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Ricky Bobby · November 7, 2011, 11:29 PM

Guys, I'm fairly new to reloading so keep that in mind. I recently decided to start reloading for my Win70 Classic chambered in 30-06. I took a fired case and split the neck of it so that I could force a bullet into it. I have decided to try loading with some 155gr. Nosler Custom Competition bullets & used one of these to insert in the split case. Placed the dummy round into the chamber & closed the bolt carefully. After gently opening the bolt and removing the round I measured it immediately with my calipers. I repeated the process several times to be sure the measurement was consistent, and it was! This measurement will tell me the distance to the lands with this rifle/bullet combination, correct? Does it hurt to take this measurement as a COAL instead of from the ogive of the bullet? Also, where would be a good start for my seating depth when working up my initial test rounds? I was thinking of making my COAL .020" less than the measurement I came up with. Would this be right? That would mean that the bullet would have a .020" jump to the lands, correct? Also, if I'd stick with this COAL when working up test loads & then decide on a powder charge weight that I like, the next step would be to start playing with the seating depth of the bullet, right? Lastly, would you seat them closer to the lands or further away from the original starting point? Thanks & I hope I wasn't to long winded!

November 7, 2011, 11:29 PM	#1
Ricky Bobby Member Join Date: October 23, 2011 Posts: 48	Bullet seating depth? Guys, I'm fairly new to reloading so keep that in mind. I recently decided to start reloading for my Win70 Classic chambered in 30-06. I took a fired case and split the neck of it so that I could force a bullet into it. I have decided to try loading with some 155gr. Nosler Custom Competition bullets & used one of these to insert in the split case. Placed the dummy round into the chamber & closed the bolt carefully. After gently opening the bolt and removing the round I measured it immediately with my calipers. I repeated the process several times to be sure the measurement was consistent, and it was! This measurement will tell me the distance to the lands with this rifle/bullet combination, correct? Does it hurt to take this measurement as a COAL instead of from the ogive of the bullet? Also, where would be a good start for my seating depth when working up my initial test rounds? I was thinking of making my COAL .020" less than the measurement I came up with. Would this be right? That would mean that the bullet would have a .020" jump to the lands, correct? Also, if I'd stick with this COAL when working up test loads & then decide on a powder charge weight that I like, the next step would be to start playing with the seating depth of the bullet, right? Lastly, would you seat them closer to the lands or further away from the original starting point? Thanks & I hope I wasn't to long winded!