On page 190 of the 5th edition, of the nosler reloading guide it states that the over cartridge length for the 6.5mm-284 norma is 3.310. This makes this cartridge almost as long as a 280, is this correct?

The error was me buying that manual.

The featured writers on every caliber are fake:
1) At least one of the writers was picked for industry connections, I happen to know he is not knowledgeable about the caliber.
2) The 357 mag section written in 2002 that does not contain a LIL'GUN load, is from not in touch with what is going on.
3) 10mm that does not contain an 800X load, again, out of touch.
4) 9mm with no loads for Power Pistol, AA#5, 3N37, or HS-6. Maybe they slept in that day.

What is the threshold, when you think you know enough to write a book?
These people did not do any comparative load work ups to find out the best powders, they didn't even use a telephone or email to contact a million guys who know better.

Maybe there are some topics in there they did some work on. Maybe not.

http://www.realguns.com/books/review63.htm

Being as how the 6.5-284 was pretty much a wildcat when they wrote the book, I guess the COL would be whatever that particular rifle was chambered and throated for. - Dan