Advice

[Shootier]

New to reloading curious as to where to start my seating depth while finding powder charge? Any advice is welcome my current plan is to find the powder charge the move on to adjusting seating depth I do have both hornandy comparator sets

Thanks for the help

 

[wind gypsy]

Depends on bullet, chamber, mag length, etc.

I typically start at roughly 0.050" off lands if that works with mag length and allows enough bearing surface in the case neck. If that's too long for mags or doesnt leave enough bearing surface in the neck, I seat deeper until it does.

 

[mlevimadden]

Good advice above. I typically start about 0.040 off the lands as well using the same parameters as wind gypsy. I'd advise to at least get close to your planned seating depth before testing powders, as big changes in seating depth will affect your pressure/velocity.

This thread has some good advice in it as well.
https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/painless-load-development-mine.238400/

 

[Sadie]

If magazine length will let me I start at. O10 off the lands.

 

[Sadie]

Otherwise magazine length.

 

[Wrench]

On a hunting gun, I prioritize magazine fit. .05" off the box is pretty safe unless it's a lightweight powerhouse.

Most modern bullets are MUCH more tolerant to seating depth than given credit.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

On a hunting gun, I prioritize magazine fit. .05" off the box is pretty safe unless it's a lightweight powerhouse.

Most modern bullets are MUCH more tolerant to seating depth than given credit.

This has been my practice and experience as well.

 

[sdupontjr]

If your new to reloading, best place to start is the manual. I hate to say it, but knowing your selected caliber's data in the manual will help you a lot. Different powers are sometimes compressed at a certain seating depth while other powders aren't. Don't get caught up in chasing the lands either. I have several rifles that shoot to manual COAL lengths very well. Understanding your cartridge will go a long way in you reloading adventure. Chasing your tail about seating depth, when the bullet, powder and primer recipe selected won't give good results sucks. But you'll have you seating depth right. Just saying.

 

[Dave Thomas]

I do the same as wind gypsy except I start 0.020 off if it fits the mag.

 

[SloppyJ]

I start at 30 and work from there. Trending heavily towards not even messing with it at all these days if it fits the case and magazine.

 

[Luked]

I try and Start at .050 off if the chamber will allow.

 

[skahunter831]

my current plan is to find the powder charge

Read up on the myth that is powder charge "nodes". They don't really exist. Pick a powder, start 5%-10% below book max for your bullet, and see how it shoots. If you get good enough velocity and it groups well (1-1.5 MOA), then you're golden and can start messing with seating depth if you really want. But again, modern bullets really aren't that jump-sensitive. Finding the right combo of barrel + bullet + powder will get you 80-90% of what's achievable. Then work on your shooting. THEN, if you need more precision, you can start messing with other parts of the process.

The VERY first thing to do, though, is to make sure you're using good brass from the same manufacturer and measure your powder accurately (down to the 1/10th grain).

 

[Pharmseller]

Observe closely. The only difference is seating depth.







After determining bullet and powder I start just barely kissing the lands. Then I work backwards (deeper) by 0.04” three times. Berger Bullets recommends this procedure. Somewhere in those four seating depths I find precision.

This is the most outstanding example but the process works for me.

Getting the Best Precision and Accuracy from VLD bullets in Your Rifle

VLD bullets are designed with a secant ogive. This ogive shape allows bullets to be more efficient in flight (retain more velocity = less drop and wind deflection). While this result is desirable for many rifle shooters the secant ogive on the VLD bullets produces another result in many rifle.

bergerbullets.com

 

[Pharmseller]

This was Monday. The first three groups looked similar to this:



The last group was the winner. The first three shot went into the same hole, the fourth shot ruined the group.



Only difference is seating depth. And I know, four shots don’t mean squat to some, but it means a lot to me.