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It's safe to load any charge you want, as long as, like you stated, shoot the lower charges first until you see pressure signs and are ready to pull the bullets that you know would be to hotv (if in fact, pressure signs are observed).
I'd definitely shoot 10 rounds of each charge at a single target. I'd highly recommend resting your wrists on something such as a backpack, sandbag or shooting bag. Doing an accuracy test involves taking as much human error out of the equation as possible. Generally, max charges are fine, but you will notice a little more pep in the recoil.
Do you have ammo boxes? I have 50 round boxes and I put a piece of masking tape with the charge written on it, in the inside of the lid, that corresponds to the rounds. 10 shots are fine. Sometimes I do 20 rounds at 2 different targets, just so I'm not at the range just for 20 minutes. Plus, more definitive results are always better.
By the way, I've found that listed OALs are usually on the short side. You should seat just deep enough, that the bullet isn't touching the rifling at all. You should be able to put a loaded round in your chamber (barrel removed from pistol) and be able to spin it freely by hand. This tells you your rounds aren't too long as well as that the flare is adequately removed. I've noticed slightly less recoil from just 0.015" difference in seating depth. It's up to you for what your accuracy standards are, compared to factory ammo. If velocity is important to you, get a chronograph and load the hottest charge that meets your accuracy standards, and isn't overpressured.
I'd definitely shoot 10 rounds of each charge at a single target. I'd highly recommend resting your wrists on something such as a backpack, sandbag or shooting bag. Doing an accuracy test involves taking as much human error out of the equation as possible. Generally, max charges are fine, but you will notice a little more pep in the recoil.
Do you have ammo boxes? I have 50 round boxes and I put a piece of masking tape with the charge written on it, in the inside of the lid, that corresponds to the rounds. 10 shots are fine. Sometimes I do 20 rounds at 2 different targets, just so I'm not at the range just for 20 minutes. Plus, more definitive results are always better.
By the way, I've found that listed OALs are usually on the short side. You should seat just deep enough, that the bullet isn't touching the rifling at all. You should be able to put a loaded round in your chamber (barrel removed from pistol) and be able to spin it freely by hand. This tells you your rounds aren't too long as well as that the flare is adequately removed. I've noticed slightly less recoil from just 0.015" difference in seating depth. It's up to you for what your accuracy standards are, compared to factory ammo. If velocity is important to you, get a chronograph and load the hottest charge that meets your accuracy standards, and isn't overpressured.
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