Bullet seating depth

[fa38]

Once a seating depth is established for a particular bullet should this work for other bullets with the same nose configuration or is it just maybe a good starting point to establish the new bullets seating depth?

 

[jepp2]

Once a seating depth is established for a particular bullet should this work for other bullets with the same nose configuration

I have not found that to be the case. I keep a record for every bullet type I use on the seating depth where the bullet just "touches" the lands. I have never found two with similar nose configurations to be the same. The position of the ogive is different.

 

[Steve Ladino]

Once a seating depth is established for a particular bullet should this work for other bullets with the same nose configuration or is it just maybe a good starting point to establish the new bullets seating depth?

Most likely a good starting point. Uniformity of the "beginnings" of barell vibrations should be close to most similar oal's of different cases/bullets for a particular gun.

 

[gotcha]

or is it just maybe a good starting point to establish the new bullets seating depth

NEVER assume !! Read the similar threads below

 

[brantfredrickson]

Once a seating depth is established for a particular bullet should this work for other bullets with the same nose configuration or is it just maybe a good starting point to establish the new bullets seating depth?

The first load development test I run is a test in .5 grain increments from a starting load to a maximum load watching for pressure signs. To load the cartridges for the test, you have to select a seating depth, and going to another successful load is where most people start. I shoot 5 rounds of each charge weight and one of those charge weights, groups better that the others. From That charge weight, I run a seating test at .080, .060, .040, .020, and .000 off the lands. Somewhere in those seating depths there will be better grouping. Now that you have a seating depth and charge weight that shows good grouping, I try to figure out how big that node is. Below is an example of a big node at .025 in seating depth.

 

[fa38]

I did read the threads below and did not see an answer for my question. I guess I will just take the new bullet and seat it out so that closing the bolt with no firing pin or ejector will tell me when I hit the rifling which will tell me to seat it deeper and try again..
It looks like the weather is getting better so I guess I should get some of this stuff done.

 

[spife7980]

I did read the threads below and did not see an answer for my question. I guess I will just take the new bullet and seat it out so that closing the bolt with no firing pin or ejector will tell me when I hit the rifling which will tell me to seat it deeper and try again..
It looks like the weather is getting better so I guess I should get some of this stuff done.

Its possible that its a good starting point but thats it, possibility. I figured that the new 70RDFs would be something like the 69CC but they prefer a seating depth .04" deeper. So not even in the same ballpark.

Do the wheeler method like you said of feeling for the lands with a stripped bolt and then search around and see where others are having success with that bullet in relation to the lands. That wil net you the best jumping off point.

 

[Liven The Dream]

I would buy the tools to measure the overall of each bullet used . Two way win,
You can check and see your Barrel wear.
Second you can have a real measurement so you can try different amounts of set back of as said jump.
Hornady now sells the Stony point tools good investment

 

[Ned Ludd]

It would certainly be a starting point for further testing with the new bullet. However, even the exact same bullet from a different lot number can give very different results. It's still best to actually do the seating depth test, rather than assuming they will be similar. You might get lucky, but you might not.

 

[savagedasher]

The first load development test I run is a test in .5 grain increments from a starting load to a maximum load watching for pressure signs. To load the cartridges for the test, you have to select a seating depth, and going to another successful load is where most people start. I shoot 5 rounds of each charge weight and one of those charge weights, groups better that the others. From That charge weight, I run a seating test at .080, .060, .040, .020, and .000 off the lands. Somewhere in those seating depths there will be better grouping. Now that you have a seating depth and charge weight that shows good grouping, I try to figure out how big that node is. Below is an example of a big node at .025 in seating depth.View attachment 1005805

If your using the same point of aim .
You will see the placement of the bullets have moved up down right and left .
That the same thing a tuner does .
I see 60 shots With a tuner you could get better results with 10 shots .
I use seating depth for lowering ES and let the tuner shrink the group size . It is your choice if you want the tune above or below the point of aim. In Florida we have two prevalent winds head and tail. I like mine to be above the point of aim for summer or tail wind . Larry

 

[Kurt Blasser]

The first load development test I run is a test in .5 grain increments from a starting load to a maximum load watching for pressure signs. To load the cartridges for the test, you have to select a seating depth, and going to another successful load is where most people start. I shoot 5 rounds of each charge weight and one of those charge weights, groups better that the others. From That charge weight, I run a seating test at .080, .060, .040, .020, and .000 off the lands. Somewhere in those seating depths there will be better grouping. Now that you have a seating depth and charge weight that shows good grouping, I try to figure out how big that node is. Below is an example of a big node at .025 in seating depth.View attachment 1005805

 

[Kurt Blasser]

The first load development test I run is a test in .5 grain increments from a starting load to a maximum load watching for pressure signs. To load the cartridges for the test, you have to select a seating depth, and going to another successful load is where most people start. I shoot 5 rounds of each charge weight and one of those charge weights, groups better that the others. From That charge weight, I run a seating test at .080, .060, .040, .020, and .000 off the lands. Somewhere in those seating depths there will be better grouping. Now that you have a seating depth and charge weight that shows good grouping, I try to figure out how big that node is. Below is an example of a big node at .025 in seating depth.View attachment 1005805

I struggle with controlling the seating depth accurately. Is there a secret to getting the depth right? Die to use?