Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .338 Marlin Express with .338 | 250gr | Nosler Partition Gold bullet and 66 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 LEVERevolution and Bofors RP3.
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>> | 86% | 40,466 psi | 87% | 2034 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,162 psi | 89% | 2073 fps | 99.5% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,292 psi | 89% | 2106 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 88% | 39,581 psi | 85% | 2100 fps | 99.1% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,031 psi | 88% | 2129 fps | 99.8% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 88% | 39,552 psi | 85% | 2073 fps | 96.4% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 94% | 40,553 psi | 87% | 2070 fps | 95.7% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,916 psi | 90% | 2087 fps | 98.2% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 88% | 39,813 psi | 86% | 2090 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 96% | 40,944 psi | 88% | 2126 fps | 97.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,104 psi | 89% | 2044 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 92% | 39,595 psi | 85% | 2096 fps | 95.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-17ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,510 psi | 89% | 2188 fps | 97% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 96% | 40,306 psi | 87% | 2129 fps | 97.8% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,610 psi | 85% | 2011 fps | 98.2% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,974 psi | 90% | 2146 fps | 98.8% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,814 psi | 88% | 2156 fps | 96.1% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 82% | 39,537 psi | 85% | 2060 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,030 psi | 86% | 2077 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 88% | 39,711 psi | 86% | 2083 fps | 97.1% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,306 psi | 87% | 2139 fps | 97.6% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,663 psi | 73% | 1293 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,973 psi | 88% | 2087 fps | 97.3% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,480 psi | 87% | 2126 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,059 psi | 86% | 2057 fps | 95.9% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,451 psi | 87% | 2123 fps | 96.8% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,916 psi | 90% | 2087 fps | 98.2% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,901 psi | 88% | 2073 fps | 98.7% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,581 psi | 85% | 2100 fps | 99.1% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,060 psi | 88% | 2031 fps | 96.7% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,611 psi | 90% | 2103 fps | 98.2% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,394 psi | 89% | 2083 fps | 98.2% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,249 psi | 89% | 2096 fps | 99.7% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,162 psi | 89% | 2126 fps | 96.9% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,466 psi | 89% | 2142 fps | 96.5% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,857 psi | 88% | 2106 fps | 96.7% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,509 psi | 87% | 2047 fps | 96.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,533 psi | 72% | 1322 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,974 psi | 90% | 2087 fps | 99.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,249 psi | 89% | 2175 fps | 96.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,568 psi | 90% | 2201 fps | 99.2% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,263 psi | 87% | 2044 fps | 99.4% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,379 psi | 89% | 2077 fps | 98.1% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 98% | 40,219 psi | 87% | 2119 fps | 97.4% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,581 psi | 85% | 2100 fps | 99.1% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,611 psi | 90% | 2103 fps | 98.2% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,800 psi | 90% | 2054 fps | 97.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 96% | 40,147 psi | 87% | 2126 fps | 96.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,843 psi | 90% | 2054 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,582 psi | 87% | 2093 fps | 96.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,133 psi | 89% | 2014 fps | 99.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 94% | 40,001 psi | 86% | 2014 fps | 99.9% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,320 psi | 85% | 2070 fps | 98% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,132 psi | 86% | 2021 fps | 99.8% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,843 psi | 90% | 2103 fps | 96.8% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,553 psi | 90% | 2123 fps | 97.5% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,611 psi | 90% | 2011 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,872 psi | 88% | 2018 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 92% | 39,581 psi | 85% | 2067 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,394 psi | 89% | 2080 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 98% | 40,045 psi | 86% | 2077 fps | 98.3% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,901 psi | 90% | 2083 fps | 98.2% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 92% | 39,624 psi | 85% | 2070 fps | 99.4% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALLᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 39,450 psi | 85% | 2057 fps | 96.2% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,466 psi | 87% | 2119 fps | 98.7% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 90% | 39,494 psi | 85% | 2093 fps | 97% |
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% | 33,634 psi | 72% | 1926 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,172 psi | 78% | 1995 fps | 98.8% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,208 psi | 56% | 1847 fps | 99% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,139 psi | 65% | 1932 fps | 97% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,889 psi | 54% | 1824 fps | 96.2% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,099 psi | 76% | 1995 fps | 95.1% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 92% | 38,261 psi | 82% | 2034 fps | 95.1% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,837 psi | 71% | 1929 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,908 psi | 67% | 1942 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 88% | 31,966 psi | 69% | 1965 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,609 psi | 83% | 2008 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 90% | 37,333 psi | 80% | 2057 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 96% | 36,434 psi | 79% | 2093 fps | 95.3% |
| Bofors RP3 | 37.1 gr | 88% | 30,864 psi | 67% | 1962 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,230 psi | 76% | 1936 fps | 97.1% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,139 psi | 65% | 1936 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,203 psi | 82% | 2110 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,159 psi | 80% | 2021 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,449 psi | 81% | 2037 fps | 99.2% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 82% | 32,938 psi | 71% | 1962 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | 37.5 gr | 86% | 33,431 psi | 72% | 2011 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,976 psi | 54% | 1155 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 84% | 34,345 psi | 74% | 1972 fps | 95.3% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,602 psi | 64% | 1932 fps | 99% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 90% | 37,695 psi | 81% | 2021 fps | 95.2% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 88% | 35,607 psi | 77% | 2041 fps | 95.4% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,837 psi | 71% | 1929 fps | 95.7% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,708 psi | 77% | 1991 fps | 97.7% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,311 psi | 61% | 1893 fps | 96.3% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,579 psi | 79% | 1955 fps | 95.4% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 84% | 30,589 psi | 66% | 1906 fps | 95.1% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,458 psi | 66% | 1886 fps | 95% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,182 psi | 65% | 1903 fps | 97.6% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 90% | 36,535 psi | 79% | 2051 fps | 95.6% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 92% | 38,856 psi | 84% | 2096 fps | 95.8% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,810 psi | 77% | 2021 fps | 95.2% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 82% | 37,942 psi | 82% | 2005 fps | 95.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,990 psi | 54% | 1181 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,941 psi | 80% | 2005 fps | 98.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 90% | 38,522 psi | 83% | 2129 fps | 95.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | 38.5 gr | 88% | 30,313 psi | 65% | 1972 fps | 95.4% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,736 psi | 73% | 1932 fps | 98.3% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 82% | 30,705 psi | 66% | 1883 fps | 95% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 92% | 33,069 psi | 71% | 1998 fps | 95.4% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,311 psi | 61% | 1893 fps | 96.3% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 84% | 30,589 psi | 66% | 1906 fps | 95.1% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,030 psi | 84% | 2008 fps | 97.1% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 94% | 37,637 psi | 81% | 2083 fps | 95.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,247 psi | 85% | 2018 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 86% | 35,868 psi | 77% | 2011 fps | 95.2% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,358 psi | 70% | 1870 fps | 98% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,223 psi | 56% | 1765 fps | 97.1% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,432 psi | 74% | 1985 fps | 96.7% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,720 psi | 68% | 1877 fps | 98.6% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,637 psi | 79% | 2018 fps | 95.3% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 92% | 34,679 psi | 75% | 2008 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,869 psi | 79% | 1942 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,184 psi | 69% | 1880 fps | 99.7% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,238 psi | 59% | 1850 fps | 99.1% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,340 psi | 61% | 1850 fps | 97.3% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 88% | 29,095 psi | 63% | 1880 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,547 psi | 70% | 1926 fps | 95.8% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,166 psi | 59% | 1837 fps | 96.2% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 98% | 37,014 psi | 80% | 2018 fps | 95.4% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,227 psi | 67% | 1952 fps | 96.2% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 86% | 34,882 psi | 75% | 2011 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 66 powders for .338 Marlin Express loaded with the .338 | 250gr | Nosler Partition Gold. ReloadSwiss RS 60 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,201 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,293 fps to 2,201 fps. Alliant Reloder-17 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 66 of the 66 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 250.0 gr projectile in 0.338" calls for a 1:15.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Alliant Reloder-17, Hodgdon TrailBoss, ReloadSwiss RS 14 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 LEVERevolution, Bofors RP3 rank at the top here: for .338 Marlin Express with the .338 | 250gr | Nosler Partition Gold 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.