Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .338 Marlin Express with .338 | 225gr | Speer Deep Curl Soft Point bullet and 55 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are ReloadSwiss RS 60, Hodgdon BL-C2 and IMR 3031.
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% | 41,655 psi | 90% | 2195 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,755 psi | 86% | 2195 fps | 98.9% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 94% | 39,653 psi | 85% | 2231 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,089 psi | 86% | 2238 fps | 98.7% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,959 psi | 90% | 2290 fps | 99.6% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,756 psi | 88% | 2234 fps | 95.8% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,989 psi | 90% | 2244 fps | 99.8% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,654 psi | 88% | 2208 fps | 97.2% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,973 psi | 88% | 2257 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 96% | 39,624 psi | 85% | 2244 fps | 96.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 82% | 39,711 psi | 86% | 2172 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,350 psi | 89% | 2287 fps | 97.2% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,046 psi | 88% | 2172 fps | 97.8% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,509 psi | 87% | 2264 fps | 97.8% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,770 psi | 88% | 2224 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,365 psi | 89% | 2241 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,915 psi | 88% | 2244 fps | 96.6% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,785 psi | 90% | 2303 fps | 97.1% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,185 psi | 72% | 1385 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,987 psi | 86% | 2208 fps | 96.1% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,524 psi | 89% | 2290 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,162 psi | 89% | 2149 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,655 psi | 90% | 2283 fps | 96.3% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,654 psi | 88% | 2208 fps | 97.2% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,682 psi | 86% | 2195 fps | 97.9% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,640 psi | 88% | 2257 fps | 98.8% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 94% | 40,292 psi | 87% | 2221 fps | 97.2% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,074 psi | 86% | 2201 fps | 97.1% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,827 psi | 86% | 2218 fps | 99.1% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,930 psi | 90% | 2205 fps | 95.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,286 psi | 72% | 1421 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,596 psi | 87% | 2205 fps | 98.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 98% | 40,393 psi | 87% | 2316 fps | 98.2% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,423 psi | 89% | 2205 fps | 99.1% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,045 psi | 86% | 2195 fps | 97.1% |
| Rottweil R 903ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,234 psi | 89% | 2277 fps | 96.8% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,640 psi | 88% | 2257 fps | 98.8% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 94% | 40,292 psi | 87% | 2221 fps | 97.2% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,277 psi | 87% | 2165 fps | 96.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 88% | 39,668 psi | 85% | 2139 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,713 psi | 90% | 2251 fps | 96% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,001 psi | 86% | 2136 fps | 99% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,336 psi | 89% | 2175 fps | 99.7% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,640 psi | 88% | 2231 fps | 97.5% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,582 psi | 90% | 2182 fps | 99.6% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 98% | 40,103 psi | 86% | 2241 fps | 96.3% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,205 psi | 87% | 2133 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 88% | 39,668 psi | 85% | 2139 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 94% | 40,567 psi | 87% | 2228 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,059 psi | 86% | 2201 fps | 99.3% |
| Vihtavuori N150ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,176 psi | 89% | 2234 fps | 97.8% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,843 psi | 88% | 2208 fps | 97.3% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 94% | 40,930 psi | 88% | 2234 fps | 99.1% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,684 psi | 90% | 2283 fps | 98.3% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,799 psi | 88% | 2254 fps | 96.5% |
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% | 32,474 psi | 70% | 2037 fps | 99.4% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,954 psi | 75% | 2110 fps | 97.9% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,048 psi | 54% | 1946 fps | 98% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,327 psi | 65% | 2054 fps | 96.1% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 82% | 25,382 psi | 55% | 1962 fps | 95.4% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,261 psi | 82% | 2188 fps | 95.1% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,015 psi | 84% | 2195 fps | 99.5% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 82% | 33,910 psi | 73% | 2083 fps | 95.1% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,776 psi | 64% | 2057 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 92% | 34,911 psi | 75% | 2156 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,449 psi | 81% | 2133 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 92% | 34,098 psi | 73% | 2159 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,098 psi | 73% | 2044 fps | 95.9% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | 39.7 gr | 84% | 33,214 psi | 72% | 2129 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,752 psi | 77% | 2136 fps | 99% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,129 psi | 78% | 2152 fps | 98.4% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,114 psi | 78% | 2156 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 90% | 36,695 psi | 79% | 2208 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,772 psi | 53% | 1240 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,536 psi | 81% | 2165 fps | 95.4% |
| IMR 3031 | 34.3 gr | 80% | 28,572 psi | 62% | 2037 fps | 98% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,769 psi | 84% | 2113 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 92% | 39,059 psi | 84% | 2241 fps | 95.5% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 82% | 33,910 psi | 73% | 2083 fps | 95.1% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,635 psi | 75% | 2106 fps | 96.6% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 82% | 29,182 psi | 63% | 2041 fps | 95.6% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 88% | 33,489 psi | 72% | 2096 fps | 95.2% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 84% | 33,098 psi | 71% | 2070 fps | 95% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,008 psi | 63% | 2005 fps | 96.3% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,494 psi | 85% | 2165 fps | 95.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,700 psi | 53% | 1270 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,723 psi | 77% | 2119 fps | 97.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | 42.8 gr | 92% | 33,359 psi | 72% | 2169 fps | 95.6% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,706 psi | 70% | 2044 fps | 97.2% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 86% | 33,605 psi | 72% | 2073 fps | 95.1% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 96% | 36,085 psi | 78% | 2188 fps | 95.4% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 82% | 29,182 psi | 63% | 2041 fps | 95.6% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 88% | 33,489 psi | 72% | 2096 fps | 95.2% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,797 psi | 81% | 2123 fps | 95.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,256 psi | 67% | 1991 fps | 99.1% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,218 psi | 85% | 2208 fps | 95.3% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,444 psi | 68% | 1978 fps | 97% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,454 psi | 55% | 1864 fps | 95.8% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,417 psi | 72% | 2100 fps | 95.4% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,618 psi | 66% | 1982 fps | 97.6% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 96% | 37,869 psi | 82% | 2201 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,839 psi | 77% | 2060 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,256 psi | 67% | 1991 fps | 99.1% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,295 psi | 57% | 1955 fps | 98.2% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,499 psi | 59% | 1952 fps | 96% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 92% | 32,053 psi | 69% | 2070 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 82% | 33,605 psi | 72% | 2077 fps | 95.1% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 82% | 28,123 psi | 61% | 1985 fps | 95.7% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 82% | 32,184 psi | 69% | 2100 fps | 95.6% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 88% | 35,998 psi | 78% | 2165 fps | 95% |
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 | Speer Deep Curl Soft Point. ReloadSwiss RS 60 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,316 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,385 fps to 2,316 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 72–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 225.0 gr projectile in 0.338" calls for a 1:16.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Hodgdon TrailBoss, ReloadSwiss RS 14, Rottweil R 903 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. ReloadSwiss RS 60, Hodgdon BL-C2, IMR 3031 rank at the top here: for .338 Marlin Express with the .338 | 225gr | Speer Deep Curl Soft Point 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.