I guess every engine combo is different as to what it "likes".
My 451 (currently iron-head 10.3:1) doesn't fight the starter hot until 24 degrees initial.

So I ended up with one super-light spring, and one OEM heavy spring with loop in an OEM reluctor-pickup distributor.
This cranks at about 16 initial for easy starting, immediately goes to 27 at idle (1100-1200 rpm), then a slow increase to 35@4000 (as high as I've checked). The rotor tower is an 11/22 degree unit, so max advance is limited to 16+22 = 38

Since I drive it on the street, I also use vacuum advance, something like 15 extra degrees at a 15" Hg. cruise. Obviously not a factor at starting or WOT.