I've had a 17" (counting brake) SSK 35 Whelen Encore pistol barrel since April 2005 that I'm loading 56.0grs of Varget under a Hornady 180gr SSP with a CCI BR-2 primer that shoots extremely well....loads have not been run over a chrony.

I did go both under and over 56.0grs when working up the above load but with some of the harder thumping cartridges, in a pistol length barrel that I've had (338-06 & 45-70), I have a tendency to go with a load that I feel will get the job done that also shows extremely good accuracy and is somewhat user friendly....as opposed to going for published max charge / velocity loads.

Ike