
Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 6 mm Creedmoor with .243 | 105gr | 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 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% | 56,043 psi | 90% | 2822 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2700 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,882 psi | 87% | 2831 fps | 98.1% |
| Accurate 3100ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,531 psi | 82% | 2861 fps | 99% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,086 psi | 90% | 2871 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,011 psi | 86% | 2923 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate High Countryᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,622 psi | 90% | 3068 fps | 97.1% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,376 psi | 89% | 2904 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,330 psi | 86% | 2858 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,143 psi | 87% | 2959 fps | 97.5% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,651 psi | 90% | 3031 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,360 psi | 88% | 2959 fps | 97.6% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,563 psi | 86% | 2877 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,070 psi | 87% | 2900 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,867 psi | 87% | 2982 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,230 psi | 89% | 3009 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,592 psi | 86% | 2953 fps | 97.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-22ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,415 psi | 81% | 2943 fps | 97.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-23ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,674 psi | 77% | 2887 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,626 psi | 67% | 2799 fps | 98.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-26ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,795 psi | 88% | 3084 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,448 psi | 89% | 2923 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP15ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,412 psi | 75% | 2867 fps | 95.9% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,534 psi | 88% | 2897 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP5ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,415 psi | 81% | 2943 fps | 97.1% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,070 psi | 87% | 2874 fps | 98.4% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,998 psi | 89% | 2910 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,535 psi | 90% | 2979 fps | 99.1% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,550 psi | 90% | 2936 fps | 98.1% |
| Hodgdon H4831ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,651 psi | 90% | 2953 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,970 psi | 90% | 2913 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,157 psi | 87% | 2904 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,999 psi | 90% | 2946 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,506 psi | 90% | 3012 fps | 98.9% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,289 psi | 59% | 1804 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 82% | 53,606 psi | 86% | 2861 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,649 psi | 85% | 2838 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,143 psi | 89% | 2867 fps | 98.9% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,911 psi | 89% | 2907 fps | 98.5% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,869 psi | 90% | 2907 fps | 98.9% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,461 psi | 86% | 2913 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,477 psi | 89% | 2930 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,709 psi | 90% | 2874 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,273 psi | 88% | 2825 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,985 psi | 90% | 2881 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,550 psi | 90% | 2897 fps | 99.6% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,577 psi | 86% | 2890 fps | 98.9% |
| Lovex S071ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,003 psi | 68% | 2710 fps | 97.4% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,085 psi | 87% | 2844 fps | 100% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,708 psi | 88% | 2841 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,374 psi | 86% | 2887 fps | 100% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,709 psi | 90% | 2959 fps | 97.6% |
| Norma MRPᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,722 psi | 87% | 3035 fps | 98.9% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,274 psi | 89% | 2959 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,882 psi | 87% | 2910 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,404 psi | 88% | 2966 fps | 99.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,956 psi | 60% | 1847 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,984 psi | 89% | 2894 fps | 99.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,853 psi | 88% | 2969 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,491 psi | 88% | 2999 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,055 psi | 86% | 2946 fps | 99.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,230 psi | 89% | 3031 fps | 99.9% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,969 psi | 89% | 2848 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,404 psi | 88% | 2887 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,634 psi | 85% | 2877 fps | 96% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,388 psi | 84% | 2930 fps | 97.4% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,070 psi | 87% | 2874 fps | 98.4% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,550 psi | 90% | 2897 fps | 99.6% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,709 psi | 90% | 2874 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,985 psi | 90% | 2881 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,577 psi | 86% | 2890 fps | 98.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,057 psi | 90% | 2949 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 82% | 53,896 psi | 87% | 2874 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,911 psi | 89% | 2776 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,666 psi | 90% | 2776 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,477 psi | 89% | 2851 fps | 98.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,622 psi | 90% | 2986 fps | 98% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,650 psi | 88% | 2772 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,520 psi | 88% | 2884 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,636 psi | 88% | 2969 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,156 psi | 86% | 2910 fps | 98.3% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,405 psi | 89% | 2759 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,129 psi | 89% | 2808 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,419 psi | 89% | 2822 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,883 psi | 90% | 2861 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,085 psi | 87% | 2904 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N165ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,950 psi | 79% | 2822 fps | 97.1% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,577 psi | 86% | 2818 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,272 psi | 86% | 2910 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N555ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,388 psi | 86% | 2966 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,766 psi | 87% | 2874 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,535 psi | 90% | 2979 fps | 99.1% |
| Winchester StaBALL HDᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,004 psi | 69% | 2933 fps | 100% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 82% | 53,969 psi | 87% | 2884 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,577 psi | 86% | 2907 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% | 48,994 psi | 79% | 2723 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2700 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,369 psi | 76% | 2723 fps | 96.9% |
| Accurate 3100 | <<locked>> | 90% | 35,969 psi | 58% | 2579 fps | 95.6% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,383 psi | 75% | 2726 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,070 psi | 57% | 2575 fps | 97.1% |
| Accurate High Country | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,066 psi | 78% | 2936 fps | 95.3% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,909 psi | 84% | 2848 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,237 psi | 71% | 2700 fps | 99.4% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 92% | 44,628 psi | 72% | 2782 fps | 95.1% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,298 psi | 78% | 2910 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant Power Pro Varmint | <<locked>> | 92% | 44,585 psi | 72% | 2782 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,324 psi | 71% | 2723 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,485 psi | 77% | 2792 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | 34.4 gr | 80% | 34,577 psi | 56% | 2589 fps | 97.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,812 psi | 63% | 2713 fps | 99.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 92% | 44,034 psi | 71% | 2776 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 96% | 44,092 psi | 71% | 2822 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 82% | 26,861 psi | 43% | 2388 fps | 95.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 94% | 34,563 psi | 56% | 2621 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | 40.8 gr | 86% | 32,851 psi | 53% | 2625 fps | 95.7% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,648 psi | 83% | 2861 fps | 99.9% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 98% | 43,468 psi | 70% | 2808 fps | 95% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,614 psi | 72% | 2733 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 96% | 44,092 psi | 71% | 2822 fps | 95.4% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,610 psi | 64% | 2602 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,150 psi | 73% | 2743 fps | 98.9% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 82% | 39,595 psi | 64% | 2680 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,917 psi | 69% | 2707 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,025 psi | 84% | 2894 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,518 psi | 85% | 2858 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,155 psi | 52% | 2487 fps | 97.9% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,124 psi | 79% | 2838 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,655 psi | 67% | 2753 fps | 95.9% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,035 psi | 44% | 1611 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,227 psi | 81% | 2808 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,514 psi | 75% | 2733 fps | 99.7% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,878 psi | 79% | 2762 fps | 97.9% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,118 psi | 65% | 2635 fps | 95.1% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,959 psi | 66% | 2631 fps | 95.9% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,910 psi | 55% | 2533 fps | 96.8% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,718 psi | 79% | 2822 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,127 psi | 84% | 2825 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,271 psi | 83% | 2779 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,789 psi | 75% | 2736 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,319 psi | 62% | 2579 fps | 96.7% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 82% | 39,073 psi | 63% | 2612 fps | 95.7% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 94% | 34,635 psi | 56% | 2549 fps | 95.1% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,662 psi | 82% | 2792 fps | 100% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,285 psi | 83% | 2792 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,862 psi | 76% | 2779 fps | 99.9% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 88% | 45,208 psi | 73% | 2779 fps | 95.3% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,698 psi | 66% | 2782 fps | 95.9% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,027 psi | 56% | 2572 fps | 96.9% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,934 psi | 76% | 2799 fps | 99.9% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,448 psi | 59% | 2615 fps | 95.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,412 psi | 44% | 1647 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,107 psi | 73% | 2723 fps | 97.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,256 psi | 83% | 2913 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,249 psi | 67% | 2772 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,766 psi | 56% | 2592 fps | 96.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | 37.6 gr | 80% | 34,069 psi | 55% | 2592 fps | 95.7% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,631 psi | 78% | 2749 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,930 psi | 68% | 2677 fps | 99.8% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,269 psi | 79% | 2818 fps | 95.2% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 92% | 43,004 psi | 69% | 2756 fps | 95.1% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,610 psi | 64% | 2602 fps | 95% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,319 psi | 62% | 2579 fps | 96.7% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,127 psi | 84% | 2825 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,789 psi | 75% | 2736 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 82% | 39,073 psi | 63% | 2612 fps | 95.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,178 psi | 70% | 2733 fps | 99.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,560 psi | 82% | 2822 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,764 psi | 83% | 2730 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,613 psi | 70% | 2598 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,666 psi | 61% | 2523 fps | 95.1% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 94% | 45,658 psi | 74% | 2812 fps | 95.9% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,329 psi | 83% | 2726 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,293 psi | 68% | 2674 fps | 99.7% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,546 psi | 51% | 2526 fps | 98.9% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,104 psi | 66% | 2687 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,257 psi | 84% | 2717 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,530 psi | 78% | 2713 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,660 psi | 78% | 2723 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,393 psi | 65% | 2608 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,419 psi | 59% | 2575 fps | 97.3% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 96% | 43,091 psi | 70% | 2717 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,152 psi | 76% | 2720 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,998 psi | 58% | 2575 fps | 97% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 82% | 29,385 psi | 47% | 2467 fps | 95.5% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,752 psi | 58% | 2546 fps | 99% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 82% | 39,900 psi | 64% | 2687 fps | 95.8% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 86% | 27,006 psi | 44% | 2474 fps | 96.1% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,256 psi | 81% | 2825 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,253 psi | 75% | 2782 fps | 95.7% |
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 6 mm Creedmoor loaded with the .243 | 105gr | Berger VLD Target. Alliant Reloder-26 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,084 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,804 fps to 3,084 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 (427 MPa), the top charges use 59–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 105.0 gr projectile in 0.243" calls for a 1:8.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 3100, Accurate High Country, Alliant Reloder-22 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 6 mm Creedmoor with the .243 | 105gr | 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.