Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .240 Weath. Mag. with .243 | 88gr | CutEdge MTH bullet and 94 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Alliant Reloder-16, ReloadSwiss RS 70 and Alliant Reloder-26.
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.
A valid access license is required to use the Personalized Load Calculator.
You can find more information in our FAQ: How can I use the Personalized Load Calculator?
Max Load - Barrel Length: 24"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,130 psi | 88% | 3140 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2700 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,520 psi | 85% | 3150 fps | 97.7% |
| Accurate 3100ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,228 psi | 82% | 3179 fps | 98.7% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,811 psi | 89% | 3199 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,070 psi | 85% | 3245 fps | 99.8% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,927 psi | 88% | 3232 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 88% | 57,261 psi | 90% | 3238 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,622 psi | 87% | 3287 fps | 97.1% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,014 psi | 89% | 3373 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,709 psi | 87% | 3284 fps | 97.2% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,476 psi | 85% | 3205 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,766 psi | 86% | 3228 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,230 psi | 87% | 3317 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,739 psi | 89% | 3346 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,882 psi | 86% | 3274 fps | 97.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-22ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,301 psi | 82% | 3271 fps | 96.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-23ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,994 psi | 77% | 3199 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,699 psi | 67% | 3097 fps | 97.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-26ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 57,203 psi | 90% | 3422 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,144 psi | 88% | 3248 fps | 99.9% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,085 psi | 86% | 3219 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP5ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,301 psi | 82% | 3271 fps | 96.7% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,897 psi | 86% | 3199 fps | 97.9% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,680 psi | 87% | 3235 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,768 psi | 89% | 3307 fps | 98.7% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,550 psi | 89% | 3264 fps | 97.6% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,579 psi | 89% | 3245 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,506 psi | 87% | 3232 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,319 psi | 90% | 3284 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 92% | 57,450 psi | 90% | 3346 fps | 98.6% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,085 psi | 57% | 2054 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,331 psi | 85% | 3189 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 82% | 57,464 psi | 90% | 3225 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,768 psi | 89% | 3222 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,999 psi | 88% | 3196 fps | 98.5% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,927 psi | 88% | 3232 fps | 98.2% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,695 psi | 89% | 3232 fps | 98.6% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,911 psi | 86% | 3241 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,231 psi | 88% | 3261 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,217 psi | 88% | 3199 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,766 psi | 86% | 3150 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,797 psi | 89% | 3212 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,637 psi | 89% | 3225 fps | 99.4% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,375 psi | 85% | 3209 fps | 98.5% |
| Lovex S071ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,975 psi | 67% | 3002 fps | 96.8% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,621 psi | 86% | 3173 fps | 100% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,317 psi | 87% | 3169 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 86% | 57,479 psi | 90% | 3271 fps | 100% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,956 psi | 89% | 3287 fps | 97.2% |
| Norma MRPᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,666 psi | 87% | 3363 fps | 98.6% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,971 psi | 89% | 3297 fps | 99.9% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,998 psi | 86% | 3238 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,680 psi | 87% | 3287 fps | 99.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,535 psi | 57% | 2100 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,941 psi | 88% | 3219 fps | 99% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,550 psi | 87% | 3297 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,202 psi | 88% | 3340 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,418 psi | 85% | 3271 fps | 99.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,826 psi | 89% | 3366 fps | 99.9% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,288 psi | 87% | 3173 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,288 psi | 87% | 3215 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 98% | 57,493 psi | 90% | 3261 fps | 96.3% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,940 psi | 85% | 3255 fps | 97% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,897 psi | 86% | 3199 fps | 97.9% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,637 psi | 89% | 3225 fps | 99.4% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,217 psi | 88% | 3199 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,797 psi | 89% | 3212 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,375 psi | 85% | 3209 fps | 98.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 88% | 57,203 psi | 90% | 3281 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 82% | 57,493 psi | 90% | 3235 fps | 99.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,462 psi | 85% | 3196 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,680 psi | 87% | 3107 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,710 psi | 89% | 3104 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,362 psi | 88% | 3169 fps | 98.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 57,493 psi | 90% | 3320 fps | 97.7% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,230 psi | 87% | 3097 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 82% | 57,116 psi | 90% | 3219 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,347 psi | 87% | 3212 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,115 psi | 88% | 3297 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,795 psi | 86% | 3232 fps | 97.9% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,202 psi | 88% | 3087 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,695 psi | 87% | 3133 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,057 psi | 88% | 3146 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,029 psi | 89% | 3189 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,216 psi | 87% | 3228 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N165ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,618 psi | 79% | 3140 fps | 96.8% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,462 psi | 85% | 3140 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,462 psi | 85% | 3232 fps | 99.7% |
| Vihtavuori N555ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,708 psi | 86% | 3287 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,187 psi | 86% | 3192 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 92% | 57,130 psi | 90% | 3314 fps | 98.8% |
| Winchester StaBALL HDᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,266 psi | 69% | 3248 fps | 100% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,795 psi | 86% | 3209 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,187 psi | 86% | 3225 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 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,008 psi | 77% | 3028 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2700 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,659 psi | 75% | 3022 fps | 96.2% |
| Accurate 3100 | <<locked>> | 92% | 39,088 psi | 61% | 2913 fps | 95.6% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,427 psi | 73% | 3028 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,302 psi | 55% | 2848 fps | 96.1% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,620 psi | 82% | 3176 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,512 psi | 70% | 2999 fps | 99% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,602 psi | 76% | 3153 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,124 psi | 77% | 3228 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,733 psi | 76% | 3153 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,904 psi | 70% | 3028 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,095 psi | 75% | 3107 fps | 99.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | 41.4 gr | 80% | 34,838 psi | 55% | 2867 fps | 96.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,349 psi | 62% | 3005 fps | 99.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,109 psi | 75% | 3143 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,689 psi | 76% | 3199 fps | 95.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 86% | 30,763 psi | 48% | 2759 fps | 96.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 96% | 37,463 psi | 59% | 2963 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | 50.2 gr | 88% | 35,969 psi | 56% | 2966 fps | 95.9% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,547 psi | 82% | 3186 fps | 99.7% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,875 psi | 70% | 3031 fps | 99.8% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,689 psi | 76% | 3199 fps | 95.8% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 84% | 45,339 psi | 71% | 3012 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,542 psi | 71% | 3045 fps | 98.4% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 84% | 43,004 psi | 67% | 3035 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 46,456 psi | 73% | 3068 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,200 psi | 83% | 3186 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,184 psi | 50% | 2749 fps | 96.9% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,951 psi | 78% | 3159 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,424 psi | 66% | 3048 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,818 psi | 42% | 1837 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,778 psi | 80% | 3127 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,490 psi | 84% | 3166 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,760 psi | 73% | 3041 fps | 99.4% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,284 psi | 77% | 3071 fps | 97.3% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 86% | 43,236 psi | 68% | 2982 fps | 95.2% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,350 psi | 65% | 2923 fps | 95.1% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,069 psi | 53% | 2799 fps | 95.7% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,327 psi | 77% | 3136 fps | 99.8% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,794 psi | 83% | 3146 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,547 psi | 81% | 3097 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,847 psi | 73% | 3041 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,450 psi | 60% | 2858 fps | 95.7% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,945 psi | 66% | 2956 fps | 95.7% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 96% | 37,579 psi | 59% | 2877 fps | 95.1% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,010 psi | 80% | 3110 fps | 100% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,996 psi | 81% | 3117 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,442 psi | 74% | 3091 fps | 99.7% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,501 psi | 78% | 3150 fps | 95.6% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,756 psi | 65% | 3081 fps | 95.2% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,331 psi | 55% | 2848 fps | 95.9% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,674 psi | 75% | 3107 fps | 99.7% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,392 psi | 62% | 2956 fps | 95.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,296 psi | 43% | 1883 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,745 psi | 72% | 3025 fps | 97.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,735 psi | 81% | 3232 fps | 99.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,916 psi | 66% | 3077 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,157 psi | 55% | 2861 fps | 95.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | 46.4 gr | 82% | 37,101 psi | 58% | 2940 fps | 95.8% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,530 psi | 76% | 3054 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,206 psi | 66% | 2969 fps | 99.4% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,679 psi | 84% | 3192 fps | 95.5% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,065 psi | 74% | 3123 fps | 95.3% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 84% | 45,339 psi | 71% | 3012 fps | 95.8% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,450 psi | 60% | 2858 fps | 95.7% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,794 psi | 83% | 3146 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,847 psi | 73% | 3041 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,945 psi | 66% | 2956 fps | 95.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,497 psi | 68% | 3028 fps | 99.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,708 psi | 84% | 3173 fps | 99.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,952 psi | 80% | 3136 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,228 psi | 82% | 3051 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,019 psi | 69% | 2900 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,379 psi | 63% | 2858 fps | 95% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,630 psi | 73% | 3117 fps | 95.2% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,692 psi | 81% | 3041 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,417 psi | 84% | 3159 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,583 psi | 67% | 2972 fps | 99.4% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,647 psi | 50% | 2789 fps | 98% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 92% | 44,715 psi | 70% | 3038 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,808 psi | 83% | 3038 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,965 psi | 77% | 3028 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,255 psi | 77% | 3038 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,770 psi | 64% | 2897 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,854 psi | 58% | 2854 fps | 96.5% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 96% | 44,164 psi | 69% | 3012 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,630 psi | 75% | 3025 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,260 psi | 57% | 2848 fps | 96% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 84% | 31,575 psi | 49% | 2779 fps | 95.1% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,187 psi | 57% | 2822 fps | 98.5% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 84% | 43,265 psi | 68% | 3041 fps | 95.8% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 88% | 28,964 psi | 45% | 2785 fps | 95.9% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,184 psi | 80% | 3146 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,674 psi | 75% | 3091 fps | 95.2% |
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 94 powders for .240 Weath. Mag. loaded with the .243 | 88gr | CutEdge MTH. Alliant Reloder-26 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,422 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 2,054 fps to 3,422 fps. Accurate 3100 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 94 of the 94 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (440 MPa), the top charges use 57–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 88.0 gr projectile in 0.243" calls for a 1:8.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 3100, Alliant Reloder-22, Alliant Reloder-23 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. Alliant Reloder-16, ReloadSwiss RS 70, Alliant Reloder-26 rank at the top here: for .240 Weath. Mag. with the .243 | 88gr | CutEdge MTH 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.