Old info and bad memory...
Good Point Greyhawk ... I was going to mention the Pressure variable in my post about Overall length but it was getting to long already. Like you said it will have different results in different guns. Not having a pressure thingy like the Manfactuers at least ya need a cronograph to see what a 1000th difference in freebore does in the same load. I may be thinkin wrong but by reducing freebore you should be able to raise pressure, thereby raising velocity and accuracy without packin in more propellent. To a safe level of course.
Seems to be familiar to me ...I almost remember the article being on benchrest HiPower shooting. The cases were neck sized only then the powder and primer applied. Next, the bullet was just pressed into the casemouth and not very deep. The cartridge was chambered and was not crimped. The pill was stopped by the lands and there was no crimp.. None needed. I wonder if I am correct, firstly, in remembering this correctly; and also I am wondering if this eliminated one of the variables that increases pressure. I cannot source this. But, I have also read that an underdose of powder can cause hi pressure, sooooo, maybe by not crimping, this took care of any over-pressurization. Seems like a long way around the barn to me. I think I will just full length size for the lever gun and when I finally get another bolt gun, I will play with the loads. I need the sierra manual...I believe someone posted that it has loads for levers, pumps and semiautos, and also specifically for bolt guns. Makes sense to me.
HEY...are we having fun yet? Windy, hope you don't feel left out. Eventually you will want to try reloading. As you mentioned, shooting gets expensive. Compare the cost of a box of reloads to a box of factory ammo.
(Reloading adds to the enjoyment of the sport and gets the relpader really familiar with his/her guns and ammo. I like it because it is cheap, and my friends who shoot aren't always asking to borrow my handloaded ammo cause they think i load too hot for their guns.

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Brass for my 45 LC costs $22.00/100; Bullets, cast storebought cost about $9.20/100 and way less if I cast my own which I do most of the time; Primers cost $3.00/100 and powder, say Unique, costs about $19.00 a pound can. At 8.6 gr powder per shell, I can load 823.5 shells per pound of Unique. That comes to 2.3 cents per shell for powder. Or $2.30 per hundred...but after the case is fired one time it's actual cost is offset by the number of times that case can be reloaded. So I consider it written off the first time it is fired because I hate math. Anyway, my 45 LC loads cost me (second loading, because I buy my brass new and dont buy factory ammo unless I cant get the brass.) about $13.00 / 100. Buy anything in bulk and it cuts down on cost.