Seating depth - does it even matter?

"I’ve yet to see any respected expert who is familiar with statistics claim that a 3-shot group is adequate to quantify a rifle’s precision. In fact, after rigorous statistical analysis, Ballistipedia.com says, “If you’re shooting 3-shot groups … then you are wasting bullets.” While many keyboard snipers love to cite how tiny their 3-shot groups are, they often fail to mention that their groups impacted at different spots on the target. The exact center of each bughole shifts around a bit relative to the point of aim. Again, let’s refer to MacDonald’s illustration below and we can see that the 5-shot groups on the left are each smaller than the composite group in the overlay, but we can also notice that the center of each of the 5-shot groups’ shifts around slightly."

Great article on testing:
 
I'm not watching a 1 hour interpretive dance about reloading. Id recommend you watch the Hornady video on this. It’s based on a study with a substantial body of data from their engineers.
Hornady is absolutely correct that seating depth isn’t as critical with their bullets because their quality control is so shitty that it doesn’t matter.
On the other hand, it will be a revelation when you use some Berger bullets in a custom barrel, their consistency will show you exactly what’s going on
 
Hornady is absolutely correct that seating depth isn’t as critical with their bullets because their quality control is so shitty that it doesn’t matter.
On the other hand, it will be a revelation when you use some Berger bullets in a custom barrel, their consistency will show you exactly what’s going on
Are we still talking 3 shot groups?
 
Hornady is absolutely correct that seating depth isn’t as critical with their bullets because their quality control is so shitty that it doesn’t matter.
On the other hand, it will be a revelation when you use some Berger bullets in a custom barrel, their consistency will show you exactly what’s going on
Let's not forget hornady is asking you to use a lot of their product to prove you're super average.
 
This was a great watch for sure. Some interesting numbers! Take away from it what you wish 👍



My takeaways:

1. This is a 20lb+ straight shank barreled F class rifle with a smaller cartridge, shot by a shooter with a wall of medals. If I think my 10lb magnum rifle will shoot the same, I'm wrong. And if I think I will see the minute differences that he is seeing, I'm wrong as well probably.

2. Average 5 shot groups of .41-.46". The "best" 5 shot group seating depth shot from a .25" group to a .63" group.

3. Once groups were taken to a sample of 33 shots, the WORST small sample size depth, actually became the best, most stable load.

4. From "worst" to "best", the variation is about 10%. I put those in quotations because you can switch sample sizes around and also vary which one is the worst or the best.

5. After 100 rounds of seating depth testing, he almost came to an inconclusive result.



Interesting test for sure. Also why I quit messing with seating depth so much. It'd take me 500 freaking rounds to legitimately prove a 10% change in group size with a magnum rifle. And taking a group from a .7 to a .6 isn't going to kill me any extra animals until you get a LONG ways out.
 
Pretty simple process. The target tells the story. Shoot a graph. Level velocity then tune depth. On a graph your impact will shrink and grow with depth. Usually have a .006 window. Its not rocket science. Your picking a frequency with a area in a frequency your able to adjust repeatedly from…pretty straightforward. Everything has energy and a frequency. Your choice within, the paper shows your shape, 3 shot groups are all thats needed to show shape. A clover is ideal and shows your on the right track with everything done well for your components. Level velocity, not vertical, not horizontal, not double grouping, just a nice one hole or small clover. All of your brass prep needs to be done in a redundant manner to achieve this to be relevant. Seating depth allows a 3/8” group be 1/8” or smaller or bigger. Can you drive your rifle that well to have meaningful data? Only your targets will tell you. A lot of ways to skin this cat…. Regardless of what your practice or opinion is we can achieve results that are found in different ways. The key is to repeat over the life of barrel. That mileage may vary…Good luck.
 
Back
Top