96% | 40,930 psi | 86% | 2329 fps | 95.8% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,220 psi | 86% | 2346 fps | 97.5% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,582 psi | 87% | 2402 fps | 97.9% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 98% | 40,698 psi | 85% | 2349 fps | 95.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,118 psi | 86% | 2352 fps | 98.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,684 psi | 87% | 2329 fps | 99.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,408 psi | 87% | 2280 fps | 98.2% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,018 psi | 88% | 2306 fps | 99.1% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,047 psi | 88% | 2379 fps | 96.4% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,496 psi | 89% | 2320 fps | 99.1% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,946 psi | 90% | 2267 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,582 psi | 87% | 2283 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,843 psi | 85% | 2283 fps | 99.7% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,205 psi | 86% | 2372 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 96% | 40,843 psi | 85% | 2336 fps | 98.6% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,047 psi | 88% | 2346 fps | 96.1% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,814 psi | 87% | 2372 fps | 98.3% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,931 psi | 90% | 2425 fps | 97.3% |
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% | 29,443 psi | 62% | 2093 fps | 97.8% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,154 psi | 65% | 2149 fps | 95.3% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 21,915 psi | 46% | 1972 fps | 95.1% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 86% | 33,127 psi | 69% | 2231 fps | 95.6% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 90% | 28,616 psi | 60% | 2159 fps | 95.3% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,247 psi | 80% | 2188 fps | 98.6% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,609 psi | 81% | 2192 fps | 97% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,234 psi | 84% | 2267 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,418 psi | 74% | 2251 fps | 97.9% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,494 psi | 83% | 2306 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,934 psi | 56% | 2103 fps | 99.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,939 psi | 71% | 2195 fps | 99.6% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,260 psi | 76% | 2175 fps | 98.5% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,565 psi | 78% | 2224 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | 35.4 gr | 90% | 36,201 psi | 76% | 2306 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,474 psi | 68% | 2188 fps | 97.1% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,764 psi | 68% | 2201 fps | 96.1% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,221 psi | 51% | 1306 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031 | 28.6 gr | 80% | 25,860 psi | 54% | 2077 fps | 95.2% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,621 psi | 74% | 2185 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,494 psi | 83% | 2306 fps | 95.3% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,392 psi | 80% | 2293 fps | 96.9% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,534 psi | 74% | 2241 fps | 95.3% |
| Lovex D073.6 | 33.5 gr | 88% | 31,589 psi | 66% | 2211 fps | 95% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 96% | 38,377 psi | 80% | 2306 fps | 95.2% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,247 psi | 80% | 2257 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 92% | 38,479 psi | 80% | 2290 fps | 95.2% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 86% | 31,633 psi | 66% | 2182 fps | 95.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,192 psi | 51% | 1339 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 82% | 34,534 psi | 72% | 2211 fps | 95.5% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 82% | 31,473 psi | 66% | 2133 fps | 95.4% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 94% | 38,580 psi | 81% | 2287 fps | 95.2% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,392 psi | 80% | 2293 fps | 96.9% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 88% | 31,589 psi | 66% | 2211 fps | 95% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 96% | 38,377 psi | 80% | 2306 fps | 95.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,911 psi | 75% | 2257 fps | 97% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,563 psi | 72% | 2201 fps | 98.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 82% | 30,501 psi | 64% | 2067 fps | 95.1% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 27,862 psi | 58% | 2028 fps | 95.2% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 88% | 39,305 psi | 82% | 2329 fps | 95.7% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,775 psi | 58% | 2028 fps | 95.1% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,350 psi | 84% | 2228 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,706 psi | 68% | 2123 fps | 99.2% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,398 psi | 59% | 2041 fps | 97.3% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 23,641 psi | 49% | 1991 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 86% | 29,907 psi | 62% | 2119 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,218 psi | 82% | 2300 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 88% | 30,501 psi | 64% | 2149 fps | 95% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 90% | 37,565 psi | 78% | 2326 fps | 95.8% |
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 | Hornady A-MAX. IMR 3031 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,438 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,463 fps to 2,438 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 1:13.0 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, Hodgdon BL-C2, Lovex D073.6 rank at the top here: for .308 Marlin Express with the .308 | 168gr | Hornady A-MAX 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.