Seating depth ?

[GTN]

I have a friend that called with a question I have never heard of before. He is starting a load on a 308 win with Varget and 168gr Berger Classic hunter. 2.10 to the Ogive. Forester Benchrest seating die, new full length sized Lapua brass. He started at 42gr and went to 46gr of powder. His seating depth stayed consistent from 42gr-44gr but went up to .215 on the 45gr and .220 on the 46gr. I have never experienced this. Does anyone have any suggestions.

 

[dok7mm]

As the load mentioned is well over the max load and the Berger manual lists 42.5 as max and 97% fill, it appears to be a compressed load that he's seating the bullet on. Benchrest and Competion type seaters are not built to handle much load compression and can be damaged by doing so. Your buddy should perhaps try a different seating depth or even better a different powder.

 

[GTN]

I agree. I guess I should of stated he hasn't had any signs of over pressure and his groups were getting tighter the harder he pushed it. Thanks