BLR Seating Depth

[timeoff]

I am a novice reloader (about 3 years and infrequently) and decided to play with my 308 BLR with some hand loads. I know it likes amo in the 160gr or heavier range so I had some Hornady 165gr SSTs to play with. I don't have a seating depth gauge so I modify a shell casing so I can place the bullet in in the brass and chamber it slowly and remove. Then I measure the overall length. I do this procedure about 20 times with the same bullet to obtain the length and then reduce to get off the lands. Then I use this same bullet to set the seating die. I have used this same procedure on several guns and been successful.

Well when I did the process with the BLR the bullet was way out on the brass (well past the crimp ring on this bullet. I compared to some factory loads and I was surprised how far out of the brass the bullet needed to be to be close to the lands.

Not feeling comfortable with the results I am wondering if the BLRs are designed with some bullet jump?

[Hairtrigger]

I have a Ruger in 22-250 that has a very long throat. It is not possible to get the bullet close to the lands. This does not stop the rifle from shooting 1/2" groups (.5 moa)
One thing to consider is the fact the bullets must be seated deep enough to fit into the magazine.

[timeoff]

Good Point, I may not have considered that. Thanks