Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .308 Marlin Express with .308 | 180gr | Nosler Ballistic Silver Tip bullet and 56 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Hodgdon BL-C2, Lovex D073.6 and Shooters World Match Rifle.
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% | 43,265 psi | 90% | 2247 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,307 psi | 86% | 2244 fps | 98.5% |
| Accurate 2495ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,917 psi | 90% | 2313 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,133 psi | 86% | 2280 fps | 98.2% |
| Accurate 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 39,914 psi | 83% | 2290 fps | 98.9% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,959 psi | 86% | 2136 fps | 99.3% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,423 psi | 87% | 2142 fps | 98% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,901 psi | 85% | 2251 fps | 99.3% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,438 psi | 89% | 2257 fps | 96.6% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,351 psi | 88% | 2306 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,424 psi | 89% | 2329 fps | 96.2% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,654 psi | 85% | 2280 fps | 95.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,075 psi | 86% | 2221 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,626 psi | 87% | 2172 fps | 99.5% |
| Bofors RP3ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 39,871 psi | 83% | 2287 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,772 psi | 89% | 2218 fps | 97.3% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,843 psi | 87% | 2310 fps | 97.3% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,438 psi | 89% | 2277 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 88% | 43,221 psi | 90% | 2297 fps | 99% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,482 psi | 89% | 2293 fps | 95.9% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 98% | 43,178 psi | 90% | 2343 fps | 96.4% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,953 psi | 69% | 1394 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,714 psi | 89% | 2336 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,772 psi | 89% | 2201 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,438 psi | 89% | 2257 fps | 96.6% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,582 psi | 87% | 2247 fps | 98% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,147 psi | 86% | 2241 fps | 97.4% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,887 psi | 88% | 2303 fps | 98.3% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,162 psi | 86% | 2257 fps | 96.5% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,147 psi | 86% | 2205 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,031 psi | 86% | 2238 fps | 96.4% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 94% | 40,857 psi | 85% | 2257 fps | 98.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,793 psi | 69% | 1427 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,424 psi | 89% | 2257 fps | 98% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 39,392 psi | 82% | 2303 fps | 96.6% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,467 psi | 89% | 2247 fps | 98.7% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,524 psi | 87% | 2241 fps | 96.5% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,582 psi | 87% | 2247 fps | 98% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,887 psi | 88% | 2303 fps | 98.3% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,162 psi | 86% | 2257 fps | 96.5% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,409 psi | 89% | 2218 fps | 96.1% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,553 psi | 87% | 2260 fps | 98.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,959 psi | 88% | 2228 fps | 99.8% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,640 psi | 87% | 2185 fps | 98.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,772 psi | 89% | 2218 fps | 99.4% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,540 psi | 89% | 2287 fps | 97% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,656 psi | 89% | 2221 fps | 99.3% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,989 psi | 88% | 2185 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,089 psi | 86% | 2188 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,524 psi | 87% | 2274 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,205 psi | 86% | 2244 fps | 98.9% |
| Vihtavuori N150ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,376 psi | 78% | 2188 fps | 95.8% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,308 psi | 88% | 2251 fps | 96.7% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 98% | 42,206 psi | 88% | 2277 fps | 98.7% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 94% | 43,207 psi | 90% | 2326 fps | 97.8% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,366 psi | 89% | 2297 fps | 95.8% |
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% | 29,704 psi | 62% | 2008 fps | 98.3% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,778 psi | 66% | 2070 fps | 96.1% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 22,205 psi | 46% | 1896 fps | 95.9% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 84% | 31,488 psi | 66% | 2103 fps | 95.5% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 88% | 27,369 psi | 57% | 2041 fps | 95.4% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,522 psi | 80% | 2093 fps | 99% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,885 psi | 81% | 2100 fps | 97.5% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,027 psi | 75% | 2165 fps | 98.5% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,536 psi | 78% | 2172 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,224 psi | 57% | 2021 fps | 99.5% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 86% | 39,827 psi | 83% | 2283 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 98% | 38,174 psi | 80% | 2238 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,476 psi | 72% | 2110 fps | 99.8% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,680 psi | 77% | 2090 fps | 98.9% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 98% | 37,318 psi | 78% | 2241 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,708 psi | 75% | 2093 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | 33 gr | 88% | 34,447 psi | 72% | 2175 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,866 psi | 69% | 2103 fps | 97.7% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,170 psi | 69% | 2116 fps | 96.7% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 92% | 39,972 psi | 84% | 2247 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 96% | 40,683 psi | 85% | 2297 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,250 psi | 51% | 1240 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,121 psi | 55% | 1995 fps | 96% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,897 psi | 75% | 2090 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,536 psi | 78% | 2172 fps | 95.2% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,972 psi | 81% | 2205 fps | 97.4% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 82% | 33,446 psi | 70% | 2103 fps | 95.1% |
| Lovex D073.6 | 31.9 gr | 88% | 31,995 psi | 67% | 2126 fps | 95.7% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 94% | 36,651 psi | 77% | 2178 fps | 95.2% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,624 psi | 81% | 2162 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 90% | 36,564 psi | 76% | 2159 fps | 95.1% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 84% | 30,052 psi | 63% | 2054 fps | 95.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,265 psi | 51% | 1273 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,764 psi | 68% | 2080 fps | 95.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 98% | 37,086 psi | 77% | 2257 fps | 95.7% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,921 psi | 63% | 2005 fps | 95.3% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 92% | 36,695 psi | 77% | 2152 fps | 95.1% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,972 psi | 81% | 2205 fps | 97.4% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | 31.9 gr | 88% | 31,995 psi | 67% | 2126 fps | 95.7% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 94% | 36,651 psi | 77% | 2178 fps | 95.2% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,813 psi | 83% | 2175 fps | 95.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,390 psi | 76% | 2169 fps | 97.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,809 psi | 73% | 2106 fps | 98.8% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,863 psi | 60% | 1942 fps | 95% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 84% | 26,281 psi | 55% | 1903 fps | 95.1% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,260 psi | 78% | 2195 fps | 95.6% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,050 psi | 59% | 1946 fps | 95.8% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,895 psi | 69% | 2031 fps | 99.5% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,601 psi | 60% | 1955 fps | 97.8% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 23,815 psi | 50% | 1913 fps | 96.2% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,442 psi | 59% | 1995 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 98% | 35,056 psi | 73% | 2146 fps | 95.1% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,246 psi | 78% | 2165 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 88% | 30,806 psi | 64% | 2067 fps | 95.7% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 88% | 35,665 psi | 75% | 2192 fps | 95.7% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 94% | 39,856 psi | 83% | 2254 fps | 95% |
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 56 powders for .308 Marlin Express loaded with the .308 | 180gr | Nosler Ballistic Silver Tip. Hodgdon LEVERevolution delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,343 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,394 fps to 2,343 fps. Accurate 2495 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 56 of the 56 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 1:12.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 2495, Accurate 4064, Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 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 BL-C2, Lovex D073.6, Shooters World Match Rifle rank at the top here: for .308 Marlin Express with the .308 | 180gr | Nosler Ballistic Silver Tip 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.