Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .280 Rem. with .284 | 170gr | Hammer HHT bullet and 94 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 2495 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,547 psi | 88% | 2474 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2700 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,980 psi | 85% | 2477 fps | 97.5% |
| Accurate 3100ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,513 psi | 77% | 2507 fps | 98.4% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 86% | 51,837 psi | 88% | 2523 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 94% | 51,488 psi | 88% | 2608 fps | 99.9% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 82% | 51,517 psi | 88% | 2546 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,576 psi | 90% | 2549 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2209ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,982 psi | 90% | 2641 fps | 97.3% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 84% | 50,923 psi | 87% | 2654 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmintᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,808 psi | 90% | 2641 fps | 97.4% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,895 psi | 90% | 2572 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,980 psi | 85% | 2543 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,475 psi | 89% | 2657 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 90% | 50,111 psi | 85% | 2641 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,083 psi | 89% | 2635 fps | 97.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-22ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,585 psi | 78% | 2575 fps | 96% |
| Alliant Reloder-23ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,033 psi | 73% | 2530 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,840 psi | 64% | 2441 fps | 97.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-26ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,428 psi | 82% | 2694 fps | 99.8% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 82% | 51,039 psi | 87% | 2559 fps | 99.9% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 86% | 50,111 psi | 85% | 2539 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP5ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,585 psi | 78% | 2575 fps | 96% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,142 psi | 90% | 2562 fps | 98.3% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 86% | 50,589 psi | 86% | 2549 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,633 psi | 86% | 2608 fps | 98.5% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,198 psi | 87% | 2569 fps | 97.4% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 82% | 52,025 psi | 89% | 2552 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,547 psi | 89% | 2592 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,706 psi | 88% | 2589 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,270 psi | 86% | 2631 fps | 98.1% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,955 psi | 61% | 1572 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,966 psi | 85% | 2510 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 82% | 52,518 psi | 89% | 2536 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 86% | 52,272 psi | 89% | 2536 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,663 psi | 88% | 2516 fps | 98.5% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 94% | 50,415 psi | 86% | 2546 fps | 97.9% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,953 psi | 88% | 2546 fps | 98.5% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,141 psi | 89% | 2602 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,227 psi | 87% | 2569 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 82% | 51,517 psi | 88% | 2523 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 82% | 50,966 psi | 87% | 2477 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 86% | 52,315 psi | 89% | 2533 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,488 psi | 88% | 2543 fps | 99.3% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,446 psi | 89% | 2579 fps | 98.8% |
| Lovex S071ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,826 psi | 64% | 2369 fps | 96.6% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 82% | 50,676 psi | 86% | 2497 fps | 100% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 82% | 51,126 psi | 87% | 2497 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 86% | 52,504 psi | 89% | 2579 fps | 100% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 94% | 50,647 psi | 86% | 2585 fps | 96.8% |
| Norma MRPᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,037 psi | 82% | 2648 fps | 98% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 94% | 50,662 psi | 86% | 2598 fps | 99.8% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 86% | 52,939 psi | 90% | 2602 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,533 psi | 89% | 2644 fps | 99.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,463 psi | 62% | 1608 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 86% | 50,792 psi | 86% | 2533 fps | 98.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 82% | 50,459 psi | 86% | 2602 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,632 psi | 84% | 2631 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 94% | 51,010 psi | 87% | 2628 fps | 99.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 94% | 50,154 psi | 85% | 2651 fps | 99.7% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,024 psi | 87% | 2497 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,980 psi | 85% | 2533 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 98% | 51,445 psi | 88% | 2566 fps | 95.8% |
| Rottweil R 905ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,879 psi | 87% | 2615 fps | 97.3% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,142 psi | 90% | 2562 fps | 98.3% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,488 psi | 88% | 2543 fps | 99.3% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 82% | 51,517 psi | 88% | 2523 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 86% | 52,315 psi | 89% | 2533 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,446 psi | 89% | 2579 fps | 98.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,430 psi | 88% | 2589 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 82% | 52,431 psi | 89% | 2549 fps | 99.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 82% | 50,140 psi | 85% | 2523 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 82% | 51,634 psi | 88% | 2434 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,967 psi | 88% | 2438 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,358 psi | 87% | 2497 fps | 98.4% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,401 psi | 86% | 2612 fps | 97.2% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 82% | 51,445 psi | 88% | 2441 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 82% | 52,025 psi | 89% | 2539 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,604 psi | 86% | 2533 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,214 psi | 89% | 2648 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,547 psi | 88% | 2595 fps | 98.1% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 82% | 52,011 psi | 89% | 2421 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,184 psi | 87% | 2464 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,590 psi | 88% | 2480 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,517 psi | 88% | 2510 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,924 psi | 90% | 2592 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N165ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,541 psi | 76% | 2470 fps | 96.2% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 86% | 52,779 psi | 90% | 2516 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 94% | 51,895 psi | 88% | 2598 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N555ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,761 psi | 81% | 2598 fps | 99.9% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,489 psi | 89% | 2569 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,633 psi | 86% | 2608 fps | 98.5% |
| Winchester StaBALL HDᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 38,580 psi | 66% | 2559 fps | 100% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,676 psi | 85% | 2526 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,356 psi | 82% | 2536 fps | 96.3% |
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% | 45,440 psi | 77% | 2392 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2700 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,092 psi | 75% | 2382 fps | 96.2% |
| Accurate 3100 | <<locked>> | 92% | 34,650 psi | 59% | 2303 fps | 95.5% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,989 psi | 73% | 2395 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,763 psi | 54% | 2251 fps | 96.4% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,356 psi | 82% | 2497 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,278 psi | 70% | 2365 fps | 99.2% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 94% | 43,642 psi | 74% | 2484 fps | 95% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,396 psi | 76% | 2546 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 94% | 43,598 psi | 74% | 2487 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,205 psi | 70% | 2388 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,019 psi | 75% | 2444 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,981 psi | 54% | 2264 fps | 96.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | 41.6 gr | 80% | 35,708 psi | 61% | 2379 fps | 99.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 94% | 43,047 psi | 73% | 2480 fps | 95.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 98% | 42,743 psi | 73% | 2520 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 84% | 26,237 psi | 45% | 2136 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 96% | 33,431 psi | 57% | 2336 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 88% | 31,850 psi | 54% | 2346 fps | 95.6% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,979 psi | 82% | 2513 fps | 99.7% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,147 psi | 70% | 2398 fps | 99.9% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 98% | 42,743 psi | 73% | 2520 fps | 95.2% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 82% | 39,218 psi | 67% | 2323 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,713 psi | 71% | 2402 fps | 98.5% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,841 psi | 66% | 2398 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,351 psi | 72% | 2418 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,834 psi | 83% | 2507 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,559 psi | 50% | 2175 fps | 97.3% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,121 psi | 77% | 2490 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | 47.2 gr | 86% | 40,683 psi | 69% | 2461 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,934 psi | 46% | 1404 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,876 psi | 80% | 2464 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,124 psi | 84% | 2490 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,395 psi | 74% | 2398 fps | 99.5% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,585 psi | 78% | 2415 fps | 97.4% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 86% | 39,436 psi | 67% | 2352 fps | 95.2% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,276 psi | 65% | 2306 fps | 95.3% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,980 psi | 53% | 2215 fps | 96.1% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,107 psi | 77% | 2470 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,979 psi | 82% | 2477 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,153 psi | 82% | 2434 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,497 psi | 74% | 2398 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,766 psi | 61% | 2260 fps | 96.2% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,143 psi | 62% | 2287 fps | 95% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 96% | 33,243 psi | 57% | 2274 fps | 95% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,543 psi | 81% | 2451 fps | 100% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,964 psi | 82% | 2451 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,366 psi | 74% | 2434 fps | 99.7% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 90% | 44,483 psi | 76% | 2484 fps | 95.2% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 94% | 39,291 psi | 67% | 2484 fps | 95.6% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,111 psi | 55% | 2251 fps | 96.3% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,120 psi | 73% | 2451 fps | 99.7% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,679 psi | 61% | 2339 fps | 95.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,209 psi | 46% | 1434 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,858 psi | 71% | 2382 fps | 97.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,891 psi | 80% | 2546 fps | 99.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,985 psi | 65% | 2431 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,459 psi | 54% | 2264 fps | 95.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | 43.3 gr | 82% | 33,576 psi | 57% | 2323 fps | 95.8% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,179 psi | 77% | 2408 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,638 psi | 66% | 2346 fps | 99.6% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,225 psi | 82% | 2516 fps | 95.1% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 96% | 44,483 psi | 76% | 2513 fps | 95.8% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 82% | 39,218 psi | 67% | 2323 fps | 95.1% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,766 psi | 61% | 2260 fps | 96.2% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,979 psi | 82% | 2477 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,497 psi | 74% | 2398 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,143 psi | 62% | 2287 fps | 95% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,508 psi | 67% | 2392 fps | 99.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,907 psi | 83% | 2497 fps | 99.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,818 psi | 80% | 2470 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,704 psi | 83% | 2395 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,785 psi | 69% | 2280 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 82% | 37,188 psi | 63% | 2257 fps | 95.2% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 44,063 psi | 75% | 2507 fps | 95.6% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,327 psi | 82% | 2395 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,805 psi | 83% | 2490 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,378 psi | 67% | 2349 fps | 99.5% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,805 psi | 49% | 2211 fps | 98.4% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 92% | 39,784 psi | 68% | 2398 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,110 psi | 84% | 2382 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,107 psi | 77% | 2382 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,368 psi | 77% | 2392 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,434 psi | 64% | 2287 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,359 psi | 57% | 2251 fps | 96.7% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,742 psi | 71% | 2425 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,743 psi | 74% | 2388 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,967 psi | 56% | 2254 fps | 96.3% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,282 psi | 48% | 2205 fps | 95.6% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,069 psi | 56% | 2234 fps | 98.6% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,073 psi | 67% | 2405 fps | 95.9% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 88% | 26,179 psi | 45% | 2208 fps | 96% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,586 psi | 79% | 2480 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 98% | 45,194 psi | 77% | 2487 fps | 95.5% |
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 .280 Rem. loaded with the .284 | 170gr | Hammer HHT. Alliant Reloder-26 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,694 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,572 fps to 2,694 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 (405 MPa), the top charges use 61–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 170.0 gr projectile in 0.284" calls for a 1:8.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 3100, ADI AR 2209, Alliant Power Pro Varmint 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 .280 Rem. with the .284 | 170gr | Hammer HHT 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.