Load Specifications
Bullet:.308 | 145gr | SUS-TAC HPT
Bullet Manufacturer:SUS-TAC
Bullet Weight:145 gr
Bullet Diameter:0.308"
Bullet Length:<<locked>>
Caliber:.300 H&H Mag. load data
Case Length (l3):2.85"
Cartridge Length (C.O.L.):<<locked>>
Case Capacity:85.9 Grains of Water
Primer Size:Large Rifle Magnum (LRM)
Barrel Length:24"
Max. allowed Pressure:62,366 psi
Recommended Twist Rate:1:12.0
Load data in caliber .300 H&H Mag. with .308 | 145gr | SUS-TAC HPT bullet and 93 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% | 55,811 psi | 89% | 2979 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,723 psi | 88% | 3002 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,420 psi | 90% | 3071 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2700 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,838 psi | 86% | 2989 fps | 96% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,853 psi | 88% | 3051 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,737 psi | 88% | 3130 fps | 99.2% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,143 psi | 88% | 3081 fps | 99.8% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,217 psi | 90% | 3081 fps | 99.6% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,070 psi | 87% | 3031 fps | 100% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,955 psi | 88% | 3012 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,679 psi | 88% | 3196 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,217 psi | 90% | 3100 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,417 psi | 86% | 3068 fps | 99.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-16ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,825 psi | 90% | 3189 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,461 psi | 86% | 3169 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-23ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,074 psi | 64% | 2894 fps | 98.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-26ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,947 psi | 72% | 3064 fps | 97.4% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,926 psi | 88% | 3091 fps | 99.3% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,272 psi | 85% | 3061 fps | 99.9% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,417 psi | 86% | 3022 fps | 96.2% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,695 psi | 89% | 3015 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,505 psi | 86% | 3058 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,274 psi | 89% | 3159 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,244 psi | 87% | 3071 fps | 98.8% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,056 psi | 87% | 3120 fps | 97% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,680 psi | 89% | 3094 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100Vᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,054 psi | 83% | 3054 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,245 psi | 89% | 3123 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,737 psi | 88% | 3156 fps | 96.7% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,578 psi | 57% | 1913 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,461 psi | 86% | 3038 fps | 99.8% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,492 psi | 89% | 3074 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,564 psi | 89% | 3061 fps | 99.7% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,651 psi | 89% | 3038 fps | 97.2% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,679 psi | 86% | 3048 fps | 96.3% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,230 psi | 89% | 3058 fps | 97% |
| IMR 4831ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,376 psi | 89% | 3120 fps | 99.3% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,795 psi | 88% | 3104 fps | 99.8% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,070 psi | 87% | 3031 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,926 psi | 88% | 3054 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,433 psi | 87% | 3002 fps | 99.7% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,361 psi | 89% | 3058 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,839 psi | 88% | 3054 fps | 98.3% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,854 psi | 90% | 3091 fps | 97.5% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,911 psi | 86% | 3025 fps | 100% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,389 psi | 87% | 3028 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,854 psi | 90% | 3110 fps | 99.8% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,780 psi | 86% | 3117 fps | 99.1% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,910 psi | 85% | 3074 fps | 99.6% |
| Ramshot Hunterᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,275 psi | 90% | 3166 fps | 98.2% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,201 psi | 87% | 3038 fps | 98.3% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,998 psi | 87% | 3061 fps | 99.7% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,781 psi | 88% | 3025 fps | 99.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,955 psi | 58% | 1955 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,650 psi | 88% | 3054 fps | 97.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,592 psi | 86% | 3136 fps | 99.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,330 psi | 86% | 3173 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,563 psi | 87% | 3150 fps | 99.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,201 psi | 87% | 3179 fps | 98.8% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,607 psi | 88% | 3005 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,447 psi | 87% | 3025 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,142 psi | 85% | 3051 fps | 99.9% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,417 psi | 86% | 3022 fps | 96.2% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,839 psi | 88% | 3054 fps | 98.3% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,926 psi | 88% | 3054 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,361 psi | 89% | 3058 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,854 psi | 90% | 3091 fps | 97.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,955 psi | 88% | 3117 fps | 99.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,663 psi | 84% | 3015 fps | 98.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,461 psi | 86% | 3045 fps | 99.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,245 psi | 89% | 2966 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,680 psi | 89% | 2963 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,187 psi | 88% | 3005 fps | 97.1% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,216 psi | 89% | 3061 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,752 psi | 88% | 2963 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,014 psi | 90% | 3068 fps | 99.8% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,461 psi | 86% | 3048 fps | 99.8% |
| Somchem S365ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,677 psi | 83% | 3117 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,955 psi | 88% | 2927 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,477 psi | 89% | 2949 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,998 psi | 87% | 2989 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,926 psi | 88% | 3005 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,926 psi | 88% | 3031 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,289 psi | 90% | 3114 fps | 99.3% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,476 psi | 87% | 3028 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,171 psi | 85% | 2999 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,332 psi | 89% | 3114 fps | 99.1% |
| Vihtavuori N555ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,918 psi | 70% | 2979 fps | 98.1% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,026 psi | 85% | 3031 fps | 99.9% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,476 psi | 87% | 3077 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,056 psi | 87% | 3120 fps | 97% |
| Winchester StaBALL HDᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,969 psi | 58% | 2887 fps | 97.8% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,359 psi | 86% | 3054 fps | 99.9% |
Start Load - Barrel Length: 24"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,429 psi | 79% | 2881 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,177 psi | 68% | 2795 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,226 psi | 79% | 2956 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2700 | <<locked>> | 86% | 50,502 psi | 81% | 2930 fps | 95.2% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,856 psi | 64% | 2785 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,100 psi | 58% | 2759 fps | 95% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,542 psi | 73% | 2907 fps | 98.7% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,783 psi | 62% | 2743 fps | 96.6% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,587 psi | 76% | 2917 fps | 99.7% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,124 psi | 77% | 2910 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,437 psi | 66% | 2930 fps | 97.1% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,435 psi | 62% | 2766 fps | 98% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,263 psi | 66% | 2831 fps | 97.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,435 psi | 62% | 2831 fps | 96% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,185 psi | 53% | 2717 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 94% | 33,214 psi | 53% | 2717 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 96% | 38,928 psi | 62% | 2920 fps | 95.3% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,817 psi | 72% | 2904 fps | 97.7% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,130 psi | 61% | 2769 fps | 98.1% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,357 psi | 81% | 2969 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,168 psi | 79% | 2907 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,615 psi | 75% | 2936 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,503 psi | 83% | 3094 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,899 psi | 62% | 2769 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,181 psi | 76% | 2995 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,992 psi | 74% | 2920 fps | 99.2% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 86% | 33,098 psi | 53% | 2657 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,076 psi | 67% | 2884 fps | 98.9% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 94% | 50,763 psi | 81% | 3084 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,484 psi | 42% | 1709 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,019 psi | 71% | 2864 fps | 98.8% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,658 psi | 73% | 2917 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,698 psi | 65% | 2782 fps | 97.4% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,863 psi | 78% | 2917 fps | 95.7% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 96% | 50,618 psi | 81% | 2995 fps | 95.6% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,965 psi | 79% | 2946 fps | 95.7% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,275 psi | 60% | 2769 fps | 95.5% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,264 psi | 68% | 2867 fps | 98.2% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,587 psi | 76% | 2917 fps | 99.7% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,846 psi | 72% | 2887 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,484 psi | 73% | 2841 fps | 98.8% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,640 psi | 65% | 2785 fps | 98.8% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,743 psi | 69% | 2828 fps | 95.6% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,108 psi | 74% | 2913 fps | 95.3% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,628 psi | 72% | 2858 fps | 99.4% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,947 psi | 72% | 2867 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,625 psi | 65% | 2822 fps | 97.8% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,696 psi | 62% | 2818 fps | 95.8% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,190 psi | 64% | 2831 fps | 97.5% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 92% | 43,105 psi | 69% | 2917 fps | 95.2% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,485 psi | 76% | 2917 fps | 97.1% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,137 psi | 76% | 2943 fps | 99% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,300 psi | 82% | 2969 fps | 99.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,716 psi | 43% | 1749 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 84% | 44,802 psi | 72% | 2871 fps | 95.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,497 psi | 70% | 2943 fps | 97.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,302 psi | 57% | 2792 fps | 98.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,363 psi | 62% | 2835 fps | 95.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,002 psi | 66% | 2904 fps | 95.5% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,544 psi | 78% | 2907 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,467 psi | 68% | 2805 fps | 99.1% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,882 psi | 58% | 2710 fps | 97.2% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,357 psi | 81% | 2969 fps | 95.5% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 88% | 42,743 psi | 69% | 2828 fps | 95.6% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,846 psi | 72% | 2887 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,640 psi | 65% | 2785 fps | 98.8% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,108 psi | 74% | 2913 fps | 95.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,796 psi | 59% | 2759 fps | 96.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,876 psi | 74% | 2890 fps | 97.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,048 psi | 71% | 2871 fps | 98.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,934 psi | 74% | 2812 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,276 psi | 61% | 2667 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,399 psi | 78% | 2887 fps | 95.6% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,619 psi | 83% | 3002 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,542 psi | 73% | 2812 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,600 psi | 73% | 2890 fps | 98.7% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,680 psi | 59% | 2713 fps | 97.2% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 82% | 28,485 psi | 46% | 2579 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,750 psi | 83% | 2881 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,267 psi | 74% | 2805 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,003 psi | 67% | 2792 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,554 psi | 68% | 2795 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,896 psi | 56% | 2648 fps | 98% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,913 psi | 61% | 2762 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,776 psi | 77% | 2913 fps | 99.7% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,060 psi | 66% | 2782 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,347 psi | 60% | 2759 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 94% | 36,100 psi | 58% | 2802 fps | 95.8% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,893 psi | 50% | 2556 fps | 95% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,572 psi | 76% | 2963 fps | 99.9% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,413 psi | 76% | 3002 fps | 95.5% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 96% | 31,517 psi | 51% | 2736 fps | 95.1% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,555 psi | 70% | 2874 fps | 98.8% |
ᴾ possible press load - work up slowly to this load while watching for signs of excessive pressure.
This overview compares 112 powders for .300 H&H Mag. loaded with the .308 | 145gr | SUS-TAC HPT. Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,196 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,913 fps to 3,196 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 (430 MPa), the top charges use 56–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 145.0 gr projectile in 0.308" calls for a 1:12.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 3100, Accurate High Country, ADI AR 2209 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. As outliers, Accurate High Country, ADI AR 2209, Alliant Reloder-19 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.