S9 Episode 279: Are You Loading Your Bullets Too Long? Rethinking Seating Depth & Bullet Jump

In Episode 279 of Wolf Precision's Long Range Shooting and Custom Rifle Building Podcast, Jamie Dodson takes a closer look at one of the most debated subjects in precision reloading: bullet seating depth and jump to the lands.

Are you trying too hard to seat your bullets as close to the rifling as possible?

After more than 20 years of running shooting schools, loading ammunition, and shooting out dozens of barrels from new to end-of-life, we've seen rifles continue to shoot exceptionally well even as bullet jump grows from 20 thousandths to 50, 80, 100 thousandths and beyond.

Jamie discusses why chasing the lands may not always produce the best or most practical load, why larger bullet jumps can work surprisingly well, and what our school rifles have taught us after thousands of rounds.

We also cover:

• Why measuring extremely small jumps can be less repeatable than you think
• What we learned from 22 Creedmoor barrels with more than 3,000 rounds
• Why we prefer bullets that are less sensitive to seating depth
• Factory ammunition and why substantial bullet jump can still produce excellent accuracy
• The relationship between seating depth, pressure, and case capacity
• Weatherby's use of long freebore and what we can learn from it
• Magnum primers in cartridges such as the 6.5x47 Lapua
• Why published reloading data should be bullet-, powder-, and component-specific
• Case failures, extractor design, and why action design matters when pressure escapes

Jamie also gives updates on the 2027 Wolf Precision Long Range Shooting School, upcoming in-person reloading classes, the Practical Tactical Shooters Challenge, and some exciting new machining technology being developed at Wolf Precision.

If you reload for precision rifles, this episode may make you rethink just how close to the lands your ammunition really needs to be.

Learn more about Wolf Precision, our shooting schools, custom rifles, and the Wolf Pack online training programs at WolfPrecision.net.

Patreon sign up - https://www.patreon.com/WolfPrecision?fan_landing=true&view_as=public

Newsletter sign up - https://www.wolfprecision.net/newsletter.html

Sponsors

MDT Chassis Systems - Learn more at: mdttac.com

Krieger Barrels - Visit: kriegerbarrels.com

Wolf Precision Training Opportunities

• Long Range Shooting School
Limited openings remaining for the 2026 season.

• The Wolf Pack – Online Training Membership
Includes the Online Long Range Shooting School, Reloading Class, and Prosumer Gunsmithing School for just $49/month.Members also receive 10% off Wolf Precision products and services, including ACE systems and barrel work.

Learn more at:
https://www.wolfprecision.net