When I'm getting velocity beyond the loads listed in the manual, I back the load down. I'm also getting pressure beyond the manuals loads.

I like to shoot a couple factory loads in a new rifle to get an Idea where that barrel is going to be velocity wise.

Usually my rifles shoot factory loads a bit slower than the manual says or the ammo box says. Fine, I know what i'm dealing with.

I've had a couple rifles that loosened primer pockets and were 200fps faster than the Factory ammo box stated. Fine, I had the info I needed.
So I used "Starting" loads to get max velocity and I stopped there and the primers didn't fall out and jamb the action...

If I don't have factory ammo to get a base line, I start with starting loads and watch velocity.


"Camping places fix themselves in your mind as if you had spent long periods of your life in them.
You will remember a curve of your wagon track in the grass of the plain like the features of a friend."
Isak Dinesen