Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .300 Weath. Mag. with .308 | 154gr | 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, Alliant Reloder-16 and Alliant Reloder-26.
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% | 56,710 psi | 89% | 3005 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2700 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,984 psi | 86% | 3022 fps | 98.1% |
| Accurate 3100ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,257 psi | 82% | 3048 fps | 99% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,971 psi | 89% | 3058 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,534 psi | 85% | 3110 fps | 99.9% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,362 psi | 88% | 3094 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,215 psi | 85% | 3045 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,985 psi | 88% | 3156 fps | 97.6% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,232 psi | 90% | 3232 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,824 psi | 86% | 3064 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,027 psi | 86% | 3087 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,521 psi | 87% | 3176 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,014 psi | 89% | 3202 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,114 psi | 86% | 3140 fps | 97.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-22ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,344 psi | 82% | 3136 fps | 97.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-23ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,327 psi | 77% | 3071 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,888 psi | 67% | 2976 fps | 98.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-26ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 57,232 psi | 90% | 3281 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,492 psi | 89% | 3110 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,579 psi | 87% | 3084 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP5ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,344 psi | 82% | 3136 fps | 97.1% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,100 psi | 86% | 3061 fps | 98.3% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,028 psi | 88% | 3097 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 92% | 57,029 psi | 89% | 3166 fps | 99% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,927 psi | 89% | 3130 fps | 98% |
| Hodgdon H4831ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 57,508 psi | 90% | 3150 fps | 95.9% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 82% | 57,000 psi | 89% | 3104 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,840 psi | 88% | 3097 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,479 psi | 90% | 3140 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,679 psi | 84% | 3143 fps | 98.4% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,114 psi | 57% | 1942 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,621 psi | 86% | 3048 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 86% | 57,101 psi | 89% | 3081 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,391 psi | 88% | 3061 fps | 98.9% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,289 psi | 88% | 3097 fps | 98.5% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,985 psi | 89% | 3094 fps | 98.9% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,100 psi | 86% | 3104 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,492 psi | 89% | 3120 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,710 psi | 89% | 3061 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,230 psi | 87% | 3012 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 86% | 57,276 psi | 90% | 3074 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,913 psi | 89% | 3087 fps | 99.6% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,708 psi | 86% | 3074 fps | 98.8% |
| Lovex S071ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,308 psi | 68% | 2884 fps | 97.4% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,969 psi | 86% | 3031 fps | 100% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,680 psi | 87% | 3028 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,331 psi | 85% | 3071 fps | 100% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 94% | 57,334 psi | 90% | 3156 fps | 97.7% |
| Norma MRPᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,956 psi | 88% | 3232 fps | 98.9% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 94% | 57,145 psi | 90% | 3156 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,201 psi | 87% | 3097 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,072 psi | 88% | 3153 fps | 99.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,666 psi | 57% | 1988 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,086 psi | 88% | 3081 fps | 99.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,188 psi | 88% | 3163 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,420 psi | 88% | 3196 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,491 psi | 85% | 3133 fps | 99.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 94% | 57,145 psi | 90% | 3225 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,608 psi | 87% | 3031 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,680 psi | 87% | 3077 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 98% | 57,682 psi | 90% | 3127 fps | 96.8% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,215 psi | 85% | 3123 fps | 97.5% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,100 psi | 86% | 3061 fps | 98.3% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,913 psi | 89% | 3087 fps | 99.6% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,710 psi | 89% | 3061 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 86% | 57,276 psi | 90% | 3074 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,708 psi | 86% | 3074 fps | 98.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 88% | 57,667 psi | 90% | 3143 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 82% | 57,725 psi | 90% | 3097 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,998 psi | 86% | 3061 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,840 psi | 88% | 2963 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,942 psi | 89% | 2963 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,637 psi | 89% | 3038 fps | 98.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 57,551 psi | 90% | 3179 fps | 98% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,593 psi | 87% | 2959 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 82% | 57,464 psi | 90% | 3081 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,637 psi | 87% | 3071 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,405 psi | 88% | 3156 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,984 psi | 86% | 3100 fps | 98.3% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,420 psi | 88% | 2946 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,869 psi | 88% | 2992 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,449 psi | 88% | 3009 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,232 psi | 90% | 3051 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,695 psi | 87% | 3094 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N165ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,647 psi | 79% | 3009 fps | 97.1% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,592 psi | 86% | 3002 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,708 psi | 86% | 3097 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N555ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,216 psi | 87% | 3156 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N560ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,289 psi | 88% | 3219 fps | 96.1% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,463 psi | 87% | 3061 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 92% | 57,246 psi | 90% | 3173 fps | 99.1% |
| Winchester StaBALL HDᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,541 psi | 70% | 3120 fps | 100% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,056 psi | 86% | 3068 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,376 psi | 87% | 3097 fps | 97.4% |
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% | 49,559 psi | 78% | 2897 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2700 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,993 psi | 75% | 2894 fps | 96.7% |
| Accurate 3100 | <<locked>> | 90% | 36,825 psi | 58% | 2740 fps | 95.3% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,949 psi | 74% | 2900 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,549 psi | 56% | 2730 fps | 96.7% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,881 psi | 83% | 3035 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,860 psi | 70% | 2874 fps | 99.3% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 92% | 45,803 psi | 72% | 2966 fps | 95.1% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,574 psi | 78% | 3097 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,092 psi | 71% | 2897 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,327 psi | 76% | 2972 fps | 99.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | 62.9 gr | 80% | 35,027 psi | 55% | 2746 fps | 96.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,856 psi | 62% | 2887 fps | 99.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 92% | 45,295 psi | 71% | 2956 fps | 95.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,701 psi | 72% | 3005 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,993 psi | 45% | 2589 fps | 95.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 94% | 35,259 psi | 55% | 2779 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | 74.6 gr | 86% | 33,562 psi | 53% | 2776 fps | 95.3% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,808 psi | 83% | 3048 fps | 99.8% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,310 psi | 71% | 2907 fps | 99.9% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,701 psi | 72% | 3005 fps | 95.4% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,699 psi | 67% | 2822 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,818 psi | 72% | 2917 fps | 98.8% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,480 psi | 63% | 2848 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 46,746 psi | 73% | 2943 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,751 psi | 84% | 3087 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,476 psi | 84% | 3045 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,489 psi | 51% | 2635 fps | 97.5% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,241 psi | 79% | 3025 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 84% | 42,786 psi | 67% | 2930 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,963 psi | 42% | 1739 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,213 psi | 80% | 2992 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,181 psi | 74% | 2910 fps | 99.7% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,487 psi | 78% | 2940 fps | 97.8% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 86% | 43,598 psi | 68% | 2861 fps | 95.8% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,495 psi | 65% | 2799 fps | 95.6% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,389 psi | 54% | 2684 fps | 96.3% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,617 psi | 78% | 3002 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,098 psi | 83% | 3009 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,808 psi | 81% | 2956 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,181 psi | 74% | 2907 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,899 psi | 61% | 2743 fps | 96.4% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 82% | 39,610 psi | 62% | 2776 fps | 95.4% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 96% | 37,782 psi | 59% | 2759 fps | 95.7% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,517 psi | 81% | 2976 fps | 100% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,156 psi | 82% | 2976 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,703 psi | 75% | 2959 fps | 99.8% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,528 psi | 73% | 2956 fps | 95.2% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,843 psi | 66% | 2956 fps | 95.7% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,665 psi | 56% | 2733 fps | 96.6% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,095 psi | 75% | 2979 fps | 99.8% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 82% | 37,144 psi | 58% | 2776 fps | 95.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,369 psi | 43% | 1778 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,992 psi | 72% | 2897 fps | 97.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,330 psi | 82% | 3100 fps | 99.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,409 psi | 66% | 2953 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,476 psi | 56% | 2749 fps | 96.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | 68.8 gr | 80% | 34,679 psi | 54% | 2749 fps | 95.3% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,052 psi | 77% | 2927 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,583 psi | 67% | 2844 fps | 99.7% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 94% | 50,546 psi | 79% | 3005 fps | 95.2% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,340 psi | 74% | 2995 fps | 95.9% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,699 psi | 67% | 2822 fps | 95.5% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,899 psi | 61% | 2743 fps | 96.4% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,098 psi | 83% | 3009 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,181 psi | 74% | 2907 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 82% | 39,610 psi | 62% | 2776 fps | 95.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,932 psi | 69% | 2904 fps | 99.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,882 psi | 84% | 3035 fps | 99.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,401 psi | 81% | 3002 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,489 psi | 82% | 2913 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,266 psi | 69% | 2769 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,770 psi | 64% | 2743 fps | 95.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,905 psi | 74% | 2989 fps | 95.7% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,199 psi | 82% | 2907 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,693 psi | 84% | 3025 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,033 psi | 67% | 2848 fps | 99.6% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,981 psi | 50% | 2677 fps | 98.6% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 90% | 42,003 psi | 66% | 2854 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,098 psi | 83% | 2897 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,255 psi | 77% | 2890 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,617 psi | 78% | 2904 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,118 psi | 64% | 2776 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,072 psi | 58% | 2736 fps | 97% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 96% | 44,237 psi | 69% | 2887 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,921 psi | 75% | 2894 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,535 psi | 57% | 2733 fps | 96.6% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 84% | 31,923 psi | 50% | 2667 fps | 95.9% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,402 psi | 82% | 3150 fps | 95.1% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,405 psi | 57% | 2703 fps | 98.9% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,654 psi | 64% | 2851 fps | 95.5% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 86% | 27,296 psi | 43% | 2608 fps | 95.3% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,401 psi | 81% | 3009 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,964 psi | 75% | 2966 fps | 95.8% |
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 .300 Weath. Mag. loaded with the .308 | 154gr | Hammer HHT. Alliant Reloder-26 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,281 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,942 fps to 3,281 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 (440 MPa), the top charges use 57–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 154.0 gr projectile in 0.308" calls for a 1:11.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 3100, Alliant Reloder-22, 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 70, Alliant Reloder-16, Alliant Reloder-26 rank at the top here: for .300 Weath. Mag. with the .308 | 154gr | 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.