I thought the following would be of interest to new reloader:
From the Lapua/VV loading guide--
All the loads in this guide are pressure tested according to the C.I.P. method. The maximum loads given in the tables are determined according to the C.I.P. and SAAMI maximum pressure specifications. The listed maximum loads should never be exceeded. Due to the differences in the cartridge components, individual weapons, shooting temperatures etc., always start developing your load by using the starting load according to the loading data. If there is no indication of the starting load, use 15 % lower charge than the listed maximum load as your starting load...Be certain you use the correct data and the specific bullet weight shown.
By staying 5% below the maximum powder charge weight, pressures will be reduced by about 10 % while velocities will be only about 3 % lower than listed.
Caution: When loading handgun cartridges it is vital to
maintain the minimum cartridge overall length (C.O.L.) listed in the tables. Shorter overall lengths may double chamber pressures. Longer lengths are permissible so long as the functioning of the handgun will not be impaired...The values obtained were under carefully controlled conditions and may vary from those obtained with your firearm, specific component lots, loading dimensions, and loading procedures. The maximum charges must NEVER be exceeded. Start loading with the starting load
according to the loading data. If there is no indication
of the starting load, use 15% lower charge than the
listed maximum. When loading cartridges for which the
listed charge is 10 grains or less, after firing 10 rounds at the minimum weight (15 % below maximum), increase charge weights by 0.2 grains and fire another 10 rounds. Repeat this procedure, if necessary, until you reach, but do not exceed, the maximum listed charge. The same process is followed for heavier charges except that charge weights from 11 to 25
grains use increments of 0.5 grains. For charges over 25 grains increments of 1.0 grains will be correct.
If even a single test round shows signs of excessive pressure discontinue the use of the load. Do not fire even a single additional cartridge. Seek qualified help before proceeding! The traditional sign of overpressure is a flattened primer. When flattened primers start to occur, it is a definite warning that the charge should be reduced, quickly. Brass getting into the ejector and extractor cavities is a worse case. Blown out primers are worse still. If a case ruptures it may be a sign of a
defective case or a truly lethal chamber pressure.
From the Lapua/VV loading guide--
All the loads in this guide are pressure tested according to the C.I.P. method. The maximum loads given in the tables are determined according to the C.I.P. and SAAMI maximum pressure specifications. The listed maximum loads should never be exceeded. Due to the differences in the cartridge components, individual weapons, shooting temperatures etc., always start developing your load by using the starting load according to the loading data. If there is no indication of the starting load, use 15 % lower charge than the listed maximum load as your starting load...Be certain you use the correct data and the specific bullet weight shown.
By staying 5% below the maximum powder charge weight, pressures will be reduced by about 10 % while velocities will be only about 3 % lower than listed.
Caution: When loading handgun cartridges it is vital to
maintain the minimum cartridge overall length (C.O.L.) listed in the tables. Shorter overall lengths may double chamber pressures. Longer lengths are permissible so long as the functioning of the handgun will not be impaired...The values obtained were under carefully controlled conditions and may vary from those obtained with your firearm, specific component lots, loading dimensions, and loading procedures. The maximum charges must NEVER be exceeded. Start loading with the starting load
according to the loading data. If there is no indication
of the starting load, use 15% lower charge than the
listed maximum. When loading cartridges for which the
listed charge is 10 grains or less, after firing 10 rounds at the minimum weight (15 % below maximum), increase charge weights by 0.2 grains and fire another 10 rounds. Repeat this procedure, if necessary, until you reach, but do not exceed, the maximum listed charge. The same process is followed for heavier charges except that charge weights from 11 to 25
grains use increments of 0.5 grains. For charges over 25 grains increments of 1.0 grains will be correct.
If even a single test round shows signs of excessive pressure discontinue the use of the load. Do not fire even a single additional cartridge. Seek qualified help before proceeding! The traditional sign of overpressure is a flattened primer. When flattened primers start to occur, it is a definite warning that the charge should be reduced, quickly. Brass getting into the ejector and extractor cavities is a worse case. Blown out primers are worse still. If a case ruptures it may be a sign of a
defective case or a truly lethal chamber pressure.
