Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .338 Marlin Express with .338 | 225gr | Alaska Bullet Works Kodiak PP SPBC bullet and 56 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 ReloadSwiss RS 60.
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% | 40,901 psi | 88% | 2175 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,452 psi | 89% | 2211 fps | 99% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,089 psi | 89% | 2244 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,582 psi | 90% | 2251 fps | 98.8% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 98% | 40,698 psi | 88% | 2260 fps | 99.4% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,959 psi | 88% | 2218 fps | 99.6% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 88% | 39,769 psi | 86% | 2182 fps | 96.7% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,929 psi | 86% | 2231 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,118 psi | 89% | 2257 fps | 96.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,263 psi | 89% | 2185 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,234 psi | 89% | 2133 fps | 99.8% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 98% | 40,219 psi | 87% | 2257 fps | 96.7% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,132 psi | 86% | 2146 fps | 97.4% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,392 psi | 85% | 2234 fps | 97.4% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,726 psi | 86% | 2198 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,437 psi | 87% | 2215 fps | 99% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,059 psi | 86% | 2218 fps | 96.1% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 94% | 40,553 psi | 87% | 2270 fps | 96.6% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,199 psi | 72% | 1378 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,423 psi | 89% | 2221 fps | 96.3% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,538 psi | 87% | 2267 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,219 psi | 87% | 2126 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 94% | 40,480 psi | 87% | 2254 fps | 95.7% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 88% | 39,769 psi | 86% | 2182 fps | 96.7% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,423 psi | 89% | 2211 fps | 98.1% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 92% | 39,711 psi | 86% | 2234 fps | 98.5% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,524 psi | 89% | 2162 fps | 95.7% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,466 psi | 89% | 2228 fps | 97.3% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,481 psi | 89% | 2215 fps | 97.3% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,205 psi | 89% | 2228 fps | 99.2% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,408 psi | 89% | 2260 fps | 95.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,301 psi | 72% | 1411 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,668 psi | 85% | 2178 fps | 98.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,872 psi | 90% | 2329 fps | 98.3% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,393 psi | 87% | 2178 fps | 98.8% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,742 psi | 90% | 2211 fps | 97.3% |
| Rottweil R 903ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 39,842 psi | 86% | 2241 fps | 96.3% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 92% | 39,711 psi | 86% | 2234 fps | 98.5% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,466 psi | 89% | 2228 fps | 97.3% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 82% | 39,407 psi | 85% | 2139 fps | 96.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,234 psi | 89% | 2218 fps | 99.1% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,989 psi | 90% | 2192 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,742 psi | 90% | 2152 fps | 99.1% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 40,132 psi | 86% | 2146 fps | 99.5% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 86% | 39,813 psi | 86% | 2208 fps | 97.1% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,364 psi | 87% | 2152 fps | 99.4% |
| Somchem S355ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,698 psi | 90% | 2257 fps | 96.5% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,785 psi | 90% | 2146 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,336 psi | 89% | 2156 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,974 psi | 90% | 2241 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,539 psi | 90% | 2215 fps | 99.4% |
| Vihtavuori N150ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 39,885 psi | 86% | 2201 fps | 97.4% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 88% | 39,653 psi | 85% | 2175 fps | 96.8% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 94% | 39,900 psi | 86% | 2205 fps | 98.8% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,611 psi | 88% | 2254 fps | 97.9% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 92% | 39,769 psi | 86% | 2224 fps | 96% |
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% | 31,734 psi | 68% | 2014 fps | 99.2% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,997 psi | 73% | 2080 fps | 97.5% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,294 psi | 52% | 1919 fps | 97.6% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,457 psi | 63% | 2024 fps | 95.6% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 26,223 psi | 56% | 1975 fps | 95.7% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,276 psi | 82% | 2172 fps | 99.3% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,201 psi | 76% | 2096 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,080 psi | 63% | 2031 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 94% | 36,158 psi | 78% | 2169 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,608 psi | 79% | 2110 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,812 psi | 84% | 2093 fps | 99.6% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 94% | 35,375 psi | 76% | 2172 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,417 psi | 72% | 2021 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 32,387 psi | 70% | 2103 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,998 psi | 75% | 2113 fps | 98.8% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,230 psi | 76% | 2126 fps | 98% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,536 psi | 81% | 2172 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 90% | 35,810 psi | 77% | 2178 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,598 psi | 53% | 1227 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,175 psi | 84% | 2182 fps | 95.7% |
| IMR 3031 | 33.5 gr | 80% | 27,905 psi | 60% | 2011 fps | 97.6% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,116 psi | 82% | 2093 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 92% | 37,971 psi | 82% | 2208 fps | 95% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,201 psi | 76% | 2096 fps | 95.4% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,750 psi | 73% | 2077 fps | 96.1% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 82% | 28,340 psi | 61% | 2011 fps | 95.1% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 88% | 39,262 psi | 85% | 2126 fps | 95.1% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 90% | 34,577 psi | 75% | 2106 fps | 95.4% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 86% | 34,360 psi | 74% | 2083 fps | 95.2% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,311 psi | 61% | 1982 fps | 95.8% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 94% | 38,798 psi | 84% | 2215 fps | 95.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,540 psi | 53% | 1257 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,795 psi | 75% | 2090 fps | 96.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | 42.7 gr | 94% | 34,693 psi | 75% | 2185 fps | 95.9% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,923 psi | 69% | 2018 fps | 96.8% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 88% | 34,650 psi | 75% | 2083 fps | 95.3% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 98% | 37,492 psi | 81% | 2201 fps | 95.6% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 82% | 28,340 psi | 61% | 2011 fps | 95.1% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 90% | 34,577 psi | 75% | 2106 fps | 95.4% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,898 psi | 80% | 2096 fps | 95.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,653 psi | 83% | 2175 fps | 98.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,188 psi | 80% | 2116 fps | 99.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,748 psi | 66% | 1955 fps | 96.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,918 psi | 54% | 1841 fps | 95.3% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 82% | 34,751 psi | 75% | 2116 fps | 95.7% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,979 psi | 65% | 1959 fps | 97.3% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 96% | 36,767 psi | 79% | 2172 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,027 psi | 75% | 2037 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,516 psi | 66% | 1965 fps | 98.9% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,585 psi | 55% | 1929 fps | 97.8% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,934 psi | 58% | 1929 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 94% | 33,228 psi | 72% | 2080 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 84% | 34,954 psi | 75% | 2093 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 82% | 27,383 psi | 59% | 1955 fps | 95.1% |
| Winchester 748 | 37.2 gr | 82% | 31,444 psi | 68% | 2073 fps | 95% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 90% | 37,318 psi | 80% | 2178 fps | 95.2% |
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 56 powders for .338 Marlin Express loaded with the .338 | 225gr | Alaska Bullet Works Kodiak PP SPBC. ReloadSwiss RS 60 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,329 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,378 fps to 2,329 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 56 of the 56 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (320 MPa), the top charges use 72–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 225.0 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, ReloadSwiss RS 60 rank at the top here: for .338 Marlin Express with the .338 | 225gr | Alaska Bullet Works Kodiak PP SPBC 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.