Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .308 Win. Ackley Improved with .308 | 115gr | Sierra VarmintKing bullet and 53 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Hodgdon H335, Hodgdon H322 and Shooters World AR Plus.
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 1680 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,954 psi | 90% | 3068 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2015ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,186 psi | 90% | 3156 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,461 psi | 89% | 3169 fps | 98.6% |
| Accurate 2495ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,337 psi | 70% | 3022 fps | 99.3% |
| Accurate 2520ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,867 psi | 89% | 3215 fps | 98.4% |
| Accurate 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 39,320 psi | 65% | 2976 fps | 96.6% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,346 psi | 90% | 3081 fps | 99.5% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,793 psi | 86% | 3041 fps | 97.9% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,215 psi | 90% | 3130 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,649 psi | 87% | 3189 fps | 99.3% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,548 psi | 89% | 3173 fps | 96.6% |
| Alliant AR-Compᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,546 psi | 84% | 3192 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,896 psi | 90% | 3284 fps | 96.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 94% | 51,750 psi | 86% | 3143 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,736 psi | 88% | 3094 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,997 psi | 88% | 3068 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,679 psi | 89% | 3127 fps | 97.2% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,271 psi | 85% | 3192 fps | 96.9% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,462 psi | 90% | 3219 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,156 psi | 87% | 3179 fps | 98.6% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,171 psi | 88% | 3084 fps | 99.1% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,285 psi | 54% | 1923 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,776 psi | 79% | 3173 fps | 99.4% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,026 psi | 88% | 3120 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4227 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,185 psi | 88% | 3048 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBRᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,548 psi | 89% | 3173 fps | 96.6% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,157 psi | 90% | 3192 fps | 98.2% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,635 psi | 89% | 3169 fps | 97.6% |
| Lovex D073.6ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,427 psi | 79% | 3117 fps | 97.2% |
| Lovex S053 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,721 psi | 86% | 2992 fps | 100% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,706 psi | 86% | 3120 fps | 100% |
| Norma 202ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,878 psi | 81% | 3120 fps | 98.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,140 psi | 53% | 1965 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 36 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,171 psi | 88% | 3084 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,751 psi | 89% | 3182 fps | 98% |
| Rottweil R 901ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,127 psi | 88% | 3163 fps | 98.6% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,157 psi | 90% | 3192 fps | 98.2% |
| Shooters World Match Rifleᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,427 psi | 79% | 3117 fps | 97.2% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,315 psi | 87% | 2831 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,461 psi | 89% | 3196 fps | 98.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,794 psi | 88% | 3156 fps | 99.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,562 psi | 87% | 3081 fps | 98.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,076 psi | 70% | 2904 fps | 97.7% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 96% | 51,329 psi | 85% | 3156 fps | 96.5% |
| Somchem S335ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,662 psi | 84% | 3071 fps | 99% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,230 psi | 90% | 3077 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,228 psi | 87% | 3081 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,561 psi | 86% | 3081 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N135ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,526 psi | 72% | 3031 fps | 99.4% |
| Vihtavuori N140ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,325 psi | 77% | 3041 fps | 98% |
| Vihtavuori N530ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,317 psi | 90% | 3173 fps | 96.8% |
| Vihtavuori N540ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,759 psi | 74% | 3025 fps | 97.2% |
| Winchester 748ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,069 psi | 87% | 3212 fps | 97.3% |
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 1680 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,266 psi | 74% | 2907 fps | 99.7% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,877 psi | 48% | 2621 fps | 95.2% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 86% | 38,014 psi | 63% | 2871 fps | 95.2% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 88% | 28,224 psi | 47% | 2680 fps | 95.5% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,625 psi | 67% | 2969 fps | 95.5% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 96% | 34,664 psi | 58% | 2864 fps | 95% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,594 psi | 62% | 2759 fps | 96.7% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,422 psi | 67% | 2818 fps | 95.3% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,682 psi | 66% | 2881 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,027 psi | 58% | 2825 fps | 95.6% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,195 psi | 78% | 3058 fps | 95.1% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,484 psi | 44% | 2628 fps | 96.8% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 94% | 50,415 psi | 84% | 3222 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,402 psi | 55% | 2766 fps | 98% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,017 psi | 68% | 2881 fps | 99.7% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,042 psi | 60% | 2740 fps | 96.6% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 92% | 44,585 psi | 74% | 2959 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 96% | 44,396 psi | 74% | 3064 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon H322 | 40.9 gr | 82% | 34,345 psi | 57% | 2805 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon H335 | 44.8 gr | 84% | 37,130 psi | 62% | 2874 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,394 psi | 69% | 2861 fps | 97.1% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 23,917 psi | 40% | 1722 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 88% | 32,561 psi | 54% | 2818 fps | 95.6% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,027 psi | 58% | 2766 fps | 99.1% |
| IMR 4227 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,891 psi | 78% | 2946 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,195 psi | 78% | 3058 fps | 95.1% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,886 psi | 68% | 2943 fps | 95.3% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 90% | 43,511 psi | 72% | 2986 fps | 95.3% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,423 psi | 69% | 2999 fps | 95.8% |
| Lovex S053 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,079 psi | 77% | 2897 fps | 100% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,884 psi | 63% | 2854 fps | 99.4% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 92% | 37,869 psi | 63% | 2894 fps | 95.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 23,685 psi | 39% | 1759 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 36 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,746 psi | 78% | 2979 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,640 psi | 69% | 2949 fps | 95.3% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,494 psi | 66% | 2894 fps | 95.7% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | 43.9 gr | 82% | 40,886 psi | 68% | 2943 fps | 95.3% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,423 psi | 69% | 2999 fps | 95.8% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,554 psi | 71% | 2680 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 82% | 37,971 psi | 63% | 2887 fps | 95.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,953 psi | 56% | 2769 fps | 96.3% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 38,508 psi | 64% | 2812 fps | 95.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 94% | 35,041 psi | 58% | 2746 fps | 95.6% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 92% | 44,904 psi | 75% | 3038 fps | 95% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 88% | 35,186 psi | 58% | 2756 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,755 psi | 66% | 2838 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,169 psi | 53% | 2674 fps | 97.4% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 82% | 29,631 psi | 49% | 2612 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 88% | 29,617 psi | 49% | 2700 fps | 95.8% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 92% | 35,810 psi | 59% | 2818 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,558 psi | 79% | 3054 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 96% | 39,102 psi | 65% | 2907 fps | 95.6% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,513 psi | 76% | 3087 fps | 95.8% |
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 84 powders for .308 Win. Ackley Improved loaded with the .308 | 115gr | Sierra VarmintKing. Alliant Power Pro 1200-R delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,284 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,923 fps to 3,284 fps. Accurate 2015 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 84 of the 84 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (415 MPa), the top charges use 53–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 115.0 gr projectile in 0.308" calls for a 1:14.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 2015, Accurate 2495, Accurate 2520 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 H335, Hodgdon H322, Shooters World AR Plus rank at the top here: for .308 Win. Ackley Improved with the .308 | 115gr | Sierra VarmintKing they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, Accurate 2200, Accurate 2230, ADI AR 2206H 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.