Originally Posted by
The Lord Flashheart
New powder techonology does modify the adage of "Speed equals pressure" somewhat.
A topical example is why I have switched from H4350 to RL17 in the 3006.
The through-grain burn rate modifiers mean that whilst peak pressure may be the same as a equivalent load with H4350, the sustained pressure is greater and "push" on the bullet being proportional to the area under the pressure/time curve means greater velocity for no increase in pressue.
A friend had a few load professionaly pressure tested by ADI's lab in Australia and they bore these results out.
I believe the best indication of whether you are loading to excess pressure is the brass, if it doesn't last long reduce your load or buy lapua brass.
If you are still getting short case life with lapua brass then please don't shoot next to me! :D