Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .260 Rem. with .264 | 130gr | Sierra Hollow Point Boat Tail - Closed Nose (HPBT-CN) bullet and 93 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are ReloadSwiss RS 70, Hodgdon Superformance and Alliant Reloder-17.
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>> | 82% | 52,663 psi | 87% | 2618 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 86% | 51,285 psi | 85% | 2644 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 82% | 52,634 psi | 87% | 2700 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2700 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,824 psi | 89% | 2690 fps | 97.2% |
| Accurate 3100ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,742 psi | 69% | 2592 fps | 96.5% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,576 psi | 86% | 2690 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 96% | 50,792 psi | 84% | 2766 fps | 99.5% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,561 psi | 86% | 2713 fps | 99.9% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,678 psi | 88% | 2717 fps | 99.8% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,853 psi | 89% | 2713 fps | 100% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 82% | 51,488 psi | 86% | 2644 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 86% | 51,082 psi | 85% | 2825 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,576 psi | 87% | 2736 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,243 psi | 88% | 2759 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,344 psi | 87% | 2825 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,069 psi | 88% | 2854 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-23ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 39,798 psi | 66% | 2618 fps | 99.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-26ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,309 psi | 74% | 2776 fps | 98.5% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,097 psi | 85% | 2723 fps | 99.5% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,142 psi | 88% | 2753 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,432 psi | 89% | 2726 fps | 97.4% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 82% | 52,373 psi | 87% | 2651 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,142 psi | 88% | 2743 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,998 psi | 90% | 2766 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,592 psi | 89% | 2815 fps | 98.1% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,447 psi | 90% | 2779 fps | 96.9% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,054 psi | 86% | 2723 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100Vᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,750 psi | 86% | 2749 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 86% | 51,488 psi | 86% | 2756 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,201 psi | 90% | 2851 fps | 97.8% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,665 psi | 59% | 1677 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,359 psi | 89% | 2726 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,214 psi | 87% | 2710 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,344 psi | 87% | 2700 fps | 99.8% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 86% | 52,141 psi | 87% | 2680 fps | 97.7% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,345 psi | 89% | 2746 fps | 97.4% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,025 psi | 86% | 2707 fps | 97.6% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 98% | 51,459 psi | 85% | 2759 fps | 99.6% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 86% | 51,155 psi | 85% | 2736 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,853 psi | 89% | 2713 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,430 psi | 85% | 2694 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,213 psi | 85% | 2644 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,924 psi | 86% | 2694 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 94% | 51,213 psi | 85% | 2697 fps | 98.6% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 96% | 51,967 psi | 86% | 2730 fps | 97.9% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,809 psi | 89% | 2710 fps | 100% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,317 psi | 90% | 2713 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,431 psi | 87% | 2746 fps | 100% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,114 psi | 90% | 2799 fps | 96.3% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,345 psi | 89% | 2805 fps | 99.6% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,779 psi | 88% | 2769 fps | 99.9% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,257 psi | 87% | 2802 fps | 98.6% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,114 psi | 90% | 2736 fps | 99.1% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,969 psi | 90% | 2756 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,230 psi | 60% | 1716 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,836 psi | 84% | 2694 fps | 98% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,359 psi | 89% | 2818 fps | 99.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,924 psi | 88% | 2854 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,867 psi | 89% | 2838 fps | 99.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,693 psi | 89% | 2867 fps | 99.5% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 82% | 51,808 psi | 86% | 2651 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,273 psi | 90% | 2710 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,026 psi | 88% | 2743 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,432 psi | 89% | 2726 fps | 97.4% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 94% | 51,213 psi | 85% | 2697 fps | 98.6% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,430 psi | 85% | 2694 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,924 psi | 86% | 2694 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 96% | 51,967 psi | 86% | 2730 fps | 97.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,416 psi | 85% | 2756 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,533 psi | 87% | 2713 fps | 99.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,243 psi | 88% | 2733 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,851 psi | 86% | 2605 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,083 psi | 87% | 2605 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 94% | 51,358 psi | 85% | 2651 fps | 97.5% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,314 psi | 85% | 2602 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,083 psi | 87% | 2703 fps | 99.9% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,563 psi | 89% | 2746 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S365ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,285 psi | 85% | 2805 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,645 psi | 79% | 2690 fps | 96.2% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,170 psi | 87% | 2592 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,114 psi | 90% | 2674 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 86% | 51,474 psi | 86% | 2648 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,372 psi | 85% | 2674 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,431 psi | 87% | 2749 fps | 99.5% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,273 psi | 90% | 2713 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,866 psi | 88% | 2687 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 96% | 51,445 psi | 85% | 2756 fps | 99.3% |
| Vihtavuori N555ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,700 psi | 73% | 2694 fps | 99.1% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,576 psi | 87% | 2730 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 82% | 50,720 psi | 84% | 2710 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,592 psi | 89% | 2815 fps | 98.1% |
| Winchester StaBALL HDᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,665 psi | 59% | 2628 fps | 99.2% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,359 psi | 89% | 2746 fps | 100% |
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% | 49,647 psi | 82% | 2575 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,134 psi | 70% | 2507 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,284 psi | 82% | 2654 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2700 | <<locked>> | 84% | 47,050 psi | 78% | 2582 fps | 95.7% |
| Accurate 3100 | <<locked>> | 98% | 38,928 psi | 65% | 2539 fps | 95.6% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,842 psi | 66% | 2500 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 33,460 psi | 56% | 2434 fps | 95.7% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,658 psi | 76% | 2615 fps | 99.5% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,914 psi | 65% | 2470 fps | 97.9% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,688 psi | 79% | 2618 fps | 100% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,022 psi | 80% | 2598 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,597 psi | 69% | 2651 fps | 98.5% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,464 psi | 64% | 2490 fps | 99% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,321 psi | 69% | 2552 fps | 98.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 84% | 33,924 psi | 56% | 2451 fps | 95.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | 36.8 gr | 80% | 33,214 psi | 55% | 2461 fps | 97.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 90% | 29,269 psi | 49% | 2356 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 94% | 35,998 psi | 60% | 2589 fps | 95.9% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,976 psi | 75% | 2621 fps | 98.8% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,247 psi | 64% | 2497 fps | 99.1% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 88% | 44,353 psi | 74% | 2572 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,501 psi | 82% | 2605 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,702 psi | 78% | 2644 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,841 psi | 65% | 2497 fps | 96.9% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,191 psi | 68% | 2595 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,863 psi | 80% | 2671 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,064 psi | 77% | 2625 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 82% | 29,211 psi | 49% | 2300 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,887 psi | 70% | 2595 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | 43.8 gr | 90% | 43,845 psi | 73% | 2667 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,455 psi | 44% | 1493 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,222 psi | 73% | 2579 fps | 99.6% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,832 psi | 76% | 2615 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,872 psi | 68% | 2503 fps | 98.5% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,062 psi | 72% | 2520 fps | 95.6% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 44,309 psi | 74% | 2595 fps | 95.3% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 86% | 43,323 psi | 72% | 2552 fps | 95.6% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 84% | 32,619 psi | 54% | 2398 fps | 95.4% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,337 psi | 70% | 2582 fps | 99.1% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,688 psi | 79% | 2618 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,991 psi | 75% | 2595 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,426 psi | 75% | 2546 fps | 99.5% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,582 psi | 67% | 2503 fps | 99.6% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,724 psi | 63% | 2448 fps | 95.6% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,741 psi | 68% | 2530 fps | 95.2% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,614 psi | 74% | 2566 fps | 99.9% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,962 psi | 75% | 2572 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,698 psi | 68% | 2543 fps | 98.9% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 96% | 50,662 psi | 84% | 2743 fps | 95.5% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 84% | 33,837 psi | 56% | 2438 fps | 95.7% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,277 psi | 67% | 2556 fps | 98.7% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,884 psi | 63% | 2533 fps | 95% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,442 psi | 79% | 2625 fps | 98.1% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,181 psi | 78% | 2648 fps | 99.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,021 psi | 45% | 1535 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,363 psi | 65% | 2484 fps | 95.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,453 psi | 72% | 2651 fps | 98.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,331 psi | 59% | 2526 fps | 99.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 84% | 33,315 psi | 55% | 2454 fps | 95.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | 40.2 gr | 86% | 35,810 psi | 59% | 2516 fps | 95.2% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,617 psi | 81% | 2598 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,496 psi | 71% | 2520 fps | 99.7% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,926 psi | 60% | 2441 fps | 98.4% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 88% | 44,353 psi | 74% | 2572 fps | 95.3% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,724 psi | 63% | 2448 fps | 95.6% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,991 psi | 75% | 2595 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,582 psi | 67% | 2503 fps | 99.6% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,741 psi | 68% | 2530 fps | 95.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,767 psi | 61% | 2490 fps | 97.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,774 psi | 76% | 2602 fps | 98.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,976 psi | 73% | 2582 fps | 99.3% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,050 psi | 77% | 2516 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,377 psi | 64% | 2388 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,351 psi | 70% | 2500 fps | 95.5% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,527 psi | 76% | 2516 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,788 psi | 76% | 2602 fps | 99.5% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,680 psi | 61% | 2448 fps | 98.4% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,731 psi | 44% | 2287 fps | 96.2% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 98% | 44,585 psi | 74% | 2635 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,398 psi | 77% | 2507 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,192 psi | 70% | 2500 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,598 psi | 71% | 2510 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,940 psi | 58% | 2385 fps | 99% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 82% | 33,301 psi | 55% | 2392 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,921 psi | 80% | 2618 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,930 psi | 68% | 2497 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 84% | 34,766 psi | 58% | 2441 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 90% | 31,488 psi | 52% | 2431 fps | 95.7% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,024 psi | 52% | 2316 fps | 96.8% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,456 psi | 79% | 2657 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,191 psi | 68% | 2595 fps | 95.2% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 94% | 29,457 psi | 49% | 2441 fps | 96.3% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,613 psi | 72% | 2589 fps | 99.6% |
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 112 powders for .260 Rem. loaded with the .264 | 130gr | Sierra Hollow Point Boat Tail - Closed Nose (HPBT-CN). ReloadSwiss RS 70 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,867 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,677 fps to 2,867 fps. Accurate 3100 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 112 of the 112 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (415 MPa), the top charges use 58–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 130.0 gr projectile in 0.264" calls for a 1:9.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 3100, ADI AR 2209, ADI AR 2213 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 70, Hodgdon Superformance, Alliant Reloder-17 rank at the top here: for .260 Rem. with the .264 | 130gr | Sierra Hollow Point Boat Tail - Closed Nose (HPBT-CN) they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, ADI AR 2213, Alliant Reloder-22, Alliant Reloder-25 burn incompletely and react more sensitively to barrel length and temperature. Always begin at the start load and work up in small increments while checking case and primer for pressure signs.