Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .338 Marlin Express with .338 | 215gr | Sierra GameKing bullet and 52 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are IMR 3031, Winchester 748 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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Max Load - Barrel Length: 24"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,263 psi | 87% | 2228 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,857 psi | 88% | 2267 fps | 98.7% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 96% | 40,292 psi | 87% | 2297 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,046 psi | 88% | 2306 fps | 98.5% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 98% | 40,147 psi | 87% | 2320 fps | 99.2% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,335 psi | 87% | 2270 fps | 99.4% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,872 psi | 90% | 2280 fps | 96.9% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,494 psi | 85% | 2293 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,901 psi | 90% | 2352 fps | 96.5% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 98% | 40,611 psi | 88% | 2313 fps | 96.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,857 psi | 88% | 2244 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,843 psi | 88% | 2188 fps | 99.6% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 98% | 39,581 psi | 85% | 2310 fps | 96.2% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 86% | 39,595 psi | 85% | 2198 fps | 96.9% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,785 psi | 90% | 2339 fps | 97.6% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,479 psi | 85% | 2257 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,885 psi | 86% | 2270 fps | 98.7% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 94% | 40,321 psi | 87% | 2326 fps | 96.1% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,040 psi | 71% | 1421 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,191 psi | 89% | 2280 fps | 95.9% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,016 psi | 86% | 2323 fps | 99.8% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,030 psi | 86% | 2188 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,872 psi | 90% | 2280 fps | 96.9% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,741 psi | 88% | 2267 fps | 97.7% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,916 psi | 90% | 2333 fps | 98.6% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,104 psi | 89% | 2287 fps | 96.9% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,930 psi | 88% | 2267 fps | 96.8% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,654 psi | 88% | 2283 fps | 98.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,098 psi | 71% | 1453 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,872 psi | 90% | 2280 fps | 98.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,394 psi | 89% | 2385 fps | 97.8% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,089 psi | 86% | 2238 fps | 98.6% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,220 psi | 89% | 2264 fps | 96.8% |
| Rottweil R 903ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 39,508 psi | 85% | 2300 fps | 95.8% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,916 psi | 90% | 2333 fps | 98.6% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,104 psi | 89% | 2287 fps | 96.9% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,887 psi | 90% | 2244 fps | 96.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,799 psi | 88% | 2277 fps | 98.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,553 psi | 90% | 2254 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,118 psi | 89% | 2205 fps | 98.8% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 39,885 psi | 86% | 2205 fps | 99.3% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 86% | 39,175 psi | 84% | 2260 fps | 96.6% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,929 psi | 86% | 2208 fps | 99.2% |
| Somchem S355ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,089 psi | 89% | 2310 fps | 96% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,278 psi | 89% | 2205 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,698 psi | 88% | 2211 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,640 psi | 90% | 2303 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 94% | 40,886 psi | 88% | 2267 fps | 99.1% |
| Vihtavuori N150ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 39,610 psi | 85% | 2260 fps | 97% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,771 psi | 90% | 2277 fps | 97% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 94% | 39,436 psi | 85% | 2260 fps | 98.5% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,219 psi | 87% | 2310 fps | 97.5% |
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% | 31,444 psi | 68% | 2067 fps | 99% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,446 psi | 72% | 2129 fps | 97% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 23,946 psi | 52% | 1965 fps | 97.1% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,153 psi | 63% | 2077 fps | 95% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 25,802 psi | 56% | 2021 fps | 95% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,768 psi | 81% | 2228 fps | 99.1% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,927 psi | 80% | 2192 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,790 psi | 62% | 2087 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,218 psi | 85% | 2306 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 96% | 38,145 psi | 82% | 2267 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,013 psi | 78% | 2162 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,464 psi | 83% | 2149 fps | 99.4% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 96% | 37,014 psi | 80% | 2264 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,244 psi | 76% | 2116 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | 40.8 gr | 86% | 34,040 psi | 73% | 2195 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,606 psi | 75% | 2165 fps | 98.5% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,925 psi | 75% | 2178 fps | 97.6% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 92% | 37,695 psi | 81% | 2277 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,424 psi | 53% | 1266 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 90% | 38,682 psi | 83% | 2234 fps | 95.1% |
| IMR 3031 | 34.4 gr | 80% | 27,441 psi | 59% | 2057 fps | 97.1% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,739 psi | 81% | 2149 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,927 psi | 80% | 2192 fps | 95.5% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,185 psi | 72% | 2126 fps | 95.5% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,921 psi | 64% | 2106 fps | 95.3% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 92% | 36,477 psi | 79% | 2205 fps | 95.6% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 88% | 36,318 psi | 78% | 2182 fps | 95.5% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,992 psi | 60% | 2031 fps | 95.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,323 psi | 52% | 1296 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,360 psi | 74% | 2142 fps | 96.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 94% | 34,243 psi | 74% | 2231 fps | 95.1% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,662 psi | 68% | 2070 fps | 96.4% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 90% | 36,593 psi | 79% | 2182 fps | 95.6% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 98% | 36,941 psi | 80% | 2254 fps | 95% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,921 psi | 64% | 2106 fps | 95.3% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 92% | 36,477 psi | 79% | 2205 fps | 95.6% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 82% | 39,030 psi | 84% | 2195 fps | 95.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,290 psi | 83% | 2231 fps | 98.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,622 psi | 79% | 2169 fps | 99.4% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,327 psi | 65% | 2001 fps | 96.1% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 82% | 26,194 psi | 56% | 1929 fps | 95.5% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 82% | 34,330 psi | 74% | 2169 fps | 95.1% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,675 psi | 64% | 2008 fps | 96.8% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 98% | 38,537 psi | 83% | 2264 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,548 psi | 74% | 2090 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,081 psi | 65% | 2014 fps | 98.5% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,179 psi | 54% | 1975 fps | 97.3% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 82% | 28,166 psi | 61% | 2014 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 96% | 34,853 psi | 75% | 2172 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,709 psi | 79% | 2185 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,703 psi | 62% | 2044 fps | 95.3% |
| Winchester 748 | 39.2 gr | 84% | 33,127 psi | 71% | 2169 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 52 powders for .338 Marlin Express loaded with the .338 | 215gr | Sierra GameKing. ReloadSwiss RS 60 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,385 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,421 fps to 2,385 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 52 of the 52 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (320 MPa), the top charges use 71–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 215.0 gr projectile in 0.338" calls for a 1:15.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Hodgdon TrailBoss, ReloadSwiss RS 14, ReloadSwiss RS 60 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. IMR 3031, Winchester 748, Hodgdon BL-C2 rank at the top here: for .338 Marlin Express with the .338 | 215gr | Sierra GameKing 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.