Bullet seating depth
Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2016 11:53 am
I bought my first .204 this year with the intention of having something to shoot Oregon ground squirrels at distances greater than my .17HMR. I also wanted to get back into reloading as it's been about 20 years since I last pulled the handle on my Rock Chucker. I've been reading a lot about how bullet seating depth as it relates to where the bullet contacts the rifling plays a significant role in accuracy. I bought the Hornady bullet comparator and OAL guage so I could see where to start with bullet seating depths. I was amazed at how far away the factory loads are from the lands-almost a quarter inch.
My rifle is a Tika T3 Hunter and I've been using Hornady 32 grain V-Max factory ammo which was giving me satisfactory results but not the accuracy I know this rifle is capable of.
When I placed a bullet (Berger 35 grain FB Varmint) in the Hornady modified case and inserted it in the chamber the bullet is completely out of the case when it contacts the lands. The gray insertion rod of the OAL guage protrudes just a tad past the case neck when locked down. I checked some Nosler 32 grain bullets, both the Ballistic Tip and the Varmageddons and got the same results. I can't provide the actual length right now as my micrometer reads in metric. My other on is at work so dimensions will have to wait till tomorrow.
This all leads up to my question-What is the minimum depth I can seat the bullet in the case? Will I have to experiment with minimum seating depths without the bullet falling out? My magazines won't handle much more OAL case length so any reloads with extended seating depths will have to be loaded in the gun as a single shot. With any luck, that's all I should need though!
Any input would be greatly appreciated-Thanks, Randy.
My rifle is a Tika T3 Hunter and I've been using Hornady 32 grain V-Max factory ammo which was giving me satisfactory results but not the accuracy I know this rifle is capable of.
When I placed a bullet (Berger 35 grain FB Varmint) in the Hornady modified case and inserted it in the chamber the bullet is completely out of the case when it contacts the lands. The gray insertion rod of the OAL guage protrudes just a tad past the case neck when locked down. I checked some Nosler 32 grain bullets, both the Ballistic Tip and the Varmageddons and got the same results. I can't provide the actual length right now as my micrometer reads in metric. My other on is at work so dimensions will have to wait till tomorrow.
This all leads up to my question-What is the minimum depth I can seat the bullet in the case? Will I have to experiment with minimum seating depths without the bullet falling out? My magazines won't handle much more OAL case length so any reloads with extended seating depths will have to be loaded in the gun as a single shot. With any luck, that's all I should need though!
Any input would be greatly appreciated-Thanks, Randy.