Nosler Bullet Seating Depths?

[DannoBoone]

Hello everyone. First time poster, here.

Although my reloading experience began in the mid-'60's, I never have
used Nosler bullets. SORRY! No real good excuse......it's just that my
Dad started us out on Hornady bullets and they always worked fine. He
never did use any other bullet. In the past few years, I have
experimented with others such as Barnes, Berger, and Sierra bullets.
Seating depths for the VLD's have turned out to be the most
problematic for accuracy for me. But that's another story.

At the range, a couple of guys (one using a .222 RemMag and the
other using a .243) told me that their best accuracy in their rifles
was with Nosler Ballistic Tips, so I later got a box of them. They are
the .257 85gr Ballistic Tips which will be used in a .25-06. There is
a good deal of reloading info on the Nosler site, even including the
most accurate load tested. However, I see no info for AOL or how
far off the lands the bullets were in the tests. Granted, all barrels
are different and will shoot the same load differently, but I am
searching for a very good place to start load workup.

Does anyone here shoot the 85gr BT's in a .25-06? If so, how far off
the lands are you seating the bullets? Thanks for any forthcoming
info!

 

[Guy Miner]

Welcome aboard!

I haven't shot that particular bullet...

Noslers in general, like Sierras, tolerate a short jump to the lands just fine, producing excellent accuracy even if you're limited to magazine-length loads, which is what I generally churn out. I base this on both hunting and precision/long range target ammo loaded with Noslers. Have shot some very good groups & scores at 600 yards with my .308 and Nosler Competition bullets, and almost as good with Ballistic Tips.

Agree, Berger VLD's can be pretty picky about seating depth. Accuracy with Sierra or Nosler bullets is ridiculously easy in comparison.

Regards, Guy

 

[old #7]

I don't shoot that caliber but I usually start about 10 to 15 thousandths off the lands and work in or out in 5 thou increments.
That is of course it the mag box will allow it.

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

I usually start at magazine length, and if need be, I work in at .05 increments. Often times it is not necessary. It's not unusual for BT's to shoot just fine at magazine length.

 

[JD338]

DannoBoone

Welcome to the forum. Glad to have you here.
I try to load .015-.020" off the lands but the rifle's magazine length sometimes dictates my COL.

JD338

 

[Desert Fox]

I usually start at magazine length, and if need be, I work in at .05 increments. Often times it is not necessary. It's not unusual for BT's to shoot just fine at magazine length.

This is a very good advice. I always start my reloading this way with the exception of a single shot rifle. It's frustrating to do all that work in developing loads and find out later that it won't fit your magazine.

 

[FOTIS]

DannoBoone

Welcome to the forum. Glad to have you here.
I try to load .015-.020" off the lands but the rifle's magazine length sometimes dictates my COL.

JD338

Sound advise. Welcome to our and your forum!

 

[DannoBoone]

Thanks for the warm welcomes.

I should have mentioned that length is no problem in this rifle. The
magazine allows for VLD's to be loaded clear out to the lands. It is
a Savage 112 in the VLP version, and they made them centerfeeds.

Figured someone here would be able to get me started, and I was
correct. Thanks, guys!

 

[JD338]

DannoBoone

Glad to help.
Let us know how your load development goes.

JD338

 

[remingtonman_25_06]

THe 85g nbt is a great bullet for LR coyotes and varmints. Really puts em down.

I loaded that bullet in my first 25-06 with stout charge of RL-19. Gave me great accuracy 1/2 MOA and velocity 3600-3700fps. I was either at the lands or .010" off. Thats where I usually run my ballistic tips.

Killed quite a few coyotes with that combo, and a couple in the 500-600 range.

I dont shoot them much anymore because they are barrel burners at that speed, and at longer ranges, past 600 yards, the 100g or 115g nbt are a better choice due to there higher BC. They just buck the wind a bit better.

 

[RiverRider]

Someone once suggested to me that the best accuracy would be at about 1/10 of a caliber off the lands. I don't believe there's any magic formula, but I've found that it's usually a pretty good place to start and best accuracy often seems to be pretty darned close to it. I generally vary by .003" when looking for the sweet spot if I think I have some idea where it is. I shoot only sporter-weight rifles, though.