[SWAMPSNIPER]

It occurred to me that if you don't reload you might not know how much pressure is involved. Thing is when the numbers are already normally high any variation can become a problem. Precision is absolutely vital.

These are STANDARD loads in pounds per square inch.

cup just refers to the type of gauge used to measure, in most cases a crushable copper pellet of known hardness. It is placed in a hole in the chamber against the cartridge case. When the test load is fired it blows out the case wall and crushes the pellet. Measuring the amount the pellet is compressed and doing some math (actually, there are charts) gives you the pressure figure.

Even the old .38 S&W is over 14,000 psi

[SampleMan]

Always interesting how low the published pressures are for 8x57.

I think it’s an American industry nod to the 1888 Commision rifle issues, as European pressures are much higher and the ‘98 actions can handle the higher pressures.