Back when I loaded that bullet and that powder I used 12.5 grains and got excellent accuracy and mild recoil. It was not a max load by any means but shot very accurately and knocked the rams over in NRA silhouette competition with authority. I shot one deer with it and didn't get much expansion at all. Still it killed the buck within sight of me so no blood trail needed. Good thing too as the bullet was under the hide on the far side it didn't exit.