Another Newbie Question Regarding Bullet Seating Depth

[beartooth91]

These Savages have long throats!

I've got a brand new Model 11FHNS in .243 that I'm working up my very 1st load for. I chose the Sierra 70 gr HPBT Matchking. Using the Hornady OAL gauge, I've found the throat is so deep on this rifle that the bullet is falling out of the case when it touches the lands. So, now I'm not sure where to start with a seating depth. With the bullet a little into the case neck; I get an OAL of around 2.667". The Sierra manual specifies 2.625".
In my new (3 weeks old) 14 Classic, 7mm-08; I'm seating the 139 SSTs and the 140 gr BTs out .010-.015 from the lands with OALs of 2.901 and 2.865", respectively.
Any advice on where to start, with the .243 ? I did a search, but, most people are having the opposite problem (too long for the magazine, exceeding COAL, etc). My 30 years ago 700ADL, .243 had a much shorter throat.

...And for a new bullet/load, is .010 back too close to start off with? What's recommended?

Thanks,

Mark

 

[NCsmitty]

It's best not to extend a bullet less than a full caliber of case neck tension. So by using a lighter bullet seated at about 1/4" into the case neck for a .243, you'll be sure to give the bullet enough case neck support to preclude bullet movement when feeding from the magazine or handling.
When possible, I use .020 off the lands to minimize bullet jump, but lighter bullets sometimes will not allow that dimension. That's when the full caliber rule should be used.

I don't recommend using .010, as often the manufacturing process will give you up to that .010 variation in the ogive of a mass produced bullet. That's why I use .020.


NCsmitty