Seating against the threads

[Guest Rainmaker]

got a quick question here from a reloading novice. I've heard that if you don't have a crimp die one way to provide that initial resistance the crimp usually does, is to seat the bullet so it's just about to touch the threads. Is this actually worth trying? If so, is there some process you go through to figure out how far forward to seat your bullet? Mine is a .308, if it makes any difference.

[enfield]

Threads in what?

[Guest Astra900]

I think he means seating against the rifling.

[timcalhoun]

You would never substitute loading out to the rifling for crimping. The reason to load out to the rifling is the accuracy that is gained. It is one of the many things you can do to customize the load to the rifle.

[Guest FroggyOne2]

Let me expand on this.. if you are loading for a rifle.. you don't have to crimp the bullets anyway.. unless! it is a lever action.. it is reconmended that you do crimp your bullets in a heavy recoiling lever action rifle.

Now, as for seating the bullet touching the lands and grooves of the barrel.. in theory, yes, it may increase accuracy, but not all of the time.. most of today's modern bullet designs take into account of jumping the bullet. VLD design bullets usually shoot better if they are seating into the lands.. usually 10 - 20 thou. But, Berger reconmends that if you are using a VLD bullet and it does not shoot accurately seated into the lands, then you should try jumping the bullet about 40 thousand.

To do all of this correctly, you will need a few tools. Now if your just a plinker or a casual hunter and not a competitive shooter.. I would not bother with VLD bullets and just seat the bullets where the bearing surface of the bullet meets the base of the bullet and seat that about 1/20th of an inch above the neck/shoulder joint and you should be good to go.

[timcalhoun]

Let me expand on this.. if you are loading for a rifle.. you don't have to crimp the bullets anyway.. unless! it is a lever action.. it is reconmended that you do crimp your bullets in a heavy recoiling lever action rifle.

Now, as for seating the bullet touching the lands and grooves of the barrel.. in theory, yes, it may increase accuracy, but not all of the time.. most of today's modern bullet designs take into account of jumping the bullet. VLD design bullets usually shoot better if they are seating into the lands.. usually 10 - 20 thou. But, Berger reconmends that if you are using a VLD bullet and it does not shoot accurately seated into the lands, then you should try jumping the bullet about 40 thousand.

To do all of this correctly, you will need a few tools. Now if your just a plinker or a casual hunter and not a competitive shooter.. I would not bother with VLD bullets and just seat the bullets where the bearing surface of the bullet meets the base of the bullet and seat that about 1/20th of an inch above the neck/shoulder joint and you should be good to go.

+1

(In the interest of info only) I have to add that if I had to pick one thing that has done the most to increase accuracy in my guns it would have to be loading 5-10 thousands off the lands. Granted that has only been with maybe 16 or 17 guns in the last 20+ years but they all responded well to this. Also the VLD (very low drag) bullets rock!

[Guest Rainmaker]

Yeah, I meant rifling. One of these days I should go ahead and learn to speak english. I'm not really that technical with my loads, I was just told by an old mountainman gunsmith that crimping everything made it shoot more consistently. Something about building up pressure. My bullets don't even have cannelures on them though.

[Guest FroggyOne2]

Since your bullets don't have cannelures on them is fact enough to tell you that they don't need to be crimped.. but let me say, neck tension is important. Once I get my handouts made, I will be giving a class in Oak Ridge on reloading. Basic and advance. I will make an announcement when I am ready.. there is just too much info to go into on here..