Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .308 Marlin Express with .308 | 181gr | RWS H-Mantel bullet and 57 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>> | 90% | 43,250 psi | 90% | 2264 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,452 psi | 87% | 2267 fps | 98.9% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,220 psi | 86% | 2300 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,539 psi | 87% | 2306 fps | 98.7% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 98% | 40,886 psi | 85% | 2320 fps | 99.4% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 82% | 43,149 psi | 90% | 2192 fps | 99.8% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,293 psi | 88% | 2303 fps | 95.8% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,915 psi | 85% | 2270 fps | 99.6% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,438 psi | 89% | 2280 fps | 97.2% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,583 psi | 89% | 2326 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,496 psi | 89% | 2356 fps | 96.8% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,147 psi | 86% | 2313 fps | 96.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,423 psi | 87% | 2244 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,205 psi | 86% | 2185 fps | 99.7% |
| Bofors RP3ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,989 psi | 90% | 2356 fps | 97.2% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,467 psi | 89% | 2238 fps | 97.7% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,366 psi | 89% | 2339 fps | 97.9% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,699 psi | 89% | 2300 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 86% | 43,221 psi | 90% | 2316 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,453 psi | 89% | 2313 fps | 96.5% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 96% | 43,236 psi | 90% | 2369 fps | 97.1% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,243 psi | 69% | 1417 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,481 psi | 87% | 2277 fps | 96.1% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 94% | 43,221 psi | 90% | 2365 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,728 psi | 89% | 2218 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 96% | 43,076 psi | 90% | 2352 fps | 96.2% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,438 psi | 89% | 2280 fps | 97.2% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,176 psi | 86% | 2264 fps | 97.9% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,598 psi | 89% | 2336 fps | 98.8% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,771 psi | 87% | 2290 fps | 97.2% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,481 psi | 87% | 2267 fps | 97.1% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,350 psi | 86% | 2287 fps | 99.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,127 psi | 69% | 1450 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,177 psi | 88% | 2274 fps | 98.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,901 psi | 88% | 2385 fps | 98.1% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,859 psi | 90% | 2274 fps | 99.1% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,582 psi | 87% | 2264 fps | 97.1% |
| Rottweil R 903ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 39,972 psi | 84% | 2300 fps | 96.1% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,598 psi | 89% | 2336 fps | 98.8% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,771 psi | 87% | 2290 fps | 97.2% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,308 psi | 88% | 2241 fps | 96.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,408 psi | 87% | 2277 fps | 99% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,872 psi | 87% | 2247 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,785 psi | 87% | 2208 fps | 99% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 98% | 42,873 psi | 90% | 2241 fps | 99.7% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,380 psi | 89% | 2303 fps | 97.5% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 92% | 43,033 psi | 90% | 2247 fps | 99.6% |
| Somchem S355ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,597 psi | 87% | 2310 fps | 96.2% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,003 psi | 88% | 2205 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,379 psi | 86% | 2211 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,192 psi | 88% | 2300 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,510 psi | 87% | 2267 fps | 99.3% |
| Vihtavuori N150ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,001 psi | 84% | 2257 fps | 97.2% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,583 psi | 89% | 2280 fps | 97.3% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,554 psi | 89% | 2303 fps | 99.1% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 92% | 43,250 psi | 90% | 2352 fps | 98.3% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,583 psi | 89% | 2326 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% | 31,952 psi | 67% | 2070 fps | 99.1% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,098 psi | 71% | 2136 fps | 97.3% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,308 psi | 51% | 1965 fps | 97.4% |
| Accurate 2520 | 31.5 gr | 80% | 29,602 psi | 62% | 2077 fps | 95.4% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 26,295 psi | 55% | 2024 fps | 95.4% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,698 psi | 85% | 2152 fps | 99.5% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,929 psi | 83% | 2260 fps | 95.1% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,145 psi | 80% | 2224 fps | 99.2% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,317 psi | 74% | 2152 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,182 psi | 61% | 2083 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 82% | 37,275 psi | 78% | 2257 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 94% | 36,260 psi | 76% | 2224 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,666 psi | 77% | 2165 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,682 psi | 81% | 2146 fps | 99.5% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 94% | 35,418 psi | 74% | 2224 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,504 psi | 70% | 2073 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 32,343 psi | 68% | 2152 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,998 psi | 73% | 2165 fps | 98.6% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,302 psi | 74% | 2178 fps | 97.9% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,507 psi | 78% | 2224 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 92% | 38,319 psi | 80% | 2280 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,642 psi | 51% | 1266 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,102 psi | 82% | 2234 fps | 95.4% |
| IMR 3031 | 28.9 gr | 80% | 27,978 psi | 58% | 2064 fps | 97.4% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,116 psi | 80% | 2146 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 94% | 40,640 psi | 85% | 2313 fps | 95.5% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,317 psi | 74% | 2152 fps | 95.2% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,591 psi | 70% | 2126 fps | 95.8% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 84% | 30,298 psi | 63% | 2106 fps | 95.6% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 90% | 34,780 psi | 73% | 2162 fps | 95.2% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 86% | 34,519 psi | 72% | 2139 fps | 95.1% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,355 psi | 59% | 2031 fps | 95.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,671 psi | 52% | 1296 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,751 psi | 73% | 2139 fps | 96.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 94% | 34,766 psi | 73% | 2238 fps | 95.6% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,082 psi | 67% | 2070 fps | 96.7% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 88% | 34,867 psi | 73% | 2139 fps | 95.1% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 98% | 37,550 psi | 78% | 2257 fps | 95.4% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 30,298 psi | 63% | 2106 fps | 95.6% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 90% | 34,780 psi | 73% | 2162 fps | 95.2% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,927 psi | 77% | 2149 fps | 95.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,754 psi | 81% | 2231 fps | 98.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,956 psi | 77% | 2165 fps | 99.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,603 psi | 64% | 2001 fps | 96.3% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,772 psi | 52% | 1883 fps | 95% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 82% | 34,722 psi | 73% | 2165 fps | 95.4% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,936 psi | 63% | 2008 fps | 97.1% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 98% | 39,189 psi | 82% | 2267 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,838 psi | 73% | 2087 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,342 psi | 63% | 2011 fps | 98.7% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,454 psi | 53% | 1972 fps | 97.5% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,803 psi | 56% | 1975 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 94% | 33,170 psi | 69% | 2133 fps | 95.1% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 84% | 34,925 psi | 73% | 2142 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,080 psi | 61% | 2044 fps | 95.6% |
| Winchester 748 | 32.8 gr | 84% | 33,446 psi | 70% | 2169 fps | 95.6% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 90% | 37,318 psi | 78% | 2231 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 78 powders for .308 Marlin Express loaded with the .308 | 181gr | RWS H-Mantel. ReloadSwiss RS 60 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,385 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,417 fps to 2,385 fps. Alliant Reloder-17 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 78 of the 78 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (330 MPa), the top charges use 63–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 181.0 gr projectile in 0.308" calls for a 1:14.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Alliant Reloder-17, Bofors RP3, Hodgdon TrailBoss 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 | 181gr | RWS H-Mantel they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, ADI AR 2208, Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR, Alliant Reloder-17 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.