The Firing Line Forums

Go Back   The Firing Line Forums > The Skunkworks > Handloading, Reloading, and Bullet Casting

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old May 31, 2002, 11:09 AM   #1
Alex49
Member
 
Join Date: January 7, 2001
Posts: 46
bullet seating depth

I am trying to put together an accurate 308 load for my new PSS. I am using the sierra 168 gr hpbt with Varget powder. The manual calls for an oal of 2.800 but I was going to try to get the bullet just off the lands. I have gone out to 2.855 and still do not see rifling marks on the sooted bullet. This is my first time trying this, any help appreciated.

A
Alex49 is offline  
Old May 31, 2002, 11:21 AM   #2
Steve Smith
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 9, 1999
Posts: 4,131
I always screwed up the sooted bullet technique. I purchased a Stoney Point OAL gauge and the bullet comparator. I could then find the rifling easier and without the mess.
__________________
Favor the X.


Steve Smith
NRA Life Member
Steve Smith is offline  
Old May 31, 2002, 01:05 PM   #3
Bogie
Senior Member
 
Join Date: June 5, 2000
Location: Job hunting on the road...
Posts: 3,827
The real question here is do you want to use the magazine or not.

The factory barrel/chamber on the Remington won't let you still use the magazine if you seat the rounds out until you engage the rifling.

BTW, I don't soot 'em. I take 0000 steel wool, and polish the bullet, then I seat it far out in the case, then I jam it and record the OAL using the little Sinclair "measuring nut" that I have... Then I back off about 0.003-4", and work from there.
__________________
Job hunting, but helping a friend out at www.vikingmachineusa.com - and learning the finer aspects of becoming a precision machinist.

And making the world's greatest bottle openers!
Bogie is offline  
Old May 31, 2002, 04:46 PM   #4
dfm
Member
 
Join Date: May 19, 2002
Posts: 99
1.) Make up a dummy round with bullet length left intentionally long.

2.) Seat bullet to depth by chambering in gun against rifling.

3.) Put dummy round in seating die. Screw seater plug down to make contact with bullet. Remove dummy round. Turn seater plug down one full turn. Return dummy round to seater die and reseat bullet.

Not the most scientific method but it's served me well for a long time. Sometimes the OAL will be too long for the magazine. Then you have no recourse but to seat deeper if the gun is to be used as a repeater.

dfm
dfm is offline  
Old May 31, 2002, 05:25 PM   #5
Alex49
Member
 
Join Date: January 7, 2001
Posts: 46
I know that each rifle is individual but using the method of seating just off the rifling how much more accuracy can be attained?

Thanks, A
Alex49 is offline  
Old May 31, 2002, 06:33 PM   #6
Fatelvis
Senior Member
 
Join Date: June 10, 2001
Location: Lockport, IL
Posts: 490
You may have rediculously long oal`s in order to approach the lands, I did in mine. I relied on neck sizing, it really seemed to make a difference in accuracy, after fireforming to the chamber. You`re using the best bullet possible, and a great powder, with neck sizing, Im sure it`ll just be a matter of dialing it in. Let us know how it goes.
Fatelvis is offline  
Old May 31, 2002, 07:00 PM   #7
KP95DAO
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 30, 2000
Posts: 699
Of course there is always my way. My Sierra 180 Spitz FB are loaded to 3.06" LOA and are seated .040" into the case when fully chambered. This is with a moly coated bullet and assures full contact with the rifling. It's not for everyone; but, it works very well for me.
KP95DAO is offline  
Old May 31, 2002, 08:04 PM   #8
MADISON
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 1, 2000
Location: Roanoke, Virginia
Posts: 2,678
bullet seating depth

Here is the way I find a "correct" seating depth:
[1]Place a bullet just inside the case mouth.
[2]Place the bullet in the rifle and close the bolt. [3]Adjust the seating die to that point and then back off a couple of turns. That works well for MOST. Ruger being an exception.
MADISON is offline  
Old June 4, 2002, 09:55 PM   #9
Sid K
Member
 
Join Date: April 14, 2000
Location: Sumrall, MS
Posts: 48
I like to measure the freebore and then experiment with different lenghts until I get the best one. Here's how I do it.
Make a dummy round with the brass and bullet you plan to use and seat the bullet to approx OAL listed in your book.
Chamber the dummy round and close the bolt.
You need a cleaning rod with a square tip. I use a plastic tip that I cut off for this purpose. Insert the rod in the bore until it contacts the end of the bullet and make a mark on the rod where it enters the barrel. (A piece of masking tape on the rod helps)
Remove the cleaning rod and insert a bullet in the chamber and push it in until it contacts the lands. I use a short dowel to push and a stout rubber band to hold it in place.
Now insert your rod again until it contacts the bullet and make another mark at the end of the barrel.
The distance between the marks is your free bore. I usually start my test loads at about .010".
Happy loading.
Sid K
__________________
"Let's roll"
Sid K is offline  
Old June 5, 2002, 01:00 AM   #10
labgrade
Member In Memoriam
 
Join Date: November 29, 1999
Location: west of a small town, CO
Posts: 4,346
"I know that each rifle is individual but using the method of seating just off the rifling how much more accuracy can be attained?"

It really does depend on your load & your rifle - each are different.

Some rifles like the bullet seated ~.005" off the lands & other loads/rifles like it .020" off. I've a Rem 700 .30-06 that shoots the Fed Premium 180 GameKings like a champ & I'd guess I'm running easily .050" off - maybe more (this rifle has a long throat).

Part of the joy & frustration of reloading to utmost accuracy = you have to try all the combinations to know.

I'll start off ~.005" off & work with various powder weights, if nothing rings the bell, usually I'll try a different powder, but sometimes play with added seating depth. It can pay off at times. I'd suggest seating .005" depth increments for each lot/try.
labgrade is offline  
Old June 5, 2002, 10:13 AM   #11
C.R.Sam
Senior Member
 
Join Date: October 29, 1999
Location: Dewey, AZ
Posts: 12,858
Labgrade makes sense.
Different guns like different combinations.

Sam
C.R.Sam is offline  
Old June 5, 2002, 11:03 AM   #12
Jeeper
Senior Member
 
Join Date: November 1, 2001
Location: Gilbert, AZ
Posts: 776
That is the truth. I have some that like the bullet almost touching the lands and then some that are seated way back. Most of mine like being close. I use the method described above using the Sinclair nut guage after I shoved it into the rifling.
__________________
Gun control theory - A woman raped and strangled is morally superior to a woman with a smoking gun and a dead rapist at her feet.
Jeeper is offline  
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:02 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
This site and contents, including all posts, Copyright © 1998-2021 S.W.A.T. Magazine
Copyright Complaints: Please direct DMCA Takedown Notices to the registered agent: thefiringline.com
Page generated in 0.06889 seconds with 8 queries