I have a sporterized surplus 6.5x55 Swede that shoots 140 grain corelockts over 39 grains of IMR-4064 into real small groups, however I am fiddling with 120 and 100 grain bullets now and have some questions.
I will never be able to seat the bullets out anywhere close to the lands so do I even bother with different seating depths or try varying them a bit?
Will it make any difference?
I think my 120's are 3/8's" off the lands now is plus or minus .050 in .010 increments even worth the powder and bullets to find out?
What say ye?

Snell,

I load my cartridges to an OAL of 80mm regardless of bullet, or as close to that number and still have the bullet seated some into the case...

I think with a 100 grainer you can get one to 77 or 78 mm overall OAL...

120 Match bullets will go the 80mms...

Works on ANY long throated Swede I have been familiar with...

cheers
seafire

I have to admit taking the same approach when I can't possibly seat close to the lands. I then base my my seating depth on other criteria, e.g. how deep I want the bullet seated in the case. It is rare I play with seating depth under these conditions. Not that I can make a definitive statement that it is indeed superfluous, but I can't seem to get myself to do so, if I'm already .5" off the lands...

- mike

Thanks guys I was sure I was on the right page with this, just needed "backup".
Seafire what does 80mm convert to on a US tape measure?
My latest loads with 120's (Nosler BT's) that I will test in a week are 3.04"
My tried and true 140 grain Core Lokt loads are 2.96"
I have a 9.3x62 project coming up that will surely be in the same boat as my 6.5 as all the reamers I've seen for a 9.3 are long throated yet I've never heard anyone complain about any disadvantage by not being able to reach the lands.

quote:

Originally posted by Snellstrom:

Seafire what does 80mm convert to on a US tape measure?.

May not be Seafire but here is your answer 3.1496" roger

About a year ago I worked up a load using 100 grain Nosler ballistic tips in a 6.5x55 for a hunt on roe deer. I was not optimistic when I saw I could not get the bullets anywhere near the lands. I seated the bullets so they were about one diameter deep into the neck. I am not near my data now, so can't say what the overall length was. The good news is that I was amazed at how well those loads shot. Hope you have a similar experience!

Al

quote:

Originally posted by bartsche:

quote:

Originally posted by Snellstrom:

Seafire what does 80mm convert to on a US tape measure?.

May not be Seafire but here is your answer 3.1496" roger

Roge,

Thanks for pinch hitting for me there!

Snellstrom...
" My tried and true 140 grain Core Lokt loads are 2.96"

I load my corelokts to the first cannelure on the 140s and fly with that...My Mauser, Ruger and Winchester will all take that length with NO Problem.. I just went out and checked that OAL...My 140 Corelokts, are 3.2515 inches long.. loaded to the first cannelure...All three brands listed above swallow that with no problem...that translates to 82.6mms in OAL...

I just measured some 120 grain Sierra match, and those were 80.6mm OAL...at least what I have on hand that are loaded...

Some 129 grain SPs are loaded to an OAL of 80.4 mms...

so that round should be fine with OALs from 3.15 to 3.25 OAL in a factory Mauser, in a Ruger 77 Mk2 and the Winchester I have is a rebarreled Pac Nor... its former barrel was an 06....