Bullet Seating For the .338 Lapua Magnum

[mdslammer]

Hello,

I'm just starting to reload for my .338 Lapua. I will be using
Lapua brass, Fed. 215M primers, a few different poweders to see
which one(s) fair the best for my rifle and both 250gr. and 300gr. bullets.

My question is how far off the lands should I start seating
the bullet? What's a good place to start and what is the
closest I should get to the lands?

Thanks.

Mark

 

[Mr Joshua]

Re: Bullet Seating For the .338 Lapua Magnum

I just used the typical .020" off lands to start. Keep in mind if that's longer than mag length, you have no choice but to seat to mag length.

 

[mdslammer]

Re: Bullet Seating For the .338 Lapua Magnum

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MR JOSHUA</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I just used the typical .020" off lands to start. Keep in mind if that's longer than mag length, you have no choice but to seat to mag length. </div></div>

OK .020 off the lands to start is good. What about the closest you'd seat and how does the distance from .020 to say .005 effect the bullet?

 

[Mr Joshua]

Re: Bullet Seating For the .338 Lapua Magnum

Every rifle is different. Using the lowest charge weight slowly move the projectile towards the lands and see what the rifle prefers. Then you can start to work up your load. Don't forget to watch for signs of pressure. My rifle shot well with the .020 jump so I left it alone and went straight into the load development.

 

[aloreman]

Re: Bullet Seating For the .338 Lapua Magnum

Start with the bullet jammed into the lands as that is where your pressure will be its highest. Then when you find your ideal powder charge shoot groups of 5 and back it out .005 at a time till it shoots best

 

[E. Bryant]

Re: Bullet Seating For the .338 Lapua Magnum

Start by measuring the max COAL allowed by your magazine. That may be the most significant factor in bullet seating depth.