How many clicks do you get out of your LHS shifter? Granted, the systems aren't the same (I use a late 90's/early 00's Chorus 10 sp), but my LHS shifter gives me ~6-7 clicks, maybe more. When I'm setting up the FD, I start with the LHS shifter fully detensioned (clicked all the way down) and the downtube cable adjuster screwed almost all the way in. I give the shifter 1-2 clicks, then pull the cable tight (tight!!) and clamp it down at the FD. I set the inner limit screw (small chainring, large sprocket) before I start messing with the cable - as close to the chain as I can get without rubbing. I can shift from small to large ring in three clicks, but to get to that point, I usually have to back the downtube adjuster out quite a bit to get more tension in the cable - pulling the cable tight as I'm clamping it isn't sufficient. The way I have it set up, the FD hits the outer limit before I run out of LHS shifter clicks, so I don't count clicks or anything when I'm shifting either up or down - I just shove the shifter till the FD hits the limit and I'm there. Making sure the cable is tight when clamping sometimes results in the cable sticking out horizontally. In this case, just put your thumb to the cable right where it exits the clamp and bend it up - it'll bend fine and stay pointed up.
To minimize/avoid chain rub when on the small sprockets, I ensure that the inner cage is parallel with the chainrings. Since the cage is wider at the rear than at the front, this means that the outer cage rear flares outward. For 10 sp at least, this provides enough clearance for the chain when on the small sprockets