Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .308 Marlin Express with .308 | 180gr | Norma PlastSpitz bullet and 58 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 ReloadSwiss RS 60.
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>> | 88% | 41,017 psi | 86% | 2244 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,713 psi | 87% | 2283 fps | 99% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,481 psi | 87% | 2316 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,105 psi | 88% | 2326 fps | 98.8% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,104 psi | 86% | 2336 fps | 99.4% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,830 psi | 89% | 2323 fps | 96% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,191 psi | 86% | 2287 fps | 99.6% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,627 psi | 89% | 2297 fps | 97.3% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,873 psi | 90% | 2343 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,859 psi | 90% | 2372 fps | 96.9% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,278 psi | 86% | 2329 fps | 96.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,843 psi | 87% | 2260 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,713 psi | 87% | 2205 fps | 99.8% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 98% | 40,886 psi | 85% | 2336 fps | 96.8% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 88% | 43,018 psi | 90% | 2260 fps | 97.9% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,830 psi | 89% | 2359 fps | 98% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 86% | 43,004 psi | 90% | 2316 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,596 psi | 85% | 2287 fps | 99% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 92% | 43,004 psi | 90% | 2336 fps | 96.7% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 94% | 40,959 psi | 86% | 2343 fps | 96.5% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,069 psi | 69% | 1424 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,974 psi | 88% | 2297 fps | 96.3% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,930 psi | 86% | 2339 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 84% | 43,134 psi | 90% | 2238 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,627 psi | 89% | 2297 fps | 97.3% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,742 psi | 87% | 2287 fps | 98% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,772 psi | 89% | 2349 fps | 98.9% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,930 psi | 88% | 2238 fps | 95.7% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,959 psi | 88% | 2306 fps | 97.3% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,727 psi | 87% | 2283 fps | 97.2% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,582 psi | 87% | 2303 fps | 99.1% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,814 psi | 87% | 2336 fps | 95.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,315 psi | 70% | 1460 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,801 psi | 89% | 2297 fps | 98.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,554 psi | 89% | 2411 fps | 98.3% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 90% | 43,105 psi | 90% | 2290 fps | 99.1% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,177 psi | 88% | 2283 fps | 97.2% |
| Rottweil R 903ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,437 psi | 84% | 2320 fps | 96.3% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,772 psi | 89% | 2349 fps | 98.9% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,959 psi | 88% | 2306 fps | 97.3% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,525 psi | 89% | 2257 fps | 96.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,626 psi | 87% | 2293 fps | 99% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,192 psi | 90% | 2372 fps | 95.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,250 psi | 88% | 2267 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,032 psi | 88% | 2224 fps | 99% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 98% | 43,076 psi | 90% | 2257 fps | 99.7% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,902 psi | 90% | 2326 fps | 97.7% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 92% | 43,236 psi | 90% | 2264 fps | 99.7% |
| Somchem S355ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,090 psi | 88% | 2329 fps | 96.4% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,003 psi | 88% | 2218 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,669 psi | 87% | 2228 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,438 psi | 89% | 2316 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,032 psi | 88% | 2287 fps | 99.4% |
| Vihtavuori N150ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,495 psi | 85% | 2277 fps | 97.4% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,815 psi | 89% | 2297 fps | 97.4% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 96% | 43,033 psi | 90% | 2323 fps | 99.2% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,930 psi | 86% | 2326 fps | 97.8% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 94% | 43,062 psi | 90% | 2346 fps | 96.7% |
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% | 31,981 psi | 67% | 2080 fps | 99.2% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,418 psi | 72% | 2152 fps | 97.5% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,584 psi | 51% | 1982 fps | 97.5% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,849 psi | 62% | 2093 fps | 95.5% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 26,571 psi | 56% | 2041 fps | 95.6% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,103 psi | 84% | 2277 fps | 95.2% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,450 psi | 80% | 2241 fps | 99.3% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,563 psi | 74% | 2169 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,443 psi | 62% | 2103 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 82% | 37,623 psi | 79% | 2277 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 94% | 36,767 psi | 77% | 2244 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,753 psi | 77% | 2178 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,943 psi | 81% | 2159 fps | 99.5% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 94% | 35,549 psi | 74% | 2241 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,794 psi | 71% | 2090 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 32,547 psi | 68% | 2169 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,273 psi | 74% | 2182 fps | 98.7% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,549 psi | 74% | 2195 fps | 98% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,058 psi | 80% | 2247 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 92% | 38,421 psi | 80% | 2297 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,584 psi | 51% | 1273 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,305 psi | 82% | 2251 fps | 95.5% |
| IMR 3031 | 29.2 gr | 80% | 28,050 psi | 59% | 2077 fps | 97.5% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,232 psi | 80% | 2159 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,563 psi | 74% | 2169 fps | 95.3% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,866 psi | 71% | 2142 fps | 96% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 84% | 30,530 psi | 64% | 2123 fps | 95.8% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 88% | 39,639 psi | 83% | 2195 fps | 95% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 90% | 34,983 psi | 73% | 2178 fps | 95.3% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 86% | 34,766 psi | 73% | 2156 fps | 95.2% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,689 psi | 60% | 2047 fps | 95.8% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 94% | 39,102 psi | 82% | 2287 fps | 95% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,598 psi | 51% | 1302 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,056 psi | 73% | 2159 fps | 96.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | 37.3 gr | 94% | 35,070 psi | 73% | 2257 fps | 95.8% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,140 psi | 67% | 2083 fps | 96.7% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 88% | 35,128 psi | 73% | 2156 fps | 95.3% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 98% | 37,695 psi | 79% | 2270 fps | 95.5% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 30,530 psi | 64% | 2123 fps | 95.8% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 90% | 34,983 psi | 73% | 2178 fps | 95.3% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,188 psi | 78% | 2165 fps | 95.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,001 psi | 81% | 2247 fps | 98.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 98% | 40,843 psi | 85% | 2329 fps | 95% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,391 psi | 78% | 2185 fps | 99.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,908 psi | 65% | 2018 fps | 96.4% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,005 psi | 52% | 1900 fps | 95.1% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,244 psi | 74% | 2188 fps | 95.6% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,211 psi | 63% | 2024 fps | 97.2% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 96% | 37,130 psi | 78% | 2241 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,201 psi | 74% | 2103 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,647 psi | 64% | 2031 fps | 98.8% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,759 psi | 54% | 1991 fps | 97.7% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,064 psi | 57% | 1991 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 94% | 33,591 psi | 70% | 2152 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,230 psi | 74% | 2159 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 82% | 27,659 psi | 58% | 2021 fps | 95% |
| Winchester 748 | 33.2 gr | 84% | 33,663 psi | 70% | 2185 fps | 95.7% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 90% | 37,797 psi | 79% | 2254 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 58 powders for .308 Marlin Express loaded with the .308 | 180gr | Norma PlastSpitz. ReloadSwiss RS 60 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,411 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,424 fps to 2,411 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 58 of the 58 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 180.0 gr projectile in 0.308" calls for a 1:14.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Hodgdon TrailBoss, ReloadSwiss RS 14, ReloadSwiss RS 60 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, ReloadSwiss RS 60 rank at the top here: for .308 Marlin Express with the .308 | 180gr | Norma PlastSpitz 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.