Seating Off Lands version 2

[Ironcowboy]

So this is in relation to a recent post by another member. I took the knowledge gleaned from the replies and my two reloading books to find where the bullets I'm using meets the lands. I'm knew to reloading and after acquiring this info I am now confused and need direction. So here's the facts...

I found after multiple tries the average overall length of a cartridge that touches the lands on my .270 savage is 3.450". Now my Nosler book suggests "setting die .015" & .03" less then rile seating depth". That gives me a 3.435"-3.42" length. The maximum overall length for a .270 cartridge given in both books lists 3.340, smaller then suggested length off lands.

What do I do? Go with overall length and play with seating depth from there for different accuracy or go with distance off lands and play with it? Or am I as a newbie misreading some vital piece of info?

[Dick284]

#1 will the proposed load fit in your rifles magazine box?
If yes
Go shoot it and see what it does on paper.
If it does not.
Seat to at least you mag length, and shoot and see.

The Reloading Manuals seating lenghts are pretty much irrelevent if you have good case neck tension on the bullet( at least 1/2 a bullet caliber), for a given seating length, and it fits and functions in your rifle.

There is also no magic formula for how far off the lands, its is a definate shoot and see, and adjust sort of situation.

[Ironcowboy]

Never thought to check it in mag, and if it fits shoot it! Thanks for reply

[gitrdun]

Originally Posted by Ironcowboy

Never thought to check it in mag, and if it fits shoot it! Thanks for reply

Yup, do that. My first Yukon trip saw me there with a georgous Ultra Grade M70 Winchester in. 375 H&H that turned out to be a fine single shot.

[lone wolf]

Originally Posted by Dick284

#1 will the proposed load fit in your rifles magazine box? If yes Go shoot it and see what it does on paper. If it does not. Seat to at least you mag length, and shoot and see.

Originally Posted by gitrdun

Yup, do that. My first Yukon trip saw me there with a georgous Ultra Grade M70 Winchester in. 375 H&H that turned out to be a fine single shot.

My experience as well with my 7-08. Used a gauge to find the optimal safe cartridge length, with a bullet I wanted to use, worked up a great load - and turned my bolt into a single shot

If you want to get more confused, try a couple of different types of bullets. They typically have different ogives and will seat at different lengths. Every timke you change the bullet, you will have to recheck the safe length, and make sure they feed through the magazine.

Remember also that the SAMMI spec for max length has been developed as a generic reference for all guns in that chambering, and as such is a conservative measurement that can (and often will) differ significantly from individual guns. You are definitely on the right track and are doing things safely. Good luck with the new hobby, it is a ton of fun !!

[Leeper]

There are two requirements for your cartridge as regards length; it has to fit in the chamber and it has to fit in the magazine. Generally speaking, I think it makes sense to make sure it fits the magazine first. If it does, try it to see that it clears the lands.. If it clears the lands and fits in the magazine, shoot it! If accuracy and velocity are acceptable, hunt with it. The last thing you want in hunting ammo is a bullet jammed into the lands. Leeper