bullet seating question

[LorenaF]

sorry for all the questions I'm trying to get a quick grasp on this.
How do I know how to seat the bullet at different clearances from the lands? For instance I see "seated .40" off the lands"

 

[stingrayguy]

Re: bullet seating question

I would advise you to get a Hornady OAL gauge, they can be had for about $40. Very easy to use and understand. With that tool you will be able to measure your chamber with the bullet you will load with.

 

[beercow]

Re: bullet seating question

I agree with stingrayguy. You should get a Hornady OAL gauge. It's the best way to go.

But... an alternative but less precise method would be to seat a bullet in an unprimered/unpowdered case so that it is not tight but snug. Then chamber the round and measure the coal or if you have a comparator, measure to the ogive. I would do this multiple times to get an average. From this you would have the required coal to be seated at the lands or the distance to the lands itself. Then subtract whatever distance so that you are x away from the lands. Be sure to work up from minimum loads.

 

[LorenaF]

Re: bullet seating question

what would be a good starting distance or what is considered standard?

 

[427Cobra]

Re: bullet seating question

depends on the chamber and the bullet, if this is a stock rifle I recommend sticking with SMKs because they are extremely jump tolerant

 

[LorenaF]

Re: bullet seating question

by "jump tolerant" are you talking about the jump to the lands??

 

[427Cobra]

Re: bullet seating question

Yes

 

[l115a3]

Re: bullet seating question

I got the different number from Hornardy OAL Guage.

My measure are followings; (Touch the Land)

168 SMK
Based to Ogive = 2.245"
COAL = 2.815"

168 Hybrid
Based to Ogive = 2.248"
COAL = 2.945"

175 LRBT
Based to Ogive = 2.275"
COAL = 2.945"


So, different bullet brand or Lot will have the different number of Seating Depth?

 

[Aimsmall55]

Re: bullet seating question

With the smks, lot to lot differences will vary somewhat. That is why you load to ogive. Just write down your measurements from what shot best based on your ogive readings and continue to load the same. For example, a lot coal = 2.825 tip to head. Your ogive you know needs to be 2.236" seated. You load those and run out. Then you buy another lot and look at your data. You know 2.236". Take out your comparator and caliper, adjust your die and load. That simple

 

[l115a3]

Re: bullet seating question

Thanks for your comment.

Thus make me always purchase bullet in Bulk Pack with the same lot number.

My last purchase was 175 SMK (500 pcs) for 3 bulks.

I also prefer the same lot number for Berger Bullet due to their package was too small. Hope they will available in 500 or 1000 bulk.