
Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 6 mm Rem. with .243 | 88gr | Berger Varmint 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, Alliant Reloder-17 and Hodgdon H414.
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.
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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>> | 84% | 56,173 psi | 90% | 3048 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,303 psi | 89% | 3074 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 82% | 53,011 psi | 85% | 3084 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2700 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,056 psi | 87% | 3058 fps | 96.1% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,434 psi | 89% | 3123 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,332 psi | 89% | 3205 fps | 99.3% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,245 psi | 89% | 3150 fps | 99.8% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,405 psi | 90% | 3150 fps | 99.7% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,143 psi | 87% | 3097 fps | 100% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,172 psi | 88% | 3081 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,288 psi | 89% | 3278 fps | 99.7% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,272 psi | 85% | 3123 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,548 psi | 86% | 3140 fps | 99.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-16ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,173 psi | 90% | 3264 fps | 99.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,215 psi | 87% | 3248 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-23ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,379 psi | 65% | 2966 fps | 98.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-26ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,339 psi | 73% | 3136 fps | 97.6% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,492 psi | 89% | 3166 fps | 99.4% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,940 psi | 86% | 3140 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,737 psi | 86% | 3097 fps | 96.3% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,072 psi | 90% | 3087 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,882 psi | 86% | 3130 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,985 psi | 90% | 3238 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,694 psi | 88% | 3146 fps | 98.9% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,331 psi | 87% | 3196 fps | 97.2% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,085 psi | 88% | 3156 fps | 95.9% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,825 psi | 90% | 3163 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100Vᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,446 psi | 84% | 3127 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,709 psi | 89% | 3199 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,303 psi | 89% | 3235 fps | 97% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,636 psi | 57% | 1962 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,693 psi | 86% | 3110 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,825 psi | 90% | 3150 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,767 psi | 89% | 3133 fps | 99.7% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,811 psi | 89% | 3107 fps | 97.3% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,389 psi | 87% | 3127 fps | 96.6% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,680 psi | 89% | 3133 fps | 97.2% |
| IMR 4831ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,738 psi | 89% | 3192 fps | 99.4% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,940 psi | 88% | 3176 fps | 99.8% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,143 psi | 87% | 3097 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,303 psi | 89% | 3127 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,839 psi | 88% | 3077 fps | 99.8% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,709 psi | 89% | 3130 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,288 psi | 89% | 3130 fps | 98.4% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,086 psi | 90% | 3159 fps | 97.6% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,157 psi | 87% | 3097 fps | 100% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,665 psi | 88% | 3100 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,275 psi | 90% | 3186 fps | 99.9% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,128 psi | 87% | 3189 fps | 99.2% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,417 psi | 86% | 3150 fps | 99.7% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,982 psi | 85% | 3179 fps | 97.8% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,737 psi | 88% | 3117 fps | 98.5% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,273 psi | 87% | 3133 fps | 99.7% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,100 psi | 88% | 3097 fps | 99.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,129 psi | 58% | 2008 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,781 psi | 88% | 3120 fps | 97.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,085 psi | 87% | 3212 fps | 99.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,635 psi | 86% | 3248 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,071 psi | 88% | 3225 fps | 99.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,752 psi | 88% | 3255 fps | 99% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,172 psi | 88% | 3084 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,607 psi | 88% | 3094 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,795 psi | 86% | 3130 fps | 99.9% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,737 psi | 86% | 3097 fps | 96.3% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,288 psi | 89% | 3130 fps | 98.4% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,303 psi | 89% | 3127 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,709 psi | 89% | 3130 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,086 psi | 90% | 3159 fps | 97.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,622 psi | 89% | 3192 fps | 99.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,200 psi | 85% | 3091 fps | 98.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,896 psi | 86% | 3120 fps | 99.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,782 psi | 89% | 3038 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,970 psi | 90% | 3031 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,579 psi | 89% | 3074 fps | 97.3% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,477 psi | 89% | 3133 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,955 psi | 88% | 3031 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,736 psi | 85% | 3084 fps | 99.6% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,882 psi | 86% | 3123 fps | 99.9% |
| Somchem S365ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,489 psi | 84% | 3196 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,347 psi | 89% | 2999 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,014 psi | 90% | 3022 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,462 psi | 87% | 3061 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,230 psi | 89% | 3074 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,651 psi | 89% | 3107 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,156 psi | 85% | 3130 fps | 99% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,013 psi | 88% | 3104 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,548 psi | 86% | 3068 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,057 psi | 90% | 3196 fps | 99.2% |
| Vihtavuori N555ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,440 psi | 71% | 3051 fps | 98.3% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,592 psi | 86% | 3107 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,882 psi | 88% | 3153 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,723 psi | 88% | 3199 fps | 97.3% |
| Winchester StaBALL HDᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,390 psi | 58% | 2963 fps | 98.1% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,664 psi | 86% | 3127 fps | 99.9% |
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% | 49,632 psi | 80% | 2949 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,511 psi | 68% | 2864 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,617 psi | 80% | 3028 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2700 | <<locked>> | 86% | 50,705 psi | 81% | 2999 fps | 95.4% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,161 psi | 64% | 2854 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,216 psi | 58% | 2822 fps | 95.1% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,934 psi | 74% | 2979 fps | 98.9% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,899 psi | 62% | 2808 fps | 96.7% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,008 psi | 77% | 2992 fps | 99.7% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,385 psi | 78% | 2979 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,814 psi | 67% | 3002 fps | 97.3% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,725 psi | 62% | 2835 fps | 98.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,611 psi | 67% | 2907 fps | 97.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,172 psi | 58% | 2835 fps | 95.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | 37.5 gr | 80% | 33,431 psi | 54% | 2789 fps | 96% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 94% | 33,460 psi | 54% | 2782 fps | 95.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 96% | 39,334 psi | 63% | 2995 fps | 95.6% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,237 psi | 73% | 2979 fps | 97.9% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,247 psi | 61% | 2835 fps | 98.2% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,749 psi | 81% | 3041 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,458 psi | 79% | 2976 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,021 psi | 75% | 3012 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,025 psi | 83% | 3173 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,088 psi | 63% | 2835 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon H414 | 42.2 gr | 92% | 47,587 psi | 76% | 3068 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,706 psi | 83% | 3100 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,354 psi | 74% | 2992 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 84% | 31,212 psi | 50% | 2664 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,467 psi | 68% | 2956 fps | 99% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,776 psi | 77% | 3091 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,281 psi | 42% | 1749 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,193 psi | 71% | 2933 fps | 98.9% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,166 psi | 74% | 2992 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,843 psi | 65% | 2848 fps | 97.5% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 82% | 46,180 psi | 74% | 2927 fps | 95.1% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,863 psi | 77% | 3009 fps | 95% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,412 psi | 74% | 2963 fps | 95.1% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,579 psi | 60% | 2838 fps | 95.7% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,627 psi | 68% | 2940 fps | 98.3% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,008 psi | 77% | 2992 fps | 99.7% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,020 psi | 72% | 2953 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,701 psi | 73% | 2910 fps | 98.9% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,872 psi | 66% | 2854 fps | 98.9% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,480 psi | 65% | 2841 fps | 95% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,644 psi | 75% | 2989 fps | 95.6% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,918 psi | 72% | 2927 fps | 99.5% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,281 psi | 73% | 2940 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,973 psi | 66% | 2894 fps | 97.9% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,434 psi | 58% | 2822 fps | 95% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,567 psi | 65% | 2904 fps | 97.7% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 92% | 43,642 psi | 70% | 2995 fps | 95.5% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,022 psi | 77% | 2992 fps | 97.2% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,456 psi | 76% | 3015 fps | 99.1% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,808 psi | 83% | 3045 fps | 99.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,832 psi | 43% | 1798 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 84% | 45,310 psi | 73% | 2946 fps | 95.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,743 psi | 70% | 3015 fps | 98% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | 37.5 gr | 80% | 35,563 psi | 57% | 2864 fps | 99% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,667 psi | 62% | 2904 fps | 95.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 90% | 41,582 psi | 67% | 2982 fps | 95.8% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,907 psi | 78% | 2979 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,757 psi | 69% | 2874 fps | 99.2% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,172 psi | 58% | 2776 fps | 97.3% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,749 psi | 81% | 3041 fps | 95.7% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,480 psi | 65% | 2841 fps | 95% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,020 psi | 72% | 2953 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,872 psi | 66% | 2854 fps | 98.9% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,644 psi | 75% | 2989 fps | 95.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,028 psi | 59% | 2825 fps | 96.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,383 psi | 74% | 2966 fps | 97.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,266 psi | 71% | 2940 fps | 98.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,035 psi | 74% | 2877 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,406 psi | 62% | 2730 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 45,600 psi | 73% | 2897 fps | 95% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,069 psi | 83% | 3077 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,818 psi | 73% | 2881 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,064 psi | 74% | 2963 fps | 98.8% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,941 psi | 59% | 2782 fps | 97.3% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 82% | 28,732 psi | 46% | 2648 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,895 psi | 83% | 2946 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,398 psi | 74% | 2874 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,148 psi | 68% | 2858 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,917 psi | 69% | 2867 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,186 psi | 56% | 2713 fps | 98.1% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 86% | 38,014 psi | 61% | 2828 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,892 psi | 77% | 2982 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,191 psi | 66% | 2848 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,666 psi | 60% | 2831 fps | 95.2% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 92% | 33,982 psi | 54% | 2808 fps | 95% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,227 psi | 50% | 2621 fps | 95.3% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,761 psi | 77% | 3031 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,587 psi | 76% | 3068 fps | 95.6% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 96% | 31,778 psi | 51% | 2808 fps | 95.6% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,874 psi | 70% | 2946 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 6 mm Rem. loaded with the .243 | 88gr | Berger Varmint. Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,278 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,962 fps to 3,278 fps. Alliant Reloder-16 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 (430 MPa), the top charges use 57–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 88.0 gr projectile in 0.243" calls for a 1:9.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Alliant Reloder-16, Alliant Reloder-23, Alliant Reloder-26 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, Hodgdon H414 rank at the top here: for 6 mm Rem. with the .243 | 88gr | Berger Varmint 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.