Bullet Seating Depth: How To Measure & Where To Start For Load Development 

Small tip from a guy who is F I N A L L Y starting to get some amazing groups. DONT give up after a lot of failures because your going to need to just reload. Learn it get familiar with everything the tools how your press feels the way your gun or guns shoot. Reloading takes practice I have landed on good loads by complete luck in the beginning of my quest to learn this skill. However I still come back to videos like this and as I progress in time and experience. I’m starting to really grasp what these men are talking about. It takes time fellas you will see I promise you

Not having all your fancy gear I just partially seated a new slug in an empty full length sized case & used the rifles bolt to push the slug into the case. Then using the seating die just pushed the slug in .1 deeper & made that my "master" dummy round. And wrote its OAL on that case. Seemed to work fine. Shot great. Like you, found setting slug just a tad off the lands worked best. Also lightly crimp each NON cannelured. And tight crimp cannelured. THAT really seemed to help & definately increased velocity & decreased velocity spread. Old gunsmith taught me that. Also, inside reaming the primer hole into a cone shape gave a better primer flame that ignited the powder from very bottom to top more consistantly. It also slightly enlarges the primer flash hole. For what its worth I usually get 10 FPS or less velocity spreads. But im a real stickler for EXACT powder weights on EVERY load. Every round is identical to its brothers. Only do "cold bore" testing too..where we live in the bush 1 shot is the difference between eating or not & thats going to be out of a cold bore. In the winter, an EXTREAMLY cold bore. 😁

Can you please come back to making video? I’ve just recently found these and have been watching all of them. They are incredibly helpful and informative. Lots of good info. I think you are a great resource and the shooting community could really benefit from your continued instruction. Thank you. 🙏🏼

Just wanted to say thanks for sharing all the information. I've been reloading for many years and was content with 1 MOA out of my hunting rifles until I was laid up from surgery and started watching all of these videos. My first rifle to start the new load development on went from 1 MOA down to .375 MOA simply from buying the required measuring tools and applying these techniques. Awesome info in an easily understood format! Now on to the next rifle and application of this new knowledge. Thanks again!

I know that some of these vids are old and you probably wont see this, but I have to thank you Mr. Sam. I have loaded my first set of 308 load development rounds and will be headed to the range tomorrow to see where Im at. Ive learned how to do everything right here on your channel. Im a rookie to be sure but the way you explain things is very easy to understand and to put into practice. Teaching ability is hard especially in this format but you have it down cold. Thanks again for the knowledge transfer. i hope you make some more videos at some point.

Sam, You are intelligent, articulate, precise, and present sooo well. You do not make your presentations about You. "Results driven" Works for me! Thanks

At last--someone who has great knowledge and can share it clearly, understandably and accurately. Thank you, Sam.

I've been watching reloading videos for awhile now and I have seen no one that explains things so well as you. You take the complexity out and bring in the most important ingredient: just plain old common sense. It is both, a learning experience to watch your videos and a pleasure. Thanks for all the work you do to help us shoot better and enjoy this wonderful sport more.

I love your straight talk sam. Thank you for the videos

Thank you, I really appreciate the quality and content of your videos; you are teaching a lot of reloading.

Thank you so much for this great awesome information. What really stuck with me was, "If you're getting the results you are looking for stop right there and start shooting." Also, "Don't be afraid to abandon a bullet if it doesn't shoot well. All that matters is the results in the target." Thanks again!

I am 62 years old and reloaded for over 20 years back when it was cost effective. Now with the price of powder and components, you can buy a factory premium round that performs perfectly fine. I use to do what you are doing for seating depth and not crimp on cannalures but that limits the round to TARGET only. I still have my stuff but never use it. RCBS dies were good but I prefer the Lyman turret press. A good custom barrel usually cures reload accuracy problems too.

Thank you Sam for a great video and also for not ruining it with background electric guitar solos.

I’ve been watching these regularly! Really enjoying them. Just ordered a Lee reloading kit, dies, etc. for my 6.5 creedmoor.

First time I have seen your videos. Want to compliment you on your clarity and precise explanation of this and other subjects. It is a welcome relief from some of the reloading nonsense found elsewhere. Thank you.

The first rifle I ever hand loaded for was an old Sako L579 chambered in 243 Ackley. I really regret not taking better notes on my trials. I learned a lot from that rifle and I wish I could remember half of it. Great video.

A huge thanks, Sam, for clearing up something I have been frustrated with for s while...seating depth COL vs CBTO and why some bullets just don't seem to shoot well out of a rifle that I know can be a tack driver. Now to the range! A great teaching video.

Thank you Sam, I am just getting into reloading and you have been an great help and its making reloading so much easier watching your vidieos

Great video Sam! Thank you for all of your educational videos... Well done!

Thank you so much, for producing these videos. It's nice to listen to somebody that really knows what you're talking about . Anytime I find one of your videos I can't afford not to watch one . Thanks again Art Bogden Pittsburgh PA 🇺🇸

This is my 1st video of yours. I can tell this channel will be a great tool for me. Thank you.

Excellent videos Sam, very practical and speaking from a lot of experience

I can't get enough of your videos. I read a lot online, and everybody thinks they're an expert, and always act like their way is the only way. You've taught me to think about WHY I'm doing certain things, and it helps filter out all the dumb stuff we all see on forums and Facebook. Keep up the great videos. I will be watching them, for sure!

Thank you for the awesome video. I am currently deployed and your videos are what I watch on my off time. I am planning to start reloading when I get back state side. I have watched most of the reloading videos on youtube but your videos are the best as far as explaining how and why to do certain thing a certain way.

I'm just getting interested into reloading and have read so much info and have been absolutely overwhelmed with info and choices. There are so many different models and brands and techniques lol. Don't really know anyone that does reloading so I'm pretty much trying to learn what and how to do it on my own. I finally ran across your videos and they are great! You explain things so well and make so much more sense about the subject that other videos I've watched. Thanks for doing the videos. They are greatly appreciated and very helpful! I might even be able to figure out this reloading thing after all lol!

Probably the most common sense approach I have ever heard! Thanks.

Subscribed, great presentation. I'm a new reloader working on a load for my Savage 10 chambered in .308 and having a ton of fun with it. So far I've settled on: 175 SMK 42.0gr IMI 4064 Hornady brass (Have Lapua on order) Federal Match large primers. Put four through a ragged hole with one flyer about a half inch left, for a total of .62 MOA. .3 MOA excluding the flyer. Loaded up some more last night and hoping to verify the load soon.

Thanks for a very good video on how to do this,you go into alot of detail and explain things that lots of other people miss,loved some of your other clips to.

Thanks for an informative video. You answered several questions I've been having problems with.

So well laid out and easy to understand for us beginners. Thanks.

Thank you so much for making these videos! You are a wealth of knowledge.

Thanks for an honest and well thought out video.

Sam, Thank you for awesome videos I am new to reloading and have learned a lot of valuable info on your website and videos.

When I was young, 40 years ago. I wasted a lot of powder and bullets trying those tiny adjustments. I was young and dumb. If a Bullet or powder won’t shoot, move on. In my experience all those tiny seating adjustments won’t mean crap on the target. I can work up a load really fast using common sense and experience. You are right on . I get a kick watching those shooters wasting their powder trying to get a load to shoot that just won’t shoot. I know from experience. Liked your video.

Thanks for doing these videos. They are well thought out, explained and incredibly helpful.

Excellent video !! I agree with everything you said. Its been my experience over the years as well. Thanks

Great job on your videos, been looking at a mec and after I watched your video I got one on order. Keep up the good work.

Hi Sam, I just found and subscribed to your Channel. I like your approach on precision rifle topics and I'm excited to see more of your work. Cheers from Iowa!

As always another great video! Thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge.

I sure enjoy learning from you. Im new at reloading rifles. Ive been reloading pistoles a while. You explain reloading in a way thats easy to understand. Im starting to load for a Savage 110 build for Antelope. You seem like a neighbor I could hang with for sure. Thanks for the videos from N Texas.

Sam, I love your videos as well as your written stuff. I've learned a lot and remembered a lot of what I'd forgotten. Wonderful. A few days ago I asked about the Redding Competition shell holders. You said they "are a waste of money. They don't work." I had already purchased them, so I did what you tell everyone to do in your videos--"Don't be afraid to try something." Well, the .002 setback shell holder worked like a charm the first time and the 50th time. Perfect .002 shoulder bump. I'm using an RCBS Rebel with 6.5 CM Hornady Match dies (with Micrometer seater head), the Hornady gizmo to measure with the Modified case I made from once-fired brass, and measuring results with a Mituyomo digital caliper. The shell holder also worked for my .308 Win. For that, I use a National Match sizing die and a Forster Micrometer seater die. As soon as I make the Modified case for my 300 WSM we'll see how that turns out. All brass is Alpha or Lapua. BTW, don't believe what you read about the RCBS Rebel's ram being sloppy. This thing is built like a tank. You need two strong men and three boys to lift it (JK), and the ram doesn't wobble a nanometer. I feel a bit awkward giving this constructive criticism. Even though I have been reloading for over 25 years, your depth and breadth of experience are way greater than mine. These shell holders just worked for me. I guess it is better sometimes to be lucky than good. Now let's see how these babies shoot!

Well done Sam. I hope people are watching and listening to you and your processes. Bench rest guys will argue with a signpost,.... and anyone that tells them that headspace has nothing to do with accuracy. They will also argue when someone tells them that the jump distance to the lands isn't that big a deal. Never mind that the u.s. military machine already spent millions proving these points, they still spend their own time and money going all through it again. I found the same thing as you did. The barrel will either like the bullet and shoot it well, or it won't ! I have one customer that absolutely is stuck in this old paradigm and refuses to revisit his testing procedures....when I already tested the rifle and got perfect results. He goes right back to bullet jump lengths and starts all over again with his 6.5 CM. The problem is with his eyes and how he sees things through his scope. I know because I can take the rifle from his hands after he shoots a group and take the exact same load and shoot a 1" five shot group at 300yds. with it. Keep up the good work! We are listening.

Top information.. You've gut my sub. You know, there's no classroom for reloading. You're informative.

great video Sam , very easy to follows, keep up the good work, cheers Wayne.

Thank you, Sam. Great video. Well said and well done, too.

Thanks for the great content on your YT channel and webpage. I look forward to more precision reloading tips and videos.

Good advice about the limitations on seating depth that may be imposed by the magazine. I went to a whole lot of trouble to measure the seating depth just touching the lands using the comparator tools, then discovered that the overall length of that load exceeded what would fit in my magazine. The closest I could load to the lands was the maximum COL that my magazine would handle, so that's where I stopped.

Wow! The man can teach! Thank you, sir

Thank you so much for making it so simple to follow great video.

One of the best explanation about this topic. Thanks mate.

Great job explaining the process. Thank you for posting

Really enjoyed the video. Every informative. Will use it on my first attempt to develop my 30.06 load.

very honest and good information. thumbs up. I own 270 win and I try and measure my gun kissing point with 2 type of bullets obviously I don't have that kind of tools in this country but I use empty case with bullet and try to fit in rifle 3 times and then make it deeper 2.5mm to achieve less jump and good exit by bullet. I try it from half mm to 3mm which is the default choice of ammo factory but as you mention in clip lots of element involving the reloading. like Tangent Ogiv vs Secant Ogive or conventional rifling vs polygonal and etc. as long as your group stay lower than moa in 100 meters every thing is ok but boxer primer, quality of case ( I prefer shot once with mine rifle ), black powder and bullets + reloading skill and tools make it elite. everyone hesitate to announce a measure in most of the time but it seems 2.5 mm up to 3mm dept from kissing point is good enough and it is my personal opinion

I fire form the case and afterwards cut a small cut down the start of the neck of the case. So you can push the projectile in with a small amount of pressure. And it won’t slip to easily. Then carefully seat the empty case and primer with the projectile at a long length into the rifle using the bolt. Push it forwards and close the bolt. Then carefully remove and measure the overall length. That’s your distance to the Lans. No tools just a dremal or hacksaw blade. It has worked for me. Great videos. Cheers Brent

I like this video a lot and there are still a few reloaders who use metal layout dye like Dykem or a Sharpie permanent marker on the chambered bullet to see some landing / rifling marks . Great video . Thanks and all the best .

It's because of you that I am able to reload my ammo. Thank you sir!!!

Always a life saver Sam, great video. 🤙🏼

This is a great video. You're a great teacher. Thanks!

Hey guy nice to meet you, nice to listen to you real good job with the video enjoy the heck out of it. Nice to hear somebody that knows what they're talking about. A lot of common sense , And makes a lot of sense. Thanks again keep doing those videos. 🇺🇸

Great video exactly what i needed! Thanks

Thank you Sam for sharing your knowledge.

Brilliant video. Thanks Sam.

I really enjoyed the information you shared in this video. . .

Just found this video (05 April 2022) and this is wonderful 'real-speak'. Thank you !

Thanks, looking forward to learning more from you!

Outstanding approach! Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

Excellent information and presentation, very informative and directly helpful. I am having difficulties doing this on a .223 Rem Ruger Predator using the Hornady tool and modified casing in that I get wildly differing results on each attempt. I took my time, very carefully executed each step, made sure the shoulder of the case was seated in the chamber, moved the rod forward with measured force, tightened the lock nut, and still got huge differences on each attempt. I finally stopped out of pure frustration. I accept that this is a tried, true and tested methodology which leads to the only variable, the grey matter between my left and right ears. Any and all advice would be welcomed.

Really helpful and well presented. Thanks

Great info. Thanks Sam.

Sam you definitely have it down to the best there is , the only big difference I’ve ever noticed in seating depths of different bullets is when I for hunting purposes started loading a Barnes MRX , you know the solid copper bullets with pressure rings, three or four , grooves like a maxi ball , these type bullets tell you on the box to start your seating depth 50 thousandth off lands and boy were they right , and the closer you get to the lands , the worse your groups will be. Oh and they are expensive, but worth every penny , I could change the powder charge a bunch , and not hurt the group size, they just Waller a hole in the paper.

Yes I like your videos as the way you do them is almost being face to face not just a voice in the back ground

Good video sam👍, really enjoy your uploads

Thank you for the great information!

Nicely explained, thank you.

Great video and good info mate. Thanks.

Thanks man, extremely informative especially to a beginner loader like I am and everything is spooky

Great videos. I would like to see you compare the measurement from your homemade comparator case with the Hornady unfixed case to see if there is really a meaningful difference in overall chamber length as measured.

Great explanation. Thank you very much.

Excellent video. I would like to know how you feel about utilizing max reasonable seating depth to increase case capacity and performance. Example would be my Savage 110 300WM using 208 Amax and H1000. I found that if I run single feed(.010 jump) I can easily load up to 79 grains and get no pressure signs. I assume this is more relevant to "magnum" cartridges using slow powder.It's true about Savage generally having a nice long magazine. The only round I've had to single feed to get close to the lands is in my Savage 110 300WM.

Just getting into loading for PR. Great video. Sub'd. :)

Rock solid video.

Very nice presentation...

Great vid, thanks!

Great video I like everything you do. Could you please do a video on how to remove the ejector and firing pin from a Savage 110 I noticed in this video you have a Savage I'm wondering if the bolts are the same thank you

Hi Sam I am a long time reloader. Just starting to load for long range and more precision and have learned so much from your videos thank you. I am wondering were you get the target you use as would like to get some.

Hi from France, thanks for your excellent video . I am using the hornady OAL gauge + hornady mod. cases in .308 . I made a first measure with a Hornady BTHP 168 grs and it worked like a dream for my B14 . But I had a kind of stress with Nosler Partition 175 grs HPBT and I think it's very long long to reach the land . I am a bit worried ...

Very nice video, thanks for sharing.

thanks for the info just starting reloading ,good info

Top advice, well presented. Thanks for doing these. Looking forward to seeing more. Subbed.

Love this guy man

Got a sub here. Keep it up sam. Cheers from canada

Good quality advice!!

Thank you for this video. I'm going to start reloading 22 TCM rounds and there isn't much information at all. Armscor is the only company that makes the pistol and the ammo. They do sell reloading bullets but I'm interested in loading the Hornady 35g v-max which is a bit longer than the Armscor bullet. In order to get the round to feed through the magazine I'll need to seat the bullet deeper. Safety is my number one concern..... Again, thank you for the video.

Nice Redding t7, I have that press also. I love it.

Easy to understand content.

Thanks for this as my 270 does not like it to close to the lands and i made a huge adjustment after watching this and have a great grouping happening Sam I’m currently using 140 sst by Hornady as it does not like Nosler what is your suggestion with Berger please as never tried them and I’m willing to ry them as i need to start on my 6.5 creedmoor brilliant explanation so easy to listen to Also getting the right powder as ours in Aussie is different to yours any way you know to check this please cheers Clint Starting on your next lesson tonight

Yes everything is explained which is ideal I’m hoping to improve my group size by testing my jump

really great video.

Thank you for the great video! Ignore the 8 trolls that gave you a thumbs down.

Thanks. Good info.