Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 8 x 65 R with .323 | 196gr | Reichenberg Mag Dr ckjagd bullet and 93 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR, ReloadSwiss RS 60 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: 25.6"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,184 psi | 90% | 2526 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,472 psi | 86% | 2539 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,024 psi | 90% | 2608 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2700 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,994 psi | 87% | 2536 fps | 96% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,834 psi | 86% | 2589 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 98% | 47,761 psi | 84% | 2651 fps | 99.1% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 86% | 50,256 psi | 89% | 2618 fps | 99.8% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,327 psi | 85% | 2572 fps | 99.4% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,661 psi | 88% | 2575 fps | 100% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,676 psi | 88% | 2552 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,356 psi | 87% | 2720 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,879 psi | 90% | 2638 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,182 psi | 85% | 2605 fps | 99.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-16ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,285 psi | 89% | 2710 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 96% | 51,169 psi | 90% | 2749 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-23ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,288 psi | 62% | 2457 fps | 98% |
| Alliant Reloder-26ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 39,160 psi | 69% | 2595 fps | 96.9% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,690 psi | 88% | 2628 fps | 99.3% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,923 psi | 90% | 2648 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,588 psi | 86% | 2569 fps | 96.2% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 82% | 48,399 psi | 86% | 2516 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,240 psi | 85% | 2598 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 82% | 49,777 psi | 88% | 2684 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,892 psi | 86% | 2612 fps | 98.8% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,921 psi | 85% | 2651 fps | 96.9% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 86% | 50,749 psi | 90% | 2628 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100Vᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,238 psi | 82% | 2592 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,676 psi | 88% | 2657 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,718 psi | 86% | 2680 fps | 96.4% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,940 psi | 62% | 1594 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,747 psi | 86% | 2582 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 86% | 50,198 psi | 89% | 2608 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 90% | 50,850 psi | 90% | 2602 fps | 99.7% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,995 psi | 90% | 2579 fps | 97.2% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,399 psi | 86% | 2592 fps | 96.2% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 94% | 50,531 psi | 89% | 2602 fps | 97.1% |
| IMR 4831ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,863 psi | 86% | 2648 fps | 99.2% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,356 psi | 87% | 2635 fps | 99.8% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,661 psi | 88% | 2575 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,313 psi | 87% | 2595 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 86% | 50,488 psi | 89% | 2556 fps | 99.8% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 90% | 50,357 psi | 89% | 2598 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,414 psi | 87% | 2595 fps | 98.2% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,922 psi | 88% | 2621 fps | 97.4% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,907 psi | 86% | 2566 fps | 100% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,501 psi | 88% | 2572 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 90% | 50,691 psi | 90% | 2644 fps | 99.9% |
| Norma URPᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,068 psi | 90% | 2697 fps | 99.4% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 90% | 50,821 psi | 90% | 2667 fps | 99.8% |
| Ramshot Hunterᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,850 psi | 88% | 2690 fps | 98% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,603 psi | 88% | 2585 fps | 98.4% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 84% | 48,892 psi | 86% | 2605 fps | 99.7% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 82% | 50,401 psi | 89% | 2575 fps | 99.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,375 psi | 63% | 1634 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 90% | 49,342 psi | 87% | 2592 fps | 97.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,051 psi | 85% | 2664 fps | 99.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 94% | 51,024 psi | 90% | 2749 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,097 psi | 90% | 2726 fps | 99.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 98% | 48,196 psi | 85% | 2697 fps | 98.6% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 84% | 50,082 psi | 89% | 2552 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,313 psi | 87% | 2562 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 94% | 50,807 psi | 90% | 2641 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 94% | 48,588 psi | 86% | 2569 fps | 96.2% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,414 psi | 87% | 2595 fps | 98.2% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 86% | 49,313 psi | 87% | 2595 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 90% | 50,357 psi | 89% | 2598 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,922 psi | 88% | 2621 fps | 97.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,211 psi | 87% | 2651 fps | 99.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 86% | 51,140 psi | 90% | 2615 fps | 99% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,704 psi | 86% | 2592 fps | 99.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 50,807 psi | 90% | 2513 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,937 psi | 90% | 2516 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,603 psi | 88% | 2549 fps | 97% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 82% | 50,314 psi | 89% | 2605 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 86% | 50,038 psi | 88% | 2513 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 86% | 50,676 psi | 90% | 2608 fps | 99.8% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,312 psi | 85% | 2595 fps | 99.9% |
| Somchem S365ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,484 psi | 80% | 2651 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 82% | 50,908 psi | 90% | 2484 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 86% | 51,039 psi | 90% | 2500 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,950 psi | 87% | 2536 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,995 psi | 88% | 2552 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 94% | 49,574 psi | 88% | 2575 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 98% | 50,140 psi | 89% | 2644 fps | 99.2% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,821 psi | 88% | 2572 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 88% | 48,095 psi | 85% | 2549 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 98% | 49,313 psi | 87% | 2651 fps | 99% |
| Vihtavuori N555ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 38,072 psi | 67% | 2530 fps | 97.9% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 98% | 50,836 psi | 90% | 2631 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,298 psi | 87% | 2615 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,211 psi | 85% | 2654 fps | 96.9% |
| Winchester StaBALL HDᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 31,357 psi | 55% | 2434 fps | 97.2% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 86% | 48,341 psi | 85% | 2598 fps | 99.9% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
Start Load - Barrel Length: 25.6"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,092 psi | 80% | 2441 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,231 psi | 66% | 2365 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,150 psi | 78% | 2507 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2700 | <<locked>> | 86% | 45,803 psi | 81% | 2484 fps | 95.2% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,244 psi | 62% | 2359 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 33,562 psi | 59% | 2385 fps | 95.8% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,539 psi | 73% | 2470 fps | 98.9% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,230 psi | 62% | 2329 fps | 96.8% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,671 psi | 77% | 2480 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,424 psi | 77% | 2467 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | 48.6 gr | 80% | 37,362 psi | 66% | 2490 fps | 97.3% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,505 psi | 61% | 2346 fps | 98.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,304 psi | 66% | 2408 fps | 97.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 86% | 32,460 psi | 57% | 2349 fps | 95.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | 47.9 gr | 80% | 29,718 psi | 53% | 2310 fps | 95.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 94% | 29,385 psi | 52% | 2306 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 98% | 36,347 psi | 64% | 2533 fps | 95.9% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,451 psi | 72% | 2470 fps | 97.8% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,910 psi | 60% | 2349 fps | 98.2% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 92% | 45,426 psi | 80% | 2516 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,556 psi | 81% | 2470 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,872 psi | 74% | 2493 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,441 psi | 82% | 2631 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,998 psi | 62% | 2352 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,047 psi | 74% | 2546 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,916 psi | 74% | 2480 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 84% | 27,760 psi | 49% | 2205 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,695 psi | 67% | 2451 fps | 99% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 94% | 45,252 psi | 80% | 2621 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,020 psi | 46% | 1424 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,234 psi | 71% | 2434 fps | 99% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,162 psi | 73% | 2474 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,970 psi | 65% | 2359 fps | 97.6% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,293 psi | 75% | 2431 fps | 95.2% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 96% | 45,527 psi | 80% | 2543 fps | 95.5% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 88% | 41,916 psi | 74% | 2454 fps | 95% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 88% | 32,764 psi | 58% | 2349 fps | 95.5% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,218 psi | 68% | 2438 fps | 98.4% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,671 psi | 77% | 2480 fps | 99.8% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,219 psi | 71% | 2448 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,829 psi | 74% | 2411 fps | 98.9% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,637 psi | 65% | 2362 fps | 99% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,479 psi | 68% | 2402 fps | 95.7% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,278 psi | 73% | 2474 fps | 95.3% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,538 psi | 72% | 2425 fps | 99.5% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,741 psi | 72% | 2431 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,651 psi | 65% | 2398 fps | 98% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 86% | 32,300 psi | 57% | 2343 fps | 95% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,955 psi | 64% | 2405 fps | 97.6% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 92% | 38,421 psi | 68% | 2480 fps | 95.1% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,366 psi | 77% | 2480 fps | 97.2% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,772 psi | 76% | 2503 fps | 99.1% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,007 psi | 83% | 2523 fps | 99.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,281 psi | 46% | 1460 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 84% | 40,611 psi | 72% | 2441 fps | 95.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,885 psi | 69% | 2500 fps | 98% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | 47.9 gr | 80% | 31,691 psi | 56% | 2375 fps | 99% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 88% | 33,591 psi | 59% | 2402 fps | 95.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 90% | 36,637 psi | 65% | 2467 fps | 95.4% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,280 psi | 78% | 2464 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,421 psi | 68% | 2379 fps | 99.2% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,836 psi | 56% | 2293 fps | 97.3% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 92% | 45,426 psi | 80% | 2516 fps | 95.4% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,479 psi | 68% | 2402 fps | 95.7% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,219 psi | 71% | 2448 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,637 psi | 65% | 2362 fps | 99% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,278 psi | 73% | 2474 fps | 95.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,083 psi | 58% | 2346 fps | 96.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,466 psi | 73% | 2454 fps | 97.3% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,103 psi | 71% | 2441 fps | 98.6% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,192 psi | 75% | 2385 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,824 psi | 62% | 2260 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 92% | 43,323 psi | 77% | 2448 fps | 95.5% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,804 psi | 83% | 2549 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,669 psi | 74% | 2385 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,176 psi | 73% | 2454 fps | 98.8% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,924 psi | 58% | 2303 fps | 97.4% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 82% | 25,237 psi | 45% | 2188 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,805 psi | 85% | 2441 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,496 psi | 75% | 2379 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,855 psi | 67% | 2365 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,667 psi | 68% | 2375 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,256 psi | 55% | 2247 fps | 98.1% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 86% | 33,794 psi | 60% | 2346 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,656 psi | 77% | 2477 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,173 psi | 66% | 2365 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 86% | 33,098 psi | 59% | 2346 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 94% | 31,169 psi | 55% | 2372 fps | 95.6% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,760 psi | 49% | 2172 fps | 95.1% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,946 psi | 76% | 2516 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,047 psi | 74% | 2546 fps | 95.3% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 98% | 29,501 psi | 52% | 2379 fps | 96% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,189 psi | 69% | 2441 fps | 98.9% |
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 111 powders for 8 x 65 R loaded with the .323 | 196gr | Reichenberg Mag Dr ckjagd. Alliant Reloder-17 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,749 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,594 fps to 2,749 fps. Accurate 3100 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 111 of the 111 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (390 MPa), the top charges use 53–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 196.0 gr projectile in 0.323" calls for a 1:14.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 3100, ADI AR 2209, Alliant Reloder-16 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. Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR, ReloadSwiss RS 60, Alliant Reloder-17 rank at the top here: for 8 x 65 R with the .323 | 196gr | Reichenberg Mag Dr ckjagd they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, Accurate 3100, ADI AR 2209, Alliant Reloder-19 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.