What does 'soft-seating' refer to in the context of reloading?

In the context of reloading, 'soft-seating' refers to a method of carefully and gently seating bullets into the case. This technique is particularly important because it can help prevent damage to the bullet or ensure a more consistent bullet-to-case fit. By applying a gentle and controlled pressure when seating the bullet, reloaders can reduce the risk of deformations or irregularities, which can affect ballistic performance. This precise approach can lead to improved accuracy and consistency in ammunition, as the bullets are seated without significant force that could alter their shape or structural integrity.

The other options relate to different aspects of reloading but do not specifically define 'soft-seating' as accurately as the correct choice. For instance, reducing recoil addresses the performance of the ammunition once fired, adjusting case length is a process involved in ensuring cases fit correctly in chambers, and primer seating refers to the depth at which primers are placed in the primer pocket of cartridges. These activities are essential but do not encompass the specific method of gently seating bullets, which is what 'soft-seating' denotes.