I posted an earlier question and this is a followup. I am still a bit concerned about direction on this.

I am using Winchester cases with nosler 180 prain partitions. Rifle is a 30-06 M700. I have settled on H4350 as "the powder".

I made a dummy case with the bullet in touching the lands. The dummy case is over 3.5" long COL. It chambers and feeds fine in the M700 long action. I can set the bullet back 0.050" as a starting point or use a the book 3.3" COL. I actually shot it both ways and it seems to slightly favor 0.050" off if crimped with a Lee factory crimp die.

My concern is that to get even this relatively long bullet anywhere near 0.050" to the lands, it appears I have < 1 bullet diameter in the neck.

I think this is pretty standard in factory chambers? Or, is my rifle uniquely long throated?

I think maybe the crimp helps with tension on concentricity?

Would you accept < 1 bullet diamter in the neck if it were the most accurate load?

Is it normal for some factory loads to jump this far to get into the lands?

I have a comparator on order. So, my measurements have all been to the tip of the bullet, which shows some variation, but I think I am pretty close in my measurements.

Your throat is a little long but not unheard of.

Sure, I would accept <1 bullet diameter in the neck if it were the most accurate load.

I would "mirror" popemann's reply. You might now also try a couple different primers and see what happens too.
Just as a somewhat comparable story. I have a ruger 243 target rifle that loves the 55 grain nosler bt bullet. I barely get them seated...there is no way that the bullet is still in the case when it hits the lands. And because they are barely seated the runnout is HORRIBLE--quite often running .005-.008". BUT THE GUN SHOOTS 5 SHOTS INTO A NICKEL SIZED group.
Go with what works..sounds like you are definately on the right track.

With all this angst re bullet distance from the lands, I thought I'd measure the most accurate factory ammo I've ever used. Others here have had good results with it to.
MOAL to touch lands (with a pulled projectile)
2.4155. Average length of factory cartridge=
2.206. I make it that the jump is 0.209 ?

Thats 2tenths, 20hundredths or 200 thou.
Or over 1/8" and about 5mm.
Is this correct? so why do people with a big game cal. seem to worry about a few thou.??

When you say it favors the shorter DTL, what sort of difference between the two in group size are we talking here? Using the crimp helps with holding the bullet in place, but runout does become an issue. But, if it shoots, then go with it. For the sake of conversation, you might want to take extra care in loading and unloadign your weapon in teh woods, cause if you drop one of em, it might tweak the bullet in the neck. But then, if we are talking about the difference between a 1" and 3/4" group, I would seat the bullet more and go with the 1" group. having bullets barely seated to get tweaked if you knock around the ammo is just not worth it.

Theres 2 different angles for ya.

Seating to one diameter is a general rule of thumb and not hard set in concrete. You can seat them 1/4th of that if it works better. Normally when folks ask I say one diameter deep as a starting guideline.....take it from there.

metalman29-
Not trying to sell you on Barnes bullets, but in cases where one can't easily reach the lands they seem to work well. I've had then do well when seated from .050" to .150" from the lands.
As for the partition, I've had great luck with them seated anywhere from on the lands to .150" If you are unhappy with your results, step up in bullet weight. A longer bullet is worth the try...

The differences in groups, so far, are relatively insignificant.

I am at the point where I feel I can make quality hunting ammunition that feeds and fires fine in my rifle.

Now, I am at the final point of trying to finely tailor the load to my rifle. In reality, it is just a learning experience and an exploration of all the things I have read about in reloading. For example, I think next I will try a neck sizing die just for the heck of it.

A guy could drive himself crazy trying to shrink groups a little bit And in reality, I don't think I will go that route for hunting ammo, my primary purpose.

One reads quite a bit about seating depth from the lands. It is good to hear I am not the only one experiencing 1/8" or better jump to the lands when it seems there is often alot of discussion on the merits of 0.010" to 0.030" off the lands and its effects on accuracy.

I can't recall reading in good detail was the length of the throat on factory chambers (except for a bit of writing on long throated 7x57 Mausers). Also, I was surprised on the difference in various bullets. I just loaded up some Rem Corloks in 180 grain and did not find the problem I found with the NP. I can seat to 0.050" off and still be right at suggested COL, but not quite at the crimping groove. A simple look at the bullet shape shows why. The NP has a much more tapered shape.

Just feeling out the issues and looking for info on experiences from those who have been doing this for awhile. and making sure I am not crazy or doing something dumb

quote:

One reads quite a bit about seating depth from the lands. It is good to hear I am not the only one experiencing 1/8" or better jump to the lands when it seems there is often alot of discussion on the merits of 0.010" to 0.030" off the lands and its effects on accuracy.

Roy Weatherby would be happy to ease your concerns. After your happy with everything else, powder charge, primers, etc. Now's time to play with seating depth.