Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 7 mm Rem. Mag. with .284 | 120gr | Barnes TTSX BT 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 70, Hodgdon Superformance and Alliant Reloder-17.
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% | 52,953 psi | 85% | 3077 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2700 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,405 psi | 89% | 3140 fps | 97.4% |
| Accurate 3100ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,385 psi | 78% | 3091 fps | 97.7% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,505 psi | 86% | 3133 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,389 psi | 87% | 3232 fps | 99.6% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 82% | 53,258 psi | 85% | 3166 fps | 99.9% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,447 psi | 87% | 3169 fps | 99.8% |
| ADI AR 2209ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,970 psi | 90% | 3271 fps | 96.6% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,535 psi | 89% | 3169 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,374 psi | 86% | 3291 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,897 psi | 88% | 3192 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,172 psi | 88% | 3215 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,332 psi | 89% | 3297 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,852 psi | 85% | 3268 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,114 psi | 88% | 3255 fps | 96.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-23ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,585 psi | 73% | 3120 fps | 99.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-26ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,272 psi | 84% | 3320 fps | 99.5% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 82% | 53,272 psi | 85% | 3179 fps | 99.6% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,724 psi | 89% | 3209 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,434 psi | 89% | 3182 fps | 97.6% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,477 psi | 89% | 3196 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,333 psi | 90% | 3225 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,214 psi | 85% | 3222 fps | 97.8% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,476 psi | 86% | 3186 fps | 96.5% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 82% | 53,824 psi | 86% | 3179 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,506 psi | 89% | 3215 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,824 psi | 86% | 3212 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,766 psi | 86% | 3261 fps | 97.6% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,853 psi | 57% | 2024 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,114 psi | 88% | 3182 fps | 100% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,172 psi | 87% | 3159 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,925 psi | 86% | 3153 fps | 99.8% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,345 psi | 86% | 3123 fps | 97.7% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 94% | 52,866 psi | 85% | 3153 fps | 97.2% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,983 psi | 87% | 3159 fps | 97.7% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,911 psi | 88% | 3222 fps | 99.7% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,229 psi | 85% | 3192 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,535 psi | 89% | 3169 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 82% | 53,214 psi | 85% | 3136 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,811 psi | 89% | 3146 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,795 psi | 86% | 3146 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,519 psi | 86% | 3150 fps | 98.8% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,607 psi | 88% | 3189 fps | 98.2% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,230 psi | 89% | 3163 fps | 100% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,014 psi | 90% | 3163 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,433 psi | 87% | 3199 fps | 100% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,650 psi | 86% | 3205 fps | 96% |
| Norma MRPᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,605 psi | 83% | 3271 fps | 97.4% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,127 psi | 85% | 3212 fps | 99.5% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,506 psi | 89% | 3228 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,927 psi | 90% | 3274 fps | 98.9% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,796 psi | 89% | 3186 fps | 99.2% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,883 psi | 90% | 3209 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,289 psi | 58% | 2070 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 86% | 52,852 psi | 85% | 3140 fps | 98.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,362 psi | 90% | 3294 fps | 99.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,318 psi | 90% | 3330 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,172 psi | 87% | 3251 fps | 99.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,359 psi | 86% | 3281 fps | 99.4% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,912 psi | 90% | 3143 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,825 psi | 90% | 3163 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,593 psi | 89% | 3202 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 905ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,172 psi | 87% | 3238 fps | 96.6% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,434 psi | 89% | 3182 fps | 97.6% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,519 psi | 86% | 3150 fps | 98.8% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 82% | 53,214 psi | 85% | 3136 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,795 psi | 86% | 3146 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,607 psi | 88% | 3189 fps | 98.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,998 psi | 87% | 3209 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,389 psi | 87% | 3163 fps | 99.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,434 psi | 89% | 3192 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,347 psi | 90% | 3097 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,795 psi | 86% | 3045 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,432 psi | 86% | 3097 fps | 97.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,679 psi | 86% | 3232 fps | 96.4% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,956 psi | 90% | 3091 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,244 psi | 87% | 3153 fps | 99.9% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,883 psi | 90% | 3202 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,738 psi | 89% | 3278 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,679 psi | 88% | 3209 fps | 97.5% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 82% | 53,432 psi | 86% | 3028 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,028 psi | 90% | 3123 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,127 psi | 85% | 3084 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,679 psi | 86% | 3120 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,738 psi | 89% | 3219 fps | 99.7% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,970 psi | 90% | 3166 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,897 psi | 88% | 3130 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,781 psi | 88% | 3219 fps | 99.5% |
| Vihtavuori N555ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,763 psi | 81% | 3205 fps | 99.6% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,825 psi | 90% | 3186 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,476 psi | 86% | 3228 fps | 97.8% |
| Winchester StaBALL HDᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,944 psi | 66% | 3146 fps | 99.9% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,405 psi | 89% | 3199 fps | 100% |
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% | 46,238 psi | 74% | 2966 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2700 | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,559 psi | 78% | 3015 fps | 95.9% |
| Accurate 3100 | <<locked>> | 94% | 39,102 psi | 63% | 2897 fps | 95.1% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,787 psi | 70% | 2966 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,244 psi | 57% | 2831 fps | 95.6% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,835 psi | 80% | 3104 fps | 99.7% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,293 psi | 68% | 2933 fps | 98.2% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,286 psi | 84% | 3202 fps | 95.8% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,982 psi | 83% | 3110 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,253 psi | 74% | 3153 fps | 99% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,322 psi | 68% | 2959 fps | 99.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,368 psi | 73% | 3031 fps | 98.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 82% | 34,969 psi | 56% | 2848 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | 57.7 gr | 80% | 36,941 psi | 59% | 2927 fps | 98.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 98% | 51,503 psi | 83% | 3189 fps | 95.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 88% | 30,632 psi | 49% | 2740 fps | 95.4% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 90% | 35,824 psi | 57% | 2943 fps | 95.2% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,661 psi | 80% | 3110 fps | 99.2% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,250 psi | 68% | 2959 fps | 99.4% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 86% | 45,803 psi | 73% | 2999 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,648 psi | 83% | 3136 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,931 psi | 69% | 2969 fps | 97.4% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 86% | 43,395 psi | 70% | 3025 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,067 psi | 80% | 3120 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,357 psi | 81% | 3117 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,095 psi | 48% | 2671 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,992 psi | 75% | 3087 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | 67.1 gr | 88% | 46,195 psi | 74% | 3110 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,542 psi | 43% | 1808 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,225 psi | 77% | 3061 fps | 99.8% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,749 psi | 81% | 3107 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,454 psi | 71% | 2972 fps | 98.8% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,007 psi | 75% | 3002 fps | 96.3% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,557 psi | 75% | 3031 fps | 95.6% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 84% | 44,585 psi | 71% | 2976 fps | 95.5% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 82% | 34,040 psi | 55% | 2782 fps | 95.2% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,514 psi | 75% | 3064 fps | 99.4% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,982 psi | 83% | 3110 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,705 psi | 80% | 3077 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,197 psi | 79% | 3028 fps | 99.7% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,411 psi | 71% | 2972 fps | 99.7% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 82% | 39,001 psi | 63% | 2851 fps | 95.4% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,235 psi | 68% | 2943 fps | 95.2% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,559 psi | 78% | 3045 fps | 100% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,211 psi | 79% | 3051 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,730 psi | 72% | 3018 fps | 99.2% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,806 psi | 80% | 3133 fps | 95% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 96% | 44,614 psi | 72% | 3127 fps | 95.5% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,491 psi | 57% | 2835 fps | 95.5% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,933 psi | 72% | 3035 fps | 99.1% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 86% | 39,668 psi | 64% | 2946 fps | 95.1% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,098 psi | 84% | 3123 fps | 98.7% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,112 psi | 84% | 3143 fps | 99.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,006 psi | 43% | 1854 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,178 psi | 69% | 2949 fps | 95.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,747 psi | 78% | 3156 fps | 99.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,363 psi | 63% | 3002 fps | 99.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,172 psi | 56% | 2848 fps | 95.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | 61.5 gr | 84% | 37,217 psi | 60% | 2923 fps | 95.2% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,576 psi | 84% | 3091 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,122 psi | 74% | 2989 fps | 99.8% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,653 psi | 64% | 2897 fps | 98.8% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 98% | 50,459 psi | 81% | 3169 fps | 95.7% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 86% | 45,803 psi | 73% | 2999 fps | 95.4% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 82% | 39,001 psi | 63% | 2851 fps | 95.4% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,705 psi | 80% | 3077 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,411 psi | 71% | 2972 fps | 99.7% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 86% | 42,235 psi | 68% | 2943 fps | 95.2% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,002 psi | 66% | 2956 fps | 98.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,618 psi | 81% | 3097 fps | 98.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,428 psi | 78% | 3068 fps | 99.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,690 psi | 80% | 2989 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,669 psi | 67% | 2838 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 43,772 psi | 70% | 2910 fps | 95.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,995 psi | 80% | 3163 fps | 95.5% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,371 psi | 79% | 2986 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,517 psi | 81% | 3091 fps | 99.7% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,263 psi | 65% | 2904 fps | 98.7% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,559 psi | 47% | 2710 fps | 96.7% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 94% | 44,730 psi | 72% | 3018 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,212 psi | 81% | 2979 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,151 psi | 74% | 2966 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,688 psi | 75% | 2979 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,435 psi | 62% | 2831 fps | 99.3% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,461 psi | 55% | 2776 fps | 95.1% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,301 psi | 84% | 3107 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,078 psi | 72% | 2963 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,390 psi | 58% | 2838 fps | 95.6% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 88% | 33,576 psi | 54% | 2825 fps | 95.6% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,084 psi | 55% | 2749 fps | 97.4% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 86% | 43,584 psi | 70% | 3031 fps | 95.4% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 90% | 28,950 psi | 46% | 2759 fps | 95% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,298 psi | 77% | 3074 fps | 99.8% |
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 112 powders for 7 mm Rem. Mag. loaded with the .284 | 120gr | Barnes TTSX BT. ReloadSwiss RS 60 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,330 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 2,024 fps to 3,330 fps. Accurate 3100 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 112 of the 112 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 120.0 gr projectile in 0.284" calls for a 1:11.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 3100, Accurate MAGPRO, ADI AR 2209 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, Hodgdon Superformance, Alliant Reloder-17 rank at the top here: for 7 mm Rem. Mag. with the .284 | 120gr | Barnes TTSX BT they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, Accurate MAGPRO, ADI AR 2213, Bofors RP15 burn incompletely and react more sensitively to barrel length and temperature. Always begin at the start load and work up in small increments while checking case and primer for pressure signs.