I am not a reloading Jedi like some of you guys. But I never really pay attention to the max loads. I keep adding .5 grains until I see a pressure sign. Then back down a grain or so and write in my max load for my rifle. I usually find my accuracy nodes well under max load though.
I just look at the max loads as a reference point of the upper end per that source. I generally start in the middle for hand guns and work up.
"If our lives are endangered by plots or violence or armed robbers or enemies then every method of protecting ourselves is morally right" -- Cicero
"Governor, I haven't let another man touch my gun since 1861."