How much (little) bullet can/should be in case neck?

[CT10ring]

I have an older 220 Swift; re-measured jump recently after not using for years with a Hornady tool to check seating depth rifling engagement :

tool shows bullet hit lands @ 2.820" with a 52g Berger Varm Match bullet -- which places my bullet...out of the case.

So I loaded at 2.800", and tested as single shot load.
got a terrific (best) group, but the bullet is only .100" into case neck . Good tension .003"

I'm inclined to load em'. I usually like a/the bullet seated about halfway down neck...

thoughts?

 

[spclark]

...got a terrific (best) group....

I think you’ve got a good answer to your question already.

(You’ve read this Bulletin essay, yes?)

 

[Prose]

Loaded as a single shot you should have no issues safety wise.

 

[CT10ring]

I think you’ve got a good answer to your question already.

(You’ve read this Bulletin essay, yes?)

no, had not seen this amazing, the targets are the proof... thanks!

 

[T-shooter]

I have set them out this far with no noticeable problems in a bolt action.

 

[LA50SHOOTER]

I have an older 220 Swift; re-measured jump recently after not using for years with a Hornady tool to check seating depth rifling engagement :

tool shows bullet hit lands @ 2.820" with a 52g Berger Varm Match bullet -- which places my bullet...out of the case.

So I loaded at 2.800", and tested as single shot load.
got a terrific (best) group, but the bullet is only .100" into case neck . Good tension .003"

I'm inclined to load em'. I usually like a/the bullet seated about halfway down neck...

thoughts?

View attachment 1039780

I've run the Berger 200 gr. 200-20X in a 300 WSM that was seated 0.060 deep (because it's throated for the 210 hybrids) and shot some pretty small groups. - I can't see any reason you can't run your Swift the way you've described.

- Ron -

 

[swd]

Shoot em', nothing to worry about.

 

[T-shooter]

Another thought, if you have a runout gauge. Take a round that is straight and chamber it, then carefully remove to see if it gets out of alignment.

 

[Bart B.]

There's really only two basic standards for any bullet seating depth in case mouths....

One for reliable feeding from magazines.

Another for best accuracy single loaded and unloaded.

In between those typically compromises something.

 

[Murray Brook]

I loaded my 7mm/08 long so as to maintain the .010 off the lands relationship for a few years. I had no problems as long as they were single loaded. I kept doing this ,going longer as the throat moved till there just wasn't enough bullet in the case to get the inital pressure up enough to seal the chamber properly.

 

[STS]

I've had situations with as little a .050 in the neck that shot just fine.

 

[CT10ring]

Another thought, if you have a runout gauge. Take a round that is straight and chamber it, then carefully remove to see if it gets out of alignment.

Good idea. I have a concentricity gauge. Think I used last to measure runout + then use info to inside ream necked down 22BR brass.
But. As neck tension here (220 Swift) is on the high/tight side for a bolt (.003) and single loads do not hit the feed ramp with much force, I will not use runout gauge...as the prior results were OK. tmi=stress. sometimes.

 

[CT10ring]

I loaded my 7mm/08 long so as to maintain the .010 off the lands relationship for a few years. I had no problems as long as they were single loaded. I kept doing this ,going longer as the throat moved till there just wasn't enough bullet in the case to get the inital pressure up enough to seal the chamber properly.

makes sense. and then you set back barrel? new barrel?

 

[CT10ring]

Unrelated but interesting - I'm using RL 15 & CCI BR-2 primers from 8 years ago. and they are both as new.
Shot 5,000+ rounds with 2010-2012 powder VV, RL, IMR, Hodgdon Bolt + AR in Sept, Oct last year with superb results. 2 misfires / primers did not ignite.

 

[Murray Brook]

makes sense. and then you set back barrel? new barrel?

I replaced the barrel,I find this the most cost effective thing to do unless you can set the barrel back yourself.

 

[snert]

I have an older 220 Swift; re-measured jump recently after not using for years with a Hornady tool to check seating depth rifling engagement :

tool shows bullet hit lands @ 2.820" with a 52g Berger Varm Match bullet -- which places my bullet...out of the case.

So I loaded at 2.800", and tested as single shot load.
got a terrific (best) group, but the bullet is only .100" into case neck . Good tension .003"

I'm inclined to load em'. I usually like a/the bullet seated about halfway down neck...

thoughts?

View attachment 1039780

I have a swift that still shoots pretty good and if I tried to reach the lands I would have to drop the bullet in then put in the cartridge!

If it shoots, and you don't get it stuck in the lands in a dirty barrel and pull an unfired case out, leaving the bullet, no issues! Shoot it!

And BTW, thanks for the photo...as I looked hard at that swift case and the "ring" above/top of the web. Mine does the same and since none of my friends shoot a swift i have not been able to compare appearance of fired cases. Mine does the same thing.

 

[CT10ring]

And BTW, thanks for the photo...as I looked hard at that swift case and the "ring" above/top of the web. Mine does the same and since none of my friends shoot a swift i have not been able to compare appearance of fired cases. Mine does the same thing.[/QUOTE]

The ring on brass in the photos is where the Redding f/l die ceases to reform the brass - it is "etched/scratched" a bit from the (not too polished) die, even w/ lube. I check all w a Wilson gauge. Also took out firing pin & checked die shoulder setback in the chamber so a touch of pressure when bolt closes and cams over. Seems almost factory rifles have long throats, maybe the pressure possible w the swift was
the reason for a really long throat.

 

[CT10ring]

I replaced the barrel,I find this the most cost effective thing to do unless you can set the barrel back yourself.

barrel - agreed, but I like using a 1974-built rifle with an "obsolete" cartridge from 1935 that shoots so well.

 

[243winxb]

If the bullet moves to soon on primer firing. Strange thinks can happen.

 

[Murray Brook]

243winxb
That is just what happens when the pressure is to low starting due to not enough bullet in the case or to low a charge. The case doesn't seal the chamber and the pressure collapses the case. At least that is what was begining to happen to me in my 7/08.