need help newbie

[theduke]

Do you find accuracy using oal for calibers listed in reloader books.  Seem they are way short on oal for bullet.  For example 30-30 was 2.55o in book.  My barrel is 3.280 and I checked some over counter bullets and they were 3.100.  thanks

[revbc]

The clip or action feed will determine your maximum oal with semi autos, levers, and pumps.  It's got to be able to work in the action.  Single shots or bolts guns shot singly, you can load em out until they touch the rifling if you want, however; I think the rule of thumb is you need at least the bullet diameter in the case.  This is mainly for runout, if you try to seat it to far out it will usually be off center. Accuracy will suffer.  (Caution: if you load into the rifling,  pressures can increase substantially.)

Bobby (not much more than a newbie)

[theduke]

I am shooting a contender pistol.  thanks

[necchi]

I am shooting a contender pistol.  thanks

I shoot long throated Handis, as long as your using a comparator, you might as well take advantage of your readings.
Try to leave some of the bullet in the case 
revbc offered good advice about the about the minimum of a bullet diameter in the case but that's not carved in stone either,
 Runout is and issue. I was playing with seating depth without gaining much,, until I started paying attention to runout, (aka; bought a gage) and things really started comming together.

[revbc]

A little trick I found that works for me to minimize runout is to not seat the bullet in one stroke.  I turn it (the cartridge) about 1/3 each stroke and use 3 strokes to seat the bullet.  Not very scientific but it works well for me.

Bobby