5.9 Magnum pushrod measuring questions

This obviously depends on your particular cam but that measurement seems pretty long. Sounds like you may be measuring with collapsed lifters. You might try shimming them on the inside to make a false solid lifter to get a better measurement.
I went back and measured again when you pointed out the math ain't mathing. Measured 5 different valves, averaged out around 6.950. If I order 7.00 pushrods, think .050 is enough preload?