Over all length (OAL) is the measurement from the rip of the bullet to the back of the case. This comes into play since chamber are specific. There is a "general" measurement that will be in the manual, but I like mine exact. Every rifle is different in this as the barrels (unless a custom job) are made in batches.
When I reloaded for my rifles I measure each round I ordered. in a box of 168 grain .308 diameter bullets whether they be for 30-06, 308 or 30-30 there are going to be variations. Now this doesn't come into play at a 100 yards much but it can. I would find some being 168.1 to 168.9. Oh you need a good digital scale too.
I chose to reload one step at a time IE single stage. My press would only hold one shell at a time. I would deprime and resize a batch (usually 20) the move on to seating primers (I didn't measure 5,000 of these). After that I would move on to powder. I would measure each dump of powder (some powder measurers are better than others but none are dead nutts on everytime. Plus different types of powder are different sizes).
After they all had powder I would go back to the press, change out the die and seat the bullet.
This way takes longer than a progressive press (one with different stations where you get a live round with each pull of the handle). But I KNOW every round in a box is the same as the one that just went down range. This is important when you want to put bullets through the same hole at long ranges.
If I were to get a progressive id go with a dillion for what its worth.
Oh and when I was doing it (every night for hours on end) I ordered my stuff from midway usa. They were usually the cheapest and they KNEW when it was going to be at your house.
