Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 6 mm XC with .243 | 80gr | Fox Classic Hunter 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 Power Pro 2000-MR and ReloadSwiss RS 52.
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>> | 88% | 57,522 psi | 90% | 3222 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,028 psi | 88% | 3241 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,724 psi | 87% | 3235 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,418 psi | 85% | 3255 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,332 psi | 87% | 3278 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,488 psi | 81% | 3284 fps | 97.8% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,536 psi | 89% | 3159 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,942 psi | 89% | 3189 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,666 psi | 89% | 3317 fps | 99.4% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,085 psi | 85% | 3248 fps | 98.7% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,593 psi | 87% | 3264 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,014 psi | 88% | 3251 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,392 psi | 90% | 3392 fps | 99.7% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,304 psi | 88% | 3438 fps | 99% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 96% | 57,334 psi | 90% | 3337 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,174 psi | 90% | 3228 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,752 psi | 86% | 3301 fps | 98.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-16ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,169 psi | 79% | 3291 fps | 97.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,636 psi | 86% | 3402 fps | 99.6% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,738 psi | 87% | 3146 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,521 psi | 89% | 3327 fps | 98.7% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,607 psi | 86% | 3297 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,244 psi | 85% | 3196 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,998 psi | 86% | 3297 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,956 psi | 89% | 3406 fps | 99.2% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,478 psi | 89% | 3274 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,740 psi | 90% | 3297 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,724 psi | 87% | 3304 fps | 98% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,217 psi | 90% | 3333 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100Vᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,224 psi | 72% | 3150 fps | 98.4% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,333 psi | 88% | 3363 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,114 psi | 55% | 2031 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,158 psi | 86% | 3278 fps | 99.5% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,753 psi | 89% | 3320 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 94% | 57,000 psi | 89% | 3294 fps | 99.2% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 92% | 57,435 psi | 90% | 3264 fps | 96.2% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,072 psi | 89% | 3186 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,855 psi | 89% | 3284 fps | 96% |
| IMR 4831ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,805 psi | 76% | 3215 fps | 97.4% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,130 psi | 88% | 3340 fps | 99.4% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,593 psi | 87% | 3264 fps | 99.8% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,347 psi | 88% | 3258 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,347 psi | 88% | 3297 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,652 psi | 89% | 3241 fps | 99.4% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,681 psi | 89% | 3291 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex S065ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,130 psi | 88% | 3278 fps | 97.3% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,521 psi | 87% | 3261 fps | 99.8% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,941 psi | 88% | 3268 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 94% | 57,174 psi | 90% | 3343 fps | 99.5% |
| Norma URPᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,720 psi | 79% | 3268 fps | 97.6% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,143 psi | 85% | 3310 fps | 99.1% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,449 psi | 88% | 3278 fps | 97.6% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,622 psi | 87% | 3301 fps | 99.3% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 86% | 57,188 psi | 90% | 3271 fps | 99.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,230 psi | 55% | 2073 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,230 psi | 87% | 3248 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,086 psi | 88% | 3278 fps | 96.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,911 psi | 86% | 3376 fps | 98.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,476 psi | 85% | 3412 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,995 psi | 80% | 3301 fps | 97.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,735 psi | 81% | 3327 fps | 97% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,463 psi | 88% | 3251 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,593 psi | 87% | 3251 fps | 99.8% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,969 psi | 85% | 3278 fps | 99.5% |
| Shooters World Long Rifleᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,130 psi | 88% | 3278 fps | 97.3% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,347 psi | 88% | 3297 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,681 psi | 89% | 3291 fps | 99.9% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,230 psi | 87% | 3219 fps | 99.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,014 psi | 88% | 3346 fps | 99.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,795 psi | 86% | 3205 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,650 psi | 86% | 3248 fps | 97.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,274 psi | 87% | 3284 fps | 99.3% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,174 psi | 90% | 3202 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 57,029 psi | 89% | 3192 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,811 psi | 89% | 3225 fps | 96% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 86% | 57,334 psi | 90% | 3307 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,550 psi | 89% | 3199 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,998 psi | 85% | 3241 fps | 99.1% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,723 psi | 86% | 3281 fps | 99.5% |
| Somchem S365ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,571 psi | 71% | 3215 fps | 99.4% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,985 psi | 89% | 3169 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,188 psi | 90% | 3189 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,056 psi | 86% | 3222 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,246 psi | 88% | 3238 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,362 psi | 88% | 3261 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,577 psi | 84% | 3278 fps | 98% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,652 psi | 89% | 3274 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,549 psi | 85% | 3232 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,475 psi | 82% | 3274 fps | 97.7% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALLᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,752 psi | 86% | 3261 fps | 99.6% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,014 psi | 88% | 3320 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,158 psi | 86% | 3346 fps | 95.8% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,940 psi | 86% | 3291 fps | 99.5% |
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% | 44,802 psi | 70% | 3005 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,950 psi | 77% | 3123 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,579 psi | 59% | 2904 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,266 psi | 69% | 3071 fps | 99.6% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,520 psi | 56% | 2877 fps | 98.9% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,597 psi | 65% | 3081 fps | 95.4% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,910 psi | 83% | 3100 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,301 psi | 84% | 3130 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,234 psi | 65% | 3005 fps | 96.7% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 84% | 39,885 psi | 63% | 2953 fps | 95.5% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,265 psi | 68% | 3028 fps | 98.4% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,902 psi | 67% | 3035 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,299 psi | 79% | 3261 fps | 99% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | 37.5 gr | 82% | 40,059 psi | 63% | 3081 fps | 95% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,548 psi | 54% | 2854 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,618 psi | 79% | 3127 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 82% | 39,697 psi | 62% | 2989 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,655 psi | 65% | 3094 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,434 psi | 57% | 2989 fps | 95.4% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,330 psi | 82% | 3091 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,277 psi | 63% | 2999 fps | 95.1% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,924 psi | 53% | 2848 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,237 psi | 71% | 3025 fps | 99.1% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,684 psi | 65% | 3035 fps | 98.5% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,963 psi | 72% | 3196 fps | 97.3% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,574 psi | 78% | 3156 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,546 psi | 79% | 3179 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,714 psi | 67% | 3045 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,539 psi | 65% | 3022 fps | 97.3% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 92% | 35,824 psi | 56% | 2907 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,391 psi | 59% | 2969 fps | 96.6% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,078 psi | 41% | 1818 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,972 psi | 63% | 2966 fps | 96.9% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,973 psi | 64% | 3038 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 82% | 39,117 psi | 61% | 2930 fps | 95.5% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,201 psi | 85% | 3209 fps | 95.5% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,879 psi | 80% | 3087 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,606 psi | 84% | 3225 fps | 95.2% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 94% | 40,161 psi | 63% | 3028 fps | 95% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,898 psi | 59% | 2956 fps | 95.7% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,265 psi | 68% | 3028 fps | 98.4% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,849 psi | 77% | 3130 fps | 99.7% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,190 psi | 63% | 2992 fps | 99% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,742 psi | 65% | 2949 fps | 96.9% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,695 psi | 57% | 2881 fps | 96.8% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,354 psi | 73% | 3091 fps | 95.1% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,582 psi | 64% | 2963 fps | 97.8% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,770 psi | 64% | 2982 fps | 99.5% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,463 psi | 57% | 2907 fps | 95.2% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,814 psi | 66% | 3081 fps | 95.3% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 82% | 38,580 psi | 60% | 2982 fps | 95.6% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 82% | 46,195 psi | 72% | 3081 fps | 95.3% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,699 psi | 67% | 3045 fps | 97% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,833 psi | 73% | 3077 fps | 97.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,266 psi | 41% | 1860 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,660 psi | 76% | 3133 fps | 99.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,472 psi | 78% | 3153 fps | 95.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | 35.4 gr | 80% | 38,406 psi | 60% | 3028 fps | 95.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | 36 gr | 80% | 31,734 psi | 50% | 2858 fps | 96% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 96% | 44,295 psi | 69% | 3163 fps | 95.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,194 psi | 71% | 3186 fps | 95.1% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,309 psi | 69% | 3028 fps | 99.7% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,522 psi | 60% | 2907 fps | 97.3% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 82% | 34,113 psi | 53% | 2848 fps | 95.1% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,354 psi | 73% | 3091 fps | 95.1% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,190 psi | 63% | 2992 fps | 99% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,695 psi | 57% | 2881 fps | 96.8% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,242 psi | 80% | 3150 fps | 99.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,623 psi | 59% | 2963 fps | 95.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,097 psi | 80% | 3146 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 82% | 44,280 psi | 69% | 3048 fps | 95.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,726 psi | 62% | 2966 fps | 96.2% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,785 psi | 65% | 2923 fps | 99.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,505 psi | 54% | 2762 fps | 99.1% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,982 psi | 83% | 3159 fps | 95.2% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,688 psi | 73% | 3117 fps | 99.1% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,611 psi | 65% | 2930 fps | 99.9% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,017 psi | 64% | 2982 fps | 96.5% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,056 psi | 55% | 2858 fps | 95.2% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 90% | 32,750 psi | 51% | 2887 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,253 psi | 74% | 3012 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,974 psi | 66% | 2927 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,449 psi | 59% | 2900 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,305 psi | 60% | 2900 fps | 99.4% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,082 psi | 49% | 2726 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,191 psi | 65% | 3028 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,337 psi | 68% | 3022 fps | 98.4% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,144 psi | 58% | 2884 fps | 98.8% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 94% | 43,134 psi | 68% | 3087 fps | 95.4% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 88% | 36,376 psi | 57% | 2877 fps | 95.7% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,569 psi | 67% | 3068 fps | 98.9% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 98% | 51,503 psi | 81% | 3278 fps | 95% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,204 psi | 61% | 2969 fps | 96.7% |
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 93 powders for 6 mm XC loaded with the .243 | 80gr | Fox Classic Hunter. Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,438 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 2,031 fps to 3,438 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 (440 MPa), the top charges use 55–90 %, 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, 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, Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR, ReloadSwiss RS 52 rank at the top here: for 6 mm XC with the .243 | 80gr | Fox Classic Hunter 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.