Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .308 Win. Ackley Improved with .308 | 155gr | Merlin Virtus bullet and 86 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Hodgdon CFE223, Alliant Power Pro 1200-R and Hodgdon BL-C2.
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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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 1680 | <<locked>> | 82% | 53,200 psi | 88% | 2628 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,025 psi | 86% | 2690 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,650 psi | 89% | 2772 fps | 97.3% |
| Accurate 2230 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,737 psi | 89% | 2779 fps | 97.7% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,128 psi | 90% | 2756 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 2495ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,256 psi | 83% | 2726 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 94% | 51,227 psi | 85% | 2753 fps | 99.7% |
| Accurate 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,644 psi | 77% | 2707 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,157 psi | 90% | 2654 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 86% | 51,358 psi | 85% | 2625 fps | 99.7% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,433 psi | 90% | 2802 fps | 98.2% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,401 psi | 85% | 2635 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2208ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,037 psi | 81% | 2694 fps | 96.5% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,200 psi | 88% | 2762 fps | 100% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,259 psi | 90% | 2769 fps | 99.1% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,098 psi | 87% | 2759 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,619 psi | 86% | 2815 fps | 98.4% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MRᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,172 psi | 90% | 2890 fps | 97.2% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 96% | 51,677 psi | 86% | 2769 fps | 98.3% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,036 psi | 78% | 2707 fps | 97.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,489 psi | 87% | 2707 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,285 psi | 85% | 2776 fps | 97.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,707 psi | 88% | 2651 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,837 psi | 88% | 2648 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 96% | 50,923 psi | 85% | 2759 fps | 96.5% |
| Bofors RP3ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,412 psi | 77% | 2710 fps | 97.8% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,737 psi | 89% | 2717 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,228 psi | 87% | 2792 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,375 psi | 90% | 2881 fps | 97.8% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,706 psi | 86% | 2740 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,895 psi | 88% | 2762 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,794 psi | 88% | 2654 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 96% | 51,474 psi | 86% | 2766 fps | 98.3% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolutionᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,968 psi | 88% | 2838 fps | 98.9% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,315 psi | 55% | 1637 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,490 psi | 89% | 2772 fps | 98.4% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,982 psi | 88% | 2812 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,605 psi | 86% | 2726 fps | 97.3% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,534 psi | 89% | 2674 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,475 psi | 87% | 2808 fps | 98.1% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,259 psi | 90% | 2769 fps | 99.1% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,433 psi | 90% | 2769 fps | 99.8% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,954 psi | 90% | 2759 fps | 99.5% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,446 psi | 87% | 2782 fps | 99.8% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,504 psi | 87% | 2694 fps | 97.9% |
| Lovex S062ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,285 psi | 84% | 2726 fps | 98.7% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 86% | 52,228 psi | 87% | 2680 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,794 psi | 88% | 2749 fps | 99% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,287 psi | 89% | 2769 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203Bᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,270 psi | 84% | 2762 fps | 97.6% |
| Ramshot Big Gameᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,981 psi | 85% | 2785 fps | 97.4% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,563 psi | 89% | 2795 fps | 98% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,794 psi | 88% | 2723 fps | 97.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,344 psi | 55% | 1677 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,462 psi | 90% | 2769 fps | 99.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,172 psi | 90% | 2887 fps | 97.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,933 psi | 75% | 2753 fps | 98.9% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,882 psi | 90% | 2746 fps | 99.9% |
| Rottweil R 902ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,156 psi | 88% | 2746 fps | 99% |
| Rottweil R 903ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,033 psi | 71% | 2641 fps | 96.8% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,433 psi | 90% | 2769 fps | 99.8% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,446 psi | 87% | 2782 fps | 99.8% |
| Shooters World Precisionᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,285 psi | 84% | 2726 fps | 98.7% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,184 psi | 85% | 2680 fps | 98.4% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,301 psi | 87% | 2398 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,751 psi | 89% | 2769 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,818 psi | 76% | 2707 fps | 96.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,388 psi | 89% | 2720 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,518 psi | 87% | 2740 fps | 95.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,953 psi | 88% | 2776 fps | 98% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,953 psi | 88% | 2674 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,399 psi | 80% | 2615 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,025 psi | 86% | 2759 fps | 99.1% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,433 psi | 90% | 2710 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,098 psi | 87% | 2743 fps | 97.7% |
| Somchem S355ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,498 psi | 74% | 2651 fps | 96.9% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,401 psi | 85% | 2585 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,620 psi | 87% | 2654 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,475 psi | 87% | 2667 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,169 psi | 85% | 2726 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,577 psi | 89% | 2743 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,859 psi | 71% | 2595 fps | 97.8% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 94% | 51,300 psi | 85% | 2717 fps | 98.8% |
| Vihtavuori N540ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,735 psi | 86% | 2740 fps | 99.9% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,287 psi | 89% | 2815 fps | 99.6% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,301 psi | 87% | 2782 fps | 98.4% |
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 1680 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,647 psi | 82% | 2582 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,286 psi | 55% | 2369 fps | 99.3% |
| Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,627 psi | 72% | 2602 fps | 95% |
| Accurate 2230 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,221 psi | 72% | 2605 fps | 95.4% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,621 psi | 59% | 2441 fps | 97.6% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,353 psi | 42% | 2241 fps | 97.5% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,227 psi | 52% | 2382 fps | 95.8% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 27,528 psi | 46% | 2310 fps | 95.6% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,221 psi | 70% | 2470 fps | 99.7% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,583 psi | 71% | 2480 fps | 98.6% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,177 psi | 70% | 2595 fps | 95.7% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,426 psi | 75% | 2549 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 96% | 43,308 psi | 72% | 2592 fps | 95.1% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,480 psi | 67% | 2556 fps | 99.4% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,912 psi | 61% | 2464 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,603 psi | 51% | 2388 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | 37.9 gr | 82% | 39,479 psi | 66% | 2595 fps | 95.8% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,471 psi | 79% | 2772 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,550 psi | 62% | 2510 fps | 95% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 92% | 36,172 psi | 60% | 2503 fps | 95% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,261 psi | 64% | 2477 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,453 psi | 71% | 2621 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,485 psi | 77% | 2562 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,698 psi | 68% | 2461 fps | 99.7% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,601 psi | 79% | 2703 fps | 95.7% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 94% | 37,710 psi | 63% | 2549 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,853 psi | 58% | 2375 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | 41.4 gr | 84% | 34,389 psi | 57% | 2470 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | 44.4 gr | 88% | 44,222 psi | 73% | 2707 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,796 psi | 61% | 2484 fps | 98.9% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,275 psi | 62% | 2497 fps | 98.2% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,601 psi | 77% | 2559 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 88% | 39,827 psi | 66% | 2559 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 90% | 38,101 psi | 63% | 2566 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,598 psi | 41% | 1463 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,841 psi | 65% | 2520 fps | 95.3% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,066 psi | 48% | 2359 fps | 97.6% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,714 psi | 71% | 2575 fps | 95.2% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,856 psi | 66% | 2464 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,480 psi | 67% | 2602 fps | 95.4% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,912 psi | 61% | 2464 fps | 95.6% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,801 psi | 73% | 2605 fps | 98.8% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,505 psi | 59% | 2441 fps | 96.3% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 82% | 30,052 psi | 50% | 2362 fps | 95.2% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,176 psi | 68% | 2500 fps | 95.4% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 90% | 36,695 psi | 61% | 2480 fps | 95.7% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,149 psi | 72% | 2546 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,187 psi | 60% | 2451 fps | 95.5% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,718 psi | 49% | 2323 fps | 95.9% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,626 psi | 69% | 2612 fps | 95.6% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,785 psi | 69% | 2621 fps | 95.1% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,959 psi | 68% | 2582 fps | 95.2% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,698 psi | 68% | 2516 fps | 95% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,482 psi | 41% | 1496 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,608 psi | 61% | 2461 fps | 97% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 94% | 44,324 psi | 74% | 2723 fps | 95.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 92% | 34,418 psi | 57% | 2516 fps | 95.5% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,938 psi | 55% | 2365 fps | 96.8% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 88% | 36,390 psi | 60% | 2451 fps | 95.5% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 96% | 37,681 psi | 63% | 2539 fps | 95.3% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,801 psi | 73% | 2605 fps | 98.8% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 82% | 30,052 psi | 50% | 2362 fps | 95.2% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 90% | 36,695 psi | 61% | 2480 fps | 95.7% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,856 psi | 65% | 2467 fps | 95.7% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,123 psi | 78% | 2333 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,828 psi | 68% | 2559 fps | 98.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 98% | 43,062 psi | 72% | 2654 fps | 95.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,059 psi | 65% | 2490 fps | 99.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,907 psi | 81% | 2684 fps | 95% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,843 psi | 68% | 2566 fps | 95.2% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,981 psi | 53% | 2297 fps | 96.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,788 psi | 43% | 2159 fps | 95.3% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,330 psi | 57% | 2431 fps | 95.1% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,212 psi | 52% | 2300 fps | 97.3% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,279 psi | 70% | 2582 fps | 95.5% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 96% | 39,146 psi | 65% | 2552 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,542 psi | 76% | 2507 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,521 psi | 61% | 2395 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,879 psi | 53% | 2313 fps | 98.9% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,745 psi | 44% | 2264 fps | 97.8% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,065 psi | 47% | 2264 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 94% | 35,244 psi | 59% | 2448 fps | 95.8% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,941 psi | 61% | 2464 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 82% | 28,631 psi | 48% | 2293 fps | 95.2% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 82% | 33,098 psi | 55% | 2438 fps | 95.3% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,813 psi | 66% | 2569 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 86 powders for .308 Win. Ackley Improved loaded with the .308 | 155gr | Merlin Virtus. Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,890 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,637 fps to 2,890 fps. Accurate 2495 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 86 of the 86 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (415 MPa), the top charges use 55–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 155.0 gr projectile in 0.308" calls for a 1:12.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 2495, Accurate 4064, ADI AR 2208 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 CFE223, Alliant Power Pro 1200-R, Hodgdon BL-C2 rank at the top here: for .308 Win. Ackley Improved with the .308 | 155gr | Merlin Virtus 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.