Bullet contacting rifling

Just loaded some 30-06 rounds (150 grain Hornady BTSP, 57 grains H4350, winchester brass, CCI primer).

When checking the rounds in the gun (Weatherby), all would chamber but had a faint rifling mark on the bullet shoulder.Overall length was 3.300", under the Max Cartridge length. The bolt had a slight stick before closing, but only very slightly. I seated the bullets deeper to 3.235" and had no more marks, and no stick on closing the bolt.

I am assuming it would be unsafe to fire one of these bullets that was contacting the rifling?

 

Your load is MAX in the Lyman 47th. Did you work up to it? If so, and you had the slight land contact the whole time....and no pressure signs....it should be OK.

However, if you haven't done all that...then I'd hesitate to shoot one. Going to a max book load straight away and having the bullet in the lands might be unsafe.

I trust the Lyman data and haven't had any problems (nor heard of anyone having problems) with it so you probably won't damage anything shooting them. But, you asked if it was unsafe....I'd have to say, perhaps Unwise. But I've heard of a LOT worse.

 

Load is 2 grains below max in Speer 13th edition. IMR 4350 is listed as max in the 47th (49gr to 57gr) Starting data for H4350 in Speer is 55 grains (55gr to 59gr). I worked up from here in .5 grain increments.

Depth had always been to the middle of the cannelure on the bullet, and I had never had any land contact. I like the load, and the gun seems to also, but just was playing around with bullet depth to see if I could fine-tune it anymore.

In my 308, best accuracy is obtained when the bullet is just kissing the lands. I had just never had the lands leave marks before.

I already seated them a little bit deeper. I'll let you know how they shoot.

 

Hodgdons data
150 GR. NOS BT - H4350 - 3.250" - 56.0 - 2792 - 37,100CUP - - 62.0C - 3068 - 48,400CUP

For clarification:
Did you load all the prior at 3.300?
Or did you load all prior at 3.235, then change it at a whim on this last load???????

 

All prior have been to 3.200, as listed in lyman's 47th.

Best accuracy in most of my other handloads has been with a slightly longer OAL, and was just playing to see how it would affect this one, wanting to fine tune. I guess the Weatherby has a slightly shorter throat. I always chamber check all reloads, and just had never had this happen before. I know BR competitors like to seat pretty far out, but was wondering how much rifling contact is wanted/advisable/safe? (safe should probably be moved to the front of that list)

Sorry for not explaining the situation and question better to begin with.