I would like to hear somebody explain why a perfect fitting case is so important to them. Myself, and zillions of others have fired cases of both shorter and full-length in rifles and never spotted a bit of difference in accuracy. Depending of things, cleaning may change a small bit, but never a difficult problem. 
I do, prefer to have each set of cases shot during a session to be equal in order to maintain even neck tension, bullet jump if any, and things like that. Simple consistency within each testing batch. So, let's hear folks, Joe and I are eager to listen

And it can be murder on paper patch loads.

I appreciate the responses. Thank goodness, I don't get blamed for murder- I never shoot paper patched bullets. Or black powder for that matter. I have my reasons, of course.
I wouldn't have known of those things had I opted to do something in that line, but good to know such. I don't understand the lead ring, since I shoot slugs well over the groove size without leading-amounts to the same as bumped up it would seem to me. And isn't a suitable taper a good idea with the paper wrapping? Not to start a further discussion of this stuff, but would still like to hear about case length for the majority of us shooting easy to deal with smokeless powders. I believe that is more in the line of the original question.

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My thought has always been that the gap would effect fixed ammo only. Most all fixed loads I have ever shot are with jacketed bullets or black powder and lead bullets. 

The only rifle in the nine pictures that I can remember having leading is the Meacham Badger. I don't see a gap in that throat. 

WVsmoke wrote on Mar 18^th, 2025 at 5:55pm:


Yes I agree but I still can't tell any difference in accuracy long vs short shells. I've not spent a lot of time on the bench with lead bullet fixed loads. I use long brass because in theory it should cause less damage to a bullet during obturation. 

I do know for a fact that fast burning smokeless powders can obturate lead bullets. Suppose I could do a  lot of experimenting but by golly those components are expensive and they don't grow on trees. 

You crack me up, Jack.