[Fatelvis]

What OAL do you use for your 30-06 loads? I am finding alot of variation in my manuals, for loads containing the 168 SMK. Thanx-

[Art Eatman]

While I've never really bothered to measure, I tend toward the longest that will feed through the magazine, without engaging the lands.

Many have commented that seating the bullet out far enough that it's very close to the lands gives best accuracy. It depends on the particular rifle's magazine whether or not this is too long.

The shape of the nose of the bullet is as much of a factor as anything else...

Art

[xtarheel]

I agree with Art. What I do is use a Stoney Point OAL guage with a modified case and the bullet I intend to use. I then determine the length to bullet engagement. I then load a dummy load .02" shorter and see it it cycles through the magazine. If not, I shorten it in small increments until it does.