Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .338 Marlin Express with .338 | 230gr | Nosler CT FailSafe 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% | 39,900 psi | 86% | 2119 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,654 psi | 88% | 2159 fps | 98.9% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 96% | 40,045 psi | 86% | 2188 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,669 psi | 90% | 2224 fps | 98.8% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 98% | 39,769 psi | 86% | 2208 fps | 99.3% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,626 psi | 90% | 2195 fps | 95.8% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,001 psi | 86% | 2159 fps | 99.5% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,684 psi | 90% | 2172 fps | 97.2% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,930 psi | 90% | 2221 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,655 psi | 90% | 2241 fps | 96.7% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 98% | 40,074 psi | 86% | 2198 fps | 96.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,669 psi | 88% | 2136 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,524 psi | 87% | 2080 fps | 99.7% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 98% | 39,465 psi | 85% | 2205 fps | 96.5% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,989 psi | 90% | 2136 fps | 97.8% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,278 psi | 89% | 2224 fps | 97.8% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,901 psi | 90% | 2192 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,697 psi | 86% | 2165 fps | 98.9% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,771 psi | 90% | 2205 fps | 96.6% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 94% | 39,914 psi | 86% | 2215 fps | 96.3% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,185 psi | 72% | 1345 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,843 psi | 88% | 2172 fps | 96.1% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 92% | 39,755 psi | 86% | 2211 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,974 psi | 90% | 2113 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,684 psi | 90% | 2172 fps | 97.2% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,451 psi | 87% | 2156 fps | 97.9% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,292 psi | 89% | 2218 fps | 98.7% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 96% | 40,857 psi | 88% | 2178 fps | 97.2% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,712 psi | 88% | 2159 fps | 97.1% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,509 psi | 87% | 2175 fps | 99.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,982 psi | 71% | 1375 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,539 psi | 90% | 2169 fps | 98.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,263 psi | 89% | 2274 fps | 98.1% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 88% | 39,726 psi | 86% | 2126 fps | 98.7% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 94% | 40,770 psi | 88% | 2152 fps | 97% |
| Rottweil R 903ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 39,073 psi | 84% | 2188 fps | 96% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,292 psi | 89% | 2218 fps | 98.7% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 96% | 40,857 psi | 88% | 2178 fps | 97.2% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,727 psi | 90% | 2136 fps | 96.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,741 psi | 88% | 2169 fps | 99% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,481 psi | 89% | 2146 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,857 psi | 88% | 2100 fps | 98.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 39,523 psi | 85% | 2096 fps | 99.4% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,582 psi | 90% | 2195 fps | 97.5% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,943 psi | 86% | 2106 fps | 99.4% |
| Somchem S355ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,640 psi | 88% | 2198 fps | 96.2% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,350 psi | 89% | 2100 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,437 psi | 87% | 2103 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,220 psi | 89% | 2188 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 94% | 40,669 psi | 88% | 2159 fps | 99.3% |
| Vihtavuori N150ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 39,291 psi | 85% | 2152 fps | 97.2% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,669 psi | 90% | 2169 fps | 97.2% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,553 psi | 90% | 2192 fps | 99.1% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,755 psi | 86% | 2198 fps | 97.7% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,800 psi | 90% | 2215 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% | 31,154 psi | 67% | 1965 fps | 99.1% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,402 psi | 72% | 2031 fps | 97.3% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 23,786 psi | 51% | 1873 fps | 97.4% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 82% | 29,530 psi | 64% | 2005 fps | 95.6% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 25,614 psi | 55% | 1926 fps | 95.4% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,189 psi | 84% | 2156 fps | 95.1% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,594 psi | 81% | 2119 fps | 99.2% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 84% | 34,679 psi | 75% | 2047 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,601 psi | 62% | 1985 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,477 psi | 79% | 2149 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 94% | 35,563 psi | 77% | 2119 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,911 psi | 77% | 2057 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,043 psi | 82% | 2041 fps | 99.5% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 94% | 34,534 psi | 74% | 2116 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,025 psi | 71% | 1975 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 31,778 psi | 68% | 2051 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,534 psi | 74% | 2064 fps | 98.7% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,737 psi | 75% | 2077 fps | 97.9% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 88% | 36,825 psi | 79% | 2119 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 92% | 37,420 psi | 81% | 2169 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,584 psi | 53% | 1201 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 90% | 38,218 psi | 82% | 2126 fps | 95.3% |
| IMR 3031 | 32.3 gr | 80% | 27,412 psi | 59% | 1965 fps | 97.4% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,347 psi | 80% | 2041 fps | 100% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 84% | 34,679 psi | 75% | 2047 fps | 95.2% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,953 psi | 71% | 2024 fps | 95.8% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,530 psi | 64% | 2005 fps | 95.6% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 90% | 34,142 psi | 74% | 2060 fps | 95.2% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 86% | 33,823 psi | 73% | 2037 fps | 95% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,891 psi | 60% | 1936 fps | 95.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,526 psi | 53% | 1230 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,374 psi | 74% | 2044 fps | 96.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | 41.2 gr | 94% | 34,200 psi | 74% | 2133 fps | 95.6% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,401 psi | 68% | 1969 fps | 96.6% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 88% | 34,098 psi | 73% | 2034 fps | 95.1% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 98% | 36,709 psi | 79% | 2149 fps | 95.3% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,530 psi | 64% | 2005 fps | 95.6% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 90% | 34,142 psi | 74% | 2060 fps | 95.2% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,361 psi | 78% | 2047 fps | 95.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,087 psi | 82% | 2126 fps | 98.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,506 psi | 79% | 2064 fps | 99.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,211 psi | 65% | 1906 fps | 96.4% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,511 psi | 53% | 1798 fps | 95.1% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 82% | 34,055 psi | 73% | 2064 fps | 95.4% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,530 psi | 64% | 1913 fps | 97.1% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 98% | 38,247 psi | 82% | 2159 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,447 psi | 74% | 1988 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,965 psi | 65% | 1919 fps | 98.7% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,121 psi | 54% | 1883 fps | 97.6% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,339 psi | 57% | 1880 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 94% | 32,518 psi | 70% | 2031 fps | 95.1% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 84% | 34,142 psi | 74% | 2037 fps | 95.1% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,572 psi | 62% | 1949 fps | 95.6% |
| Winchester 748 | 36.7 gr | 84% | 32,851 psi | 71% | 2067 fps | 95.6% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 92% | 39,117 psi | 84% | 2172 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 55 powders for .338 Marlin Express loaded with the .338 | 230gr | Nosler CT FailSafe. ReloadSwiss RS 60 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,274 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,345 fps to 2,274 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 230.0 gr projectile in 0.338" calls for a 1:14.5 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 | 230gr | Nosler CT FailSafe 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.