Handgun bullet seating depths - Page 2

higgite · August 17, 2020, 05:55 PM

Quote:

"....but it isn't the tip of the bullet which contacts the rifling......it's some point on the ogive, well back from the tip and just in front of the full diameter section of the projectile."

44AMP, that was 44 years ago and your discussion above mirrors it. So - what would you like to call that point to settle the quandary for the next 44 years?

How about "the point on the ogive where it contacts the rifling"?

**44 AMP** · August 18, 2020, 01:01 AM

and in the past 44 years no one has come up with a unique term for that point on the ogive, which probably says something about how important it is...

I suppose Rifling Contact Point would do as a general term.

The thing about loading for handguns vs rifles is that while some things apply straight across the board, other things don't. Also even in rifles some things that are useful in some rifles for some purposes simply aren't for others.

As a friend of mine frequently says, when the subject of seating bullets 0.0xx" off the lands comes up, ..

"how does this help me shooting a .300 Savage Model 99 put down an elk??

The point is, while seating a certain distance off the lands may result in the most accurate load, it isn't a practical or sometimes even a possible thing in some guns, IF you plan to use them as repeaters.

Additionally, his rifle is already more than minute of elk accurate with both factory and regular handloads, so why bother??

When you shift over to handguns things get more complicated in some ways and simpler in others.

There are 3 types of handguns, revolvers, semi autos, and "others". There are physical limits as to how close to the lands you can get in a revolver. The closest you can possibly get is the bullet tip even with the front face of the cylinder (and be sure it won't move forward!!)

Semi autos are a mixed bag, running from pocket guns up through duty/service class guns, and all the way to magnums. Since the chamber and barrel are one, in theory you could "chase the lands' the way a target shooter can.

However, there are several factors that can get in the way. AND there are many factors that work against rifle level accuracy, no matter where the bullet is seated relative to the rifling.

The last class of handguns I called "other" and there are some of those that are essentially short barrel stockless rifles, single shots of bolt action or break action design where you can load bullets to 0.xxx off the lands if you wish.

An XP 100 or a T/C Contender are a couple examples of that.

But now, turn and take a look at semiautos again. From a pocket .380 to a GLock to a Desert Eagle, you find a huge amount of variations. many of them limiting the ability to load bullet long enough to reach the lands.

AND there is also the opposite where guns have "short" throats and some bullets cannot be loaded to max length and must be shorter to keep them out of the lands.

Its very much a gun & bullet specific thing.

jetinteriorguy · August 18, 2020, 07:30 AM

This is a question for Uncle Nick concerning a comment you made in post #20 about replacing the Hornady bullet comparator with the Sinclair. Does this mean the Sinclair unit will fit in the Hornady body?

higgite · August 18, 2020, 09:43 AM

I'm not Unclenick, nor do I play him on TV

, but yes the Sinclair comparator inserts do fit the Hornady body. And vice versa.

jetinteriorguy · August 18, 2020, 01:31 PM

Thanks. I’m going to need a couple of those.

PocketCamera · August 18, 2020, 02:20 PM

if it keeps you up at night,,, get a nice revolver. and get bullets with a crimp groove. youll be happier.

August 18, 2020, 01:01 AM	#27
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,791	and in the past 44 years no one has come up with a unique term for that point on the ogive, which probably says something about how important it is... I suppose Rifling Contact Point would do as a general term. The thing about loading for handguns vs rifles is that while some things apply straight across the board, other things don't. Also even in rifles some things that are useful in some rifles for some purposes simply aren't for others. As a friend of mine frequently says, when the subject of seating bullets 0.0xx" off the lands comes up, .. "how does this help me shooting a .300 Savage Model 99 put down an elk?? The point is, while seating a certain distance off the lands may result in the most accurate load, it isn't a practical or sometimes even a possible thing in some guns, IF you plan to use them as repeaters. Additionally, his rifle is already more than minute of elk accurate with both factory and regular handloads, so why bother?? When you shift over to handguns things get more complicated in some ways and simpler in others. There are 3 types of handguns, revolvers, semi autos, and "others". There are physical limits as to how close to the lands you can get in a revolver. The closest you can possibly get is the bullet tip even with the front face of the cylinder (and be sure it won't move forward!!) Semi autos are a mixed bag, running from pocket guns up through duty/service class guns, and all the way to magnums. Since the chamber and barrel are one, in theory you could "chase the lands' the way a target shooter can. However, there are several factors that can get in the way. AND there are many factors that work against rifle level accuracy, no matter where the bullet is seated relative to the rifling. The last class of handguns I called "other" and there are some of those that are essentially short barrel stockless rifles, single shots of bolt action or break action design where you can load bullets to 0.xxx off the lands if you wish. An XP 100 or a T/C Contender are a couple examples of that. But now, turn and take a look at semiautos again. From a pocket .380 to a GLock to a Desert Eagle, you find a huge amount of variations. many of them limiting the ability to load bullet long enough to reach the lands. AND there is also the opposite where guns have "short" throats and some bullets cannot be loaded to max length and must be shorter to keep them out of the lands. Its very much a gun & bullet specific thing. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

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August 18, 2020, 07:30 AM	#28
jetinteriorguy Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2013 Posts: 3,168	This is a question for Uncle Nick concerning a comment you made in post #20 about replacing the Hornady bullet comparator with the Sinclair. Does this mean the Sinclair unit will fit in the Hornady body?

August 18, 2020, 09:43 AM	#29
higgite Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 2010 Posts: 1,025	I'm not Unclenick, nor do I play him on TV , but yes the Sinclair comparator inserts do fit the Hornady body. And vice versa.

August 18, 2020, 01:31 PM	#30
jetinteriorguy Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2013 Posts: 3,168	Thanks. I’m going to need a couple of those.

August 18, 2020, 02:20 PM	#31
PocketCamera Junior member Join Date: August 13, 2020 Posts: 85	if it keeps you up at night,,, get a nice revolver. and get bullets with a crimp groove. youll be happier.