Distance to lands, how close is too close?

[DoneNOut]

Jam = past the lands
Dist. to lands = the point where your sharpie colored bullet shows no sign of lands touching. Cortina goes .020 off jam. That puts most bullets just off the lands. Those lands gonna move with firings, but don't chase them.

 

[338 dude]

Sharpie method I've used it many times

 

[Mikecr]

Dist. to lands = the point where your sharpie colored bullet shows no sign of lands touching

No, distance to lands is just that. OP's DTL was described as 5thou off the lands (OTL)(off touching).
Best land relationship is a local matter, but while OTL, it normally boils down to best tested CBTO.

 

[DoneNOut]

No, distance to lands is just that. OP's DTL was described as 5thou off the lands (OTL)(off touching).
Best land relationship is a local matter, but while OTL, it normally boils down to best tested CBTO.

I was just making sure everyone knew the difference. What's CBTO?

 

[Huntnful]

No that is not too close. Keep your muzzle covered and you don't have to worry about water and ice. Hopefully it still shot decent at .01-.03 off and you're at the tip of a decent node for erosion.

 

[Lefty7mmstw]

I don't like to go tighter than 20 thou. or so. a bit of crud on a round might give you issues with either closing the bolt or pulling a pill if you get too tight.
To those worrying about falling in and out of node with a slight jump change; find another bullet if that's happening. I've popped critters at 800 yards offhand with a 7rum jumping a cool 1/2". I'm running 120 thou. on my current 7rum with 175 eld-x

 

[FEENIX]

I am loading up some 180 Berger vlds for my 28 nosler and trying to follow Berger's process for finding the best seating depth. So far the best group has been at 0.005 off the lands, which is the longest oal I have loaded. In your opinions, is this too close to the lands for a hunting load? I certainly don't want to get a bullet stuck some day and ruin a hunt. Thanks for the insight

This is a sound advice ...

 

[DoneNOut]

I don't like to go tighter than 20 thou. or so. a bit of crud on a round might give you issues with either closing the bolt or pulling a pill if you get too tight.
To those worrying about falling in and out of node with a slight jump change; find another bullet if that's happening. I've popped critters at 800 yards offhand with a 7rum jumping a cool 1/2". I'm running 120 thou. on my current 7rum with 175 eld-x

What do you consider "off hand?" I'm just gonna have to call you a liar liar pants on fire! 800yds off hand, GTFO!

 

[Reelamin]

Most I have at least 10k off. If it shoots well at 30 I'll go with that. I have a few that are jammed. If I have to jam more than 5k I really check how much contact showing on bullet jacket. Never used a load jammed more than 10k.

 

[Recon$$]

What do you consider "off hand?" I'm just gonna have to call you a liar liar pants on fire! 800yds off hand, GTFO!

Prone I'll give it to him, I shoot well prone off hand, forces you to focus but any other position I'll give your skepticism merit though at 800 what forces you offhand? Here to see the fun.

 

[Greyfox]

I don't think .005" is too close, but, I will usually double-check my loaded hunting rounds prior to a hunt to be certain of the BTO measurements, and make sure that the neck tension is sufficient. Most of my hunting loads are .020" minimum distances off the lands.

 

[sp6x6]

Same as Grey, I am at .005 last ten years ,hunt a lot of snow conditions no problem.When I trash my rifle I dry it or pull bolt every night and on dash heater or... Also check every hunting round for fit first,Kiss my lead bullet too for good luck.Gota do it all

 

[Calvin45]

What do you consider "off hand?" I'm just gonna have to call you a liar liar pants on fire! 800yds off hand, GTFO!

Im with @Recon$$ on this, just here to see the fun and get clarification on what offhand means and why you'd need to shoot offhand at 800 yards!

Maybe it's like "I touched the trigger OFF…with my HAND….OFFHAND!!!!"

 

[338 dude]

Im with @Recon$$ on this, just here to see the fun and get clarification on what offhand means and why you'd need to shoot offhand at 800 yards!

Maybe it's like "I touched the trigger OFF…with my HAND….OFFHAND!!!!"

Versus your foot LOL