Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .308 Marlin Express with .308 | 168gr | Norma Diamond bullet and 51 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% | 41,640 psi | 87% | 2339 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,438 psi | 89% | 2379 fps | 98.6% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,524 psi | 87% | 2408 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,279 psi | 88% | 2415 fps | 98.3% |
| Accurate 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,118 psi | 86% | 2425 fps | 99% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,510 psi | 87% | 2260 fps | 99.3% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,887 psi | 88% | 2267 fps | 98% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,843 psi | 87% | 2385 fps | 99.3% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 92% | 43,207 psi | 90% | 2388 fps | 96.6% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 94% | 43,294 psi | 90% | 2441 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,901 psi | 88% | 2421 fps | 96.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,279 psi | 88% | 2359 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,424 psi | 89% | 2300 fps | 99.6% |
| Bofors RP3ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,959 psi | 86% | 2421 fps | 95.9% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,133 psi | 86% | 2306 fps | 96.7% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 94% | 43,018 psi | 90% | 2448 fps | 97.3% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,785 psi | 85% | 2365 fps | 99.2% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,394 psi | 86% | 2385 fps | 98.6% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,996 psi | 69% | 1480 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,321 psi | 86% | 2434 fps | 99.7% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,394 psi | 86% | 2300 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 92% | 43,207 psi | 90% | 2388 fps | 96.6% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,453 psi | 89% | 2382 fps | 98% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,134 psi | 88% | 2375 fps | 97.4% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 96% | 43,308 psi | 90% | 2444 fps | 98.4% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 98% | 42,351 psi | 88% | 2395 fps | 96.6% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,032 psi | 88% | 2333 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,192 psi | 88% | 2375 fps | 96.5% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,989 psi | 88% | 2395 fps | 98.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,822 psi | 69% | 1512 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,683 psi | 85% | 2346 fps | 97.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,219 psi | 84% | 2441 fps | 96.7% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,017 psi | 86% | 2339 fps | 98.3% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,250 psi | 88% | 2369 fps | 96.5% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,453 psi | 89% | 2382 fps | 98% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 96% | 43,308 psi | 90% | 2444 fps | 98.4% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 98% | 42,351 psi | 88% | 2395 fps | 96.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,554 psi | 89% | 2392 fps | 98.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,743 psi | 89% | 2359 fps | 99.8% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,482 psi | 89% | 2313 fps | 98.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,147 psi | 86% | 2310 fps | 99.2% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,567 psi | 85% | 2369 fps | 96.4% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,452 psi | 87% | 2320 fps | 99.1% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,873 psi | 90% | 2316 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,974 psi | 88% | 2316 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 98% | 42,772 psi | 89% | 2411 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,119 psi | 88% | 2375 fps | 98.9% |
| Vihtavuori N150ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 38,421 psi | 80% | 2320 fps | 96% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,553 psi | 85% | 2339 fps | 96% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 96% | 40,582 psi | 85% | 2365 fps | 98.3% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,640 psi | 87% | 2421 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% | 30,385 psi | 63% | 2126 fps | 98.3% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,532 psi | 68% | 2192 fps | 96.1% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 22,989 psi | 48% | 2014 fps | 96% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 84% | 32,184 psi | 67% | 2224 fps | 95.5% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 88% | 28,253 psi | 59% | 2162 fps | 95.5% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,146 psi | 82% | 2218 fps | 99% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,537 psi | 83% | 2224 fps | 97.5% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,550 psi | 76% | 2290 fps | 98.4% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,218 psi | 80% | 2300 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | 29.5 gr | 80% | 27,746 psi | 58% | 2139 fps | 99.5% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 98% | 39,233 psi | 82% | 2372 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,012 psi | 73% | 2231 fps | 99.8% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,463 psi | 78% | 2215 fps | 98.9% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 98% | 38,174 psi | 80% | 2369 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,477 psi | 76% | 2221 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 88% | 35,288 psi | 74% | 2303 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,605 psi | 70% | 2228 fps | 97.7% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,721 psi | 70% | 2238 fps | 96.7% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,294 psi | 51% | 1319 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031 | 29.5 gr | 80% | 26,643 psi | 56% | 2113 fps | 96% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,709 psi | 77% | 2218 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,218 psi | 80% | 2300 fps | 95.2% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,639 psi | 83% | 2333 fps | 97.4% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 82% | 34,476 psi | 72% | 2234 fps | 95.3% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 88% | 32,895 psi | 69% | 2251 fps | 95.8% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 94% | 37,391 psi | 78% | 2303 fps | 95.2% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,697 psi | 83% | 2297 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 90% | 37,318 psi | 78% | 2287 fps | 95.1% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 84% | 30,589 psi | 64% | 2169 fps | 95.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,265 psi | 51% | 1352 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,359 psi | 70% | 2201 fps | 95.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 98% | 37,724 psi | 79% | 2385 fps | 95.7% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,632 psi | 64% | 2126 fps | 95.3% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 92% | 37,724 psi | 79% | 2287 fps | 95.2% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,639 psi | 83% | 2333 fps | 97.4% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 88% | 32,895 psi | 69% | 2251 fps | 95.8% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 94% | 37,391 psi | 78% | 2303 fps | 95.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,043 psi | 77% | 2293 fps | 97.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,607 psi | 74% | 2234 fps | 98.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,515 psi | 62% | 2060 fps | 95% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 84% | 26,876 psi | 56% | 2018 fps | 95.1% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,985 psi | 79% | 2320 fps | 95.6% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,805 psi | 60% | 2067 fps | 95.8% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,649 psi | 70% | 2156 fps | 99.5% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,254 psi | 61% | 2073 fps | 97.8% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,410 psi | 51% | 2028 fps | 96.2% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,095 psi | 61% | 2113 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 98% | 35,926 psi | 75% | 2274 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,261 psi | 80% | 2297 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 88% | 31,575 psi | 66% | 2188 fps | 95.8% |
| Winchester 748 | 34.4 gr | 86% | 34,316 psi | 72% | 2274 fps | 95% |
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 51 powders for .308 Marlin Express loaded with the .308 | 168gr | Norma Diamond. Hodgdon BL-C2 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,448 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,480 fps to 2,448 fps. Accurate 4064 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 51 of the 51 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (330 MPa), the top charges use 69–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 168.0 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, Bofors RP3 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 | 168gr | Norma Diamond 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.