Amount of bullet in case neck ?

[rr2030]

I am chasing the rifling on my Rem 700 in 22-250. My load forever has been 55FB Berger, 36gr Varget, CCI BR-2 and .012" off the rifling. Well the .012 off the rifling has been gone for the past 800 to 1000 rounds. I have about .135" of the bullet in the case and they to my amazement still shoot ~1/2 MOA. They are concentric but if I drop one its usually a barrel fowler if I don't feel like reseating it. My question is what is the rule of thumb for how much bullet is the minimum that should be seated in the case. I have always gone with the bullet diameter as minimum except here I know I need a new barrel but it still shoots well. I would like to bore scope it but I know the writing is on the wall, Bore scope is on the birthday wish list but I fear bore scoping it would be like having LASIK surgery, then with new eyes, discovering your girl friend is really ugly.

 

[JRS]

Evidently, just enough to hold it in place.

 

[Boatschool02]

Sierra Tech support will tell you 80% of the caliber as a general guideline.
I loaded some 22-250 for a buddy that required less than 0.100 in the neck to reach the lands and, much like your experience, it shot lights out with everything I tried.
Assuming sufficient neck tension, I'd say give it a good cleaning, remeasure, adjust and keep shooting.
The barrel will tell you when it's spent either on grouping or fouling.
-
Yes, adding a bore scope is like opening Pandora's box. You can't un-see it.

 

[oldduc]

I am chasing the rifling on my Rem 700 in 22-250. My load forever has been 55FB Berger, 36gr Varget, CCI BR-2 and .012" off the rifling. Well the .012 off the rifling has been gone for the past 800 to 1000 rounds. I have about .135" of the bullet in the case and they to my amazement still shoot ~1/2 MOA. They are concentric but if I drop one its usually a barrel fowler if I don't feel like reseating it. My question is what is the rule of thumb for how much bullet is the minimum that should be seated in the case. I have always gone with the bullet diameter as minimum except here I know I need a new barrel but it still shoots well. I would like to bore scope it but I know the writing is on the wall, Bore scope is on the birthday wish list but I fear bore scoping it would be like having LASIK surgery, then with new eyes, discovering your girl friend is really ugly.

Technically, you don't need any bullet seated into the case. Shot Schuetzen for a while. Actually seated the bullets into the rifling and then loaded a charged case behind it. They shoot pretty well at 200 yards that way.
~Gary

 

[rr2030]

I feel better about it now, thanks guys.

 

[dcali]

You need surprisingly little. Half a caliber is plenty in my experience. The limiting factor is durability - you don't want so little that the bullets tip or get knocked out of alignment.

 

[swd]

As long as the bullets not falling out there's nothing unsafe about it.

 

[jepp2]

I have about .135" of the bullet in the case and they to my amazement still shoot ~1/2 MOA.

My general rule is 1/2 the bullet diameter. But, I was shooting a 204 Ruger with a difficult to ignite powder, and the primer went, and the powder didn't. Just seated the bullet into the rifling. So I use almost a full diameter now on the 20 cal.

 

[cheek9075]

Enough to make it shoot good!!

I have a 30br that made me question if the bullet was going to work with the load. Shot over 1k rounds like that. Best shooting rifle I have.

 

[NorCalMikie]

I prefer "full" neck/bullet contact if I can get it.
Have custom chambers/freebore cut accordingly.

 

[MikeMcCasland]

I've been playing with 80s in a long throated .223 as of late. When jammed into the lands with some bullets, I've got ~.060 of bearing surface into the case neck (i.e. not very much at all). They still seem to shoot pretty well. I wouldn't recommend that as a config if you're buying a reamer, or throating an existing rifle, but I get the impression it doesn't matter (with regards to accuracy) as much as we might think.

 

[243winxb]

Chasing the rifling not something i do. Bullets jump fine. It help if the neck is centered in the chamber. Sizing part of the case neck with a bushing can help.

If to little bullet shank is in contact with the neck, on feed from the magazine, it may become crooked.