Getting the most out of a low comp 440

Please pardon my rambling, thinking out loud here, input appreciated.

I have never had my 440 running and driving in my truck, or any 440 in any vehicle, closest would be a clapped out 454 in an '80 crewcab dually 4x4 shivy, (waaay heavier than my truck) so I have almost no idea what seat of the pants is going to be like with a basically stock engine and the various cams that are out there.

I have also never swapped cams, or done an engine build...n00b!

I'd like to learn how to specifically match the various specs of the came to the specifics of the vehicle and rest of drivetrain. All the articles I have found explain the various terms, etc., but info on matching them up is pretty ambiguous due to the many different possible combinations and uses.

I had another idea. Maybe I'm crazy, but (esp for me) there's nothing like hands on experience...and I just found out I have a chassis dyno semi-local to me. Summit lists two "house brand" cams for the 440...basically a low RPM RV and a higher RPM cam...for peanut$, half the cost of most other cams. Why not do my stock rebuild, rings and bearings, order both cams, put 'em in and try them. I need a timing set, so I can get an adjustable one and play with and learn the effects in the real world of advance and retard. I'm also really liking the idea of Rhoads lifters at least for the "bigger" cam.

Closest large city is San Diego, my local machinist recommended Schneider cams there, and my carb guy is there. Any experience with them?

Thanks!