Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .308 Marlin Express with .308 | 180gr | Barnes MRX BT bullet and 53 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>> | 92% | 41,597 psi | 87% | 2228 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,235 psi | 88% | 2264 fps | 98.6% |
| Accurate 2495ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,770 psi | 85% | 2287 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,235 psi | 88% | 2303 fps | 98.4% |
| Accurate 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,971 psi | 79% | 2264 fps | 98.6% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,380 psi | 89% | 2162 fps | 99.5% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,801 psi | 89% | 2169 fps | 98.3% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,974 psi | 88% | 2195 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,235 psi | 88% | 2277 fps | 99.4% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,075 psi | 86% | 2241 fps | 96.3% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 94% | 40,857 psi | 85% | 2290 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,177 psi | 88% | 2244 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 82% | 43,149 psi | 90% | 2201 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 86% | 43,221 psi | 90% | 2198 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,437 psi | 87% | 2201 fps | 96.9% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 94% | 40,408 psi | 84% | 2290 fps | 96.9% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,060 psi | 86% | 2257 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,858 psi | 87% | 2277 fps | 98.8% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,887 psi | 88% | 2323 fps | 96% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,445 psi | 68% | 1388 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 96% | 43,004 psi | 90% | 2280 fps | 95.8% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,220 psi | 86% | 2320 fps | 99.8% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,872 psi | 87% | 2192 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,075 psi | 86% | 2241 fps | 96.3% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 84% | 43,105 psi | 90% | 2277 fps | 98.3% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,482 psi | 89% | 2270 fps | 97.6% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 98% | 43,018 psi | 90% | 2326 fps | 98.5% |
| Lovex S062ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,235 psi | 88% | 2280 fps | 96.7% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,974 psi | 88% | 2224 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,047 psi | 88% | 2260 fps | 96.6% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,003 psi | 88% | 2280 fps | 98.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,198 psi | 67% | 1421 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,046 psi | 86% | 2241 fps | 97.7% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 94% | 43,250 psi | 90% | 2267 fps | 98.8% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 98% | 42,192 psi | 88% | 2254 fps | 96.6% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 84% | 43,105 psi | 90% | 2277 fps | 98.3% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 98% | 43,018 psi | 90% | 2326 fps | 98.5% |
| Shooters World Precisionᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,235 psi | 88% | 2280 fps | 96.7% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,988 psi | 86% | 2201 fps | 95.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,743 psi | 89% | 2283 fps | 98.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,553 psi | 85% | 2211 fps | 99.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,989 psi | 90% | 2208 fps | 98.8% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,437 psi | 87% | 2201 fps | 99.3% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,104 psi | 86% | 2267 fps | 96.7% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,162 psi | 86% | 2205 fps | 99.2% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,163 psi | 88% | 2156 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 90% | 43,221 psi | 90% | 2211 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,409 psi | 89% | 2211 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N135ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,757 psi | 89% | 2297 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 98% | 42,496 psi | 89% | 2267 fps | 99.1% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,886 psi | 85% | 2231 fps | 96.3% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 98% | 40,799 psi | 85% | 2257 fps | 98.4% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,829 psi | 87% | 2306 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% | 28,398 psi | 59% | 1988 fps | 97.9% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,139 psi | 63% | 2044 fps | 95.4% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 20,610 psi | 43% | 1864 fps | 95% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 86% | 31,995 psi | 67% | 2123 fps | 95.7% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 90% | 27,354 psi | 57% | 2051 fps | 95.4% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,304 psi | 78% | 2077 fps | 98.7% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,695 psi | 79% | 2083 fps | 97.2% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,247 psi | 82% | 2152 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,679 psi | 72% | 2146 fps | 98.1% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 90% | 38,551 psi | 81% | 2195 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,121 psi | 55% | 2001 fps | 99.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,909 psi | 69% | 2087 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,828 psi | 85% | 2165 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,476 psi | 74% | 2073 fps | 98.6% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,637 psi | 77% | 2116 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | 33.5 gr | 90% | 35,215 psi | 74% | 2195 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,589 psi | 66% | 2080 fps | 97.3% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,865 psi | 67% | 2093 fps | 96.3% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 96% | 39,363 psi | 82% | 2277 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 23,699 psi | 50% | 1234 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 94% | 40,393 psi | 84% | 2238 fps | 95.1% |
| IMR 3031 | 27 gr | 80% | 24,816 psi | 52% | 1969 fps | 95.3% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,969 psi | 73% | 2080 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 90% | 38,551 psi | 81% | 2195 fps | 95.5% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,318 psi | 78% | 2182 fps | 97% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 84% | 34,272 psi | 72% | 2129 fps | 95.4% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 88% | 30,429 psi | 64% | 2100 fps | 95.1% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 96% | 37,463 psi | 78% | 2198 fps | 95.4% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,159 psi | 78% | 2149 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 92% | 37,289 psi | 78% | 2178 fps | 95.3% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,660 psi | 60% | 2028 fps | 95.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 23,641 psi | 49% | 1266 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 82% | 33,504 psi | 70% | 2103 fps | 95.6% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 82% | 30,066 psi | 63% | 2021 fps | 95.4% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 94% | 37,405 psi | 78% | 2175 fps | 95.3% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,318 psi | 78% | 2182 fps | 97% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 88% | 30,429 psi | 64% | 2100 fps | 95.1% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 96% | 37,463 psi | 78% | 2198 fps | 95.4% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,450 psi | 80% | 2159 fps | 95% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,012 psi | 73% | 2149 fps | 97.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,431 psi | 70% | 2087 fps | 98.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 82% | 29,399 psi | 61% | 1962 fps | 95.2% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 26,774 psi | 56% | 1923 fps | 95.3% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 86% | 35,853 psi | 75% | 2175 fps | 95.1% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,905 psi | 56% | 1929 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,421 psi | 82% | 2116 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,502 psi | 66% | 2011 fps | 99.2% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,311 psi | 57% | 1932 fps | 97.3% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 22,481 psi | 47% | 1883 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 86% | 28,950 psi | 60% | 2014 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 90% | 38,319 psi | 80% | 2188 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 88% | 29,501 psi | 62% | 2044 fps | 95.1% |
| Winchester 748 | 32.2 gr | 88% | 34,345 psi | 72% | 2169 fps | 95.2% |
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 85 powders for .308 Marlin Express loaded with the .308 | 180gr | Barnes MRX BT. ReloadSwiss RS 52 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,359 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,388 fps to 2,359 fps. Accurate 2495 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 85 of the 85 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (330 MPa), the top charges use 67–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 180.0 gr projectile in 0.308" calls for a 1:11.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 2495, Accurate 4064, ADI AR 2208 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 | 180gr | Barnes MRX BT 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.