CROSSING THE LINE
In just about every article in relation to reloading in whatever medium of communication and certainly in loading manuals, there is a caution for the new reloader that is inviolate: DO NOT EXCEED MAXIMUM POWDER CHARGES.
In the big scheme of things, it is good, valid advice based on the evidence of fact that without the ability to know exactly what pressure is being developed within a certain cartridge case you are literally groping in the dark. The potential to cross the line into dangerous pressure territory is therefore excellent.
The simple way to prevent this occurring is to never exceed the published maximum powder charge, but exactly which one? Look at ten different manuals for the XYZ cartridge using ABC powder and each maximum load for every projectile is bound to be different. In reality this is not all that difficult to understand when you consider the different projectiles and testing regimes in use, all conducted by different people with different testing equipment. We should also consider the different barrels and their state of wear. As you can see, the differences pile
