I'm ready to begin reloading for my RSM in 416 Rigby. How do I easily determine (pronounced "buy no more tools") the best overall length for each bullet type for my particular rifle?

Start your first load by seating the bullet one diameter deep.....adjust from there....

Not saying it's the best way....but it works for me......and BTW.....I'm not buying the idea that bullet seating is all that critical and important. IMO....it's a last stage finess thing.

I agree with Vapodog. Powder and bullet selection are I think are much bigger contributors/controllers of accuracy than seating depth. (TSXs seem to be the exception.) And for a hunting rifle function is far more important than the last little bit of accuracy.

I'd probably load some dummy rounds and see how they function in your gun.

LWD

Hey guys,

I think he means "where should I start to find the best depth". He doesn't want to buy any OAL gauges so here is a link to the "cleaning rod method"

Just do this to find your max length for the cartridge/bullet combo, then work your loads up however you like. The link says to start about .030" off the lands for your test loads, and like Vapodog says, you can adjust seating depth to tune for accuracy if you like........

quote:

The link says to start about .030" off the lands

While this may be the case.....at least a few hunting rifles have the lands so far foreward that one can't reach them with the bullet loaded even 1/4 diameter deep.....

Weatherby rifles for example.....

My standard reamer for the 9.3X62 is so deep throated that one couldn't reach the lands with an Obama budget!!!!!

I have no problem at all with the cleaning rod method for starters.....except in some firearms it's just impractical.....

Everyone to their own.....but the idea that the "distance to lands" is somehow critical or even necessary for good accuracy is a fallacy I'd diminish.

If one can start loading .03 off the lands and still get a diameter of seating depth then great.....go for it.....

One caution here.....be careful to not start the loads such that closing the bolt jams the bullet into the lands.....one can raise pressures a bit this way and one can also pull the bullet from the case upon extracting the live round when he has decided to not fire it.....not good!

R - Thanks for the link

Vapodog - I'm not certain I understand. Since this is a .416 diameter bullet, are you saying to seat the bullet .416 deep?

quote:

Since this is a .416 diameter bullet, are you saying to seat the bullet .416 deep?

Does your bullet have a cannelure?

If yes then start seating to the cannelure....you may wish to crimp it later or right away.

If no then seat about .400 deep to start.

Magazine length!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Seat the bullet as far out as the Magazine will realiable accept.