Hi gentlemen,

When working up your loads when do you typically call a given charge your maximum charge? When:
  1. Sticky bolt lift
  2. Ejector marks begin to show
  3. Cratered or flattened primers
  4. Other


Or is it a combination of all 3? The reason I ask is because I am working up a load for my 6.5x47 Lapua using Varget, CCI 450 primers and 130 gn Berger VLD's, and around 37 grains the bolt begins to get a little harder to lift, but I see no other signs. I tested all the way to 37.7 grains and still have no flattened primers or ejector marks, but the bolt is still a little tough to lift, although I don't need to karate chop it by any means. I want to squeeze everything I can out of the round, but want to do it safely of course.

Any feedback is appreciated.

Nick