Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles where to start with seating depth ????

Seating depth has two functions:
1. To aid chambering by being seated with a lesser OAL that both the magazine and the distance to the lands to prevent binding the bullet into the lands when chambered and
2. Need to be altered to determine the sweet spot to maximize the accuracy potential of the cartridge in "a particular" rifle.

This is accomplished by observing the group shape. If the group is a large equilateral triangle, the bullet needs to be seated out in 1/4 turn increments until the group shinks.

If the group puts a couple together and the 3rd out of the group, the reverse it true, the bullet needs to be seated deeper in 1/4 turn increments until the bullet pulls into the group.
If you want accuracy, or at least, the ability to determine the accuracy potential of the barrel, the above step 2, needs to be followed. If accuracy is not a requirement, ( and that has been suggested elsewhere) then factory ammo dimensions or step 1 above will suffice.

JW

I agree.

My two cents. I've never seen the point in messing with seating depth in hunting rifles. Even if you cut your groups in half (at the range) - from 3 inches to 1.5 at 100 yards for example and that's extreme - it's unlikely it will make any difference in field performance. Dead is dead. Reliable feeding and fist sized groups are all you need.