Really interesting thread and valuable. Blarby wrote
"Going outside the box therefore has a destination, and a path. You've obviously found your path- but where in the heck are you going ? Without a goal in mind, you are essentially on the path of blowing your gun up once you reach the fail point.
Whats your goal ?
I think your process is fine, if a little abrubt. Assuming you have a scale that can reliably measure the loads, I'd follow the advice on .25 grain increments instead of .5. Although for expediency inside of published loads, I too use .5 increments until I find a sweet spot.
What is the maximum you say ?
About .25 below where the gun lets go. Until it does, you'll never really know.
Thanks to the cumulative effects of metal fatigue from overproofed loads, what may be safe today could very well mangle you tomorrow."