^^this is good stuff.

My Axis liked the 77 and 69gn SMK's set to 2.280" at near max loads of Varget, not quite compressed loads but close. They were approx .020" from the lands,

I also loaded some 75gn Hornady ELD bullets out to 2.44"!! Too long for mag but they were just touching the lands IIRC. They also shot very well. If I had not been using the mag I would have shot more of them. The Axis was a 1:9 twist.

So, yes, beyond 2.3"oal can be done depending on the bullet.