I have a Remington 700 300 WM . Using a Hornady comparator measurement , I determined that I have about .225 of free bore. Bullet seating depth is about .43 . According to Saami COAL is 3.324 . My question is , I could eat up some of the free board by decreasing seating depth by about .100 but that would increase the COAL to 3.424 which exceeds SAAMI recommended COAL. Is this wise or safe ? Thanks

Provided you are only going to use the ammo in this rifle and you are sure of your free bore go for it. I often load longer than Saami for my rifles. Provided the throat and magazine will allow it.

Simply start low and work up. Don't assume that a load safe with a longer jump will be safe with a shorter one.

I 2d Ramrod's advice. You need to also check that they will function through your magazine.

I do it all the time, seat to the lands and be happy.

quote:

Originally posted by Dogleg:
I do it all the time, seat to the lands and be happy.

I have some I can seat long and fit the magazine....some I can't.

I never go by published coal in bolt actions. I load for MY rifle. Some of my loads will not fit in other rifles of the same cartridge.
If I wanted standardized cartridges, I'd buy factory rounds.
It has worked for 32 different cartridges in more than 32 rifles.

Agreed.