What Bullet Seating Depth---Pics Enclosed

[dariof]

Both bullets shown in the pic are for a Savage .223 (.224 diameter).

The bullet on the left & seated to the cannelure is approximately 0.193 from the lands.

The bullet on the right that I slit at the neck to show seating depth is exactly on the lands. It is 0.114 into the neck.

Now, I realize the bullet that is slit at the neck can be pushed down another 0.010 - 0.015 so it is just off the lands. This would make it approximately 0.129 into the neck.

Question....Is 0.129 into the neck seated far enough in?


As a side note, I am using 24.5 grains TAC, which gives me a MV of 2959 with the bullet seated to the cannelure.

 

[Dogtown]

I don't think so. The common rule of thumb on minimum seating depth is one caliber deep.

 

[bruddah]

What bullets are you using?

 

[dariof]

What bullets are you using?

55gr Hornady B/T

 

[MikeInUtah]

Wow. That is a lot of freebore. Is that from a savage chambered barrel?

 

[dariof]

Wow. That is a lot of freebore. Is that from a savage chambered barrel?

Yes. Trophy-Hunter XP completey stock.

The 55gr SP (Hornady) sits almost in the entire neck, and the Berger 70gr VLD is fine.

But this 55gr Hornady B/T only sits .114 in the neck.

 

[ZombieMonkey]

As has already been stated, that's not going to be seated deep enough. You're either going to have to run a lot of freebore with the 55's or step up into the heavier bullets, which it sounds like you've also experimented with.