Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .244 Rem. with .243 | 88gr | Berger Varmint 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-17, ReloadSwiss RS 60 and ReloadSwiss RS 70.
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 2015 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,231 psi | 90% | 3061 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,274 psi | 89% | 3084 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 82% | 53,359 psi | 86% | 3097 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2700 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,288 psi | 87% | 3071 fps | 96.2% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,390 psi | 89% | 3133 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,506 psi | 89% | 3215 fps | 99.4% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,651 psi | 89% | 3166 fps | 99.8% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,287 psi | 85% | 3110 fps | 99.4% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,549 psi | 87% | 3114 fps | 100% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,651 psi | 89% | 3094 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,521 psi | 89% | 3291 fps | 99.7% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,258 psi | 85% | 3133 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,867 psi | 86% | 3156 fps | 99.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-16ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,347 psi | 90% | 3274 fps | 99.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,331 psi | 87% | 3261 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-23ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,480 psi | 65% | 2979 fps | 98.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-26ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,701 psi | 73% | 3156 fps | 97.7% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,753 psi | 89% | 3179 fps | 99.4% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,795 psi | 86% | 3146 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,998 psi | 87% | 3110 fps | 96.4% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,057 psi | 90% | 3097 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,201 psi | 87% | 3143 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,883 psi | 90% | 3248 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,969 psi | 88% | 3163 fps | 99% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,897 psi | 88% | 3215 fps | 97.3% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,303 psi | 89% | 3173 fps | 96% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,202 psi | 90% | 3179 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100Vᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,011 psi | 85% | 3143 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,941 psi | 90% | 3212 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,303 psi | 89% | 3241 fps | 97% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,389 psi | 57% | 1965 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,012 psi | 87% | 3127 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,289 psi | 90% | 3163 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,101 psi | 90% | 3146 fps | 99.7% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,072 psi | 90% | 3123 fps | 97.4% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,505 psi | 87% | 3140 fps | 96.6% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,898 psi | 90% | 3146 fps | 97.3% |
| IMR 4831ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,898 psi | 90% | 3205 fps | 99.5% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,259 psi | 89% | 3189 fps | 99.8% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,549 psi | 87% | 3114 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,637 psi | 89% | 3143 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,853 psi | 88% | 3087 fps | 99.8% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,043 psi | 90% | 3146 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,506 psi | 89% | 3140 fps | 98.4% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,304 psi | 90% | 3173 fps | 97.7% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,549 psi | 87% | 3114 fps | 100% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,042 psi | 88% | 3114 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,127 psi | 85% | 3140 fps | 99.7% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,288 psi | 87% | 3202 fps | 99.2% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,664 psi | 86% | 3166 fps | 99.7% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,461 psi | 86% | 3196 fps | 97.9% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,998 psi | 88% | 3130 fps | 98.5% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,534 psi | 87% | 3150 fps | 99.8% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,434 psi | 89% | 3114 fps | 99.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,897 psi | 58% | 2011 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,013 psi | 88% | 3136 fps | 97.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,447 psi | 87% | 3228 fps | 99.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,795 psi | 86% | 3261 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,158 psi | 88% | 3235 fps | 99.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,795 psi | 88% | 3264 fps | 99% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,303 psi | 89% | 3094 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,969 psi | 88% | 3107 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,056 psi | 87% | 3143 fps | 99.9% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,998 psi | 87% | 3110 fps | 96.4% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,506 psi | 89% | 3140 fps | 98.4% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,637 psi | 89% | 3143 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,043 psi | 90% | 3146 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,304 psi | 90% | 3173 fps | 97.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,825 psi | 90% | 3205 fps | 99.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,490 psi | 86% | 3104 fps | 98.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,230 psi | 87% | 3133 fps | 99.8% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,796 psi | 89% | 3048 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,912 psi | 90% | 3041 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,709 psi | 89% | 3087 fps | 97.3% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,811 psi | 89% | 3146 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,332 psi | 89% | 3045 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,997 psi | 85% | 3094 fps | 99.6% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,143 psi | 87% | 3136 fps | 99.9% |
| Somchem S365ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,634 psi | 84% | 3209 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,448 psi | 89% | 3009 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,043 psi | 90% | 3031 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,520 psi | 87% | 3071 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,564 psi | 89% | 3091 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,840 psi | 90% | 3120 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,330 psi | 86% | 3140 fps | 99% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,013 psi | 88% | 3114 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,853 psi | 86% | 3084 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,159 psi | 90% | 3205 fps | 99.2% |
| Vihtavuori N555ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,614 psi | 72% | 3064 fps | 98.3% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,635 psi | 86% | 3117 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,216 psi | 89% | 3166 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,897 psi | 88% | 3215 fps | 97.3% |
| Winchester StaBALL HDᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,434 psi | 58% | 2972 fps | 98.2% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,983 psi | 87% | 3140 fps | 99.9% |
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% | 49,748 psi | 80% | 2963 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,612 psi | 68% | 2874 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,647 psi | 80% | 3035 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2700 | <<locked>> | 86% | 50,966 psi | 82% | 3015 fps | 95.5% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,306 psi | 65% | 2864 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,521 psi | 59% | 2838 fps | 95.2% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,035 psi | 74% | 2989 fps | 98.9% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,001 psi | 63% | 2822 fps | 96.7% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,066 psi | 77% | 3002 fps | 99.7% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,515 psi | 78% | 2989 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,814 psi | 67% | 3012 fps | 97.3% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,812 psi | 62% | 2844 fps | 98.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,669 psi | 67% | 2917 fps | 97.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,463 psi | 58% | 2851 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | 38 gr | 80% | 33,707 psi | 54% | 2805 fps | 96.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 94% | 33,663 psi | 54% | 2799 fps | 96% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 96% | 39,682 psi | 64% | 3012 fps | 95.8% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,223 psi | 73% | 2989 fps | 97.9% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,638 psi | 62% | 2851 fps | 98.3% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,633 psi | 81% | 3051 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,559 psi | 79% | 2986 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,007 psi | 75% | 3018 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,996 psi | 83% | 3179 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,436 psi | 63% | 2854 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,863 psi | 77% | 3081 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,938 psi | 83% | 3114 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,441 psi | 74% | 3005 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 84% | 31,517 psi | 51% | 2680 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,525 psi | 68% | 2966 fps | 99% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,848 psi | 77% | 3100 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,455 psi | 42% | 1762 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,599 psi | 72% | 2949 fps | 99% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,282 psi | 74% | 3002 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,930 psi | 66% | 2858 fps | 97.5% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 82% | 46,224 psi | 74% | 2940 fps | 95.1% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,037 psi | 77% | 3018 fps | 95% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,369 psi | 74% | 2969 fps | 95.1% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,594 psi | 60% | 2844 fps | 95.8% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,714 psi | 68% | 2949 fps | 98.3% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,066 psi | 77% | 3002 fps | 99.7% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,382 psi | 73% | 2969 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,774 psi | 73% | 2923 fps | 98.9% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,002 psi | 66% | 2867 fps | 99% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,799 psi | 65% | 2854 fps | 95.1% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,862 psi | 75% | 3002 fps | 95.6% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,005 psi | 72% | 2940 fps | 99.5% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,382 psi | 73% | 2949 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,060 psi | 66% | 2904 fps | 98% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,724 psi | 59% | 2841 fps | 95.2% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,582 psi | 65% | 2910 fps | 97.7% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 92% | 43,816 psi | 70% | 3009 fps | 95.6% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,993 psi | 77% | 2999 fps | 97.2% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,805 psi | 77% | 3028 fps | 99.1% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,793 psi | 83% | 3051 fps | 99.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,716 psi | 43% | 1801 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 84% | 45,281 psi | 73% | 2953 fps | 95.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,150 psi | 71% | 3035 fps | 98.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | 38 gr | 80% | 35,853 psi | 57% | 2881 fps | 99.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,899 psi | 62% | 2917 fps | 95.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | 43.4 gr | 90% | 41,713 psi | 67% | 2995 fps | 95.9% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,066 psi | 79% | 2992 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,902 psi | 69% | 2887 fps | 99.2% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,274 psi | 58% | 2785 fps | 97.3% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,633 psi | 81% | 3051 fps | 95.7% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,799 psi | 65% | 2854 fps | 95.1% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,382 psi | 73% | 2969 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,002 psi | 66% | 2867 fps | 99% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,862 psi | 75% | 3002 fps | 95.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,304 psi | 60% | 2841 fps | 96.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,354 psi | 74% | 2972 fps | 97.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,599 psi | 72% | 2956 fps | 98.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,166 psi | 74% | 2890 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,522 psi | 62% | 2740 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 45,847 psi | 74% | 2910 fps | 95.1% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,040 psi | 83% | 3084 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,948 psi | 74% | 2890 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,050 psi | 74% | 2969 fps | 98.8% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,043 psi | 59% | 2795 fps | 97.3% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 82% | 28,790 psi | 46% | 2657 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,040 psi | 83% | 2959 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,543 psi | 75% | 2884 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,293 psi | 68% | 2871 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,004 psi | 69% | 2877 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,259 psi | 57% | 2723 fps | 98.1% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 86% | 38,348 psi | 61% | 2841 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,269 psi | 77% | 2999 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,553 psi | 67% | 2864 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,681 psi | 60% | 2838 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 92% | 34,229 psi | 55% | 2822 fps | 95.1% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,198 psi | 50% | 2631 fps | 95.3% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,138 psi | 77% | 3048 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,863 psi | 77% | 3081 fps | 95.7% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 96% | 31,908 psi | 51% | 2822 fps | 95.7% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,903 psi | 70% | 2956 fps | 99% |
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 .244 Rem. loaded with the .243 | 88gr | Berger Varmint. Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,291 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,965 fps to 3,291 fps. Alliant Reloder-16 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 (430 MPa), the top charges use 57–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 88.0 gr projectile in 0.243" calls for a 1:9.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Alliant Reloder-16, Alliant Reloder-23, Alliant Reloder-26 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-17, ReloadSwiss RS 60, ReloadSwiss RS 70 rank at the top here: for .244 Rem. with the .243 | 88gr | Berger Varmint 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.