Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .308 Marlin Express with .308 | 185gr | Lapua Mega bullet and 64 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are ReloadSwiss RS 60, Hodgdon LEVERevolution and Bofors RP3.
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>> | 86% | 40,683 psi | 85% | 2218 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,684 psi | 87% | 2264 fps | 99.3% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,539 psi | 87% | 2293 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,655 psi | 87% | 2300 fps | 99.1% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,553 psi | 87% | 2323 fps | 99.7% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,612 psi | 89% | 2306 fps | 96.6% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,380 psi | 89% | 2277 fps | 97.8% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,815 psi | 89% | 2320 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,540 psi | 89% | 2349 fps | 97.4% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,423 psi | 87% | 2313 fps | 97.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,176 psi | 86% | 2231 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,467 psi | 89% | 2326 fps | 96% |
| Alliant Reloder-17ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,047 psi | 88% | 2379 fps | 96.5% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 96% | 40,698 psi | 85% | 2313 fps | 97.3% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,366 psi | 89% | 2234 fps | 98.2% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,279 psi | 88% | 2333 fps | 98.4% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,511 psi | 89% | 2290 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 84% | 43,207 psi | 90% | 2310 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,801 psi | 89% | 2316 fps | 97.3% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 94% | 43,221 psi | 90% | 2369 fps | 97.7% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,475 psi | 70% | 1421 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,278 psi | 86% | 2274 fps | 96.7% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,915 psi | 85% | 2320 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,670 psi | 89% | 2280 fps | 96% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,438 psi | 89% | 2205 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,654 psi | 85% | 2306 fps | 96.3% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,380 psi | 89% | 2277 fps | 97.8% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,307 psi | 86% | 2260 fps | 98.4% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,627 psi | 89% | 2329 fps | 99.2% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,278 psi | 86% | 2211 fps | 96.1% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,829 psi | 87% | 2287 fps | 97.8% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,510 psi | 87% | 2264 fps | 97.7% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,466 psi | 87% | 2280 fps | 99.4% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,597 psi | 87% | 2316 fps | 96.4% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,814 psi | 87% | 2329 fps | 95.9% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,944 psi | 86% | 2287 fps | 96% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,770 psi | 85% | 2228 fps | 95.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,736 psi | 70% | 1457 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,221 psi | 88% | 2270 fps | 98.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,843 psi | 87% | 2388 fps | 98.8% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 88% | 43,047 psi | 90% | 2270 fps | 99.4% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,930 psi | 88% | 2264 fps | 97.7% |
| Rottweil R 903ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,105 psi | 90% | 2346 fps | 97.5% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,627 psi | 89% | 2329 fps | 99.2% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,829 psi | 87% | 2287 fps | 97.8% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,872 psi | 87% | 2234 fps | 97.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 98% | 42,960 psi | 90% | 2356 fps | 96.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,916 psi | 88% | 2241 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,886 psi | 85% | 2274 fps | 96% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,423 psi | 87% | 2198 fps | 99.3% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,975 psi | 90% | 2238 fps | 99.9% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,293 psi | 88% | 2300 fps | 98.1% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,989 psi | 90% | 2241 fps | 99.8% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,221 psi | 88% | 2287 fps | 96.2% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,800 psi | 87% | 2310 fps | 97% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,582 psi | 87% | 2192 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,147 psi | 86% | 2201 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,438 psi | 89% | 2293 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,524 psi | 87% | 2260 fps | 99.6% |
| Vihtavuori N150ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,873 psi | 90% | 2300 fps | 98.4% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,148 psi | 88% | 2270 fps | 97.8% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,641 psi | 89% | 2300 fps | 99.4% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,698 psi | 85% | 2306 fps | 98.3% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,612 psi | 89% | 2326 fps | 97.2% |
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% | 33,895 psi | 71% | 2100 fps | 99.7% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,289 psi | 76% | 2169 fps | 98.4% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,397 psi | 55% | 2005 fps | 98.6% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,923 psi | 67% | 2123 fps | 96.9% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,034 psi | 52% | 1982 fps | 95.4% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,536 psi | 78% | 2215 fps | 95.1% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,083 psi | 69% | 2100 fps | 95.1% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,937 psi | 65% | 2116 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,449 psi | 78% | 2257 fps | 96% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 90% | 34,403 psi | 72% | 2182 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,841 psi | 81% | 2192 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 92% | 39,798 psi | 83% | 2280 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 98% | 39,131 psi | 82% | 2323 fps | 95.5% |
| Bofors RP3 | 35.4 gr | 90% | 33,257 psi | 69% | 2175 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,404 psi | 74% | 2110 fps | 96.6% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 82% | 32,329 psi | 68% | 2146 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,202 psi | 78% | 2201 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,652 psi | 79% | 2215 fps | 98.8% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,360 psi | 74% | 2178 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | 35.8 gr | 88% | 35,839 psi | 75% | 2231 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,831 psi | 52% | 1270 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,651 psi | 77% | 2188 fps | 95.4% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,675 psi | 62% | 2100 fps | 98.5% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,321 psi | 84% | 2241 fps | 95.3% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,972 psi | 84% | 2169 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 90% | 38,435 psi | 80% | 2267 fps | 95.6% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,083 psi | 69% | 2100 fps | 95.1% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,940 psi | 75% | 2165 fps | 97.2% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,529 psi | 60% | 2057 fps | 95.6% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 86% | 39,059 psi | 82% | 2172 fps | 95.5% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 86% | 32,793 psi | 69% | 2116 fps | 95.2% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 82% | 32,372 psi | 68% | 2090 fps | 95% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,371 psi | 63% | 2070 fps | 97% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 90% | 36,869 psi | 77% | 2228 fps | 95% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 92% | 39,291 psi | 82% | 2283 fps | 95.2% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 86% | 38,421 psi | 80% | 2241 fps | 95.3% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 82% | 38,348 psi | 80% | 2182 fps | 95% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,889 psi | 52% | 1299 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,130 psi | 78% | 2182 fps | 97.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | 36.8 gr | 90% | 32,648 psi | 68% | 2192 fps | 95.7% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,939 psi | 71% | 2103 fps | 97.8% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 84% | 32,692 psi | 68% | 2090 fps | 95.1% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 94% | 35,476 psi | 74% | 2211 fps | 95.4% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,529 psi | 60% | 2057 fps | 95.6% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 86% | 32,793 psi | 69% | 2116 fps | 95.2% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,247 psi | 82% | 2188 fps | 96.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 96% | 40,350 psi | 84% | 2310 fps | 95.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,508 psi | 83% | 2201 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,421 psi | 80% | 2231 fps | 95.3% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,576 psi | 68% | 2037 fps | 97.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,382 psi | 55% | 1923 fps | 96.5% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,650 psi | 72% | 2159 fps | 96.1% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,836 psi | 67% | 2041 fps | 98.2% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 88% | 39,595 psi | 83% | 2241 fps | 95.5% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 94% | 37,043 psi | 77% | 2224 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,072 psi | 77% | 2119 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,401 psi | 68% | 2047 fps | 99.4% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,398 psi | 57% | 2014 fps | 98.7% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,543 psi | 60% | 2011 fps | 96.7% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 90% | 31,357 psi | 66% | 2090 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,648 psi | 68% | 2093 fps | 95.1% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,325 psi | 57% | 1998 fps | 95.5% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,270 psi | 65% | 2116 fps | 95.5% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,246 psi | 78% | 2228 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 64 powders for .308 Marlin Express loaded with the .308 | 185gr | Lapua Mega. ReloadSwiss RS 60 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,388 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,421 fps to 2,388 fps. Alliant Reloder-17 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 64 of the 64 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (330 MPa), the top charges use 70–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 185.0 gr projectile in 0.308" calls for a 1:15.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Alliant Reloder-17, 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. ReloadSwiss RS 60, Hodgdon LEVERevolution, Bofors RP3 rank at the top here: for .308 Marlin Express with the .308 | 185gr | Lapua Mega 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.