Optimum bullet seating position in a given case? *****UPDATED*****

[Steve Blair]

I was once told by a reliable gunsmith that the base of a boat tail bullet should not extend into the case past the neck/shoulder junction. Not sure this is correct, what do you guys think?

[br]
No, it's the bullet shank or bearing surface that should not extend past the neck-shoulder junction. If I kept the base of a 230 Hybrid at the neck bottom, there would only be ~.050" engagement in a .300 WSM neck. And, in order to avoid a possible doughnut, allow another .030".

 

[Webster]

The cartridge and rifle don't know what half or all the way in the neck is. This is something people made up. My guess is the theory started many years ago without much basis. The theory probably started before people knew what neck tension was and they had high quality dies. They probably assumed the bullet was aligned better with the bore. If you use a washer sizing die only about 1/2 the neck is sized. The bottom half of the bullet probably touches but with less tension? On the opening page of this website click on 6BR Improved and go to the 6BRBS cartridge. The entire neck is only about 0.060" long and it works.

E-mail one of the top reamer manufacturers and ask there opinion based on your cartridge and bullet. You will get 1000 opinions on this website.