I worked up a load last June for my 686 using Lyman data, 2400, and Hornady 140gr xtp. Max was 16.5gr. I started at 14.5 and worked up. All shot well then. No bad pressure signs so i loaded up 70 pcs with 16.0.

I just picked up a nice 66 2.5 last week and took it to the range today. I took along the 686 just to compare the recoil. I loaded them both with some factory 158gr factory Blasers to compare. The recoil on the 66 was harsh but manageable.

I dropped a cylinder full of the reloads in both and went to the line. The first one I touched off with the 686 really surprised me. Recoil and noise was substantially greater than the factories. Enough to make me stop and check out the case. The primer was cratered showing flow back into the firing pin hole. I packed them up and came home.

I got on Alliant's website and found that their max load for 2400 with a 140gr jacketed bullet is 15.1gr. ***?? That's like a 9% difference.

Lesson learned. Consult more than one source.