Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 6 mm Rem. with .243 | 80gr | Frontier BTSP bullet and 93 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are ReloadSwiss RS 60, Alliant Reloder-17 and Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR.
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>> | 86% | 56,289 psi | 90% | 3192 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,085 psi | 88% | 3219 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,839 psi | 88% | 3209 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,447 psi | 86% | 3225 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,882 psi | 88% | 3255 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,766 psi | 88% | 3327 fps | 98.7% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,550 psi | 89% | 3291 fps | 99.5% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,272 psi | 85% | 3225 fps | 98.8% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,549 psi | 87% | 3238 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,347 psi | 89% | 3228 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,231 psi | 90% | 3360 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,579 psi | 89% | 3412 fps | 99.2% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,434 psi | 90% | 3307 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,753 psi | 89% | 3199 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,679 psi | 86% | 3274 fps | 99% |
| Alliant Reloder-16ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,895 psi | 85% | 3330 fps | 98.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,824 psi | 86% | 3373 fps | 99.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-23ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,478 psi | 60% | 3002 fps | 96.3% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,521 psi | 89% | 3297 fps | 98.9% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,824 psi | 86% | 3271 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,333 psi | 90% | 3225 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,896 psi | 86% | 3264 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,811 psi | 89% | 3373 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,230 psi | 89% | 3245 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,737 psi | 88% | 3274 fps | 98.2% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,346 psi | 87% | 3320 fps | 96.2% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,144 psi | 90% | 3304 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100Vᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,023 psi | 79% | 3196 fps | 99.1% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,506 psi | 89% | 3333 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,215 psi | 56% | 2051 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,056 psi | 87% | 3248 fps | 99.6% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,956 psi | 90% | 3294 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,144 psi | 90% | 3268 fps | 99.3% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,289 psi | 90% | 3238 fps | 96.4% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,709 psi | 89% | 3159 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,956 psi | 90% | 3261 fps | 96.3% |
| IMR 4831ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,706 psi | 83% | 3251 fps | 98.3% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,969 psi | 88% | 3310 fps | 99.5% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,549 psi | 87% | 3238 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,853 psi | 88% | 3222 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,259 psi | 89% | 3264 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,085 psi | 88% | 3212 fps | 99.5% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,898 psi | 90% | 3268 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,332 psi | 89% | 3255 fps | 97.6% |
| Lovex S070ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,028 psi | 90% | 3284 fps | 96.7% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,491 psi | 87% | 3235 fps | 99.9% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,926 psi | 88% | 3241 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,347 psi | 90% | 3317 fps | 99.6% |
| Norma URPᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,780 psi | 86% | 3310 fps | 98.5% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,606 psi | 86% | 3284 fps | 99.2% |
| Ramshot Hunterᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,953 psi | 85% | 3301 fps | 96.8% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,390 psi | 89% | 3251 fps | 97.8% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,752 psi | 88% | 3274 fps | 99.4% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,883 psi | 90% | 3241 fps | 99.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,650 psi | 57% | 2100 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 82% | 53,925 psi | 86% | 3219 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,288 psi | 89% | 3255 fps | 96.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,867 psi | 86% | 3343 fps | 99% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,737 psi | 86% | 3386 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,752 psi | 88% | 3350 fps | 98.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,882 psi | 88% | 3379 fps | 98.2% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,303 psi | 89% | 3225 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,969 psi | 88% | 3235 fps | 99.9% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,635 psi | 86% | 3258 fps | 99.6% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,332 psi | 89% | 3255 fps | 97.6% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,259 psi | 89% | 3264 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,898 psi | 90% | 3268 fps | 99.9% |
| Shooters World SW4350ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,028 psi | 90% | 3284 fps | 96.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,361 psi | 89% | 3323 fps | 99.5% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,316 psi | 85% | 3219 fps | 97.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,070 psi | 87% | 3251 fps | 99.3% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,130 psi | 90% | 3179 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,072 psi | 90% | 3166 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,767 psi | 89% | 3199 fps | 96.3% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,115 psi | 90% | 3278 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,434 psi | 89% | 3173 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,142 psi | 85% | 3215 fps | 99.2% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,896 psi | 86% | 3255 fps | 99.6% |
| Somchem S365ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,370 psi | 78% | 3255 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,724 psi | 89% | 3143 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,246 psi | 90% | 3163 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,259 psi | 87% | 3199 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,492 psi | 89% | 3215 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,680 psi | 89% | 3241 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,866 psi | 85% | 3248 fps | 98.2% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,027 psi | 88% | 3238 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,737 psi | 86% | 3205 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,709 psi | 89% | 3317 fps | 98.6% |
| Vihtavuori N555ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,654 psi | 65% | 3091 fps | 96.4% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,809 psi | 86% | 3232 fps | 99.7% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,897 psi | 88% | 3291 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,346 psi | 87% | 3320 fps | 96.2% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,099 psi | 87% | 3261 fps | 99.6% |
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 2015 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,934 psi | 75% | 3041 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,271 psi | 82% | 3153 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,334 psi | 63% | 2933 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,499 psi | 75% | 3104 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,188 psi | 60% | 2913 fps | 99.4% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,263 psi | 66% | 3061 fps | 95.7% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,018 psi | 69% | 3041 fps | 97.5% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 82% | 38,943 psi | 62% | 2927 fps | 95.6% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,092 psi | 72% | 3061 fps | 98.9% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,904 psi | 72% | 3061 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,649 psi | 84% | 3297 fps | 99.5% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | 38.4 gr | 80% | 39,233 psi | 63% | 3054 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,042 psi | 58% | 2890 fps | 96.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,620 psi | 84% | 3153 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,798 psi | 62% | 2963 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,886 psi | 66% | 3071 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | 39.7 gr | 84% | 35,853 psi | 57% | 2966 fps | 95.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 98% | 35,418 psi | 57% | 2946 fps | 95.4% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,467 psi | 68% | 3041 fps | 96.2% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,694 psi | 57% | 2890 fps | 96.5% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,050 psi | 75% | 3061 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,077 psi | 71% | 3081 fps | 99.2% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,530 psi | 78% | 3238 fps | 98.2% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,706 psi | 83% | 3186 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,800 psi | 67% | 3015 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 96% | 50,894 psi | 82% | 3255 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,424 psi | 70% | 3058 fps | 98.1% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 90% | 35,331 psi | 57% | 2890 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,363 psi | 63% | 3012 fps | 97.6% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,005 psi | 42% | 1834 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,756 psi | 67% | 3002 fps | 97.7% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,859 psi | 69% | 3068 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,522 psi | 62% | 2910 fps | 95.7% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,910 psi | 85% | 3179 fps | 95.7% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,533 psi | 84% | 3110 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,576 psi | 84% | 3202 fps | 95.5% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 92% | 39,842 psi | 64% | 3009 fps | 95.4% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,755 psi | 64% | 2999 fps | 96.7% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,092 psi | 72% | 3061 fps | 98.9% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,082 psi | 82% | 3159 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,047 psi | 67% | 3022 fps | 99.5% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,134 psi | 69% | 2979 fps | 97.6% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,218 psi | 61% | 2913 fps | 97.6% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 92% | 45,745 psi | 73% | 3074 fps | 95.5% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,632 psi | 80% | 3169 fps | 95.2% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,105 psi | 68% | 2995 fps | 98.5% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,337 psi | 68% | 3009 fps | 99.8% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,189 psi | 61% | 2946 fps | 96.2% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,408 psi | 66% | 3061 fps | 95.6% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,855 psi | 61% | 2956 fps | 95.8% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,238 psi | 74% | 3166 fps | 95.1% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,063 psi | 72% | 3051 fps | 95.5% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,643 psi | 72% | 3081 fps | 97.8% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,733 psi | 78% | 3110 fps | 98.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,469 psi | 42% | 1880 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,560 psi | 81% | 3163 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,370 psi | 78% | 3127 fps | 95.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,625 psi | 65% | 3074 fps | 96.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | 37.8 gr | 80% | 33,301 psi | 53% | 2907 fps | 97.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,147 psi | 66% | 3077 fps | 95.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 94% | 44,469 psi | 71% | 3163 fps | 95.5% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,021 psi | 74% | 3054 fps | 99.9% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,103 psi | 64% | 2940 fps | 98% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,475 psi | 54% | 2822 fps | 95.3% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 92% | 45,745 psi | 73% | 3074 fps | 95.5% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,047 psi | 67% | 3022 fps | 99.5% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,218 psi | 61% | 2913 fps | 97.6% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,632 psi | 80% | 3169 fps | 95.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,927 psi | 59% | 2940 fps | 95.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,279 psi | 69% | 3018 fps | 95.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,698 psi | 67% | 3005 fps | 97.2% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,714 psi | 70% | 2963 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,274 psi | 58% | 2802 fps | 99.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,141 psi | 84% | 3136 fps | 95.5% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,095 psi | 79% | 3153 fps | 99.6% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,091 psi | 69% | 2956 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,221 psi | 69% | 3025 fps | 97.5% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,389 psi | 55% | 2831 fps | 95.3% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 88% | 32,401 psi | 52% | 2871 fps | 96% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,371 psi | 79% | 3041 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,976 psi | 71% | 2959 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,537 psi | 63% | 2936 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,103 psi | 64% | 2936 fps | 99.7% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,692 psi | 52% | 2762 fps | 96.4% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 90% | 40,480 psi | 65% | 2999 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,179 psi | 72% | 3058 fps | 99% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,769 psi | 62% | 2917 fps | 99.3% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,627 psi | 68% | 3061 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 98% | 38,218 psi | 61% | 3035 fps | 95.5% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 84% | 33,475 psi | 54% | 2789 fps | 95% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,773 psi | 72% | 3104 fps | 99.4% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 96% | 50,894 psi | 82% | 3255 fps | 95.4% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,147 psi | 66% | 3009 fps | 97.6% |
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 93 powders for 6 mm Rem. loaded with the .243 | 80gr | Frontier BTSP. Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,412 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 2,051 fps to 3,412 fps. Accurate 4350 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 93 of the 93 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 80.0 gr projectile in 0.243" calls for a 1:9.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 4350, Alliant Reloder-16, 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 60, Alliant Reloder-17, Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR rank at the top here: for 6 mm Rem. with the .243 | 80gr | Frontier BTSP 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.