So if you see pressure signs with the nosler manual max data, its still a poor choice? Alot has to do with your barrel. Poor choice for you in Fort McMurray, but maybe not for a guy in New Mexico.

I think reloading skill is something that grows thru experience. I know I learn alot off you guys and other pages. I mean if I was building up a load according to Sierra. Lets say the 308win with a 165 gr gameking and Varget. I would go up to 41.5 grmax. I may not be happy with the velocity. Maybe the accuracy. I would then go up another .5gr. I would carefully check out the case for all indicators. Check my chrony. Maybe consult the many other manuals for simular bullets, like the BT, or Partition, or SST. I see they go up to maybe 46gr. I feel better and find top notch accuracy with 45gr. Not an extractor mark on the shell. All indications say its good.

I just hope new reloader out there doesn't read peoples post and go out and buy the manual with the hottest load, and say its safe.

I have pretty much been using Lyman to do my loading. I do own the Nosler book but have not spent time using their loads.

As an example check out the 165gr loads for the 300win mag and 300wby mag in the nosler manual fourth edition.The fastest load out of the 300wby mag(26" barrel) is producing less than that of the same bullet in the 300win mag(24" barrel).Does it make sense that a larger case with a longer barrel is capable of less velocity?Look at the ridiculous velocities for the 30-378wby in the same manual.They are significantly less that those of even the factory loads.For some reason nosler loads some cartridges to their potential,but loads others extremely mild.

I hear what your saying stubble. Especially about the 7mmSTW with Nosler. But I notice with Krieger barrels, they tend to build pressure quicker than say a factory barrel. In Noslers defense, I can see why some of thier loads are weak. Depends on thier pressure barrel. We as reloaders however should be able to identify a high pressure situation

True,but they also produce more velocity for a given powder charge as a result.The velocity potential with a kreiger barrel is just as good(or better) as with factory barrels,but they do produce this velocity using less powder.

Totally agree stubble. I have however asked the question many times about the STW. It tends to be a special beast in most reloading manuals. Nosler does have it way throttled down. With my sako, I was lucky to get 3050fps 160gr accubond with thier loads. I don't see pressure signs yet, and am considering bumping up the loads a tad. But my accuracy is good and very consistent.

Going to try out 140gr BT and 76-79gr of 7828 soon. Now this is supposed to be a screamer. I hope to achieve 3300fps and accurate load.