Load data. Trying safe not

[Jezzolo AKA Isaac]

sorry.
Im getting loading data. They are listing a max load and are saying reduce 10%. Now it has a starting load of 73 grains of IMR4350 for a 200gr bullet in a .338 win mag. So would a 10% reduced load be 65.7?
Now I see in another manual that the lowest load for that powder/bullet weight is 69. So what gives?

Will shooting 3.3 grains under the lowest load be wise?

Both test barrels are the same length as gun i'm loading for.

[sewerat]

here is a link right to imr's web site with the data on the gun you are looking to load http://www.imrpowder.com/data/rifle/338winmag.php

id say load up with the 73 grs and let em fly

i use to load a 17rem with the max load constantly and never had a problem with it :Wt

[The Baron of Bufflehead]

Every gun is different, so be cautious. Of course, the max loads in the manuals have a pre-engineered factory of safety usually, to account for older guns. Sometimes you can shoot more than the max listed just fine, but be very cautious of that! The best advice is load two cases each of 65 gr, 67 gr, 69 gr, 71 gr, 72 gr, 73 gr. Use the same case, bullet, primer, that you are planning on using. Don't worry about accuracy, you are only testing your guns safe load here. Shoot each, starting with the ower charges first of course. Check for any signs of pressure. Lifted or blown primers and case bulge (i.e. sticky bolt lift) are what you're watching for. Use these loads just to practice banging off rounds, working the bolt (I assume it's a BA?) etc. Don't every worry about hitting paper. After you have done that, you will know if your gun can handle the "max" loads with the particular components being used. If you see lifted primers at say 72gr, your max is 71. Once you determine your max safe load, you can go back to the bench and load rounds for actual accuracy checks.

That's a real super safe method. If you want to follow the advice to load the max and let fly, best to wear safety goggles and stand well behind someguy you don't like, while he tries the load out.:rf:

[Quacker-Wacker]

You got that right Barron.:uh: