Compressed loads

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I'm currently working on some 300 Weatherby loads with imr7828 and book max is listed as 86gr for a 180 grain bullet. Looking in the higher load cases I see it fills the case right to the of the bottom of the neck. Is this cause for concern? Coal of loads is 3.560 which is as long as I can get into my magazine
 
Well, most magnums will only give their best accuracy and consistency with near max or right on max loads.

Back in the day, when I suffered from magnumitis I strived to find a powder that filled up the case completely, to the base of the bullet, even if it was slightly compressed. This, IMHO, led to far more consistent velocities and accuracy. This also seems to be the case with intermediate cartridges.

All of this might just be my imagination as well. I will say, all of my rifles behave best with slightly compressed loads as a rule of thumb. There comes a point though where to much compression can be a problem. Especially with faster powders.
 
[Insert all the safety stuff and caution of working up gradually regardless of whatever loading data, etc...]

There's compressed...then there's crushed. Compressed loads are ok if you're working up to them gradually. But if you're seating really long bullets take care that you're not actually crushing/breaking a lot of the power (you'll hear a bit anyways). You might find odd pressure changes if you're breaking a lot of power in an overly compressed load.

Take care also if you're working up load now...then shooting the same later when the weather warms up. Other than that I've never had serious negative issues with compressed loads.
 
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