Author Topic: seating depth & pressure  (Read 409 times)

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Offline jd45

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seating depth & pressure
« on: March 29, 2004, 02:40:55 PM »
I'm using a 270gr Keith-style hardcast from Leadhead bullets on top of 17grs 2400 in a .45 Colt case in my 1873 Uberti. I've pushed it a little further in, so they will feed from the magazine (.060 or .070 inch). Before I shoot these things & possibly have a KABOOM, does anyone think this is something to be concerned about? Thanx for the feedback. jd45

Offline Iowegan

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seating depth & pressure
« Reply #1 on: March 29, 2004, 04:35:29 PM »
Your load looks to be a near max load for a Ruger. With a 270 gr bullet, you shouldn't be over 14 gr for the Uberti. Yes, seating the bullet deeper will increase the chamber pressure considerably. If you want to keep the gun and your body, you might want to tone it down a bit.
GLB

Offline Wlscott

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seating depth & pressure
« Reply #2 on: March 30, 2004, 04:29:30 AM »
Anytime you change something about a load (primer, brass, seating depth or powder lot number) you should reduce the powder charge by about 3-5 grains and work back up to your original load while watching for high pressure signs.  

That said......Seating the bullet deeper in the case shouldn't increase pressure by much until you start compressing the powder in the case.  A change in case volume due to bullet seating depth doesn't have as much to do with pressure as most people think because the brass is still going to expand against the walls of the chamber, and the chamber is still the same size.  When you change the seating depth, you're actually moving the pressure curve.  Seating the bullet farther into the case gives the bullet more of a jump to the lands, and allows the pressure in the chamber to build more gradually instead of a sudden spike when the bullet hits the rifleing too soon.  Conversley, if you seat the bullet out to kiss the lands (and are loading a hot load) the bullet doesn't have any "free bore" to jump across, and therefore the pressure spikes almost immediately.  This can cause signs of high pressure (flattened primers, cratered primers etc, etc).
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