When I would buy a new rifle, I would really sweat over how long the throat would be. It was the first thing I would check. Oh the misery it would cause me when I found a rifle that had a throat that wouldn't let me seat bullets .010" off the lands and still allow a round to chamber in the magazine.

With age comes wisdom (sometimes!), and I have learned through trial and testing that loading ammo with very little bullet runout is far more important than bullet seating depth. My shooting has become much more enjoyable and with far less aggravation. I still tinker some with bullet seating depth, but it is not a major priority.

My 257 Weatherby shoots groups well under an inch with long freebore, due to an excellent barrel, tight chamber demensions and low bullet runout. Consistant brass with a trued up neck, sized to fit the chamber snugly, low bullet run-out, all contribute to aline the bullet straight and true with bore have worked for me.

Hickok wrote:

With age comes wisdom (sometimes!), and I have learned through trial and testing that loading ammo with very little bullet runout is far more important than bullet seating depth.

Completely agree !!!
I think it would be shocking to some to learn how much run-out they have.