seating depth starting point

[wolfman]

Hey Folks- I'm going to try running a BR for PRS style matches. Nothing fancy here- Tikka, KRG whiskey 3, 1-8" Krieger @26", Spearhead Machining tuner brake. I have an old stash of Norma brass, so will run that. I've got quantities of both Berger 105 VLD and 109 ELD-M. My question is where how much jump to start with for initial load development? My initial thought is to start with about 0.025 junp and go from there, but I haven't shot either of these bullets before, so I'm all ears if anyone has real world experience they would care to share.

 

[JFrank]

I run 105 VLD in my Dasher, it likes to be in the lands slightly.

I’ve not tried the 109’s

 

[boltfluter]

I run 105 VLD in my Dasher, it likes to be in the lands slightly.

I’ve not tried the 109’s

This. Try .010 into the rifling and go shoot some tiny groups.

 

[alf]

I start in the lands for virtually everything I load for, almost always stay there......

 

[Clancy]

You can’t run them in the lands for PRS….

Start the 105 VLD .004 off and back up .002 at a time until they go in a bughole.

I have no recent experience with Hornady bullets.

 

[Bc'z]

Start your load development at .020 in the lands with seating test 1st. After confirming it's CBTO happy place give it the go go juice.

 

[Bc'z]

You can’t run them in the lands for PRS….

Why not?
He should have adequate neck tension, and be able to eject a live round.

 

[Bill Norris]

Start your load development at .020 in the lands with seating test 1st. After confirming it's CBTO happy place give it the go go juice.

I almost always start load development with .020 jam from just touch and work outward. It is almost predictable to find happiness somewhere around the .010 jam shooting the 105 gr. class bullets with the 6mmBR and it's spinoffs.

 

[wolfman]

I guess I should have clarified a couple of things. I shot F/Tr for 20 years, so I'm no stranger to all the picky reloading tecniques. I've run countless seating depth tests over the years, and there were cetainly times when I loaded into the lands. I know the 105 vld has a rep for liking a bit of jam, I'd really rather not take the chance in this case. I may well be better of trying a hybrid or BT design, but I've got these, so I may as well give them a whirl. Also, I'm a PRS newbie. Having only shot a couple of events, whatever bullet I choose is not going to be the limiting factor to my success! I shot 6.5 creed until now. The idea of the 6br is to have a mild shooting, easily produced, accurate round to develop better tecnique with. I'll report back with results.

 

[ricco1949]

I've run 1000s of rounds in the lands PDn. I've only stuck one bullet.....however I do Moly the bullets and acknowledge that it's rare to have to unload when PDn.

Since sticking that one and the resulting powder cleanup I rarely close the bolt on a round until ready to fire....this also aids barrel cooling.

 

[perazziguy]

Square mark and work back .003 at a time.

 

[expiper]

When someone tells you they're pulling bullets trying to extract a loaded round they're either jamming them too far into the rifling or not using enough tension. I generally use a bushing .003 smaller than the loaded round and jammed about .008-.012 never have a problem. roger

 

[Clancy]

I’ve ripped bullets out in hunting rifles jammed less than .015. These rifles get cleaned regularly (no more than 50) and I set the tension at whatever the gun likes.

I can’t imagine jamming bullets in a rifle that’s going to be shot 200 plus rounds between cleanings.

To each his own.

 

[Bill Norris]

When someone tells you they're pulling bullets trying to extract a loaded round they're either jamming them too far into the rifling or not using enough tension. I generally use a bushing .003 smaller than the loaded round and jammed about .008-.012 never have a problem. roger

This is the reason I like to find just touch and work with seating inward into the lands from there instead of hard jam on bolt close with heavier neck tension and try to work with seating outward from hard jam. One time with a chamber full of powder is all it took.

 

[Bc'z]

This is the reason I like to find just touch and work with seating inward into the lands from there instead of hard jam on bolt close with heavier neck tension and try to work with seating outward from the lands. One time with a chamber full of powder is all it took.

A prime example why I do seating 1st, then charge, sometimes I do bushing test before powder, sometimes after.

 

[atombomb]

A prime example why I do seating 1st, then charge, sometimes I do bushing test before powder, sometimes after.

Me too… but I almost always wind up at 30.4gr Varget in my 6BR, so start there with my seating depth test… I’ve never had to change my charge weight to be happy...

 

[Bc'z]

Me too… but I almost always wind up at 30.4gr Varget in my 6BR, so start there with my seating depth test… I’ve never had to change my charge weight to be happy...

By starting off ITL you are creating preasure, If your currently jumping its something to keep in mind.

 

[atombomb]

By starting off ITL you are creating preasure, If your currently jumping its something to keep in mind.

I don’t ever start in the lands…. and I usually find something I’m happy with .003-.005 jump maybe touching, and then check every 200 rounds and usually have about .002 throat wear, so go a little longer...

 

[Ruger15151]

You can’t run them in the lands for PRS….

Start the 105 VLD .004 off and back up .002 at a time until they go in a bughole.

I have no recent experience with Hornady bullets.

Sure you can... you just can't run them jammed. Most bullets shoot best in the lands.

 

[Ruger15151]

I’ve ripped bullets out in hunting rifles jammed less than .015. These rifles get cleaned regularly (no more than 50) and I set the tension at whatever the gun likes.

I can’t imagine jamming bullets in a rifle that’s going to be shot 200 plus rounds between cleanings.

To each his own.

"Jamming" is different than in the "lands" or "rifling". Jamming is found by loading a dummy round long and closing the bolt which will tell you where your jammed point is. A little die wax on the bullet prevents it from sticking. If you come off that measurement .020 you will not stick the bullet but you will still be well into the lands.

Doesn't matter how may round between cleanings.