Optimum Rifle COAL

[schmeky]

I am about to start reloading for my Rem 700 in .270W. It's been a long time since I loaded any bottle neck cartridge. My question is the the optimum distance from the shoulder of the bullet to the rifle lands.

What is the optimum distance in thousanths? Or is there an optimum?

 

[ants]

Although it isn't voodoo, we're not talking pure science either. Use what works in your barrel. Some factory barrels may not benefit at all. Too many other forces are at work.

I have the same rifle, and I've loaded them .020 to .100 inches off the lands and it made no apparent difference in accuracy. I settled on an OAL that puts most of my bullets about 70 thousandths off, plus or minus.

 

[SST]

I always seat bullets out as far as my magazine will allow when working up loads. Once I find the magic load, I fine tune by incrementally seating deeper until I find the sweet spot. Your rifle will tell you when.

 

[Walkalong]

You may be limited by the O.A.L. that will fit into your mag, but other than that many rifles like a short jump to the lands. If I can, I like to start at .020 off the lands for a hunting rifle, but I don't get upset if I have to start at a lot longer jump because of mag limitations. Some rifles shoot great with a long jump. You just have to try a couple of things. Some rifles don't much care about how far off the lands or how close. Not picky at all. Some barrels only shoot just so well, no matter what you do.