Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .308 Marlin Express with .308 | 180gr | Sako SuperHammerhead bullet and 56 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 Accurate 2520.
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% | 40,741 psi | 85% | 2238 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,466 psi | 87% | 2277 fps | 98.9% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,147 psi | 86% | 2310 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,843 psi | 87% | 2320 fps | 98.7% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 98% | 40,886 psi | 85% | 2329 fps | 99.4% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 82% | 43,192 psi | 90% | 2201 fps | 99.8% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,612 psi | 89% | 2320 fps | 95.9% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,901 psi | 85% | 2280 fps | 99.5% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,380 psi | 89% | 2290 fps | 97.2% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,583 psi | 89% | 2336 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,540 psi | 89% | 2365 fps | 96.8% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,089 psi | 86% | 2323 fps | 96.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,481 psi | 87% | 2254 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,510 psi | 87% | 2198 fps | 99.7% |
| Bofors RP3ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,250 psi | 90% | 2372 fps | 97.2% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,772 psi | 89% | 2251 fps | 97.8% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,293 psi | 88% | 2349 fps | 97.9% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,699 psi | 89% | 2310 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 86% | 43,149 psi | 90% | 2326 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,772 psi | 89% | 2329 fps | 96.6% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 94% | 40,814 psi | 85% | 2336 fps | 96.4% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,301 psi | 70% | 1424 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,771 psi | 87% | 2293 fps | 96.2% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 94% | 43,236 psi | 90% | 2375 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,815 psi | 89% | 2231 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,380 psi | 89% | 2290 fps | 97.2% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,510 psi | 87% | 2277 fps | 97.9% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,525 psi | 89% | 2343 fps | 98.8% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,742 psi | 87% | 2297 fps | 97.2% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,495 psi | 87% | 2277 fps | 97.1% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,336 psi | 86% | 2297 fps | 99.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,185 psi | 69% | 1457 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,540 psi | 89% | 2290 fps | 98.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,076 psi | 88% | 2398 fps | 98.1% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,873 psi | 90% | 2283 fps | 99.1% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,858 psi | 87% | 2277 fps | 97.1% |
| Rottweil R 903ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,219 psi | 84% | 2313 fps | 96.1% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,525 psi | 89% | 2343 fps | 98.8% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,742 psi | 87% | 2297 fps | 97.2% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,293 psi | 88% | 2251 fps | 96.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,394 psi | 86% | 2287 fps | 99% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,308 psi | 88% | 2264 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,800 psi | 87% | 2218 fps | 99% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 98% | 42,786 psi | 89% | 2251 fps | 99.7% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,699 psi | 89% | 2320 fps | 97.6% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 92% | 43,004 psi | 90% | 2257 fps | 99.6% |
| Somchem S355ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,843 psi | 87% | 2323 fps | 96.3% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,090 psi | 88% | 2218 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,394 psi | 86% | 2221 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,119 psi | 88% | 2310 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,495 psi | 87% | 2277 fps | 99.3% |
| Vihtavuori N150ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,263 psi | 84% | 2270 fps | 97.3% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,511 psi | 89% | 2287 fps | 97.3% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,786 psi | 89% | 2316 fps | 99.1% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,741 psi | 85% | 2320 fps | 97.7% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,496 psi | 89% | 2333 fps | 96.5% |
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% | 31,995 psi | 67% | 2080 fps | 99.1% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,142 psi | 71% | 2146 fps | 97.3% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,352 psi | 51% | 1975 fps | 97.4% |
| Accurate 2520 | 31.7 gr | 80% | 29,617 psi | 62% | 2087 fps | 95.4% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 26,353 psi | 55% | 2034 fps | 95.4% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,770 psi | 85% | 2162 fps | 99.5% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,871 psi | 83% | 2270 fps | 95.1% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,145 psi | 80% | 2234 fps | 99.2% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,375 psi | 74% | 2162 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,225 psi | 61% | 2093 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 82% | 37,318 psi | 78% | 2267 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 94% | 36,535 psi | 76% | 2238 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,753 psi | 77% | 2175 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,015 psi | 82% | 2159 fps | 99.5% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 94% | 35,360 psi | 74% | 2231 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,547 psi | 70% | 2080 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 86% | 34,534 psi | 72% | 2205 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,027 psi | 73% | 2175 fps | 98.6% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,302 psi | 74% | 2188 fps | 97.9% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,811 psi | 79% | 2241 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 92% | 38,232 psi | 80% | 2290 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,424 psi | 51% | 1266 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,088 psi | 82% | 2244 fps | 95.4% |
| IMR 3031 | 29.1 gr | 80% | 28,036 psi | 59% | 2073 fps | 97.4% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,247 psi | 80% | 2159 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,375 psi | 74% | 2162 fps | 95.2% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,939 psi | 71% | 2139 fps | 95.9% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 84% | 30,284 psi | 63% | 2113 fps | 95.6% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 90% | 34,751 psi | 73% | 2172 fps | 95.2% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 86% | 34,534 psi | 72% | 2149 fps | 95% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,427 psi | 59% | 2041 fps | 95.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,453 psi | 51% | 1299 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,056 psi | 73% | 2156 fps | 96.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 94% | 34,940 psi | 73% | 2251 fps | 95.7% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,155 psi | 67% | 2080 fps | 96.7% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 88% | 34,867 psi | 73% | 2149 fps | 95.1% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 98% | 37,478 psi | 78% | 2264 fps | 95.4% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 30,284 psi | 63% | 2113 fps | 95.6% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 90% | 34,751 psi | 73% | 2172 fps | 95.2% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,927 psi | 77% | 2159 fps | 95.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,725 psi | 81% | 2241 fps | 98.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,057 psi | 77% | 2175 fps | 99.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,676 psi | 64% | 2011 fps | 96.3% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,831 psi | 52% | 1893 fps | 95% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,012 psi | 73% | 2182 fps | 95.5% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,979 psi | 63% | 2018 fps | 97.1% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 98% | 39,131 psi | 82% | 2277 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,911 psi | 73% | 2096 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,414 psi | 64% | 2021 fps | 98.7% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,512 psi | 53% | 1982 fps | 97.5% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,847 psi | 56% | 1982 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 94% | 33,141 psi | 69% | 2139 fps | 95.1% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 84% | 34,969 psi | 73% | 2152 fps | 95.1% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,327 psi | 61% | 2060 fps | 95.7% |
| Winchester 748 | 33 gr | 84% | 33,446 psi | 70% | 2178 fps | 95.6% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 90% | 37,565 psi | 78% | 2247 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 | Sako SuperHammerhead. ReloadSwiss RS 60 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,398 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,424 fps to 2,398 fps. Bofors RP3 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 1:14.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Bofors RP3, Hodgdon TrailBoss, ReloadSwiss RS 14 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, Accurate 2520 rank at the top here: for .308 Marlin Express with the .308 | 180gr | Sako SuperHammerhead 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.