
Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .30-06 Spring. with .308 | 165gr | Nosler Solid Base bullet and 93 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR, ReloadSwiss RS 60 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>> | 86% | 52,823 psi | 90% | 2657 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 82% | 51,010 psi | 87% | 2674 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 90% | 50,546 psi | 86% | 2671 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 86% | 52,895 psi | 90% | 2736 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,531 psi | 86% | 2713 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,603 psi | 84% | 2766 fps | 98.3% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,895 psi | 88% | 2743 fps | 99.4% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,866 psi | 90% | 2736 fps | 99.1% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 86% | 51,213 psi | 87% | 2700 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 86% | 50,981 psi | 87% | 2684 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 82% | 52,678 psi | 90% | 2799 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,198 psi | 87% | 2841 fps | 99% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,431 psi | 89% | 2759 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 82% | 52,649 psi | 90% | 2664 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,997 psi | 90% | 2776 fps | 99.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-16ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,573 psi | 83% | 2769 fps | 98.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,750 psi | 90% | 2867 fps | 99.8% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,416 psi | 88% | 2749 fps | 98.7% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,649 psi | 90% | 2772 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 84% | 50,154 psi | 85% | 2641 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,937 psi | 85% | 2723 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,547 psi | 88% | 2812 fps | 99.1% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 82% | 51,576 psi | 88% | 2697 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 82% | 52,678 psi | 90% | 2723 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,517 psi | 86% | 2726 fps | 98% |
| Hodgdon H414ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,895 psi | 90% | 2815 fps | 96.4% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,373 psi | 89% | 2753 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100Vᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,570 psi | 76% | 2654 fps | 98.8% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,010 psi | 87% | 2776 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,954 psi | 60% | 1680 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,299 psi | 86% | 2703 fps | 99.5% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,909 psi | 88% | 2746 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,301 psi | 89% | 2720 fps | 99.2% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,866 psi | 90% | 2697 fps | 96.2% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 82% | 53,026 psi | 90% | 2628 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,141 psi | 89% | 2717 fps | 95.9% |
| IMR 4831ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,079 psi | 80% | 2710 fps | 98% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,024 psi | 87% | 2759 fps | 99.4% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 86% | 51,213 psi | 87% | 2700 fps | 99.8% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 82% | 51,053 psi | 87% | 2684 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,097 psi | 87% | 2720 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,098 psi | 89% | 2677 fps | 99.4% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,837 psi | 88% | 2720 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 98% | 51,155 psi | 87% | 2710 fps | 97.3% |
| Lovex S070ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,793 psi | 88% | 2736 fps | 96.3% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,633 psi | 86% | 2690 fps | 99.8% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,097 psi | 87% | 2697 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,156 psi | 89% | 2762 fps | 99.5% |
| Norma URPᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,182 psi | 84% | 2759 fps | 98.2% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,388 psi | 89% | 2785 fps | 99.4% |
| Ramshot Hunterᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,414 psi | 82% | 2749 fps | 96.3% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 86% | 51,401 psi | 88% | 2707 fps | 97.5% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 86% | 50,836 psi | 87% | 2730 fps | 99.3% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,112 psi | 89% | 2697 fps | 99.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,172 psi | 60% | 1716 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 82% | 50,807 psi | 86% | 2684 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,271 psi | 87% | 2710 fps | 96.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,866 psi | 90% | 2838 fps | 99.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,475 psi | 89% | 2871 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,095 psi | 84% | 2785 fps | 98% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,995 psi | 85% | 2808 fps | 97.6% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 86% | 51,895 psi | 88% | 2680 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,169 psi | 87% | 2687 fps | 99.8% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,504 psi | 89% | 2762 fps | 99.8% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 98% | 51,155 psi | 87% | 2710 fps | 97.3% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,097 psi | 87% | 2720 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,837 psi | 88% | 2720 fps | 99.9% |
| Shooters World SW4350ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,793 psi | 88% | 2736 fps | 96.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 94% | 50,734 psi | 86% | 2769 fps | 99.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,661 psi | 85% | 2684 fps | 97.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,372 psi | 86% | 2713 fps | 99.2% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,779 psi | 90% | 2644 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,431 psi | 89% | 2641 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 98% | 51,532 psi | 88% | 2661 fps | 95.9% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,069 psi | 89% | 2730 fps | 99.9% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,779 psi | 88% | 2641 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,489 psi | 89% | 2730 fps | 99.4% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,098 psi | 90% | 2762 fps | 99.7% |
| Somchem S365ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,903 psi | 75% | 2710 fps | 99.7% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,649 psi | 90% | 2615 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,866 psi | 90% | 2635 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 90% | 50,401 psi | 86% | 2664 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 90% | 51,663 psi | 88% | 2677 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 96% | 51,227 psi | 87% | 2697 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,822 psi | 88% | 2759 fps | 98.5% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 86% | 51,532 psi | 88% | 2697 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,997 psi | 90% | 2717 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,821 psi | 87% | 2762 fps | 98.2% |
| Vihtavuori N555ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,738 psi | 63% | 2575 fps | 96% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALLᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,837 psi | 90% | 2746 fps | 99.8% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 86% | 50,836 psi | 87% | 2740 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,142 psi | 90% | 2818 fps | 96.5% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,024 psi | 85% | 2720 fps | 99.5% |
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% | 43,816 psi | 75% | 2523 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,892 psi | 82% | 2628 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,463 psi | 62% | 2441 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,062 psi | 73% | 2582 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,490 psi | 59% | 2428 fps | 99.4% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 37,333 psi | 64% | 2543 fps | 95.3% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,408 psi | 69% | 2536 fps | 97.5% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,521 psi | 62% | 2438 fps | 95.6% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,453 psi | 72% | 2549 fps | 98.9% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,771 psi | 71% | 2549 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,327 psi | 84% | 2746 fps | 99.5% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | 47.3 gr | 80% | 36,521 psi | 62% | 2543 fps | 95% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,518 psi | 57% | 2405 fps | 96.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,661 psi | 85% | 2621 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,274 psi | 62% | 2467 fps | 95.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 92% | 38,058 psi | 65% | 2559 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | 48.9 gr | 84% | 33,170 psi | 56% | 2470 fps | 95.5% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,189 psi | 67% | 2530 fps | 96% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,851 psi | 56% | 2405 fps | 96.4% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,353 psi | 76% | 2546 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,843 psi | 70% | 2566 fps | 99.1% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,759 psi | 76% | 2694 fps | 98.1% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,312 psi | 82% | 2651 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,168 psi | 84% | 2671 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 84% | 38,841 psi | 66% | 2513 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,603 psi | 84% | 2762 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,756 psi | 69% | 2549 fps | 98.1% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 90% | 32,706 psi | 56% | 2405 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,434 psi | 62% | 2507 fps | 97.5% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,846 psi | 44% | 1496 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,073 psi | 67% | 2500 fps | 97.7% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,914 psi | 68% | 2552 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,085 psi | 61% | 2421 fps | 95.8% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,705 psi | 85% | 2648 fps | 95.5% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,966 psi | 85% | 2585 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,037 psi | 83% | 2664 fps | 95.2% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 92% | 36,260 psi | 62% | 2503 fps | 95% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,130 psi | 63% | 2497 fps | 96.7% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,453 psi | 72% | 2549 fps | 98.9% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,703 psi | 81% | 2631 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,914 psi | 66% | 2516 fps | 99.4% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,930 psi | 70% | 2484 fps | 97.7% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,882 psi | 61% | 2431 fps | 97.7% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,511 psi | 72% | 2559 fps | 95.2% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,631 psi | 83% | 2687 fps | 95.6% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,552 psi | 67% | 2493 fps | 98.5% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,566 psi | 67% | 2507 fps | 99.8% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,665 psi | 61% | 2457 fps | 96.2% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 92% | 38,000 psi | 65% | 2549 fps | 95.3% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,070 psi | 60% | 2464 fps | 95.7% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 98% | 45,266 psi | 77% | 2690 fps | 95.5% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,206 psi | 72% | 2543 fps | 95.3% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,466 psi | 71% | 2566 fps | 97.7% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,977 psi | 78% | 2598 fps | 98.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,121 psi | 44% | 1535 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,456 psi | 81% | 2631 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 88% | 45,005 psi | 77% | 2605 fps | 95% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,420 psi | 64% | 2556 fps | 96.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | 46.5 gr | 80% | 30,850 psi | 53% | 2418 fps | 97.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 94% | 39,914 psi | 68% | 2615 fps | 95.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 96% | 43,569 psi | 74% | 2687 fps | 95.9% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,294 psi | 74% | 2543 fps | 99.9% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,695 psi | 64% | 2448 fps | 98.1% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,038 psi | 53% | 2352 fps | 95.3% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,511 psi | 72% | 2559 fps | 95.2% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,914 psi | 66% | 2516 fps | 99.4% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,882 psi | 61% | 2431 fps | 97.7% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,631 psi | 83% | 2687 fps | 95.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 82% | 34,389 psi | 59% | 2454 fps | 95.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,364 psi | 69% | 2516 fps | 95.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,856 psi | 66% | 2503 fps | 97.1% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,249 psi | 70% | 2461 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,026 psi | 58% | 2333 fps | 99.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,211 psi | 82% | 2612 fps | 95.2% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,484 psi | 77% | 2625 fps | 99.5% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,669 psi | 69% | 2464 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,972 psi | 68% | 2516 fps | 97.3% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,053 psi | 55% | 2362 fps | 95.4% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 88% | 29,733 psi | 51% | 2385 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,673 psi | 79% | 2530 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,423 psi | 71% | 2464 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,811 psi | 63% | 2444 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,550 psi | 64% | 2448 fps | 99.7% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,443 psi | 52% | 2306 fps | 96.4% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 90% | 37,304 psi | 64% | 2497 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,192 psi | 72% | 2543 fps | 99% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,042 psi | 61% | 2431 fps | 99.3% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 92% | 38,972 psi | 66% | 2552 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 98% | 34,418 psi | 59% | 2523 fps | 95% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 86% | 33,112 psi | 56% | 2375 fps | 95.7% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,379 psi | 70% | 2582 fps | 99.4% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,603 psi | 84% | 2762 fps | 95.7% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,145 psi | 65% | 2507 fps | 97.6% |
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 93 powders for .30-06 Spring. loaded with the .308 | 165gr | Nosler Solid Base. ReloadSwiss RS 60 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,871 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,680 fps to 2,871 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 60–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 165.0 gr projectile in 0.308" calls for a 1:13.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 4350, Alliant Reloder-16, Hodgdon H414 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 Power Pro 2000-MR, ReloadSwiss RS 60, Alliant Reloder-17 rank at the top here: for .30-06 Spring. with the .308 | 165gr | Nosler Solid Base 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.