RE: Non-Handloader Needs Handloader Expertise!!
OAL
Do you have any type of caliper measuring device? You also need to purchase the type of bullets you want to shoot. Here is a simple way to get the maximum OAL for your rifle.
Close your bolt on your rifle and putyour gun cleaning rod from the muzzle down the barrel until it stops. Note the general location of the gun cleaning rodat the point it leaves the end of the barrel. Pull it out and place a piece ofmasking tape around the the rod in this general area. Re enter therod into the barrel and take a sharp pencil and mark on the tapea line where the rod exits the barrel.
Next pull your bolt anddrop a bullet of your loading choice down from the back of the receiver. It will stick in the head of the chamber as it enters the barrel.Carefully reinsert the cleaning rod with another piece of masking tape wrapped around the cleaning rod about 2 1/2 to 3 in below the other piece of tape (approximate length of a 25 06 cartrige) around the rod. Slowly lower it into the barrel until it just touches the tip of the bullet lodged in your barrel. Take the pencil and mark another line at the point it exits the barrel.
Knock the bullet out of the barrel with the rod. Pull the rod and measure the distance between the lines. This the the maximum overal length (OAL). Your loads should be loaded approximately 10 thousands of an inch shorter than this length.