I agree that loading to the lands is really not that important. Maybe if your bench shooting competition it might be helpful but like already mentioned it' s not that important for hunting. I use to beat myself up trying to get a rifle to shoot loaded up to the lands but i have found that i get better accuracy by juggling componets. I have rifles that will shoot great loaded to the lands and some that don' t like the bullet seated anywhere near the lands. I' ve seen good loads that would drive tacks at .010 off the lands and that same load from the same gun have the same accuracy at .050 off the lands. As for finding bullet oal i use a Stoney Point oal gage.