Determining Maximum Powder Charge

[Jamie]

If you're out of the lands, jumping the bullet, I was under the impression this would increase pressure???

If you are really close to the lands or in the lands that would help. You are correct though, recucing CAOL is reducing case capacity. Same amount of powder in smaller space equals more pressure.

Like others said, you have to rely on several factors when determining the max for your rifle. A lot of the Savage rifles I have had lately seems to have slightly oversized bushings and I get cratering with minimum loads. Flattened primers will tell you things as well as shiny pots on the case head. Hard bolt lift will tell you most times but if you have a really rough chamber then you may get a sticky bolt before you reach your max.