Home Forums Reloading Varmint Rifles Bullet seating depth vs accuracy

I've certainly seen 1 1/2-2" three shot groups go to under 3/4" with seating depth changes.
As to the tone of my post perhaps it could of been nicer. It was just a straight reply to "an accident waiting to happen" , "an action full of powder", and "never seen it change things enough to matter".
I don't have all the answers but if you really have a life time of reloading in your mirror and can say,"I've never seen it change things enough to matter" I have more answers than you.

Well, here's what I've learned...

I have a Ruger M77 in 7x57 that I've had a loooong time (I bought it with paper route money). It never was a very good shooter. It averaged between 1.5" at best, to "you've got to be kidding me".
But I always liked it, and had great confidence in it. I've used it to take my first deer, elk, coyotes, and even a desert big horn sheep.

So with the advice I've gotten here off the Fire, I tried seating the bullets out further. I never was able to get to the lands, as this rifle must have the longest throat ever! I used the same load I've always used for a 160 grain bullet, but I kept seating the bullet out until I was at the "one diameter" of bullet extending into the case.

The short story is the 3 shot groups I shot with these loads (single shot, because they were way beyond fitting in the magazine) was no less than AMAZING!!! They can typically be covered with a nickel, and sometimes a dime!

I'm a believer in bullet seating depth matters...

Thanks all for your help!

Michael