Seating depth - does it even matter?

[willfrye027]

The numbers aren’t important. The point is, on this particular rifle, a few thou in seating depth matters a lot in accuracy

Would you consider shooting a 10-15 shot group? And compare that to any random seating depth, also a 10-15 shot group? Might surprise you

 

[bmart2622]

^^^^Guessing the difference will be miniscule. With that being said I also wouldn't mess with that load

 

[Jhaury7]

^^^^Guessing the difference will be miniscule. With that being said I also wouldn't mess with that load

I’m not gonna, I’m gonna kill elk with it and chase the throat that grows a thou every 10 shots haha

 

[Jhaury7]

Would you consider shooting a 10-15 shot group? And compare that to any random seating depth, also a 10-15 shot group? Might surprise you

I might shoot a 10 for ya. Not gonna be anytime soon though. Too busy

 

[bmart2622]

I’m not gonna, I’m gonna kill elk with it and chase the throat that grows a thou every 10 shots haha

Does it really erode that much with N570?

 

[JP100]

This guy here has done alot of testing with it, nd it seems it doesn't matter much.

I started loading to mag length and not worrying about it a few years ago. Made things way easier, nd still get good shooting loads

 

[Jhaury7]

Does it really erode that much with N570?

Yeah it’s pretty bad. It’s a half grain under pressure though is the reason. But the numbers down range are amazing and that’s what I was aiming for with this build

 

[bmart2622]

I just started working up a load for 2 rifles with it since I couldn't get my hands on more Retumbo

 

[Jhaury7]

I get about 100 fps with n570 over h1000 and consistent across temperature. Normally I’d pick h1000 for throat life but I got greedy with this rifle

 

[bmart2622]

Ive found H1000 to produce lower velocities as well

 

[Harvey_NW]

I get about 100 fps with n570 over h1000 and consistent across temperature. Normally I’d pick h1000 for throat life but I got greedy with this rifle

I'm testing Ramshot LRT in 28 Nosler right now and so far I'm liking the results. 88gr produced no pressure signs and avg 3070fps with 180 VLD. I could probably rod it a little harder but I don't care to ride pressure.

 

[bmart2622]

I might try some LRT in my ultra mag and try Magnum in my boys win mag again

 

[Harvey_NW]

I might try some LRT in my ultra mag and try Magnum in my boys win mag again

I updated my thread on 28 Nosler loads and will continue posting results there. Groups are looking better but this morning I shot my last 7 pcs of new brass, and they were the worst. About .003" variance in headspace and dents in the walls, so ES was WILD. 90 FPS, but they were pretty banged up, so I'm looking forward to shooting formed and properly sized brass.

 

[bmart2622]

What other powders did you try?

 

[willfrye027]

Yeah it’s pretty bad. It’s a half grain under pressure though is the reason. But the numbers down range are amazing and that’s what I was aiming for with this build

Hear you on that one. I did extensive load workup on my old 25 creedmoor barrel and couldn’t bring myself to abandon the load..new barrel is on and shooting great with zero seating depth testing

 

[Jhaury7]

I'm testing Ramshot LRT in 28 Nosler right now and so far I'm liking the results. 88gr produced no pressure signs and avg 3070fps with 180 VLD. I could probably rod it a little harder but I don't care to ride pressure.

That’s a killer. Any testing with 195s? The only reason I didn’t go with a 28 Nosler on this build was I haven’t heard 3200 with 195s in a 28 Nosler. For some greedy reason, I wanted 3200

 

[Harvey_NW]

What other powders did you try?

H1000 pressured out early and I'd rather save it for a 7 PRC once I can get my hands on some Peterson brass, so I tried H50BMG and groups were pretty erratic and had issues with pressure with different primers, so I came across 9 lbs of LRT and found quite a few posts on forums that it works well in big magnums. I hate component shortages..

That’s a killer. Any testing with 195s? The only reason I didn’t go with a 28 Nosler on this build was I haven’t heard 3200 with 195s in a 28 Nosler. For some greedy reason, I wanted 3200

Unfortunately no, I bought this rifle used and the original owner had impressive results with Retumbo and 195's, go figure . I haven't found 195's in stock in over a year and I'd rather take it easy on the throat and shoot a 180 I can get pretty readily. But I'm a sinner, I shoot animals with match bullets, lol!

 

[Go West Old Man]

The numbers aren’t important. The point is, on this particular rifle, a few thou in seating depth matters a lot in accuracy

@Jhaury7 , how many seating depth groups (3 each?) did you fire or test before arriving at your chosen, best seating depth at 3.116 ? Also, what was your determined starting point…., i.e. mag length, touching lands, jam, etc.? No criticism at all, just curious as to the extent of your dedicated testing which obviously is admirable.

 

[Jhaury7]

I do a charge test in .5 gr increments up to pressure 2 thou off the lands, then an OCW at 2 thou off the lands, in this particular case it shot around a 5/8” average at 2 thou off so I worked away from the lands in .002 increments. The groups tightened up between .006-.008 off the lands and then started opening up again after that.

 

[Go West Old Man]

I do a charge test in .5 gr increments up to pressure 2 thou off the lands, then an OCW at 2 thou off the lands, in this particular case it shot around a 5/8” average at 2 thou off so I worked away from the lands in .002 increments. The groups tightened up between .006-.008 off the lands and then started opening up again after that.

3-4 groups to get to your selected seating depth. . That’s great.

This is the task before me soon. I already have my powder load determined. I just have this anxiety about shooting through an huge, enormous number of groups at .002 or .003 increments before finding the right seating depth.