Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 5.6 x 57 with .224 | 70gr | Berger VLD Target 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 60, 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: 23.62"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,609 psi | 90% | 3179 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,797 psi | 89% | 3199 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,839 psi | 86% | 3219 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2700 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,825 psi | 87% | 3192 fps | 96.4% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,826 psi | 89% | 3248 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 98% | 57,537 psi | 90% | 3343 fps | 99.5% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,913 psi | 89% | 3284 fps | 99.8% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,752 psi | 86% | 3228 fps | 99.4% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,796 psi | 87% | 3235 fps | 100% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,029 psi | 89% | 3212 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 88% | 57,290 psi | 90% | 3419 fps | 99.7% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,665 psi | 86% | 3248 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,187 psi | 86% | 3274 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,839 psi | 86% | 3346 fps | 99.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,347 psi | 88% | 3386 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-23ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,872 psi | 66% | 3094 fps | 98.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-26ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,674 psi | 75% | 3281 fps | 98% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 86% | 57,174 psi | 90% | 3297 fps | 99.5% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,390 psi | 87% | 3268 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,666 psi | 87% | 3235 fps | 96.6% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,435 psi | 90% | 3219 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,419 psi | 87% | 3261 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 82% | 57,667 psi | 90% | 3373 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,275 psi | 88% | 3278 fps | 99% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,405 psi | 88% | 3333 fps | 97.4% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,768 psi | 89% | 3294 fps | 96.1% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 86% | 57,522 psi | 90% | 3297 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100Vᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,679 psi | 86% | 3264 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 88% | 57,348 psi | 90% | 3330 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 96% | 57,595 psi | 90% | 3376 fps | 97.3% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,737 psi | 56% | 2057 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,201 psi | 87% | 3241 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 86% | 57,580 psi | 90% | 3281 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,653 psi | 90% | 3268 fps | 99.8% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 88% | 57,435 psi | 90% | 3241 fps | 97.5% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,028 psi | 88% | 3258 fps | 96.7% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 94% | 57,261 psi | 90% | 3268 fps | 97.4% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,462 psi | 85% | 3274 fps | 99.2% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,623 psi | 89% | 3310 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,796 psi | 87% | 3235 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 86% | 57,217 psi | 90% | 3261 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,362 psi | 88% | 3209 fps | 99.8% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,232 psi | 90% | 3261 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,710 psi | 89% | 3258 fps | 98.5% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,694 psi | 86% | 3238 fps | 97.2% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,448 psi | 87% | 3222 fps | 100% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,101 psi | 88% | 3228 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,404 psi | 85% | 3258 fps | 99.7% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,362 psi | 88% | 3327 fps | 99.3% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,390 psi | 87% | 3287 fps | 99.7% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,129 psi | 86% | 3314 fps | 98% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,275 psi | 88% | 3245 fps | 98.6% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,767 psi | 87% | 3264 fps | 99.8% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,478 psi | 89% | 3225 fps | 99.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,013 psi | 56% | 2100 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,579 psi | 89% | 3258 fps | 97.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,144 psi | 88% | 3353 fps | 99.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,753 psi | 87% | 3386 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 98% | 57,334 psi | 90% | 3363 fps | 99.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,608 psi | 89% | 3392 fps | 99.1% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,521 psi | 89% | 3215 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,043 psi | 88% | 3222 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,724 psi | 87% | 3264 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,666 psi | 87% | 3235 fps | 96.6% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,710 psi | 89% | 3258 fps | 98.5% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 86% | 57,217 psi | 90% | 3261 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,232 psi | 90% | 3261 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,694 psi | 86% | 3238 fps | 97.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 92% | 57,435 psi | 90% | 3327 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,766 psi | 86% | 3222 fps | 98.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,622 psi | 87% | 3255 fps | 99.8% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,898 psi | 89% | 3163 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 92% | 57,334 psi | 90% | 3156 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 57,435 psi | 90% | 3212 fps | 97.5% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 82% | 57,116 psi | 90% | 3264 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,188 psi | 88% | 3153 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,331 psi | 85% | 3212 fps | 99.7% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,477 psi | 87% | 3255 fps | 99.9% |
| Somchem S365ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,505 psi | 85% | 3327 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,652 psi | 89% | 3127 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 86% | 57,145 psi | 90% | 3146 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,130 psi | 88% | 3192 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,724 psi | 89% | 3202 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 94% | 57,479 psi | 90% | 3238 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,129 psi | 86% | 3261 fps | 99.1% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,463 psi | 88% | 3235 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,100 psi | 86% | 3196 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,012 psi | 85% | 3261 fps | 98.9% |
| Vihtavuori N555ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,398 psi | 73% | 3182 fps | 98.5% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,535 psi | 87% | 3238 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,608 psi | 89% | 3284 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,826 psi | 89% | 3340 fps | 97.5% |
| Winchester StaBALL HDᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,898 psi | 59% | 3097 fps | 98.5% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,405 psi | 87% | 3258 fps | 99.9% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
Start Load - Barrel Length: 23.62"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,734 psi | 80% | 3074 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,976 psi | 69% | 2989 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,995 psi | 80% | 3153 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2700 | <<locked>> | 86% | 52,040 psi | 82% | 3123 fps | 95.5% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,539 psi | 65% | 2976 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,753 psi | 59% | 2946 fps | 95.4% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,181 psi | 74% | 3107 fps | 98.9% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,943 psi | 63% | 2927 fps | 96.7% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,255 psi | 77% | 3117 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,821 psi | 78% | 3104 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,120 psi | 68% | 3133 fps | 97.5% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,711 psi | 62% | 2949 fps | 98.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,815 psi | 67% | 3028 fps | 97.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,376 psi | 59% | 2959 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,650 psi | 54% | 2910 fps | 96.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 92% | 32,474 psi | 51% | 2835 fps | 95% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 96% | 41,002 psi | 64% | 3127 fps | 96% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,340 psi | 73% | 3100 fps | 98% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,610 psi | 62% | 2956 fps | 98.3% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,037 psi | 77% | 3110 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,792 psi | 80% | 3104 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,472 psi | 76% | 3140 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,650 psi | 84% | 3304 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,480 psi | 63% | 2959 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,153 psi | 77% | 3196 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,359 psi | 84% | 3232 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,616 psi | 75% | 3120 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 84% | 32,343 psi | 51% | 2782 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,671 psi | 68% | 3077 fps | 99.1% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | 41.6 gr | 92% | 49,385 psi | 77% | 3222 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,484 psi | 42% | 1841 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,701 psi | 72% | 3064 fps | 99% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,514 psi | 74% | 3120 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,945 psi | 66% | 2969 fps | 97.5% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 82% | 47,355 psi | 74% | 3054 fps | 95.2% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,487 psi | 78% | 3136 fps | 95.2% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,630 psi | 75% | 3084 fps | 95.2% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,434 psi | 57% | 2897 fps | 95% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,874 psi | 69% | 3064 fps | 98.4% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,255 psi | 77% | 3117 fps | 99.8% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,717 psi | 73% | 3084 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,789 psi | 73% | 3035 fps | 98.9% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,061 psi | 66% | 2979 fps | 99% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,539 psi | 65% | 2959 fps | 95.1% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,240 psi | 76% | 3117 fps | 95.8% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,224 psi | 72% | 3054 fps | 99.5% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,325 psi | 73% | 3058 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,177 psi | 66% | 3015 fps | 98% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,724 psi | 59% | 2943 fps | 95.2% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,901 psi | 66% | 3025 fps | 97.8% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 92% | 45,150 psi | 71% | 3120 fps | 95.7% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,139 psi | 77% | 3117 fps | 97.3% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,863 psi | 77% | 3140 fps | 99.1% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,214 psi | 83% | 3173 fps | 99.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,789 psi | 42% | 1880 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 84% | 46,601 psi | 73% | 3068 fps | 95.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,194 psi | 71% | 3143 fps | 98.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | 34.3 gr | 80% | 36,854 psi | 58% | 2989 fps | 99.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 88% | 40,147 psi | 63% | 3028 fps | 95.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | 38.3 gr | 88% | 40,132 psi | 63% | 3038 fps | 95% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,937 psi | 78% | 3100 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,859 psi | 69% | 2999 fps | 99.2% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,231 psi | 58% | 2890 fps | 97.4% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,037 psi | 77% | 3110 fps | 95% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 86% | 41,539 psi | 65% | 2959 fps | 95.1% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,717 psi | 73% | 3084 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,061 psi | 66% | 2979 fps | 99% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,240 psi | 76% | 3117 fps | 95.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,203 psi | 60% | 2943 fps | 96.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,514 psi | 74% | 3087 fps | 97.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,484 psi | 71% | 3064 fps | 98.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,268 psi | 74% | 3005 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,479 psi | 62% | 2844 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,920 psi | 74% | 3018 fps | 95.2% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,287 psi | 84% | 3202 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,108 psi | 74% | 3005 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,181 psi | 74% | 3081 fps | 98.9% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,145 psi | 60% | 2904 fps | 97.4% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 82% | 29,646 psi | 46% | 2759 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,171 psi | 83% | 3074 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,616 psi | 75% | 2999 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,482 psi | 68% | 2979 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,961 psi | 69% | 2986 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,172 psi | 57% | 2828 fps | 98.1% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 86% | 39,421 psi | 62% | 2949 fps | 95.8% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,269 psi | 77% | 3110 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,612 psi | 67% | 2972 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 86% | 39,015 psi | 61% | 2949 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 92% | 35,389 psi | 55% | 2927 fps | 95.2% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,981 psi | 50% | 2730 fps | 95.3% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,414 psi | 77% | 3163 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,545 psi | 78% | 3205 fps | 95.9% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 96% | 33,141 psi | 52% | 2940 fps | 96.1% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,121 psi | 71% | 3068 fps | 99% |
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 5.6 x 57 loaded with the .224 | 70gr | Berger VLD Target. Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,419 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 2,057 fps to 3,419 fps. Alliant Reloder-23 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 56–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 70.0 gr projectile in 0.224" calls for a 1:9.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Alliant Reloder-23, Alliant Reloder-26, Hodgdon Hybrid 100V 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, ReloadSwiss RS 70, Hodgdon Superformance rank at the top here: for 5.6 x 57 with the .224 | 70gr | Berger VLD Target 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.