do you load to max?

[Adam Helmer]

hofts,

Well, first you need to define what your mean by "MAX." I began reloading in 1958 and bought updated reloading manuals every few years and noticed the "Max" loads seemed to decline in later manuals. In fact some of my former mid-range loads are at or over "Max" where they used to be midrange years ago with the same components.

When I reload, I let the gun "tell" me when I am at the accuracy load and record same for future reloading. Most of my accuracy loads are below the published maximums. I prefer accuracy because all the power a cartridge can generate is useless if I cannot hit the target. We are only talking a few hundred fps and the deer never know the difference. Cases last longer and the groups are tight, so that is why I rarely load to the MAX.

Adam