Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .338 Marlin Express with .338 | 225gr | NorthFork Bonded Core bullet and 55 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% | 40,611 psi | 88% | 2169 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,176 psi | 89% | 2205 fps | 99% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 96% | 40,799 psi | 88% | 2238 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,336 psi | 89% | 2244 fps | 98.7% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 98% | 40,437 psi | 87% | 2257 fps | 99.4% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,712 psi | 88% | 2211 fps | 99.6% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 88% | 39,537 psi | 85% | 2175 fps | 96.6% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,697 psi | 86% | 2224 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,552 psi | 85% | 2244 fps | 96.2% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 98% | 40,901 psi | 88% | 2251 fps | 96.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,292 psi | 89% | 2182 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,988 psi | 88% | 2126 fps | 99.7% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 98% | 40,001 psi | 86% | 2251 fps | 96.7% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 86% | 39,929 psi | 86% | 2139 fps | 97.3% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,843 psi | 90% | 2274 fps | 97.9% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,784 psi | 86% | 2195 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,176 psi | 87% | 2208 fps | 99% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,842 psi | 86% | 2211 fps | 96% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 94% | 40,379 psi | 87% | 2264 fps | 96.5% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,083 psi | 71% | 1371 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,263 psi | 89% | 2218 fps | 96.2% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,277 psi | 87% | 2260 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,190 psi | 87% | 2123 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 88% | 39,537 psi | 85% | 2175 fps | 96.6% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,162 psi | 89% | 2208 fps | 98% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 92% | 39,465 psi | 85% | 2228 fps | 98.4% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,553 psi | 90% | 2228 fps | 97.3% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,220 psi | 89% | 2208 fps | 97.2% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,002 psi | 88% | 2224 fps | 99.1% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,191 psi | 89% | 2254 fps | 95.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,170 psi | 71% | 1407 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,378 psi | 85% | 2172 fps | 98% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,756 psi | 90% | 2323 fps | 98.2% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,147 psi | 87% | 2172 fps | 98.8% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,553 psi | 90% | 2205 fps | 97.2% |
| Rottweil R 903ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 39,595 psi | 85% | 2238 fps | 96.2% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 92% | 39,465 psi | 85% | 2228 fps | 98.4% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,553 psi | 90% | 2228 fps | 97.3% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 82% | 39,175 psi | 84% | 2133 fps | 96.1% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,234 psi | 89% | 2218 fps | 99% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,698 psi | 90% | 2188 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,495 psi | 89% | 2146 fps | 99% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 39,958 psi | 86% | 2139 fps | 99.5% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 86% | 39,581 psi | 85% | 2201 fps | 97% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,132 psi | 86% | 2146 fps | 99.4% |
| Somchem S355ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,408 psi | 89% | 2251 fps | 96.4% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,829 psi | 90% | 2146 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,075 psi | 89% | 2149 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,756 psi | 90% | 2234 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,292 psi | 89% | 2208 fps | 99.3% |
| Vihtavuori N150ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 39,697 psi | 86% | 2195 fps | 97.3% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 88% | 39,392 psi | 85% | 2169 fps | 96.7% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 94% | 39,682 psi | 86% | 2201 fps | 98.8% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,393 psi | 87% | 2247 fps | 97.8% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 92% | 39,566 psi | 85% | 2218 fps | 95.9% |
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% | 31,691 psi | 68% | 2011 fps | 99.2% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,765 psi | 73% | 2073 fps | 97.4% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,062 psi | 52% | 1909 fps | 97.5% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,443 psi | 63% | 2024 fps | 95.5% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 26,020 psi | 56% | 1969 fps | 95.5% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,043 psi | 82% | 2165 fps | 99.3% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 84% | 34,969 psi | 75% | 2090 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,095 psi | 63% | 2031 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,985 psi | 80% | 2195 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 94% | 36,201 psi | 78% | 2169 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,260 psi | 78% | 2103 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,566 psi | 83% | 2087 fps | 99.5% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 94% | 35,157 psi | 76% | 2165 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,446 psi | 72% | 2018 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 32,227 psi | 69% | 2096 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,751 psi | 75% | 2106 fps | 98.7% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,027 psi | 75% | 2119 fps | 97.9% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,333 psi | 80% | 2169 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 92% | 37,927 psi | 82% | 2218 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,453 psi | 53% | 1224 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 90% | 38,943 psi | 84% | 2175 fps | 95.5% |
| IMR 3031 | 33.3 gr | 80% | 27,659 psi | 60% | 2005 fps | 97.5% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,826 psi | 82% | 2087 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 84% | 34,969 psi | 75% | 2090 fps | 95.2% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,547 psi | 72% | 2070 fps | 96% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 84% | 30,081 psi | 65% | 2051 fps | 95.8% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 90% | 34,389 psi | 74% | 2100 fps | 95.3% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 86% | 34,403 psi | 74% | 2083 fps | 95.2% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,108 psi | 61% | 1975 fps | 95.7% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 94% | 38,580 psi | 83% | 2211 fps | 95% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,381 psi | 53% | 1253 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,824 psi | 75% | 2087 fps | 96.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | 42.5 gr | 94% | 34,548 psi | 74% | 2178 fps | 95.8% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,923 psi | 69% | 2014 fps | 96.8% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 88% | 34,664 psi | 75% | 2080 fps | 95.2% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 98% | 37,275 psi | 80% | 2195 fps | 95.5% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 30,081 psi | 65% | 2051 fps | 95.8% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 90% | 34,389 psi | 74% | 2100 fps | 95.3% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,666 psi | 79% | 2090 fps | 95.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,406 psi | 83% | 2169 fps | 98.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,898 psi | 80% | 2106 fps | 99.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,516 psi | 66% | 1949 fps | 96.4% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,743 psi | 53% | 1834 fps | 95.2% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 82% | 34,534 psi | 74% | 2110 fps | 95.5% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,733 psi | 64% | 1952 fps | 97.2% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 96% | 36,622 psi | 79% | 2165 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,780 psi | 75% | 2031 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,298 psi | 65% | 1959 fps | 98.8% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,382 psi | 55% | 1923 fps | 97.7% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,701 psi | 58% | 1923 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 94% | 33,025 psi | 71% | 2077 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 84% | 34,751 psi | 75% | 2087 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 82% | 27,224 psi | 59% | 1949 fps | 95% |
| Winchester 748 | 37.9 gr | 84% | 33,301 psi | 72% | 2110 fps | 95.7% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 90% | 37,159 psi | 80% | 2175 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 55 powders for .338 Marlin Express loaded with the .338 | 225gr | NorthFork Bonded Core. ReloadSwiss RS 60 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,323 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,371 fps to 2,323 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 55 of the 55 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 225.0 gr projectile in 0.338" calls for a 1:15.0 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 | NorthFork Bonded Core 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.