Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .30-06 Spring. with .308 | 165gr | Hornady ECX 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 60, Alliant Reloder-17 and Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR.
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>> | 86% | 53,011 psi | 90% | 2674 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 82% | 50,966 psi | 87% | 2690 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 90% | 50,140 psi | 85% | 2680 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 86% | 52,794 psi | 90% | 2749 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,444 psi | 86% | 2726 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,908 psi | 85% | 2789 fps | 98.6% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,040 psi | 89% | 2759 fps | 99.5% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,096 psi | 85% | 2710 fps | 98.9% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 86% | 51,430 psi | 88% | 2717 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 86% | 51,387 psi | 87% | 2700 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 82% | 52,765 psi | 90% | 2815 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,430 psi | 88% | 2861 fps | 99.1% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,678 psi | 90% | 2779 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 82% | 52,779 psi | 90% | 2680 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 90% | 50,125 psi | 85% | 2746 fps | 99% |
| Alliant Reloder-16ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,979 psi | 83% | 2795 fps | 98.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,777 psi | 85% | 2835 fps | 99.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-23ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,287 psi | 58% | 2513 fps | 96.1% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,706 psi | 88% | 2769 fps | 98.9% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,750 psi | 90% | 2789 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 84% | 50,140 psi | 85% | 2657 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 86% | 50,169 psi | 85% | 2743 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,011 psi | 89% | 2831 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 82% | 52,025 psi | 89% | 2717 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 82% | 52,866 psi | 90% | 2740 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,633 psi | 86% | 2743 fps | 98.2% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,937 psi | 85% | 2785 fps | 96% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,504 psi | 89% | 2769 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100Vᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,933 psi | 76% | 2677 fps | 99% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,358 psi | 87% | 2795 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,824 psi | 59% | 1690 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,821 psi | 87% | 2726 fps | 99.6% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,967 psi | 88% | 2759 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,707 psi | 90% | 2743 fps | 99.3% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,777 psi | 85% | 2664 fps | 95.7% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,417 psi | 89% | 2736 fps | 96.3% |
| IMR 4831ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,384 psi | 81% | 2730 fps | 98.2% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,372 psi | 87% | 2779 fps | 99.5% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 86% | 51,430 psi | 88% | 2717 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 82% | 50,966 psi | 87% | 2700 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,024 psi | 87% | 2736 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,330 psi | 89% | 2697 fps | 99.5% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,127 psi | 89% | 2740 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 98% | 51,213 psi | 87% | 2726 fps | 97.5% |
| Lovex S070ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,764 psi | 88% | 2753 fps | 96.5% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,633 psi | 86% | 2707 fps | 99.9% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,242 psi | 87% | 2717 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,460 psi | 89% | 2785 fps | 99.6% |
| Norma URPᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,327 psi | 84% | 2776 fps | 98.4% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,910 psi | 90% | 2808 fps | 99.5% |
| Ramshot Hunterᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,617 psi | 83% | 2769 fps | 96.6% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 86% | 51,663 psi | 88% | 2726 fps | 97.8% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 86% | 50,865 psi | 87% | 2743 fps | 99.4% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,489 psi | 89% | 2717 fps | 99.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,201 psi | 60% | 1732 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 82% | 50,821 psi | 87% | 2700 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,387 psi | 87% | 2730 fps | 96.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,937 psi | 85% | 2805 fps | 99% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,690 psi | 85% | 2841 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,574 psi | 84% | 2805 fps | 98.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,372 psi | 86% | 2831 fps | 97.9% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 86% | 51,532 psi | 88% | 2694 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,068 psi | 87% | 2703 fps | 99.9% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,605 psi | 90% | 2779 fps | 99.8% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 98% | 51,213 psi | 87% | 2726 fps | 97.5% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,024 psi | 87% | 2736 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,127 psi | 89% | 2740 fps | 99.9% |
| Shooters World SW4350ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,764 psi | 88% | 2753 fps | 96.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 94% | 51,227 psi | 87% | 2789 fps | 99.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,806 psi | 85% | 2700 fps | 97.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,676 psi | 86% | 2733 fps | 99.4% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,779 psi | 90% | 2661 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,605 psi | 90% | 2654 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 98% | 51,517 psi | 88% | 2677 fps | 96.2% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,388 psi | 89% | 2749 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,822 psi | 88% | 2657 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,765 psi | 90% | 2749 fps | 99.5% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 94% | 50,024 psi | 85% | 2730 fps | 99.6% |
| Somchem S365ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,859 psi | 75% | 2726 fps | 99.7% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,475 psi | 89% | 2628 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,924 psi | 90% | 2648 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 90% | 50,662 psi | 86% | 2680 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,764 psi | 88% | 2694 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 96% | 51,430 psi | 88% | 2713 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,272 psi | 89% | 2782 fps | 98.7% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 86% | 51,706 psi | 88% | 2717 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 90% | 50,038 psi | 85% | 2690 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,126 psi | 87% | 2782 fps | 98.4% |
| Vihtavuori N555ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,550 psi | 62% | 2589 fps | 96.1% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,719 psi | 85% | 2713 fps | 99.7% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 86% | 51,271 psi | 87% | 2762 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,937 psi | 85% | 2785 fps | 96% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,038 psi | 85% | 2733 fps | 99.6% |
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% | 43,743 psi | 74% | 2539 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,601 psi | 81% | 2638 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,897 psi | 61% | 2448 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,786 psi | 73% | 2595 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,982 psi | 58% | 2434 fps | 99.4% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 37,347 psi | 64% | 2559 fps | 95.6% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,321 psi | 69% | 2552 fps | 97.7% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,200 psi | 58% | 2402 fps | 95% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,453 psi | 72% | 2566 fps | 99.1% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,916 psi | 71% | 2566 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,443 psi | 84% | 2766 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | 48.5 gr | 80% | 36,274 psi | 62% | 2556 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,373 psi | 57% | 2418 fps | 96.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,516 psi | 84% | 2635 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,143 psi | 62% | 2480 fps | 95.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 92% | 37,985 psi | 65% | 2575 fps | 95.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | 50.2 gr | 84% | 33,011 psi | 56% | 2484 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 98% | 32,271 psi | 55% | 2461 fps | 95.1% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,276 psi | 67% | 2546 fps | 96.3% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,735 psi | 56% | 2418 fps | 96.6% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,396 psi | 76% | 2562 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,611 psi | 69% | 2575 fps | 99.2% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,947 psi | 77% | 2713 fps | 98.3% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,501 psi | 83% | 2667 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,385 psi | 84% | 2690 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,783 psi | 66% | 2530 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,601 psi | 79% | 2726 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,683 psi | 69% | 2562 fps | 98.3% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 90% | 32,547 psi | 55% | 2418 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,506 psi | 62% | 2526 fps | 97.7% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,889 psi | 44% | 1512 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,073 psi | 67% | 2516 fps | 97.8% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,726 psi | 68% | 2566 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,853 psi | 61% | 2434 fps | 95.9% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 86% | 46,833 psi | 80% | 2615 fps | 95% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,284 psi | 84% | 2687 fps | 95.5% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 92% | 36,289 psi | 62% | 2516 fps | 95.3% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,999 psi | 63% | 2510 fps | 96.9% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,453 psi | 72% | 2566 fps | 99.1% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,587 psi | 81% | 2648 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,870 psi | 66% | 2530 fps | 99.5% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,741 psi | 69% | 2497 fps | 97.8% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,491 psi | 60% | 2438 fps | 97.7% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,554 psi | 72% | 2575 fps | 95.5% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,658 psi | 78% | 2651 fps | 95.1% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,349 psi | 67% | 2507 fps | 98.6% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,494 psi | 67% | 2520 fps | 99.8% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,491 psi | 60% | 2470 fps | 96.4% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 92% | 37,884 psi | 64% | 2562 fps | 95.6% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,853 psi | 59% | 2474 fps | 95.9% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 96% | 42,714 psi | 73% | 2657 fps | 95% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,206 psi | 72% | 2559 fps | 95.6% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,553 psi | 71% | 2582 fps | 97.9% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,774 psi | 78% | 2612 fps | 98.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,107 psi | 44% | 1549 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,747 psi | 81% | 2651 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 88% | 44,933 psi | 76% | 2618 fps | 95.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,536 psi | 64% | 2575 fps | 96.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | 47.8 gr | 80% | 30,748 psi | 52% | 2434 fps | 97.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 92% | 37,376 psi | 64% | 2575 fps | 95.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 94% | 40,799 psi | 69% | 2644 fps | 95.2% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,004 psi | 73% | 2556 fps | 99.9% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,260 psi | 63% | 2457 fps | 98.1% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,705 psi | 52% | 2359 fps | 95.4% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,554 psi | 72% | 2575 fps | 95.5% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,870 psi | 66% | 2530 fps | 99.5% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,491 psi | 60% | 2438 fps | 97.7% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,658 psi | 78% | 2651 fps | 95.1% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 82% | 34,113 psi | 58% | 2464 fps | 95.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,277 psi | 69% | 2533 fps | 95.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,943 psi | 66% | 2520 fps | 97.3% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,046 psi | 70% | 2474 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,794 psi | 58% | 2343 fps | 99.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,312 psi | 82% | 2628 fps | 95.4% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,542 psi | 78% | 2641 fps | 99.6% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,509 psi | 69% | 2477 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,972 psi | 68% | 2533 fps | 97.5% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,836 psi | 54% | 2372 fps | 95.6% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 88% | 29,660 psi | 50% | 2402 fps | 96% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,528 psi | 79% | 2543 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,292 psi | 70% | 2474 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,550 psi | 62% | 2451 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,478 psi | 64% | 2461 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,211 psi | 51% | 2313 fps | 96.5% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 90% | 37,420 psi | 64% | 2516 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,424 psi | 72% | 2562 fps | 99.1% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,042 psi | 61% | 2444 fps | 99.4% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 92% | 39,015 psi | 66% | 2566 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 98% | 34,243 psi | 58% | 2533 fps | 95.2% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 86% | 33,054 psi | 56% | 2392 fps | 95.9% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,611 psi | 71% | 2602 fps | 99.5% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,862 psi | 80% | 2733 fps | 95.2% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,000 psi | 65% | 2520 fps | 97.7% |
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 93 powders for .30-06 Spring. loaded with the .308 | 165gr | Hornady ECX. Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,861 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,690 fps to 2,861 fps. Accurate 4350 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 93 of the 93 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (405 MPa), the top charges use 58–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 165.0 gr projectile in 0.308" calls for a 1:6.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 4350, Alliant Reloder-16, 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. ReloadSwiss RS 60, Alliant Reloder-17, Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR rank at the top here: for .30-06 Spring. with the .308 | 165gr | Hornady ECX 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.