Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .308 Marlin Express with .308 | 180gr | Norma VULKAN bullet and 62 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Hodgdon LEVERevolution, IMR 3031 and Winchester 748.
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% | 42,206 psi | 88% | 2270 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,830 psi | 89% | 2310 fps | 99.2% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,685 psi | 89% | 2343 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 90% | 43,207 psi | 90% | 2352 fps | 99.1% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 98% | 42,569 psi | 89% | 2369 fps | 99.6% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,147 psi | 86% | 2306 fps | 95.8% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,003 psi | 88% | 2313 fps | 99.7% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,944 psi | 86% | 2280 fps | 97.1% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,539 psi | 87% | 2333 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,249 psi | 86% | 2356 fps | 96.7% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 98% | 42,598 psi | 89% | 2359 fps | 97.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,772 psi | 89% | 2283 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,366 psi | 89% | 2224 fps | 99.9% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,843 psi | 87% | 2362 fps | 97.2% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,379 psi | 86% | 2244 fps | 97.7% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,017 psi | 86% | 2339 fps | 97.8% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,321 psi | 86% | 2300 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,698 psi | 87% | 2313 fps | 99.2% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,307 psi | 86% | 2320 fps | 96.5% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,119 psi | 88% | 2375 fps | 97% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,243 psi | 69% | 1434 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,931 psi | 90% | 2326 fps | 96.7% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,119 psi | 88% | 2369 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,292 psi | 86% | 2218 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,148 psi | 88% | 2362 fps | 96.2% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,944 psi | 86% | 2280 fps | 97.1% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,801 psi | 89% | 2313 fps | 98.3% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,307 psi | 86% | 2336 fps | 98.8% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,888 psi | 90% | 2264 fps | 96.1% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 96% | 43,018 psi | 90% | 2333 fps | 97.7% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,757 psi | 89% | 2313 fps | 97.6% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,685 psi | 89% | 2329 fps | 99.4% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,786 psi | 89% | 2362 fps | 96.3% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 96% | 43,047 psi | 90% | 2375 fps | 95.8% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,467 psi | 89% | 2339 fps | 96% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,308 psi | 88% | 2280 fps | 95.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,475 psi | 70% | 1473 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,770 psi | 85% | 2274 fps | 98.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 98% | 40,843 psi | 85% | 2392 fps | 98.1% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,582 psi | 87% | 2274 fps | 99% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,830 psi | 89% | 2306 fps | 97.6% |
| Rottweil R 903ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,814 psi | 87% | 2352 fps | 96.8% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,307 psi | 86% | 2336 fps | 98.8% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 96% | 43,018 psi | 90% | 2333 fps | 97.7% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,770 psi | 85% | 2241 fps | 96.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,757 psi | 89% | 2323 fps | 99.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 84% | 43,250 psi | 90% | 2290 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,032 psi | 88% | 2323 fps | 95.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,815 psi | 89% | 2247 fps | 99.3% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,510 psi | 87% | 2244 fps | 99.7% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,147 psi | 86% | 2306 fps | 97.5% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,872 psi | 87% | 2251 fps | 99.6% |
| Somchem S355ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,047 psi | 90% | 2356 fps | 96.8% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 86% | 43,192 psi | 90% | 2244 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,467 psi | 89% | 2251 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,089 psi | 86% | 2303 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 94% | 43,076 psi | 90% | 2316 fps | 99.6% |
| Vihtavuori N150ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,669 psi | 87% | 2310 fps | 97.8% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,002 psi | 86% | 2277 fps | 97.2% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,162 psi | 86% | 2303 fps | 99% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,916 psi | 88% | 2352 fps | 98.2% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,118 psi | 86% | 2326 fps | 96.4% |
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% | 32,837 psi | 69% | 2106 fps | 99.4% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,172 psi | 73% | 2175 fps | 97.8% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,382 psi | 53% | 2008 fps | 98% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,618 psi | 64% | 2119 fps | 96% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 82% | 25,570 psi | 53% | 2021 fps | 95.3% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,609 psi | 81% | 2260 fps | 95% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,291 psi | 82% | 2267 fps | 99.5% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 82% | 34,026 psi | 71% | 2146 fps | 95% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,994 psi | 63% | 2123 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,984 psi | 75% | 2254 fps | 95.1% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 92% | 35,331 psi | 74% | 2228 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,724 psi | 79% | 2201 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,885 psi | 83% | 2185 fps | 99.7% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 92% | 34,403 psi | 72% | 2228 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,490 psi | 72% | 2113 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 33,431 psi | 70% | 2195 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,114 psi | 75% | 2208 fps | 99% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,579 psi | 76% | 2224 fps | 98.3% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,622 psi | 77% | 2231 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | 36.4 gr | 90% | 37,159 psi | 78% | 2283 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,598 psi | 51% | 1280 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,768 psi | 79% | 2234 fps | 95.3% |
| IMR 3031 | 29.9 gr | 80% | 28,761 psi | 60% | 2103 fps | 97.9% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,899 psi | 81% | 2178 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 92% | 39,479 psi | 82% | 2313 fps | 95.5% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 82% | 34,026 psi | 71% | 2146 fps | 95% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,853 psi | 73% | 2172 fps | 96.5% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 82% | 29,472 psi | 62% | 2106 fps | 95.5% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,263 psi | 84% | 2218 fps | 95.4% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 88% | 33,707 psi | 70% | 2162 fps | 95.1% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 86% | 35,462 psi | 74% | 2178 fps | 95.6% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,138 psi | 61% | 2067 fps | 96.2% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 94% | 40,408 psi | 84% | 2320 fps | 95.6% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 94% | 40,408 psi | 84% | 2326 fps | 95% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 88% | 39,856 psi | 83% | 2293 fps | 95.2% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,784 psi | 83% | 2234 fps | 95% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,613 psi | 51% | 1312 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,810 psi | 75% | 2182 fps | 97.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 92% | 33,620 psi | 70% | 2238 fps | 95.5% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,982 psi | 69% | 2110 fps | 97.1% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 86% | 33,866 psi | 71% | 2139 fps | 95% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 96% | 36,419 psi | 76% | 2257 fps | 95.3% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 82% | 29,472 psi | 62% | 2106 fps | 95.5% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 88% | 33,707 psi | 70% | 2162 fps | 95.1% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,218 psi | 80% | 2195 fps | 95.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,103 psi | 84% | 2277 fps | 98.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,348 psi | 80% | 2211 fps | 99.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,508 psi | 83% | 2277 fps | 95.2% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,676 psi | 66% | 2044 fps | 96.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,628 psi | 54% | 1926 fps | 95.7% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,663 psi | 70% | 2165 fps | 95.3% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,951 psi | 65% | 2051 fps | 97.6% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 96% | 38,029 psi | 79% | 2267 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,085 psi | 75% | 2129 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,430 psi | 66% | 2054 fps | 99.1% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,484 psi | 55% | 2018 fps | 98.1% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,688 psi | 58% | 2014 fps | 95.9% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 92% | 32,271 psi | 67% | 2133 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 82% | 33,866 psi | 71% | 2142 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 82% | 28,224 psi | 59% | 2044 fps | 95.5% |
| Winchester 748 | 33.2 gr | 82% | 32,387 psi | 68% | 2165 fps | 95.4% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 90% | 38,595 psi | 81% | 2280 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 62 powders for .308 Marlin Express loaded with the .308 | 180gr | Norma VULKAN. ReloadSwiss RS 60 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,392 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,434 fps to 2,392 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 62 of the 62 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 1:15.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Hodgdon TrailBoss, ReloadSwiss RS 14, Rottweil R 903 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. Hodgdon LEVERevolution, IMR 3031, Winchester 748 rank at the top here: for .308 Marlin Express with the .308 | 180gr | Norma VULKAN 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.