Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 7.62 x 39 (.308) Russian with .308 | 136gr | Peregrine Plainsmaster (VLR-4) bullet and 16 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are ReloadSwiss RS 36, IMR 4227 and Lovex S053.
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: 16"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate No. 11 FS | <<locked>> | 86% | 45,107 psi | 88% | 2090 fps | 98.7% |
| ADI AR 2205 | <<locked>> | 88% | 44,527 psi | 86% | 2018 fps | 99.6% |
| ADI AR 2207ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 38,334 psi | 74% | 2080 fps | 97.3% |
| Hodgdon LilGun | <<locked>> | 82% | 45,527 psi | 88% | 2136 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 27,021 psi | 52% | 1283 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4227 | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,223 psi | 88% | 2093 fps | 97.5% |
| Lovex D063 | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,412 psi | 90% | 2106 fps | 96.1% |
| Lovex S040 | <<locked>> | 82% | 46,151 psi | 90% | 2037 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S053 | <<locked>> | 98% | 45,179 psi | 88% | 2103 fps | 99.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 26,469 psi | 51% | 1316 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 36 | <<locked>> | 98% | 46,340 psi | 90% | 2146 fps | 97.6% |
| Shooters World Blackout | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,412 psi | 90% | 2106 fps | 96.1% |
| Shooters World SOCOM | <<locked>> | 88% | 44,353 psi | 86% | 2067 fps | 96.2% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,787 psi | 85% | 1995 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N110 | <<locked>> | 92% | 45,513 psi | 88% | 2067 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N120ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 38,856 psi | 75% | 2060 fps | 98.5% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
Start Load - Barrel Length: 16"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate No. 11 FS | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,246 psi | 72% | 1972 fps | 97.1% |
| ADI AR 2205 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,867 psi | 68% | 1873 fps | 98.2% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 94% | 32,039 psi | 62% | 1969 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon LilGun | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,395 psi | 82% | 2096 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 19,899 psi | 39% | 1152 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4227 | 19.4 gr | 90% | 37,695 psi | 73% | 1982 fps | 95.6% |
| Lovex D063 | <<locked>> | 84% | 43,961 psi | 85% | 2073 fps | 95.5% |
| Lovex S040 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,569 psi | 85% | 2005 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S053 | 16.9 gr | 80% | 26,687 psi | 52% | 1785 fps | 95.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 19,203 psi | 37% | 1175 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 36 | 21.1 gr | 92% | 38,334 psi | 74% | 2028 fps | 95.6% |
| Shooters World Blackout | <<locked>> | 84% | 43,961 psi | 85% | 2073 fps | 95.5% |
| Shooters World SOCOM | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,394 psi | 80% | 2024 fps | 95.5% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,657 psi | 50% | 1709 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N110 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,444 psi | 61% | 1864 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 90% | 28,805 psi | 56% | 1873 fps | 95.3% |
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 16 powders for 7.62 x 39 (.308) Russian loaded with the .308 | 136gr | Peregrine Plainsmaster (VLR-4). ReloadSwiss RS 36 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,146 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,283 fps to 2,146 fps. ADI AR 2207 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 16 of the 16 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (355 MPa), the top charges use 51–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 136.0 gr projectile in 0.308" calls for a 1:12.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. ADI AR 2207, 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 36, IMR 4227, Lovex S053 rank at the top here: for 7.62 x 39 (.308) Russian with the .308 | 136gr | Peregrine Plainsmaster (VLR-4) 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.