308 Winchester Verifying the cartridge OAL. I have a new Shaw barrel on my model 16 which I have headspaced and checked it twice. I loaded three dummy rounds with Sierra 165 Grain Spitzer Boat Tails with a OAL of 2.850". They feed through the magazine (all three), they are touching the lands. I will back off on the OAL starting 0.35" off the lands and move them closer in towards the lands shooting for groups.
My question is--- the reloading manual states the maximum OAL should be 2.750" with these bullets, is the OAL Maximum I come up with close to real day length's? I'm measuring with a Dial caliper base to tip.
Thanks for any input.