I don't have a gauge to measure off the ojive yet unfortunately (Its on the list but not at the top). What would you recommend? Between meplate and seating variation, I think (I would have to double check) that I see a variation up to around .006 (+/-.003). I should have also stated purpose, I am not a 'bench rest' shooter, I don't compete yet, but am trying to prepare for a factory rifle match at my local range coming up in Aug/Sept, as well as looking to start working on 200 and 300 yard shooting. ArchAngelCD: Do you truly consider 0.045" to be "close to the rifling"? I guess it depends on your definition of close. While I do use this rifle for deer hunting, I spend a lot more time with it at the range than in the field/woods. I'm also, in a way, on a 'quest' to find the limitations of this 'entry level' platform that so many people are very quick to dismiss.
As I favor reliability over razors edge accuracy, I prefer to stay away from jamming the bullet. If the above mentioned variation in seating depth is correct I would opt to stay 0.005-0.010 off just to be safe. Gamestalker: I LOVE the idea of starting powder work up at .005-.010 off lands for the reasons you list, makes a lot of sense and will become my new procedure from here on out. Avoids most if not all of the need to retune powder a second time. WVRJ: I was very pleasantly surprised to discover that my magazine would hold 'land length' rounds. I have not yet loaded any this long to test for possible feeding issues but based just on looking it over I don't expect a problem. Jwroland77: I wouldn't mind having to single load for my match rounds and may do that anyways for consistency purposes, but as stated above I'm lucky in that my magazine will hold cartridges that are loaded as long as my lands allow. I would assume the drop in MV would be from lower pressure as the case capacity increased from the bullet being seated longer correct? I'm not (nor do I intend to) chasing speed with this round and don't even have a chrony yet though hope to get one sometime in the next few years.
I appreciate all of the input and hope to see even more. I think for my next load up / practice session I will load 5 each at 2.80, 2.81, 2.82, 2.83, 2.835, and maybe 2.840 depending on my seating consistency and if I can obtain an ojive measuring device by that time (again any recommendations for that are appreciated).