Manuals are GUIDES not absolutes...tell me which load you'd consider as a MAX book load.. Win. 270, 130 gr bullet, 59.4 grs. RL 19 AOL 3.210... OR 270 Win. 130 gr bullet 53.5 grs. RL 19 AOL 3.300....My answer is your combo will tell you whats MAX....edit to add: There are several cartridges that were (6.5 x 284 for eg.) or are wildcats that may have 1 manuals starting loads 3-4 grs. higher than another manuals MAX load. You need to be safe ,work up, but a manuals "listed" MAX means didleysquat in YOUR firearm. You may be WELL under or WELL over any given book loads, BUT IT'S YOUR GUN THAT GOING TO TELL WHAT'S WHAT (higher or lower).
'Amen' to that. 'Published maximum' isn't necessarily safe, either, and the same general observation applies to internal ballistics programs like QL. I worked up loads for my 6.5 Grendel this past weekend using AA2460. I encountered pressure signs well below the published maximum load. One should not look for shortcuts when one is dealing with 50K PSI+ just inches away from one's face. Be safe, y'all!