do you load to max?

[Freebore]

hofts,
Yes, just below max. I load my rifles to shoot a given bullet at a given velocity. I go thru many powders trying to attain this within a given cartridge. I abandon the bullet or even the rifle for that matter if I don't achieve the results I'm looking for.
Yes dead is dead. Either with a 300 mag or a 308. I like to know exactly what my rifles are capable of doing performance wise. Be it my BIG 30 beyond 500 or my 7mm-08 in the woods between the trees at 225.
Pressure and temperature are a MUST factor when loading. My Swift on 90 deg days does not like the same load used on the 60 deg day.
You are the one that needs to decide at what level you want your rifle perform and don't go to the unknown zone trying to get beyond a particular cartridge. That's my they make so many different cartridges. For us reloading to go get another rifle (or have one made). That the best part of reloading, finding the right combo for YOUR rifle.!