Do I need more freebore?

[MOA or bust]

Shooting HH 177gr bullets in my 28 Nosler. Good velocity and accuracy (0.5-0.6 MOA at 3120fps). But 80 thousands of the bearing surface of the bullet is below the neck/shoulder junction of the case. Does that really matter? I'm 20 off the lands with this and have lots of extra length in the magazine.
Should I consider asking my LGS to add some freebore? What would be the advantage? I'm already at the edge of pressure, so I don't need more powder in the case.

 

[MOA or bust]

I meant 80 thousands below the body/shoulder junction.

 

[Reelamin]

What are you looking to improve accuracy, velocity?

 

[K.E.C. Darkside]

If you like the velocity and accuracy.
Nothing is broken.
Freebore the next barrel for that bullet.
Hope this helps.

 

[MOA or bust]

From reading others posts here, it seems it is optimum to have the bearing surface of the bullet out of the case powder column. But I don't know why this is advantageous, other than gaining powder capacity. I was wondering if moving the bullet out decreases peak pressure or some other beneficial factor.

 

[338 dude]

It helps to have the bearing surface above any doughnut that may be formed at the neck shoulder junction. You have a very long way to go to achieve that. If you're happy with the way, it shoots I wouldn't bother and you may not be able to do it, unless your magazine will also accommodate it.

 

[MOA or bust]

Oh, so ideally you would have the bearing surface above the neck/shoulder junction? And the only reason is to avoid contact with any possible doughnut?

 

[K.E.C. Darkside]

From reading others posts here, it seems it is optimum to have the bearing surface of the bullet out of the case powder column. But I don't know why this is advantageous, other than gaining powder capacity. I was wondering if moving the bullet out decreases peak pressure or some other beneficial factor.

You are correct, gaining powder cap.
And getting closer to the lands IF NEEDED.
And as mentioned you can only seat out to magazine max length.
Your Velocity and Accuracy, to me is Very Good.

 

[338 dude]

Oh, so ideally you would have the bearing surface above the neck/shoulder junction? And the only reason is to avoid contact with any possible doughnut?

That and powder capacity are the two main reasons

 

[VinceMule]

It helps to have the bearing surface above any doughnut that may be formed at the neck shoulder junction. You have a very long way to go to achieve that. If you're happy with the way, it shoots I wouldn't bother and you may not be able to do it, unless your magazine will also accommodate it.

This is what everyone says because people are lazy and do not want to keep up with doughnuts that could form.

I shoot a lot of cases that are similar to the OP's situation, where tiny groups abound. When I fire a round, I remove that case from the chamber and drop in over the next round in the loading block. If the fired case is inserted over the bullet, it should touch the top of the brass on the loaded round. If it does not touch the brass there could be a doughnut...further investigation is involved. If the necks are too tight so the neck will not go over the bullet, the brass spring back could also indicate not enough clearance for good "bullet release".

 

[338 dude]

This is what everyone says because people are lazy and do not want to keep up with doughnuts that could form.

I shoot a lot of cases that are similar to the OP's situation, where tiny groups abound. When I fire a round, I remove that case from the chamber and drop in over the next round in the loading block. If the fired case is inserted over the bullet, it should touch the top of the brass on the loaded round. If it does not touch the brass there could be a doughnut...further investigation is involved. If the necks are too tight so the neck will not go over the bullet, the brass spring back could also indicate not enough clearance for good "bullet release".

I keep up with my brass very well, and I may be lazy

but not when it comes to my brass

 

[MOA or bust]

Thanks for all the knowledge/ info.
So now I'm thinking in my case, "If it ain't broke, don't try to fix it".

 

[Phil Rizzo]

I'd have to make some more room for that bullet! Not saying it would be a drastic change in performance but a little throating would likely boost it.

on the flip side you have a lot of room to absorb flame erosion, if you are .020 off lands now

 

[Elk Hunter 338]

does it shoot good/consistent?