Chuck,
That spec they give you is the MAX oal for the 45. Depending on the bullet shape and magazine shape sometimes it's too long and won't function in your magazine. The oal changing the case capacity in the 45 is a less critical than say in a 9mm but it still can raise pressures. On jacketed bullets I usually try and seat them just before the ojive (where the bullet curves toward the nose). On lead bullets, like the 201 RCBS SWC the oal is 1.255 where as the 200g LBT FN is 1.130. I've messed around with different lengths and it does seem to make a difference in accuracy, at least in my guns. Heres an example of different bullets and the lengths that worked for me.
230 LBT FNB2 1.130
230 FMJ WW 1.275
230 JHP WW 1.265
230 RNL 1.235
230 Gold Dot 1.220
As you can see even though they are all 230 grain bullets the oal is different because of nose shapes and designs. When you make changes, make small adjustments like .010 at a time. Looking at my loads I show one that I seated deeper by .050 and vel raised 50 fps so it does make a difference! I make the length adjustments with a lighter load until it functions and shoots accurately then up the charge if nessasary. Hope this helps some.
Ryan
