Jyuke - the OAL of the loaded cartridge is determined by the chamber depth and the distance from the end of the chamber to the end of the leade to the leading rifling cut.
The easiest way to measure the OAL for your favorite case and bullet is to:
... Measure the length of your favorite bullet
... Drop the bullet into the chamber and tap it with a dowel rod - it's now in the leade
... Take a depth measurement from the end of the chamber to the back of the bullet.
Add: bullet length + depth measurement = OAL of the reload
If you want the reload that is a 'jumper' - not in the leade, just back off the OAL to the length you want the bullet to jump
If you want to determine the proper length of the case that will fit in the chamber ...
One candle, one drop of wax on crimp of loaded cartridge, quick, into chamber and close action. Remove and see the end of the chamber where wax sticks to bullet and case.
I shoot many different bullets and use R-P's and W-W cases. Here are the BC OAL's for several of them:
Lyman 457123 - 2.712"
Victory PGT - 2.848"
Lyman 457661 - 3.152" (it's a bore rider)
DD/PRS Twin Groove - 2.587"
So, to answer your question and to achieve better accuracy... it all depends! :wink: