You have quite a way with words Dog! I like it.
There are a bunch of different .280AI chambers but there is only one which has the SAAMI stamp of approval.
You're right about each barrel being an entity unto itself. Precisely why a guy doesn't just start out with the max book load and run with it.
There are ways to REALLY know what pressures you're running and the price is not crazy high either.
Pressure Trace. I have one but haven't run it through the paces yet. Will be interesting to see what's up.