308 Winchester Service Rifle Load Data & Ballistics Calculator
Estimate chamber pressure and muzzle velocity for the 308 Winchester Service Rifle with the free,
in-browser MyLoads internal ballistics simulator. The figures below are illustrative
estimates from a physics model — not a recommended load. Always cross-check a current
published loading manual.
308 Winchester Service Rifle reference
Maximum average pressure (MAP)
58,000 psi
Nominal case capacity
56.0 gr H₂O
Groove / bullet diameter
0.308 in (7.82 mm)
Example simulation illustrative
Bullet
Sierra 30 Caliber (.308) 168 gr HPBT MatchKing
Powder
IMR 4895
Charge
41 gr
Barrel
24 in
Muzzle velocity
2,564 fps
Peak chamber pressure (interval, ±10% burn rate)
36,639 – 45,438 – 57,865 psi
nominal is 78% MAP (58,000 psi)
The simulator isn't optimized for this cartridge yet and may read pressure high and velocity high.
Illustrative example — every figure is an estimate; always confirm your load against a current published manual before loading.
Popular 308 Winchester Service Rifle powders
Powders and bullets handloaders commonly use for the 308 Winchester Service Rifle, drawn from public discussion and listed most common first. They appear as the Popular group in the calculator's pickers. This is not a load recommendation — always check your load against a current published manual.
IMR 4895
IMR 4064
Hodgdon H4895
Hodgdon Varget
Alliant RL-15
Hodgdon BL-C(2)
IMR 3031
Winchester W748
Accurate A-2520
Vihtavuori N140
Hodgdon H335
IMR 8208 XBR
Popular 308 Winchester Service Rifle bullets
Sierra 30 Caliber (.308) 168 gr HPBT MatchKing
Sierra 30 Caliber (.308) 175 gr HPBT MatchKing
Sierra 30 Caliber (.308) 155 gr HPBT-CN MatchKing PALMA®
Hornady 0.308 150 gr FMJ-BT
Hornady 0.308 155 gr ELD Match
Nosler Custom Competition 30 Cal 168 gr HPBT
Hornady 0.308 168 gr ELD Match
Nosler Custom Competition 30 Cal 175 gr HPBT
Berger 30 Cal 155.5 gr FULLBORE Target
Sierra 30 Caliber (.308) 150 gr FMJBT GameKing
Sierra 30 Caliber (.308) 165 gr HPBT GameKing
Nosler Ballistic Tip Hunting 30 Cal 165 gr Spitzer (Green Tip)
Nosler Ballistic Tip Hunting 30 Cal 150 gr Spitzer (Green Tip)
Hornady 0.308 165 gr SST
Speer Match BTHP .308 168 gr
Use MyLoads as a 308 Winchester Service Rifle velocity and pressure calculator: it estimates
muzzle velocity, muzzle energy and the full chamber-pressure curve for your own powder,
charge and barrel length, compared against the reference facts above.