Terminology question

[STS]

Throw your comparator away and do what Dave Tooley said. I've never needed one in the last 45 years to get the sizing die correct.

 

[jackson1]

With out clearance, nothing moves for very long. Finding to optimum amount is the goal.

 

[jackieschmidt]

Don’t over think this. The object is to arrive at around .002 clearance between the case head and the bolt face in a chambered round when the case shoulder is as far in the chamber as it will go.
I do measure everything, simply because other factors can cause a case to “feel” tight as you close the bolt. That is just my preference, possibly the Machinist coming out in me.
What ever method you use, the object is to have the results be the same.