Bullet Seating Grip

[DJ111]

Quick question, I just built a 6.5x47 Lapua and with a JLK 130 the bullet only has about .130 of bearing surface in the neck with the boat tail just barely below the neck shoulder junction.

I know the bullet diameter rule, but not even close to that! It is a Bat model B action with a Bartlein 5R 8.5'' twist 30'' barrel.

Will this work well or should I have more bullet in the case?

Thanks,
Dallas

 

[fdshuster]

Dallas: You'll have to test it both ways: touching with minimal bullet/neck contact, and "jump" with more contact. Load up identically with the only difference being seating depth and compare. I like to keep at least bullet dia. making contact with the case neck, but sometimes that's just not possible. Sometimes, the solution, for me, is to go to a flat base bullet that will have more case neck contact. Surprisingly I've gotten some very good groups at the longer distances with flat base, in 6mm, the 80 & 88 gr. Bergers come to mind, in my 6BR's. I'm not loading 6.5mm so am not familiar with what bullet choices you may have.

 

[Mikem]

I agree with what Frank had to say, I use mostly flat based bullets at 300 yds and less, which automatically give you more neck contact, and are generally more accurate at short ranges. But I have shot BTs when the bullets base is even with the neck shoulder junction, and even less, you just need to try them and see which your rifle likes the best.

Not wanting to hijack this thread, But, Frank, I shoot a lot of Berger 80g, in my 6BR, with great results, but cant seam to get the Berger 88g to shoot well at all, can you tell me your recipe, maybe my rifle will like it.
Thanks Mike.

 

[fdshuster]

Mike: Funny how close our results can be. I just reviewed the log book for the 6BR 1-8 Hart, and I also got better results (slightly) with the 80 gr Berger, compared to the longer 88 gr. This all happened late in the season before the weather door slammed shut on us, and I was not able to give them a fair comparison, that will be near the top of my list when Spring breaks. Load combos tried with both the 80 & 88 Bergers were: 30 grs. of N135, seated to touch with Fed 205's. Another load is 31.5 of Varget, seated to touch with CCIBR4's. The Varget load was chronographed and the 80 gr. (Berger# 24321) averaged 3052 fps. Same powder & charge with the 88 gr. (Berger #24023) averaged 2972 fps. I tried the 80 gr. to gain a greater neck/bullet contact length (.104" of freebore on my reamer), and was so impressed with the gain, thought the 88 would be even better, and it is, but the jury is still out on group size results.