Topic: How close to the lands should a properly seated bullet rest?

[2big2fail]

     Pretty broad question and I've heard a couple different views on the spacing between the rifling lands and the seated bullet.  I've never put too much thought on the subject before, but as time goes by, the smaller and smaller details have begun to capture my interest.

       * What are the benefits.  Can it affect accuracy?
       * Wear and tear on the barrel or even brass?
     
     I tried checking the spacing a few times before on rifles I reload for by slightly bending the mouth of a fired cartridge and barely inserting a bullet blackened with a sharpie.  Then gently sliding it into the chamber and closing the bolt.  Upon removal, the bullet only moved a fraction.  Still WAY further out than what would be an acceptable seating depth.  What would this mean as far as the question about spacing to begin with?  Should I expect the lands to place the bullet a little closer to cartridge specs?  And does it really make much of a difference? WYO?
 

[Bill, Idaho]

The bench-rest guys like have the bullet just touching the rifling, leaving virtually no "leade".  They all load a single round at a time, so overall length isn't limited to magazine length. 
   Somewhere I have an article on this very subject. Groups shrink proportionately as you decrease the distance between the two.  Idealistcally speaking, adjust your seating die such that you just start to see the rifling marks on a chambered round.  (Too long, and after to close the bolt and "seat" the bullet, those rifling marks are going to grab said bullet, meaning you will have a brass, and gunpowder strewn about the action when you open the action back up to retrieve the round to check it! Oh yeah, you have to push the bullet out from the muzzle.)

It's a long, somewhat involved process. BUT, your groups will shrink. This process by itself won't turn your Mosin-Nagant into a LaPalma gun, but it is just one segment of wringing out every shred of accuracy from your rifle.
 

[J Mack]

For checking seating depth I use a version of the Hornady Lock-N-Load OAL Gauge that I made to measure from the base of the case to the bullet ogive, I tried other methods and found this to be the easiest and most repeatable system.
If you’re shooting factory barrels you may not get the bullet close enough the lands to make a difference and still have any bullet left in the case, most modern factory lawyer barrels intentionally have a long leade to prevent reloaders from potently creating a dangerous situation with a hot load and the bullet jammed to the lands.
I have found VLD bullets like the Berger bullets benefit most from experimenting with different seating depths and you will find a ton of info on the internets about this subject.
This is a link to a letter from Berger about how to find the sweet spot with their bullet:  http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/attachments/f28/26d1237352326-getting-best-precision-accuracy-berger-vld-bullets-your-rifle-vld_-_making_it_shoot.doc

When I spec a chamber reamer I take into account the series of bullets the rifle is intended to use and try to keep ogive from -.010” to touching the lands and comfortably fit in the magazine, obviously there other issues but this is range where I like to load may bolt gun rounds.   
I hope you can make some sense from this before I drink my coffee ramblings.         

[Bill, Idaho]

JMack is on it. this can be quite a complicated endeavor. 

[luvmy45]

It's easy to do... just get a Hornady Lock-N-Load OAL Gauge, or make one if you want.

I've found that .01 off the lands, works well, and still functions from my mag in the bolt gun. So that is where it's at.

I use SMK 175kgr and in my Savage, and it works well for me.

Just remember you may have to choose between being able to use your mag or not if you want to seat it out for your rifle, or re barrel to get tighter tolerances.

[2big2fail]

It's easy to do... just get a Hornady Lock-N-Load OAL Gauge, or make one if you want.

I've found that .01 off the lands, works well, and still functions from my mag in the bolt gun. So that is where it's at.

I use SMK 175kgr and in my Savage, and it works well for me.

Just remember you may have to choose between being able to use your mag or not if you want to seat it out for your rifle, or re barrel to get tighter tolerances.

Thanks on that reply in particular,  they're all helpful, but this is what I think I'm looking for.  So standing off the lands at .01 is better for accuracy as suspected, and that makes sense.  And- as others contributed- most rifles aren't generally manufactured so as to allow a .01 and still have more than the tail of the bullet seated in the neck.  That would explain the results from the tests I ran.  Guess in that case I'll continue loading at spec OAL sense it requires a barrel swap to bring it in close enough to make any difference. 
    With military grade weapons unable to zero within 3 or 4 moa, I suppose the alternative is a bleep'in hailstorm of lead 
That can be done!    Many thanks.... 

[2big2fail]

Exellent point Bill, and as my experience with doing those steps, the way you explained is exactly what happened

[2big2fail]

For checking seating depth I use a version of the Hornady Lock-N-Load OAL Gauge that I made to measure from the base of the case to the bullet ogive, I tried other methods and found this to be the easiest and most repeatable system.
If you’re shooting factory barrels you may not get the bullet close enough the lands to make a difference and still have any bullet left in the case, most modern factory lawyer barrels intentionally have a long leade to prevent reloaders from potently creating a dangerous situation with a hot load and the bullet jammed to the lands.
I have found VLD bullets like the Berger bullets benefit most from experimenting with different seating depths and you will find a ton of info on the internets about this subject.
This is a link to a letter from Berger about how to find the sweet spot with their bullet:  http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/attachments/f28/26d1237352326-getting-best-precision-accuracy-berger-vld-bullets-your-rifle-vld_-_making_it_shoot.doc

When I spec a chamber reamer I take into account the series of bullets the rifle is intended to use and try to keep ogive from -.010” to touching the lands and comfortably fit in the magazine, obviously there other issues but this is range where I like to load may bolt gun rounds.   
I hope you can make some sense from this before I drink my coffee ramblings.         

You sir, are a machine.  I had to use google dictionary like 3 times but I finally understand.  My head hurts a little.  Gooood stuff!

[Nomad]

 When you find the right depth and start setting your bullets in the die rotate your final
setting 90 degrees and set again.
just .02