Chasing the lands

[mudbug]

I currently reload for my Model 12 BVSS Savage 243 with 95 grain Berger VLD's. I started at the lands with a length of 2.282 and now am touching at 2.293. How for out can I go before I need to rebarrel? Is there a point where there is not enough of the base of the bullet in the neck of the case?

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Mudbug

 

[johnnyk]

mudbug,
As far as you have too when chasing accuracy. I would go until it stops shooting accurately. You don't have to re-barrel it, you can have a gunsmith trim a 1/4 to 1/2" off the chamber end of the barrel and then rechamber it. The rechamber job will clean up the old chamber/leads and put you back at square one. You will have to readjust your loads overall length(s) and may have to start over on load development.
As for how far out the bullet can be in the neck? When I was loading 40gn Ballistic Tips (tiny, short bullets) in my .22-250Rem, they never would touch the LaG's. I did some research (Google search!) and came up with 1/2 a caliber in the neck. So I kept 1/2 of .224" (.112") in the neck. This kept the bullet "close" to the Lag's but also kept the bullet runout low. Hope this makes sense and helps. JohnnyK.

 

[lever-hed]

try starting at 2.252 to 2.272 and check for accuracy with powder charges first. You don't necessarily have to hit the lands fo raccuracy. Some rifles shoot better off of the lands. Usually seat the bullet to a depth equal to the diameter no less.

 

[Forester]

Half a caliber in the neck has worked fine for me. I have used a little less but they were varmint loads and had to be single fed because they were both delicate and would not stay in the case under recoil.

 

[mudbug]

try starting at 2.252 to 2.272 and check for accuracy with powder charges first. You don't necessarily have to hit the lands fo raccuracy. Some rifles shoot better off of the lands. Usually seat the bullet to a depth equal to the diameter no less.

I'll try that next time I get a chance to shoot. I started with the bullet touching the lands and stayed there because it shoot so well for me. I am getting 200 yard 3 shot groups of 1 1/4-1-1/2" out of my savage with no work done what so ever.

Thanks

Mudbug