Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .308 Marlin Express with .308 | 170gr | Lapua Lock Base 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 Hodgdon BL-C2.
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% | 41,713 psi | 87% | 2326 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,641 psi | 89% | 2365 fps | 98.7% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,771 psi | 87% | 2395 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,511 psi | 89% | 2402 fps | 98.4% |
| Accurate 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,713 psi | 87% | 2415 fps | 99.1% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,858 psi | 87% | 2251 fps | 99.4% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,235 psi | 88% | 2257 fps | 98.1% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,974 psi | 88% | 2369 fps | 99.4% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 92% | 43,308 psi | 90% | 2375 fps | 96.8% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,915 psi | 85% | 2388 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,090 psi | 88% | 2408 fps | 96.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,293 psi | 88% | 2343 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,540 psi | 89% | 2283 fps | 99.6% |
| Bofors RP3ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,205 psi | 86% | 2408 fps | 96.1% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,191 psi | 86% | 2293 fps | 96.8% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 94% | 43,250 psi | 90% | 2434 fps | 97.5% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,901 psi | 85% | 2352 fps | 99.2% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,582 psi | 87% | 2372 fps | 98.7% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,843 psi | 87% | 2421 fps | 95.9% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,924 psi | 69% | 1467 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,510 psi | 87% | 2421 fps | 99.8% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,379 psi | 86% | 2283 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 92% | 43,308 psi | 90% | 2375 fps | 96.8% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,960 psi | 90% | 2372 fps | 98.2% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,627 psi | 89% | 2365 fps | 97.6% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 94% | 40,640 psi | 85% | 2382 fps | 98% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 98% | 42,511 psi | 89% | 2382 fps | 96.7% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,482 psi | 89% | 2323 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,366 psi | 89% | 2362 fps | 96.7% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,192 psi | 88% | 2382 fps | 98.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,750 psi | 68% | 1499 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,770 psi | 85% | 2329 fps | 97.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,408 psi | 84% | 2428 fps | 96.9% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,437 psi | 87% | 2329 fps | 98.4% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,786 psi | 89% | 2359 fps | 96.7% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,960 psi | 90% | 2372 fps | 98.2% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 94% | 40,640 psi | 85% | 2382 fps | 98% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 98% | 42,511 psi | 89% | 2382 fps | 96.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,656 psi | 89% | 2379 fps | 98.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 86% | 43,178 psi | 90% | 2352 fps | 99.8% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,598 psi | 89% | 2300 fps | 98.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,249 psi | 86% | 2293 fps | 99.2% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,046 psi | 86% | 2362 fps | 96.6% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,568 psi | 87% | 2303 fps | 99.2% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,917 psi | 90% | 2300 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,105 psi | 88% | 2303 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 98% | 42,960 psi | 90% | 2395 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,656 psi | 89% | 2365 fps | 99.1% |
| Vihtavuori N150ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 38,638 psi | 81% | 2310 fps | 96.1% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,031 psi | 86% | 2333 fps | 96.3% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,089 psi | 86% | 2359 fps | 98.4% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,872 psi | 87% | 2408 fps | 97.4% |
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% | 30,705 psi | 64% | 2119 fps | 98.5% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,634 psi | 68% | 2178 fps | 96.2% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 23,076 psi | 48% | 2001 fps | 96.1% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 84% | 32,314 psi | 68% | 2211 fps | 95.7% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 88% | 28,384 psi | 59% | 2149 fps | 95.6% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,465 psi | 82% | 2208 fps | 99.1% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,856 psi | 83% | 2215 fps | 97.6% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,956 psi | 77% | 2280 fps | 98.6% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,334 psi | 80% | 2287 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,036 psi | 59% | 2133 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 98% | 39,392 psi | 82% | 2359 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,346 psi | 74% | 2221 fps | 99.8% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,550 psi | 78% | 2198 fps | 99% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 98% | 38,464 psi | 80% | 2359 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,506 psi | 76% | 2205 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | 35.6 gr | 88% | 35,433 psi | 74% | 2290 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,663 psi | 70% | 2215 fps | 97.8% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,113 psi | 71% | 2228 fps | 96.9% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 94% | 39,218 psi | 82% | 2372 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,178 psi | 51% | 1306 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031 | 29.4 gr | 80% | 26,919 psi | 56% | 2106 fps | 96.2% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,680 psi | 77% | 2201 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,334 psi | 80% | 2287 fps | 95.4% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,103 psi | 84% | 2323 fps | 97.6% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 82% | 34,592 psi | 72% | 2221 fps | 95.4% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 86% | 31,111 psi | 65% | 2198 fps | 95.2% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 94% | 37,565 psi | 78% | 2290 fps | 95.4% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,740 psi | 83% | 2280 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 90% | 37,405 psi | 78% | 2270 fps | 95.3% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 82% | 28,892 psi | 60% | 2113 fps | 95.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,163 psi | 50% | 1339 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,692 psi | 70% | 2195 fps | 95.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 98% | 37,913 psi | 79% | 2375 fps | 96% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,922 psi | 65% | 2119 fps | 95.5% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 92% | 37,811 psi | 79% | 2270 fps | 95.3% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,103 psi | 84% | 2323 fps | 97.6% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 86% | 31,111 psi | 65% | 2198 fps | 95.2% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 94% | 37,565 psi | 78% | 2290 fps | 95.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,434 psi | 78% | 2287 fps | 97.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,636 psi | 74% | 2218 fps | 98.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,559 psi | 62% | 2047 fps | 95.1% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 84% | 27,151 psi | 57% | 2011 fps | 95.4% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,723 psi | 75% | 2260 fps | 95% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,834 psi | 60% | 2051 fps | 96% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,663 psi | 70% | 2139 fps | 99.5% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,283 psi | 61% | 2060 fps | 97.9% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,453 psi | 51% | 2014 fps | 96.4% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,428 psi | 61% | 2106 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 98% | 36,143 psi | 76% | 2260 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,319 psi | 80% | 2283 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 86% | 29,936 psi | 63% | 2136 fps | 95.2% |
| Winchester 748 | 34.2 gr | 86% | 34,461 psi | 72% | 2264 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 52 powders for .308 Marlin Express loaded with the .308 | 170gr | Lapua Lock Base. Hodgdon BL-C2 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,434 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,467 fps to 2,434 fps. Accurate 4064 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 52 of the 52 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 170.0 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, Hodgdon BL-C2 rank at the top here: for .308 Marlin Express with the .308 | 170gr | Lapua Lock Base 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.