Seating depth

[mwkelso]

This is a seating depth test I just completed last weekend at 100yds.
Everything was constant about the load except for the seating depth.
100 yards is adequate for this test, in my opinion.

 

[Flintlock shooter]

Your 100 yard target and a chronograph will tell you accurately everything you need to know.

 

[Mc Fraser]

I was just wondering if 300 yard is plenty for running a seating depth test or should i go farther.

I follow the Berger reloading book. When I called them I was told that Brian Litz does the tests describe in the book at 3-400yds.

 

[remingtonman_25_06]

Just start at 100 and always do load develolment with no wind. You should see the clear winner at 100 yards either way. If they're pretty close, then take them out to 300. I do all my testing either at 100 or 300 depending on the rifle. Factory gets done at 100, customs get done at 300. Seating depth testing any further than that opens up a whole set of other complications and issues, mainly being the shooter and environmental conditions. I always start at .005" or .010" off and usually find a solid 1/2 MOA load or better there, so it's really not even worth testing seating depth at that point. Thats plenty good enough for hunting and banging steel. Just worked up this load at 300 yards first doing a ladder test with powder charge, then 3 shot groups at the charge nodes, all at .010" off the lands to start with, done...No need to waste anymore time and components here IMO. The group before this was .7" so both under 1/4 MOA.