Overall Length (OAL) & Affect on Accuracy / Reliability with Nosler 185gr JHP

First topic message reminder :

Gentleman,

Looking to start loading the Magnus J187 185 GR JHP for EIC competition.  One item of confusion that I have is on the determination of OAL.  For 45 ACP 1.275" is the max OAL.  For the Nosler style bullets, the range is:  4.5 - 4.7 gr of Bullseye and OAL of 1.20 - 1.25. It seems that there is a trend toward 1.20" which is shorter than specification and I'm confused on why that would be as a novice reloader/shooter.  Understood that everything has to be tested in my pistol for proper tuning, but I didn't want to rely on trial and error and was hoping to get an understanding of the "why" behind this.   Some questions I had.


Why is the Nosler loaded to a shorter OAL than the factory ammunition? 

Does a shorter OAL increase reliability, accuracy or both?
I've seen some posts that the Nosler OAL is spec at 1.120" but what is source of this information?

Thanks,
Derek

Here are the most popular starting loads I could find:

4.5 gr of Bullseye    with  185 gr   Nosler / Zero JHP - OAL  1.195"
4.7 gr of Bullseye    with  185 gr   Nosler / Zero JHP - OAL  1.20"
4.5  gr  of  Bullseye      with    185 gr     Nosler  /  Zero  JHP  -  OAL  1.25"
4.5 gr of N310        with  185 gr   Nosler / Zero JHP - OAL  1.25"
4.6 gr of Titegroup  with  185 gr   Nosler/  Zero JHP - OAL  1.20"

Some threads that I found that were helpful:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/reloading/358237-185-jhp-bullseye-load-test-prelim.html

https://www.bullseyeforum.net/t1209-pet-loads-of-top-shooters-loads-from-the-past

https://www.bullseyeforum.net/t3876-nosler-custom-comp-45?highlight=nosler

https://www.bullseyeforum.net/t2742-nosler-185-jhp-with-n310?highlight=nosler

https://www.bullseyeforum.net/t1662-nosler-185-comp-hp-with-bullseye?highlight=nosler

https://www.bullseyeforum.net/t1347-zero-185gr-jhp-vs-nosler-185gr-jhp?highlight=nosler

David,

  If I knew how to do it I would do one of those poll things you do and ask what OAL the others are doing.

1.200

1.205

1.210

1.220

1.230

1.240

Or whatever they are closest to.

Hello,

1.215"

Jim

To the OP:

HP bullets in handguns are almost always loaded to a shorter OAL than FMJ.

Look at the "circle" around the rim of the HP cavity. That could be compared to what you get if you chop off the end of the FMJ at that diameter back from the tip.

I've tried loading a bit long with HPs in 9mm but it has not produced accuracy magic. Still have some barrel fitment things to give a final tweak....