Load Specifications
Bullet Manufacturer:Berger
Bullet Weight:185 gr
Bullet Diameter:0.308"
Bullet Length:<<locked>>
Caliber:.30-06 R Stief load data
Case Length (l3):2.49"
Cartridge Length (C.O.L.):<<locked>>
Case Capacity:69 Grains of Water
Primer Size:Large Rifle (LR)
Barrel Length:24"
Max. allowed Pressure:58,740 psi
Recommended Twist Rate:1:11.5
Load data in caliber .30-06 R Stief with .308 | 185gr | Berger VLD Target bullet and 94 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above.
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% | 53,127 psi | 90% | 2503 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,285 psi | 87% | 2523 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,968 psi | 90% | 2582 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2700 | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,836 psi | 87% | 2516 fps | 96.1% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,387 psi | 87% | 2569 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 98% | 50,531 psi | 86% | 2635 fps | 99.3% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 86% | 51,924 psi | 88% | 2592 fps | 99.8% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,939 psi | 90% | 2592 fps | 99.7% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,343 psi | 87% | 2552 fps | 100% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,677 psi | 88% | 2530 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,126 psi | 87% | 2694 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,823 psi | 90% | 2615 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,096 psi | 85% | 2582 fps | 99.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-16ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,069 psi | 89% | 2687 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,142 psi | 90% | 2723 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-23ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,202 psi | 63% | 2444 fps | 98.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-26ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,191 psi | 70% | 2582 fps | 97.3% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 86% | 51,605 psi | 88% | 2605 fps | 99.4% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,069 psi | 90% | 2625 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 94% | 50,256 psi | 86% | 2546 fps | 96.3% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,951 psi | 85% | 2490 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 50,082 psi | 85% | 2572 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 82% | 51,895 psi | 88% | 2661 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 90% | 50,952 psi | 87% | 2592 fps | 98.9% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,995 psi | 85% | 2628 fps | 97.1% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 94% | 51,039 psi | 87% | 2595 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 86% | 52,402 psi | 89% | 2602 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100Vᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,414 psi | 82% | 2575 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,692 psi | 88% | 2635 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 96% | 50,531 psi | 86% | 2654 fps | 96.6% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,389 psi | 60% | 1585 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 86% | 50,517 psi | 86% | 2559 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 86% | 52,388 psi | 89% | 2589 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,605 psi | 90% | 2579 fps | 99.7% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,678 psi | 90% | 2556 fps | 97.4% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 98% | 50,444 psi | 86% | 2572 fps | 96.4% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,359 psi | 89% | 2582 fps | 97.2% |
| IMR 4831ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,155 psi | 87% | 2628 fps | 99.4% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,300 psi | 87% | 2612 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,343 psi | 87% | 2552 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 86% | 51,576 psi | 88% | 2572 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 86% | 52,011 psi | 89% | 2530 fps | 99.8% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,315 psi | 89% | 2575 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 96% | 51,343 psi | 87% | 2572 fps | 98.3% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,228 psi | 89% | 2605 fps | 97.6% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 86% | 50,850 psi | 87% | 2543 fps | 100% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 86% | 51,416 psi | 88% | 2549 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,591 psi | 90% | 2621 fps | 99.9% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,879 psi | 85% | 2625 fps | 99.1% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,939 psi | 90% | 2644 fps | 99.9% |
| Ramshot Hunterᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,025 psi | 89% | 2667 fps | 98.2% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,285 psi | 87% | 2562 fps | 98.5% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 84% | 50,850 psi | 87% | 2582 fps | 99.8% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 82% | 52,054 psi | 89% | 2549 fps | 99.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,679 psi | 61% | 1617 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,358 psi | 87% | 2572 fps | 97.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 86% | 50,169 psi | 85% | 2641 fps | 99.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,113 psi | 90% | 2726 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,966 psi | 85% | 2654 fps | 99.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 98% | 50,096 psi | 85% | 2674 fps | 98.8% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,098 psi | 89% | 2530 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,387 psi | 87% | 2543 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,939 psi | 90% | 2618 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 94% | 50,256 psi | 86% | 2546 fps | 96.3% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 96% | 51,343 psi | 87% | 2572 fps | 98.3% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 86% | 51,576 psi | 88% | 2572 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,315 psi | 89% | 2575 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,228 psi | 89% | 2605 fps | 97.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,227 psi | 87% | 2625 fps | 99.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 86% | 52,968 psi | 90% | 2589 fps | 99.1% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 86% | 50,589 psi | 86% | 2569 fps | 99.8% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 52,576 psi | 90% | 2490 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,576 psi | 90% | 2490 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 51,750 psi | 88% | 2530 fps | 97.2% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 82% | 52,243 psi | 89% | 2582 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 86% | 51,837 psi | 88% | 2490 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 86% | 52,678 psi | 90% | 2585 fps | 99.9% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,212 psi | 85% | 2572 fps | 99.9% |
| Somchem S365ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,427 psi | 81% | 2625 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 82% | 52,576 psi | 90% | 2461 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 86% | 52,765 psi | 90% | 2477 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,807 psi | 86% | 2513 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,779 psi | 88% | 2530 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 94% | 51,430 psi | 88% | 2552 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,460 psi | 89% | 2625 fps | 99.3% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,663 psi | 88% | 2549 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,111 psi | 85% | 2526 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 98% | 51,358 psi | 87% | 2628 fps | 99.1% |
| Vihtavuori N555ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,248 psi | 69% | 2513 fps | 98.2% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,779 psi | 90% | 2605 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,213 psi | 87% | 2592 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 96% | 50,241 psi | 86% | 2635 fps | 97.1% |
| Winchester StaBALL HDᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,156 psi | 56% | 2431 fps | 97.8% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 86% | 50,154 psi | 85% | 2575 fps | 99.9% |
Start Load - Barrel Length: 24"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,905 psi | 80% | 2421 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,392 psi | 67% | 2349 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,441 psi | 79% | 2490 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2700 | <<locked>> | 86% | 47,718 psi | 81% | 2467 fps | 95.4% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,275 psi | 63% | 2346 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 86% | 33,199 psi | 57% | 2323 fps | 95.3% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,163 psi | 73% | 2451 fps | 99% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,666 psi | 62% | 2310 fps | 97% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,237 psi | 77% | 2457 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,310 psi | 77% | 2448 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,972 psi | 66% | 2470 fps | 97.5% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,245 psi | 62% | 2333 fps | 98.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,943 psi | 66% | 2388 fps | 97.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 86% | 33,881 psi | 58% | 2336 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,169 psi | 53% | 2297 fps | 96.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 92% | 29,153 psi | 50% | 2244 fps | 95% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 96% | 35,897 psi | 61% | 2464 fps | 95.3% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,221 psi | 72% | 2451 fps | 98% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,824 psi | 61% | 2336 fps | 98.4% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,398 psi | 81% | 2500 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,949 psi | 80% | 2448 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,787 psi | 75% | 2477 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,240 psi | 82% | 2608 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,564 psi | 62% | 2333 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 92% | 43,903 psi | 75% | 2526 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,921 psi | 82% | 2546 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,540 psi | 74% | 2461 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,225 psi | 50% | 2195 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,349 psi | 67% | 2431 fps | 99.1% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,108 psi | 80% | 2598 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,237 psi | 45% | 1411 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,916 psi | 71% | 2418 fps | 99.1% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,975 psi | 73% | 2454 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,493 psi | 66% | 2343 fps | 97.7% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 82% | 43,671 psi | 74% | 2408 fps | 95.3% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,340 psi | 81% | 2523 fps | 95.7% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 88% | 43,671 psi | 74% | 2438 fps | 95.2% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 86% | 32,329 psi | 55% | 2283 fps | 95% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,871 psi | 68% | 2418 fps | 98.5% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,237 psi | 77% | 2457 fps | 99.8% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,061 psi | 72% | 2431 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,323 psi | 74% | 2392 fps | 99% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,377 psi | 65% | 2346 fps | 99.1% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,869 psi | 64% | 2336 fps | 95.2% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 92% | 43,366 psi | 74% | 2461 fps | 95.6% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,177 psi | 72% | 2405 fps | 99.6% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,540 psi | 72% | 2415 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,305 psi | 65% | 2379 fps | 98.1% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 86% | 33,794 psi | 58% | 2326 fps | 95.3% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,652 psi | 64% | 2388 fps | 97.8% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,161 psi | 68% | 2461 fps | 95.4% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,121 psi | 77% | 2461 fps | 97.4% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,570 psi | 76% | 2480 fps | 99.2% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,689 psi | 83% | 2500 fps | 99.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,600 psi | 45% | 1447 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,308 psi | 72% | 2421 fps | 95.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,596 psi | 69% | 2480 fps | 98.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,214 psi | 57% | 2359 fps | 99.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 88% | 35,462 psi | 60% | 2392 fps | 95.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 90% | 38,319 psi | 65% | 2451 fps | 95.7% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,180 psi | 79% | 2444 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,205 psi | 68% | 2362 fps | 99.3% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,605 psi | 57% | 2283 fps | 97.5% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,398 psi | 81% | 2500 fps | 95.7% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,869 psi | 64% | 2336 fps | 95.2% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,061 psi | 72% | 2431 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,377 psi | 65% | 2346 fps | 99.1% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 43,366 psi | 74% | 2461 fps | 95.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,548 psi | 59% | 2326 fps | 97% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,395 psi | 74% | 2438 fps | 97.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,626 psi | 71% | 2421 fps | 98.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,627 psi | 74% | 2362 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,187 psi | 62% | 2241 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,395 psi | 72% | 2382 fps | 95% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,776 psi | 83% | 2530 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,149 psi | 73% | 2365 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,004 psi | 73% | 2434 fps | 98.9% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,447 psi | 59% | 2290 fps | 97.6% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 82% | 26,585 psi | 45% | 2178 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,284 psi | 84% | 2418 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,918 psi | 75% | 2356 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,537 psi | 67% | 2346 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,219 psi | 68% | 2356 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,779 psi | 56% | 2231 fps | 98.3% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 84% | 33,286 psi | 57% | 2283 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,339 psi | 77% | 2454 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,638 psi | 66% | 2346 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 86% | 34,867 psi | 59% | 2333 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 92% | 31,009 psi | 53% | 2313 fps | 95.1% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,211 psi | 50% | 2162 fps | 95.5% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,657 psi | 76% | 2493 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 92% | 44,135 psi | 75% | 2530 fps | 95.7% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 96% | 29,283 psi | 50% | 2313 fps | 95.4% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,147 psi | 70% | 2428 fps | 99.1% |
ᴾ possible press load - work up slowly to this load while watching for signs of excessive pressure.
This overview compares 94 powders for .30-06 R Stief loaded with the .308 | 185gr | Berger VLD Target. ReloadSwiss RS 60 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,726 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,585 fps to 2,726 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 (405 MPa), the top charges use 56–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 185.0 gr projectile in 0.308" calls for a 1:11.5 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. Always begin at the start load and work up in small increments while checking case and primer for pressure signs.