[Zak Smith]

Can some of you critique my method as far as safety and prudence goes?

I think this was reasonably safe, because I:

1. started well below the published data (6.4), and only the 7.4 point exceeded published maximums by 0.1gr.
2. shot them in a gun known to handle full-power 9mm.
3. used new cases and carefully monitored OAL.
4. worked upwards, first noting anything that "sounded" or "felt" much different than existing +P rounds.
5. noted the velocity plot didn't level off, which often happens when you're approaching the top.
6. noted the velocities achieved matched the "expected" published values with less than 1% variance.
7. did this whole experiment with a "slower" powder
8. examined the fired cases after each "string" to look for really bad signs such as pierced primers, really flat primers, or excessive bulging.

Ideally, I'd like to be able to measure pressure and wouldn't have to guess, but that's beyond what is feasible.

Thanks
Zak