How little neck contact can I have?

[muleman]

Working with my Ruger #1 in 270 Weatherby. Distance to lands is 3.171 measured with a 130gr BT, cases are 2.545 - that doesn't leave much bullet in the case.Obviously, I'm better off with longer bullets. My question is this - What length of bearing surface should/can be left in the case to maintain proper alignment and neck tension. I've got 130 & 150gr BT's,140gr NAB and Hornaday 130gr Interbonds on hand. The 150 BT has the longest bearing surface but I don't think I can get it within .030 of the lands and still maintain a calibers length in the case.
Scott

 

[FOTIS]

A cal length is Ideal.

That said I have gotten great accuracy in the Ruger #1's seating them way out there.

 

[DrMike]

A cal length is Ideal.

+1

This will ensure concentricity.

 

[ROVERT]

Does Ruger cut their chambers to include freebore for the Weatherby calibers? If so, maybe you can't get close to the lands by design.

 

[FOTIS]

YUP or else they are liable for anyone using WBY's ammo.

No freebore= HUGE pressure gain!

 

[IdahoCTD]

You could probably get away with as low as .200" as long as you don't get excessive runout. Seat a 150BT out until it touches and measure how much it's in the neck. That way if you back it off .030" you know you'll have that much more in the neck. Not all cases have a full caliber worth of neck, ie .300 win., and they do perfectly fine.

 

[JD338]

Scott,

As a rule of thumb, you should use at least caliber for the depth in the neck.

JD338

 

[Silent Sam]

I have the same rig. I don't have the numbers in front of me but I can tell you I seat the 130gr Ballistic Silvertip .277 into the neck. With my rifle that produced a standard Weatherby freebore. I don't remember the numbers on that. I am shooting those bullets at 3500fps w/ a very low ES and very good accuracy and case life.