Seating depth question

[quartermaster]

I have a 270 WSM that I would like to try 150 gr bullets in. Currently I am shooting 130 VLD hunting which shoots pretty decently, but I’m not overly happy with the terminal performance. In working up my loads, I have used 130 gr BTs and Sierra GKs, but my rifle wasn’t crazy for either, accuracy wise despite trying all kind of variations. Not that they awful, but I want less than MOA.
I bought a couple of boxes of 150 gr, 1@ from different mfg’s, but upon seating them touching the lands, the heal of the bullet is well in the case body beyond the neck/shoulder junction. I never like to do this, but can’t say that I really ever gave this scenario a decent try.
So as to not waste my time and components, I was wondering if anyone was able to get accuracy in doing this. I realize I am using up case capacity, but looking for accuracy over velocity.
Would appreciate any input from anyone has loaded in this manner.
Thanks in advance
QM

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Do you have a magazine length restriction? Not a 270wsm, 7saum with 150 etip needs/likes deeper seating.

 

[K22]

I assume given the caliber you are shooting that you are not a benchrest or long-range F class type shooter.

I have never nor will I ever seat bullets closer than .010" from the lands and often more than that if necessary to fit the magazine and / or to have sufficient bullet length inside the case neck to provide adequate bullet tension. Typical guidance on this depth is one bullet diameter minimum minus the boat tail portion.

There is absolutely no reason in my opinion to seat a bullet close to the lands for of a high-performance hunting cartridge or for that matter any cartridge intended for hunting or general use.

I know many may disagree with the aforementioned position and that' fine but I consider safety and reliability very important. You don't want to have a bullet stick in the lands when you eject a live cartridge, and you are many miles away from your truck or create a high-pressure surge from the bullet being forced into the lands.

 

[quartermaster]

Wasn’t going to fire them touching the land. Just wanted to see how far in the case they were at that point. Bullet is pretty deep in the case. Just wondering if anyone had luck with accuracy doing so.

 

[quartermaster]

Mo magazine. It’s a Rem 700 with floorplate

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

The Nosler 140 AB suggested coal is 2.850 for the 270 wsm, how does that compare to your loads length you have tested.

 

[quartermaster]

Do you have a magazine length restriction? Not a 270wsm, 7saum with 150 etip needs/likes deeper seating. View attachment 1531665

So you have decent accuracy seated that deep?

 

[quartermaster]

The Nosler 140 AB suggested coal is 2.850 for the 270 wsm, how does that compare to your loads length you have tested.

Haven’t loaded any yet. Just not happy with so much bullet in the case

 

[quartermaster]

Haven’t loaded any yet. Just not happy with so much bullet in the case

Don’t have any 140ABs to check

 

[Eagle Six]

I wouldn't look at it as wasting components rather an adventure to satisfy my goal. I would work up the load as usual. If I could reach touch I would start there. I have never loaded the 270 WSM, but have loaded the 308 which extended into and past the shoulder junction because of magazine feed length restriction. Precision was good but velocity was below my goal. Feeding single rounds I seated the bullet out and gained the velocity, but bottom line for my goals the combination didn't work out. Hopefully someone else with have experience with your combination.

 

[Eagle Six]

Also I would not be concerned with hunting loads that touched the lands. I wouldn't want to jam them. There is a huge difference in them tiny little lines between touch and jam (for whatever amount) and the lands are never going to get any closer to the throat. A bullet isn't going to hang and pull out of the case from just touch. I may back off from touch 1 or 2 thousands to allow for any variation in bullet ogive consistency.

 

[ShtrRdy]

Seating the bearing surface of a bullet below the body-shoulder junction isn't going to cause a problem as long as a donut isn't formed inside the neck.

 

[JFrank]

Don’t have any 140ABs to check

You may want to find some, we shoot 140AB over H4831sc with outstanding accuracy and DRT critters. Seated to magazine length.

 

[Straightshooter1]

Seating the bearing surface of a bullet below the body-shoulder junction isn't going to cause a problem as long as a donut isn't formed inside the neck.

Just an FYI about donuts:

It doesn't take long for a donut to form. For example, for my 6.5 PRC brass (always FL sized) with 4 firings, I've got a donut thickness of ~ .0005. The the brass with 14 firings, the donut thickness is at .002". How do I know? Gauge pins were used to measure the inside diameter of the necks.

For me, the donut is not an issue as all my cartridges are loaded with the bearing surface above it. Though I haven't tested it, and don't intent to due to the amount of components it'd take to find out, I'd think a donut of .002 could very well have an effect on accuracy, but not enough for most shooter's general purposes.

 

[quartermaster]

You may want to find some, we shoot 140AB over H4831sc with outstanding accuracy and DRT critters. Seated to magazine length.

What do you shoot them in? The neck on my 270WSM is only .243 long, so long bullets are well below the shoulder/body

 

[JFrank]

What do you shoot them in? The neck on my 270WSM is only .243 long, so long bullets are well below the shoulder/body

We shoot two different 270 wsm rifles up here. Savage & Whinchester, both loaded at magazine length and both very accurate. I haven’t concerned myself with how much bullet is below the NSJ only the target. When they shoot just outside a small coin at 200 yards I’m good.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

I'm not done testing, but the "most" accurate load according to Nosler data was well under 1" at 100 yards(powder/charge weight. Now I'm playing with seating. I'm seating out(longer coal) from Nosler suggested length. I think I'm close, need a nice day from the 300 yard line to confirm. If it holds .5 moa, I'll call it good since its a hunting rifle.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

The Berger 130 vld is actually a "short " bullet, as with most bullets, bullets get much longer(oal) as the weight of the bullet increases. Most of the additional weight/length is in the rear, often more bt.

 

[quartermaster]

Well, I shot it today and it shoots pretty good with the VLDs, better than I remember. Around 3/4”. I just ordered 2 boxes of Sierra pro hunters. We’ll see how they shoot. They are flat base, so I bet they will be accurate. This is a Remington factory rifle, Boone and Crocket special run, with a skinny fluted barrel. It is a hunting rifle for me, so the VLDs are accurate enough for me, but not sure if I care for the terminal performance that I have experienced. To be fair, I have only shot 2 deer with the VLDs. Most of the time with my other rifles, I use ABs or BTs, or if they don’t shoot, I will try Hornady or these VLDs. Something will always work.
i guess sometimes I expect too much accuracy after shooting my custom rifles.

 

[quartermaster]

BTW, i paid $45/box for the Pro Hunters. That’s crazy!