johnch was dead on....about 25/1000 off the lands for hunting loads and work out in 25/1000 intervals to find the seet spot. I have a rifle that like them touching but you have to back off the charge due to pressure. He also mnetioned magazine length. Measure your magazine and start there. Some rifle companies do a good job of giving you "access" to the lands while still fitting in the magazine. Some do not. Bullet length itself can make problems...Scirocco's for example are very long for their weight and might have to be seated deeply. On the other hand speer grand slams are very short. You just need to use a stoney point OAL gauge to find your length then pick bullets that fit your needs. Inside secret: regular bullets work just great in regular calibers. They were designed to work in them guns. 270, etc. All that bonded core bologna is just that, bologna. They gotta make money somehow. NEW bullets aren't made for deer, their made for hunters. Although they do show their strengths in small for purpose calibers and extra-fast calibers.