30-30 OAL sound ok

[theduke]

I baught a hornady oal guage and comparotor for measuring oal for 30-30 contender barrel.  The reading I got is 3.320 oal.  If you subtract -.040 you get 3.280 for correct bullet to load.  Does 3.280 sound too high as would be keeping off lands .040.  I am loading winchester hull with 125 grain ballistic tips.  I am trying to work up accurate bullet length for 14" barrel has muzzle break.  thanks

[Hopalong7]

     Don't mean to sound like a smart a--, but I really don't think you can load the 125BT's long enough to get to the lands anyway.  At least, I can't in my 30-30Win and 30-30AI barrels.  I don't have the numbers at hand, but I seat mine just deep enough to get a decent grip on the bullet.  Relieing on failing memory here, but I'm pretty sure that I have droped a 125BT into the throat of both barrels and then fully chambered new, sized brass behind it easily without engaging the bullet.  But, they shoot very good so I just don't worry about it.
Walt