Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .308 Marlin Express with .308 | 206gr | Peregrine Backup (VRG-2) bullet and 71 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Hodgdon LEVERevolution, IMR 4895 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.
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Max Load - Barrel Length: 24"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,452 psi | 87% | 2073 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,409 psi | 89% | 2119 fps | 99.6% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,134 psi | 88% | 2146 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,728 psi | 89% | 2159 fps | 99.5% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 98% | 42,018 psi | 88% | 2172 fps | 99.9% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,886 psi | 85% | 2119 fps | 96.7% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,829 psi | 87% | 2116 fps | 96% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,959 psi | 88% | 2123 fps | 100% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,843 psi | 85% | 2096 fps | 97.9% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,394 psi | 86% | 2136 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,031 psi | 86% | 2162 fps | 97.6% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 98% | 42,090 psi | 88% | 2165 fps | 98% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,221 psi | 88% | 2087 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 94% | 40,843 psi | 85% | 2142 fps | 96.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-17ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,190 psi | 84% | 2188 fps | 96.5% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,395 psi | 89% | 2044 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,960 psi | 90% | 2165 fps | 95.8% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,582 psi | 87% | 2172 fps | 98% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,828 psi | 85% | 2054 fps | 98.4% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,857 psi | 85% | 2152 fps | 98.5% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,598 psi | 89% | 2208 fps | 96.5% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,147 psi | 86% | 2110 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,452 psi | 87% | 2123 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,060 psi | 86% | 2129 fps | 97.4% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,901 psi | 88% | 2188 fps | 97.9% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,112 psi | 69% | 1302 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,612 psi | 89% | 2136 fps | 97.6% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,785 psi | 87% | 2172 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,162 psi | 86% | 2100 fps | 96.2% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,292 psi | 86% | 2031 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,727 psi | 87% | 2169 fps | 97.1% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,843 psi | 85% | 2096 fps | 97.9% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,293 psi | 88% | 2123 fps | 98.9% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,886 psi | 85% | 2142 fps | 99.3% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,409 psi | 89% | 2073 fps | 97% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,772 psi | 89% | 2142 fps | 98.4% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,337 psi | 88% | 2123 fps | 98.3% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,482 psi | 89% | 2139 fps | 99.7% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,612 psi | 89% | 2172 fps | 97.2% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 96% | 43,004 psi | 90% | 2188 fps | 96.8% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,351 psi | 88% | 2152 fps | 97% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,916 psi | 88% | 2093 fps | 96.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,388 psi | 70% | 1335 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,727 psi | 85% | 2090 fps | 99% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,685 psi | 89% | 2224 fps | 96.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,062 psi | 90% | 2247 fps | 99.4% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,828 psi | 85% | 2080 fps | 99.4% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,511 psi | 89% | 2119 fps | 98.3% |
| Rottweil R 903ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,147 psi | 86% | 2159 fps | 97.6% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,886 psi | 85% | 2142 fps | 99.3% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,772 psi | 89% | 2142 fps | 98.4% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 43,265 psi | 90% | 2100 fps | 98% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,598 psi | 89% | 2133 fps | 99.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,278 psi | 86% | 2169 fps | 96.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 84% | 43,279 psi | 90% | 2100 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,756 psi | 87% | 2136 fps | 96.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,670 psi | 89% | 2060 fps | 99.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,481 psi | 87% | 2060 fps | 99.9% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,828 psi | 85% | 2119 fps | 98.2% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,321 psi | 86% | 2060 fps | 99.9% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,698 psi | 85% | 2106 fps | 96.4% |
| Somchem S355ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,612 psi | 89% | 2165 fps | 97.7% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,612 psi | 89% | 2051 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,424 psi | 89% | 2060 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 94% | 40,712 psi | 85% | 2110 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,540 psi | 89% | 2119 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N150ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,118 psi | 86% | 2119 fps | 98.5% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,654 psi | 85% | 2090 fps | 97.9% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 94% | 40,959 psi | 86% | 2116 fps | 99.5% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,872 psi | 87% | 2165 fps | 98.9% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,118 psi | 86% | 2142 fps | 97.4% |
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% | 32,460 psi | 68% | 1929 fps | 99.7% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,606 psi | 72% | 1995 fps | 98.5% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,482 psi | 51% | 1834 fps | 98.5% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,124 psi | 63% | 1946 fps | 96.9% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 23,264 psi | 49% | 1814 fps | 95.4% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,042 psi | 75% | 2037 fps | 95.3% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 94% | 39,305 psi | 82% | 2073 fps | 95.3% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,276 psi | 82% | 2080 fps | 99.8% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,691 psi | 66% | 1932 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,791 psi | 62% | 1949 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,882 psi | 75% | 2073 fps | 96.2% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 90% | 32,895 psi | 69% | 2008 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,289 psi | 78% | 2014 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 92% | 38,305 psi | 80% | 2100 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 98% | 37,753 psi | 79% | 2142 fps | 95.7% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,552 psi | 83% | 2001 fps | 99.9% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,045 psi | 84% | 2119 fps | 95% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 90% | 31,531 psi | 66% | 1998 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,229 psi | 72% | 1939 fps | 96.8% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,761 psi | 60% | 1929 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 86% | 39,653 psi | 83% | 2162 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,027 psi | 75% | 2028 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,143 psi | 76% | 2037 fps | 98.9% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 84% | 33,953 psi | 71% | 2005 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | 32.3 gr | 88% | 34,534 psi | 72% | 2057 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,613 psi | 51% | 1165 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 86% | 35,302 psi | 74% | 2014 fps | 95.6% |
| IMR 3031 | 27.1 gr | 80% | 28,268 psi | 59% | 1929 fps | 98.6% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 92% | 38,638 psi | 81% | 2057 fps | 95.5% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,986 psi | 81% | 1998 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | 30.9 gr | 88% | 34,403 psi | 72% | 2044 fps | 95% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,691 psi | 66% | 1932 fps | 95.3% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,214 psi | 71% | 1988 fps | 97.3% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,861 psi | 56% | 1886 fps | 95.6% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,520 psi | 74% | 1959 fps | 95% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 86% | 31,343 psi | 65% | 1946 fps | 95.4% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 82% | 30,995 psi | 65% | 1923 fps | 95.2% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,747 psi | 60% | 1896 fps | 97.1% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 90% | 35,186 psi | 74% | 2047 fps | 95.1% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 92% | 37,681 psi | 79% | 2100 fps | 95.3% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,086 psi | 77% | 2067 fps | 95.5% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,811 psi | 77% | 2008 fps | 95.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,323 psi | 51% | 1188 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,520 psi | 74% | 2005 fps | 98% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 92% | 39,639 psi | 83% | 2175 fps | 95.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 90% | 31,082 psi | 65% | 2014 fps | 95.8% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,256 psi | 67% | 1932 fps | 97.9% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 84% | 31,154 psi | 65% | 1919 fps | 95.2% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 94% | 33,649 psi | 70% | 2034 fps | 95.5% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,861 psi | 56% | 1886 fps | 95.6% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 86% | 31,343 psi | 65% | 1946 fps | 95.4% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,710 psi | 79% | 2011 fps | 96.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,653 psi | 83% | 2087 fps | 99.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 94% | 36,550 psi | 76% | 2087 fps | 95% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,189 psi | 80% | 2024 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 88% | 36,869 psi | 77% | 2054 fps | 95.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,285 psi | 65% | 1873 fps | 97.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,237 psi | 53% | 1765 fps | 96.6% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,185 psi | 69% | 1988 fps | 96.3% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,443 psi | 64% | 1877 fps | 98.3% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,869 psi | 79% | 2060 fps | 95.6% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 92% | 33,257 psi | 69% | 2005 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,752 psi | 75% | 1949 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,140 psi | 65% | 1883 fps | 99.5% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,020 psi | 54% | 1850 fps | 98.8% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,325 psi | 57% | 1850 fps | 96.9% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 90% | 29,704 psi | 62% | 1916 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,270 psi | 65% | 1923 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,049 psi | 54% | 1837 fps | 95.7% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,994 psi | 63% | 1949 fps | 95.7% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 86% | 33,460 psi | 70% | 2008 fps | 95.1% |
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 71 powders for .308 Marlin Express loaded with the .308 | 206gr | Peregrine Backup (VRG-2). ReloadSwiss RS 60 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,247 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,302 fps to 2,247 fps. Alliant Reloder-17 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 71 of the 71 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 206.0 gr projectile in 0.308" calls for a 1:12.5 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. Hodgdon LEVERevolution, IMR 4895, IMR 3031 rank at the top here: for .308 Marlin Express with the .308 | 206gr | 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.