Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .308 Marlin Express with .308 | 168gr | Sierra MatchKing 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 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>> | 90% | 41,307 psi | 86% | 2336 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,496 psi | 89% | 2379 fps | 98.6% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,568 psi | 87% | 2408 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,380 psi | 89% | 2418 fps | 98.3% |
| Accurate 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,191 psi | 86% | 2425 fps | 99% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,510 psi | 87% | 2260 fps | 99.3% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,901 psi | 88% | 2267 fps | 98% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,916 psi | 88% | 2385 fps | 99.3% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 92% | 43,221 psi | 90% | 2388 fps | 96.6% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,843 psi | 85% | 2405 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,568 psi | 87% | 2415 fps | 96% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,279 psi | 88% | 2359 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,424 psi | 89% | 2300 fps | 99.5% |
| Bofors RP3ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,031 psi | 86% | 2421 fps | 95.9% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,133 psi | 86% | 2310 fps | 96.7% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 94% | 43,033 psi | 90% | 2448 fps | 97.4% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,872 psi | 85% | 2369 fps | 99.2% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,437 psi | 87% | 2385 fps | 98.6% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,025 psi | 69% | 1480 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,408 psi | 87% | 2434 fps | 99.7% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,046 psi | 86% | 2293 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 92% | 43,221 psi | 90% | 2388 fps | 96.6% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,496 psi | 89% | 2382 fps | 98% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,148 psi | 88% | 2375 fps | 97.4% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,975 psi | 90% | 2438 fps | 98.4% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 98% | 42,366 psi | 89% | 2395 fps | 96.6% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,119 psi | 88% | 2336 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,250 psi | 88% | 2375 fps | 96.5% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,047 psi | 88% | 2395 fps | 98.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,837 psi | 69% | 1512 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 88% | 43,105 psi | 90% | 2385 fps | 98% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,277 psi | 84% | 2441 fps | 96.7% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,031 psi | 86% | 2339 fps | 98.3% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,308 psi | 88% | 2369 fps | 96.5% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,496 psi | 89% | 2382 fps | 98% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,975 psi | 90% | 2438 fps | 98.4% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 98% | 42,366 psi | 89% | 2395 fps | 96.6% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 86% | 43,221 psi | 90% | 2349 fps | 96.1% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,221 psi | 88% | 2388 fps | 98.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,743 psi | 89% | 2362 fps | 99.8% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,569 psi | 89% | 2313 fps | 98.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,162 psi | 86% | 2310 fps | 99.2% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,582 psi | 85% | 2369 fps | 96.4% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,147 psi | 86% | 2313 fps | 99.1% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,554 psi | 89% | 2313 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,061 psi | 88% | 2320 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 98% | 42,786 psi | 89% | 2411 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,177 psi | 88% | 2375 fps | 99% |
| Vihtavuori N150ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 38,145 psi | 80% | 2316 fps | 95.9% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,596 psi | 85% | 2339 fps | 96% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 96% | 40,596 psi | 85% | 2365 fps | 98.3% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,408 psi | 87% | 2415 fps | 97.2% |
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% | 30,400 psi | 64% | 2126 fps | 98.3% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,300 psi | 67% | 2188 fps | 96% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 23,032 psi | 48% | 2014 fps | 96% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 84% | 32,227 psi | 67% | 2224 fps | 95.5% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 88% | 28,050 psi | 59% | 2159 fps | 95.4% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,189 psi | 82% | 2218 fps | 99% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,566 psi | 83% | 2224 fps | 97.5% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,593 psi | 76% | 2290 fps | 98.4% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,290 psi | 80% | 2300 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,775 psi | 58% | 2139 fps | 99.5% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 98% | 39,276 psi | 82% | 2372 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,041 psi | 73% | 2231 fps | 99.8% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,188 psi | 78% | 2208 fps | 98.8% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 98% | 38,232 psi | 80% | 2369 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,492 psi | 76% | 2221 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 88% | 35,360 psi | 74% | 2303 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,634 psi | 70% | 2228 fps | 97.7% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,794 psi | 71% | 2238 fps | 96.7% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,323 psi | 51% | 1319 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031 | 29.5 gr | 80% | 26,672 psi | 56% | 2113 fps | 96% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,738 psi | 77% | 2218 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,290 psi | 80% | 2300 fps | 95.3% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,697 psi | 83% | 2333 fps | 97.4% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 82% | 34,519 psi | 72% | 2234 fps | 95.3% |
| Lovex D073.6 | 34.6 gr | 88% | 32,909 psi | 69% | 2254 fps | 95.8% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 94% | 37,478 psi | 78% | 2306 fps | 95.2% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,755 psi | 83% | 2297 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 90% | 37,333 psi | 78% | 2283 fps | 95.1% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 84% | 30,589 psi | 64% | 2169 fps | 95.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,294 psi | 51% | 1352 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,402 psi | 70% | 2201 fps | 95.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 98% | 37,782 psi | 79% | 2388 fps | 95.7% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,676 psi | 64% | 2126 fps | 95.3% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 92% | 37,420 psi | 78% | 2280 fps | 95.1% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,697 psi | 83% | 2333 fps | 97.4% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 88% | 32,909 psi | 69% | 2254 fps | 95.8% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 94% | 37,478 psi | 78% | 2306 fps | 95.2% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,451 psi | 85% | 2300 fps | 95.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,086 psi | 77% | 2293 fps | 97.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,679 psi | 75% | 2234 fps | 98.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,544 psi | 62% | 2060 fps | 95% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 84% | 26,890 psi | 56% | 2018 fps | 95.1% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 86% | 38,000 psi | 79% | 2320 fps | 95.6% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,848 psi | 60% | 2067 fps | 95.8% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,692 psi | 70% | 2156 fps | 99.5% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,312 psi | 61% | 2073 fps | 97.8% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,468 psi | 51% | 2028 fps | 96.3% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,138 psi | 61% | 2113 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 98% | 35,984 psi | 75% | 2274 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,927 psi | 79% | 2290 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 88% | 31,618 psi | 66% | 2188 fps | 95.8% |
| Winchester 748 | 35.1 gr | 88% | 36,332 psi | 76% | 2320 fps | 95.7% |
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 82 powders for .308 Marlin Express loaded with the .308 | 168gr | Sierra MatchKing. ReloadSwiss RS 52 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,467 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,480 fps to 2,467 fps. Accurate 4064 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 82 of the 82 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, Alliant Reloder-17 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, Lovex D073.6 rank at the top here: for .308 Marlin Express with the .308 | 168gr | Sierra MatchKing they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, Accurate 2200, Accurate 2230, ADI AR 2206H burn incompletely and react more sensitively to barrel length and temperature. Always begin at the start load and work up in small increments while checking case and primer for pressure signs.