Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .308 Marlin Express with .308 | 180gr | Sellier & Bellot FMJ-BT 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 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>> | 90% | 42,047 psi | 88% | 2244 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,612 psi | 89% | 2280 fps | 98.9% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 98% | 42,003 psi | 88% | 2310 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,786 psi | 89% | 2320 fps | 98.7% |
| Accurate 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,611 psi | 87% | 2329 fps | 99.3% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,076 psi | 88% | 2169 fps | 99.6% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,453 psi | 89% | 2175 fps | 98.4% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,322 psi | 88% | 2290 fps | 99.6% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,118 psi | 86% | 2251 fps | 96.6% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,089 psi | 86% | 2303 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,944 psi | 86% | 2320 fps | 96% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,076 psi | 88% | 2323 fps | 96.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,728 psi | 89% | 2260 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,714 psi | 89% | 2201 fps | 99.7% |
| Bofors RP3ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,321 psi | 86% | 2326 fps | 96.5% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,510 psi | 87% | 2215 fps | 97.2% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,770 psi | 85% | 2306 fps | 97.3% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,220 psi | 86% | 2270 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,887 psi | 88% | 2290 fps | 99% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,191 psi | 86% | 2287 fps | 95.9% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,916 psi | 88% | 2339 fps | 96.4% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,837 psi | 69% | 1404 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,786 psi | 89% | 2290 fps | 96.1% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,727 psi | 87% | 2336 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,452 psi | 87% | 2195 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,118 psi | 86% | 2251 fps | 96.6% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 82% | 43,018 psi | 90% | 2287 fps | 98.5% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,728 psi | 89% | 2283 fps | 97.9% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 94% | 40,872 psi | 85% | 2303 fps | 98.3% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 98% | 42,699 psi | 89% | 2297 fps | 97.1% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,511 psi | 89% | 2238 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,656 psi | 89% | 2280 fps | 97.1% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,525 psi | 89% | 2300 fps | 99.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,083 psi | 69% | 1444 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,828 psi | 85% | 2247 fps | 97.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,770 psi | 85% | 2352 fps | 97.4% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,379 psi | 86% | 2244 fps | 98.7% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,772 psi | 89% | 2274 fps | 97% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 82% | 43,018 psi | 90% | 2287 fps | 98.5% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 94% | 40,872 psi | 85% | 2303 fps | 98.3% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 98% | 42,699 psi | 89% | 2297 fps | 97.1% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,046 psi | 86% | 2215 fps | 96.1% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,844 psi | 90% | 2293 fps | 99% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 86% | 43,192 psi | 90% | 2264 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,975 psi | 90% | 2218 fps | 99% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,249 psi | 86% | 2211 fps | 99.4% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,133 psi | 86% | 2277 fps | 97% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,727 psi | 87% | 2221 fps | 99.4% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 88% | 43,047 psi | 90% | 2218 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,467 psi | 89% | 2224 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 98% | 42,946 psi | 90% | 2306 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,772 psi | 89% | 2283 fps | 99.3% |
| Vihtavuori N150ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 38,624 psi | 81% | 2228 fps | 96.5% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,915 psi | 85% | 2244 fps | 96.6% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,046 psi | 86% | 2274 fps | 98.7% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,032 psi | 88% | 2323 fps | 97.8% |
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% | 30,806 psi | 64% | 2044 fps | 98.7% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,764 psi | 68% | 2103 fps | 96.7% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 23,250 psi | 49% | 1936 fps | 96.7% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 82% | 30,458 psi | 64% | 2093 fps | 95.4% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 86% | 26,672 psi | 56% | 2031 fps | 95.3% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,581 psi | 83% | 2129 fps | 99.3% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,972 psi | 84% | 2136 fps | 98% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,028 psi | 77% | 2198 fps | 98.9% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,230 psi | 76% | 2162 fps | 95.1% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,152 psi | 59% | 2057 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,435 psi | 80% | 2274 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 96% | 37,289 psi | 78% | 2238 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,404 psi | 74% | 2136 fps | 99.9% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,811 psi | 79% | 2123 fps | 99.2% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 96% | 36,071 psi | 75% | 2234 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 82% | 34,563 psi | 72% | 2087 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | 33.3 gr | 86% | 33,460 psi | 70% | 2169 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,895 psi | 71% | 2139 fps | 98.2% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,098 psi | 71% | 2149 fps | 97.3% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 90% | 38,812 psi | 81% | 2244 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 94% | 39,175 psi | 82% | 2290 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,395 psi | 51% | 1257 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,306 psi | 84% | 2247 fps | 95.4% |
| IMR 3031 | 28.1 gr | 80% | 27,035 psi | 56% | 2034 fps | 96.7% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,840 psi | 77% | 2119 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,230 psi | 76% | 2162 fps | 95.1% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,059 psi | 84% | 2238 fps | 97.9% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,648 psi | 68% | 2100 fps | 95.1% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 86% | 31,198 psi | 65% | 2123 fps | 95.7% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 92% | 35,621 psi | 74% | 2172 fps | 95.1% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,943 psi | 83% | 2198 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 88% | 35,636 psi | 74% | 2156 fps | 95.1% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 82% | 29,153 psi | 61% | 2044 fps | 95.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,410 psi | 51% | 1286 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,765 psi | 71% | 2116 fps | 96% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 96% | 35,955 psi | 75% | 2254 fps | 95.7% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,024 psi | 65% | 2044 fps | 96% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 90% | 35,694 psi | 75% | 2149 fps | 95.1% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,059 psi | 84% | 2238 fps | 97.9% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 86% | 31,198 psi | 65% | 2123 fps | 95.7% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 92% | 35,621 psi | 74% | 2172 fps | 95.1% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 82% | 38,261 psi | 80% | 2165 fps | 95.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,391 psi | 78% | 2201 fps | 98% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,056 psi | 75% | 2142 fps | 99.2% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,849 psi | 62% | 1978 fps | 95.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 82% | 25,730 psi | 54% | 1903 fps | 95.1% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,897 psi | 75% | 2182 fps | 95.5% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,993 psi | 61% | 1982 fps | 96.4% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,026 psi | 71% | 2067 fps | 99.7% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,602 psi | 62% | 1991 fps | 98.3% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,743 psi | 52% | 1949 fps | 97% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 82% | 27,572 psi | 58% | 1988 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 96% | 34,171 psi | 71% | 2142 fps | 95.1% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,172 psi | 76% | 2162 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 86% | 30,008 psi | 63% | 2060 fps | 95.7% |
| Winchester 748 | 32.7 gr | 86% | 34,635 psi | 72% | 2185 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 83 powders for .308 Marlin Express loaded with the .308 | 180gr | Sellier & Bellot FMJ-BT. ReloadSwiss RS 52 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,375 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,404 fps to 2,375 fps. Accurate 4064 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 83 of the 83 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 1:12.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 4064, Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5, Alliant Reloder-17 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 | Sellier & Bellot FMJ-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 2208 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.