Quote Originally Posted by MikeCTX
Interesting sharpshooter, trying to wrap my head around all this - from the various comments

1.soot on both neck and shoulder could mean the neck is not expanding in the chamber to form a good seal?
2. soot on just the neck could mean that there is not a complete powder burn? Tune is close, but not quite there?
3. No soot, could indicate a good powder burn and case neck filled the chamber to make a good seal?

Is this at least close? I have seen some of my loads with soot on the shoulder and neck (and they don't shoot that great), but have some that seem to shoot really well and those have just a bit of a ring on the neck.

This is a good thread...Thanks Guys

So the question is....."If the most accurate load in your particular gun leaves a bit of soot on the neck, are you going to settle on a less accurate load so that you can have clean cases?".