Seating Depth/Bullet jump question

[Bowhntr]

I have a question regarding the seating depth of bullets in relation to the distance to the lands. I custom set my 308 depth at 2.825 which is .020 less than the dsitance to the lands. I know the rule is .015 to .030. However, I have heard that it is most accurate to load with no jump at all but this causes higher pressures. Could I stretch mine back out toward the lands or just leave it at .020?

 

[rick smith]

I usually start load development for hunting rifles at 10 off the lands. With short actions, as the 308, the magazine box will determine the depth with many bullets. There is no rule as to how far off the lands you need to be for accuracy. In a hunting rifle I would not touch the lands. You may pull the bullet and dump the powder into the action and mag box.Rick.

 

[Guest]

You should set the seating depth at the point where you achieve best accuracy. Shoot some groups with various settings, say .005 difference between them. Find the best group, or combination of velocity and group, and then play around in smaller increments on either side of that length to see if you can fine tune it to the absolute best. As a reminder, what works well and is safe right now as far as pressure is concerned, may be over pressure in the middle of July. Be careful and aware, and you should not have a problem.