Does Bullet seating length matter in accuracy in handguns?

[6.5s4ever]

Hi Everyone! I have a question I am reloading for my 38 special and was wondering ,If you seat a bullet out closer to the forcing cone on a revolver will this make any difference in accuracy? I see they have OAL lengths on all the reloading data and I understand that if you seat a bullet too deep you increase case pressure. But what I want to know is if you seat it out as far as possible just so the cylinder can still turn will this affect accuracy in any way? Need answers Thanks!:)

[Rocky Raab]

I doubt it. If you fire 38 Specials in a 357 Mag revolver, you often get better accuracy, despite the 38 being almost an eighth of an inch shorter.

Seating bullets deeper (for whatever reason) is dangerous as it increases pressures tremendously. In actual tests, seating a 38 Special bullet 1/4" deeper resulted in pressures over 70,000 psi. The standard maximum pressure for the 38 Special is about 15,000. A 357 Magnum is 35,000. I think we can imagine what would happen to a revolver.

[Jack]

Seating the bullet out farther than the specified O.A.L. should decrease pressure, and therefore velocity, too.
I see no advantage to seating farther out- because velocity will be lower, you may actually degrade accuracy.