Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .308 Norma Mag. with .308 | 180gr | Barnes X BT bullet and 94 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Alliant Reloder-26, ReloadSwiss RS 70 and Hodgdon Superformance.
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>> | 82% | 57,406 psi | 90% | 2717 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2700 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,985 psi | 89% | 2769 fps | 98.7% |
| Accurate 3100ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,158 psi | 86% | 2822 fps | 99.5% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,392 psi | 90% | 2769 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 57,406 psi | 90% | 2871 fps | 100% |
| Accurate High Country | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,274 psi | 87% | 2949 fps | 97.1% |
| Accurate MAGPROᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,231 psi | 88% | 2946 fps | 95.9% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,912 psi | 88% | 2785 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 98% | 57,159 psi | 90% | 2897 fps | 98.1% |
| ADI AR 2213ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,940 psi | 86% | 2890 fps | 96.5% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,056 psi | 86% | 2907 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 98% | 57,276 psi | 90% | 2897 fps | 98.2% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 86% | 57,101 psi | 89% | 2812 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,348 psi | 90% | 2835 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 94% | 57,101 psi | 89% | 2917 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,766 psi | 86% | 2890 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,536 psi | 89% | 2887 fps | 98.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-22ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,809 psi | 84% | 2890 fps | 97.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-23ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,140 psi | 80% | 2831 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,875 psi | 70% | 2759 fps | 98.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,360 psi | 85% | 2966 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP15ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,603 psi | 78% | 2818 fps | 96.9% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,868 psi | 86% | 2782 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP5ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,809 psi | 84% | 2890 fps | 97.9% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,363 psi | 90% | 2812 fps | 98.9% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,839 psi | 86% | 2795 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,172 psi | 86% | 2858 fps | 99.1% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,926 psi | 86% | 2815 fps | 98.1% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,172 psi | 86% | 2838 fps | 95.9% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SCᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 57,566 psi | 90% | 2874 fps | 96.4% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 96% | 57,566 psi | 90% | 2838 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,724 psi | 87% | 2825 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,882 psi | 86% | 2890 fps | 98.9% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,666 psi | 57% | 1732 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,289 psi | 88% | 2789 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,666 psi | 87% | 2769 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,723 psi | 86% | 2749 fps | 98.9% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 94% | 57,740 psi | 90% | 2841 fps | 99% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,158 psi | 86% | 2782 fps | 98.9% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 94% | 57,174 psi | 90% | 2854 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,332 psi | 87% | 2808 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,666 psi | 89% | 2825 fps | 96.4% |
| IMR 7828 SSCᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,605 psi | 82% | 2864 fps | 96.1% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 82% | 57,043 psi | 89% | 2753 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,188 psi | 88% | 2769 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,550 psi | 87% | 2785 fps | 99.7% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,985 psi | 89% | 2828 fps | 99.3% |
| Lovex S071ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,282 psi | 73% | 2680 fps | 98.5% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 82% | 57,711 psi | 90% | 2779 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,710 psi | 89% | 2822 fps | 100% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,882 psi | 86% | 2835 fps | 97.6% |
| Norma MRPᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,956 psi | 89% | 2976 fps | 99.3% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,448 psi | 87% | 2848 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,956 psi | 89% | 2841 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grandᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,634 psi | 82% | 2874 fps | 96.4% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 94% | 57,348 psi | 90% | 2897 fps | 99.7% |
| Ramshot Magnumᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,529 psi | 74% | 2759 fps | 97.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,536 psi | 59% | 1775 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,636 psi | 86% | 2776 fps | 99.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,128 psi | 85% | 2881 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,565 psi | 89% | 2887 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,679 psi | 86% | 2910 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,888 psi | 69% | 2779 fps | 97.1% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,129 psi | 86% | 2733 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,998 psi | 86% | 2779 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,550 psi | 87% | 2815 fps | 96.8% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,999 psi | 88% | 2877 fps | 98.2% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,363 psi | 90% | 2812 fps | 98.9% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,550 psi | 87% | 2785 fps | 99.7% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,188 psi | 88% | 2769 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,985 psi | 89% | 2828 fps | 99.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,767 psi | 87% | 2831 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,695 psi | 89% | 2802 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,288 psi | 87% | 2661 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,230 psi | 87% | 2736 fps | 99% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,506 psi | 87% | 2871 fps | 98.1% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,839 psi | 86% | 2776 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 96% | 57,363 psi | 90% | 2808 fps | 96.3% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,534 psi | 85% | 2851 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,797 psi | 89% | 2854 fps | 98.8% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,056 psi | 86% | 2690 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,100 psi | 86% | 2703 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,840 psi | 88% | 2746 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 92% | 57,479 psi | 90% | 2841 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N165ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,475 psi | 82% | 2776 fps | 97.9% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,623 psi | 89% | 2749 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,565 psi | 89% | 2848 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N555ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 57,334 psi | 90% | 2907 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N560ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 57,276 psi | 90% | 2959 fps | 96.7% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,811 psi | 89% | 2808 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,361 psi | 87% | 2861 fps | 99.1% |
| Winchester StaBALL HDᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,485 psi | 73% | 2894 fps | 100% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 82% | 57,087 psi | 89% | 2812 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,594 psi | 89% | 2841 fps | 98% |
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% | 53,954 psi | 85% | 2671 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2700 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,198 psi | 79% | 2661 fps | 97.6% |
| Accurate 3100 | <<locked>> | 86% | 35,389 psi | 55% | 2461 fps | 95.6% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,024 psi | 80% | 2677 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,059 psi | 61% | 2552 fps | 98.3% |
| Accurate High Country | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,385 psi | 76% | 2831 fps | 95.5% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,460 psi | 82% | 2887 fps | 95% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,920 psi | 74% | 2638 fps | 99.8% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 90% | 44,788 psi | 70% | 2680 fps | 95.4% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 98% | 51,503 psi | 81% | 2828 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,329 psi | 80% | 2848 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 90% | 44,904 psi | 70% | 2684 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,732 psi | 75% | 2667 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,734 psi | 80% | 2733 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,492 psi | 59% | 2552 fps | 98.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,076 psi | 66% | 2674 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 90% | 44,396 psi | 70% | 2674 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 94% | 44,643 psi | 70% | 2726 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,326 psi | 44% | 2333 fps | 96.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 90% | 33,605 psi | 53% | 2493 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | 60.5 gr | 82% | 32,024 psi | 50% | 2493 fps | 95.6% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 96% | 44,019 psi | 69% | 2710 fps | 95.4% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,399 psi | 76% | 2684 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 94% | 44,643 psi | 70% | 2726 fps | 95.7% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,656 psi | 67% | 2556 fps | 96.1% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,515 psi | 76% | 2690 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,408 psi | 63% | 2589 fps | 96.2% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,033 psi | 67% | 2598 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 96% | 51,808 psi | 81% | 2782 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,911 psi | 84% | 2818 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,157 psi | 55% | 2454 fps | 98.9% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,330 psi | 82% | 2776 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | 60.9 gr | 80% | 39,204 psi | 61% | 2595 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,586 psi | 43% | 1549 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,953 psi | 83% | 2736 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,371 psi | 77% | 2671 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,547 psi | 81% | 2697 fps | 98.5% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 82% | 40,466 psi | 63% | 2533 fps | 95.5% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,656 psi | 68% | 2579 fps | 96.9% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,420 psi | 59% | 2507 fps | 98% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,967 psi | 81% | 2759 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 94% | 50,415 psi | 79% | 2723 fps | 95% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,371 psi | 77% | 2805 fps | 95.2% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,722 psi | 84% | 2703 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,951 psi | 78% | 2674 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,698 psi | 65% | 2543 fps | 97.8% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,987 psi | 63% | 2523 fps | 96.2% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 90% | 34,461 psi | 54% | 2438 fps | 95.2% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,302 psi | 85% | 2730 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,125 psi | 79% | 2720 fps | 100% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 86% | 45,411 psi | 71% | 2674 fps | 95.5% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,725 psi | 61% | 2628 fps | 95.4% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,319 psi | 60% | 2539 fps | 98.1% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,140 psi | 79% | 2740 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,313 psi | 77% | 2815 fps | 95.6% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,072 psi | 58% | 2526 fps | 96% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,495 psi | 65% | 2641 fps | 95.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,239 psi | 44% | 1588 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,240 psi | 76% | 2671 fps | 98.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,512 psi | 70% | 2723 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,406 psi | 60% | 2566 fps | 97.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | 58.5 gr | 80% | 37,130 psi | 58% | 2566 fps | 97.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | <<locked>> | 98% | 41,147 psi | 64% | 2713 fps | 96% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,083 psi | 82% | 2687 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,774 psi | 72% | 2635 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,284 psi | 77% | 2713 fps | 95.4% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 90% | 43,540 psi | 68% | 2661 fps | 95.5% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,656 psi | 67% | 2556 fps | 96.1% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,698 psi | 65% | 2543 fps | 97.8% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,951 psi | 78% | 2674 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,987 psi | 63% | 2523 fps | 96.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,166 psi | 72% | 2677 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,417 psi | 84% | 2753 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,383 psi | 73% | 2533 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,785 psi | 64% | 2484 fps | 96.3% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 43,134 psi | 68% | 2654 fps | 95.3% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,861 psi | 72% | 2628 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,766 psi | 84% | 2753 fps | 95.5% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,983 psi | 55% | 2507 fps | 99.7% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 86% | 39,465 psi | 62% | 2546 fps | 95.1% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,924 psi | 81% | 2648 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,808 psi | 81% | 2657 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,729 psi | 69% | 2559 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,639 psi | 62% | 2536 fps | 98.3% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,988 psi | 64% | 2569 fps | 95.1% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,227 psi | 79% | 2654 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,262 psi | 62% | 2543 fps | 98.1% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,256 psi | 49% | 2411 fps | 96.6% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 96% | 50,459 psi | 79% | 2844 fps | 95.1% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,624 psi | 61% | 2507 fps | 99.6% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,408 psi | 63% | 2589 fps | 96.2% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,425 psi | 40% | 2310 fps | 95.1% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,490 psi | 84% | 2759 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 92% | 43,627 psi | 68% | 2625 fps | 95.1% |
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 .308 Norma Mag. loaded with the .308 | 180gr | Barnes X BT. Norma MRP delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,976 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,732 fps to 2,976 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 180.0 gr projectile in 0.308" calls for a 1:11.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 3100, Accurate MAGPRO, ADI AR 2213 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 Reloder-26, ReloadSwiss RS 70, Hodgdon Superformance rank at the top here: for .308 Norma Mag. with the .308 | 180gr | Barnes X BT 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.