Seating depth - does it even matter?

[huntnful]

OK, this is one way to do it, maybe a little imprecise. Kind of seems like 0.25moa adjustment wasn't applied to the second 2 groups?

The was no shift made between the .110 off and .210 off.

Only the two .010 off groups would see a shift. Since I moved it after I shot the first .010 off group.

Sorry if that doesn’t make sense. But I shot it in a circular pattern. Groups 2-6 had the same setting on the turret. I overlayed group 1 & 6 as if I didn’t dial down 1/2 MOA from the first group.

 

[Packmansion]

The was no shift made between the .110 off and .210 off.

Only the two .010 off groups would see a shift. Since I moved it after I shot the first .010 off group.

Sorry if that doesn’t make sense. But I shot it in a circular pattern. Groups 2-6 had the same setting on the turret. I overlayed group 1 & 6 as if I didn’t dial down 1/2 MOA from the first group.

So it doesn't matter?

 

[huntnful]

So it doesn't matter?

Not much, if at all by my eyes. I’ll keep just putting hybrid bullets up near the lands and testing powders.

 

[Packmansion]

We can finally stop talking about seating depth!!!

 

[huntnful]

We can finally stop talking about seating depth!!!

Wishful thinking hahaha. But I’m glad I tested it to see the lack of difference across a LARGE jump.

 

[JGRaider]

Max mag box length or .02 off has worked for me 99% of the time regardless of the bullet or powder used.

 

[Harvey_NW]

As promised, here’s my extreme seating depth test now that season is over.

Since this barrel was still shooting excellent with my N570 144 Berger load, I didn’t want to burn it up more than necessary doing this, so I switched it over to H1000 just for this test.

So this is a new bullet/powder combo that has never been down this barrel. So a good baseline for testing I think.

I loaded .010 off, .110 off & .210 off. All with 65.5gr. H1000.

Started with a clean barrel, and shot 2 foulers.

View attachment 982378
View attachment 982379


Here’s the groups, labeled in the order that I shot them. I waited 5 minutes in between groups and shot the groups as 5 consecutive shots. I dialed down 1/2 MOA after the first group landed a little high.
View attachment 982380

Here’s the velocity numbers in correlation to each depth as well.
View attachment 982382

30 shots into a 1” cone across .200 seating depth difference and 56fps ES encompassing all 30 shots as well.

Great shooting man, thanks for burning the powder and contributing the data set!

Waiting on a few components and then I'll be doing some testing of my own this winter to add.

 

[huntnful]

Great shooting man, thanks for burning the powder and contributing the data set!

Waiting on a few components and then I'll be doing some testing of my own this winter to add.

Yes sir. Happy to contribute.

Now that I think about it, I’m having a 6 creed chambered, and when it’s done I just like to get 100 pieces shot at mild charges. I can do a larger test while doing that as well.

 

[Harvey_NW]

Yes sir. Happy to contribute.

Now that I think about it, I’m having a 6 creed chambered, and when it’s done I just like to get 100 pieces shot at mild charges. I can do a larger test while doing that as well.

That's exactly my plan, except I doubt it will never be sufficient for the masses because you're not in a powder charge node, or your barrel isn't broke in, etc.