Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .308 Marlin Express with .308 | 186gr | Peregrine Backup (VRG-2) bullet and 63 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Hodgdon LEVERevolution, Hodgdon H4895 and IMR 3031.
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.
A valid access license is required to use the Personalized Load Calculator.
You can find more information in our FAQ: How can I use the Personalized Load Calculator?
Max Load - Barrel Length: 24"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,757 psi | 89% | 2234 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,959 psi | 86% | 2234 fps | 99% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 98% | 43,236 psi | 90% | 2306 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,147 psi | 86% | 2277 fps | 98.9% |
| Accurate 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,873 psi | 90% | 2326 fps | 99.7% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,917 psi | 90% | 2165 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 82% | 43,294 psi | 90% | 2175 fps | 99% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,018 psi | 88% | 2274 fps | 96.1% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,611 psi | 85% | 2241 fps | 99.7% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,119 psi | 88% | 2254 fps | 97.5% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,351 psi | 88% | 2297 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,264 psi | 88% | 2326 fps | 97.1% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 98% | 40,886 psi | 85% | 2287 fps | 97% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,973 psi | 86% | 2211 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,002 psi | 86% | 2159 fps | 99.8% |
| Bofors RP3ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,714 psi | 89% | 2329 fps | 97.5% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,496 psi | 89% | 2215 fps | 98% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,119 psi | 88% | 2313 fps | 98.1% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,467 psi | 89% | 2270 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 86% | 43,004 psi | 90% | 2287 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,192 psi | 88% | 2287 fps | 96.9% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 96% | 43,091 psi | 90% | 2346 fps | 97.4% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,822 psi | 69% | 1394 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,220 psi | 86% | 2251 fps | 96.4% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 94% | 43,033 psi | 90% | 2336 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,525 psi | 89% | 2188 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,873 psi | 90% | 2326 fps | 96.6% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,119 psi | 88% | 2254 fps | 97.5% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,683 psi | 85% | 2234 fps | 98.1% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,293 psi | 88% | 2306 fps | 99% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,394 psi | 86% | 2192 fps | 95.9% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,423 psi | 87% | 2260 fps | 97.5% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,973 psi | 86% | 2238 fps | 97.3% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,031 psi | 86% | 2257 fps | 99.3% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,046 psi | 86% | 2287 fps | 96% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,011 psi | 69% | 1430 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,916 psi | 88% | 2247 fps | 98.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,684 psi | 87% | 2359 fps | 98.4% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,090 psi | 88% | 2241 fps | 99.2% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,089 psi | 86% | 2231 fps | 97.3% |
| Rottweil R 903ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 39,595 psi | 83% | 2270 fps | 96.4% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,293 psi | 88% | 2306 fps | 99% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,423 psi | 87% | 2260 fps | 97.5% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,018 psi | 88% | 2215 fps | 97% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,075 psi | 86% | 2247 fps | 99.1% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,670 psi | 89% | 2326 fps | 95.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,959 psi | 88% | 2224 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 94% | 43,250 psi | 90% | 2293 fps | 96.4% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,394 psi | 86% | 2178 fps | 99.1% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 98% | 42,656 psi | 89% | 2215 fps | 99.8% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,076 psi | 88% | 2277 fps | 97.8% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,641 psi | 89% | 2218 fps | 99.7% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,003 psi | 88% | 2264 fps | 95.9% |
| Somchem S355ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,278 psi | 86% | 2280 fps | 96.5% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,684 psi | 87% | 2175 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,118 psi | 86% | 2182 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,887 psi | 88% | 2270 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,292 psi | 86% | 2241 fps | 99.4% |
| Vihtavuori N150ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 39,769 psi | 83% | 2231 fps | 97.5% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,322 psi | 88% | 2251 fps | 97.6% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,308 psi | 88% | 2274 fps | 99.3% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 92% | 43,033 psi | 90% | 2326 fps | 98.5% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,409 psi | 89% | 2300 fps | 96.9% |
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% | 31,285 psi | 65% | 2037 fps | 99.2% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,460 psi | 70% | 2103 fps | 97.5% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 23,308 psi | 49% | 1926 fps | 97.3% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,008 psi | 61% | 2047 fps | 95.6% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 25,425 psi | 53% | 1988 fps | 95.5% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,437 psi | 84% | 2126 fps | 99.7% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,814 psi | 85% | 2133 fps | 98.6% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,581 psi | 83% | 2234 fps | 95.5% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,811 psi | 79% | 2195 fps | 99.4% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 84% | 34,954 psi | 73% | 2123 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,660 psi | 60% | 2054 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,912 psi | 77% | 2228 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 94% | 35,940 psi | 75% | 2195 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,114 psi | 75% | 2133 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,406 psi | 80% | 2116 fps | 99.6% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 94% | 34,940 psi | 73% | 2195 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,054 psi | 69% | 2044 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 31,879 psi | 67% | 2123 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,606 psi | 72% | 2136 fps | 98.8% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,925 psi | 73% | 2149 fps | 98.1% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | 32.8 gr | 88% | 37,449 psi | 78% | 2205 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | 35 gr | 90% | 35,592 psi | 74% | 2208 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,178 psi | 51% | 1243 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 90% | 38,856 psi | 81% | 2208 fps | 95.8% |
| IMR 3031 | 28.8 gr | 80% | 27,441 psi | 57% | 2034 fps | 97.6% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,826 psi | 79% | 2116 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 92% | 37,652 psi | 79% | 2234 fps | 95.1% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 84% | 34,954 psi | 73% | 2123 fps | 95.5% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,967 psi | 69% | 2093 fps | 96% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,747 psi | 62% | 2073 fps | 95.9% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 88% | 39,059 psi | 82% | 2152 fps | 95.2% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 90% | 34,258 psi | 72% | 2133 fps | 95.5% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 86% | 33,881 psi | 71% | 2106 fps | 95.3% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,833 psi | 58% | 1998 fps | 95.8% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 94% | 38,624 psi | 81% | 2244 fps | 95.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,149 psi | 50% | 1273 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,635 psi | 72% | 2116 fps | 97% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 92% | 32,213 psi | 67% | 2159 fps | 95% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,183 psi | 65% | 2037 fps | 96.8% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 88% | 34,258 psi | 72% | 2110 fps | 95.4% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 98% | 37,188 psi | 78% | 2228 fps | 95.7% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,747 psi | 62% | 2073 fps | 95.9% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 90% | 34,258 psi | 72% | 2133 fps | 95.5% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,564 psi | 76% | 2123 fps | 95.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,377 psi | 80% | 2201 fps | 98.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 98% | 40,248 psi | 84% | 2283 fps | 95.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,956 psi | 77% | 2142 fps | 99.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,770 psi | 85% | 2254 fps | 95.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,313 psi | 63% | 1975 fps | 96.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,468 psi | 51% | 1860 fps | 95.3% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 82% | 34,287 psi | 72% | 2136 fps | 95.7% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,312 psi | 61% | 1975 fps | 97.2% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,247 psi | 82% | 2215 fps | 95.1% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 96% | 36,550 psi | 76% | 2198 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,664 psi | 72% | 2060 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,139 psi | 63% | 1988 fps | 98.9% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,063 psi | 52% | 1949 fps | 97.8% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,513 psi | 55% | 1949 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 94% | 32,750 psi | 68% | 2103 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 84% | 34,548 psi | 72% | 2116 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 82% | 26,934 psi | 56% | 1975 fps | 95.1% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 82% | 30,879 psi | 65% | 2093 fps | 95% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 90% | 37,043 psi | 77% | 2208 fps | 95.3% |
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 63 powders for .308 Marlin Express loaded with the .308 | 186gr | Peregrine Backup (VRG-2). ReloadSwiss RS 60 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,359 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,394 fps to 2,359 fps. Accurate 4064 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 63 of the 63 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 186.0 gr projectile in 0.308" calls for a 1:13.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 4064, 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. Hodgdon LEVERevolution, Hodgdon H4895, IMR 3031 rank at the top here: for .308 Marlin Express with the .308 | 186gr | Peregrine Backup (VRG-2) 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.