It sure sounds like Howell should specify that their cylinders are shorter than specs and/or since the cylinder will handle the larger rims, they could say it's chambered for 45 S&W Schofield ONLY - or plainly state that 45 Colt CAN be used with a shorter-than-standard O.A.L. Of course, AdJack's Cowboy 45 Special would be an excellent, if not authentic cartridge "of the era" for use in their cylinders. Of course, handloaders can seat the 250 pill lower or simply pick a "shorter" bullet, but this SHOULD be made plain from the git-go.
Junkman, the short cylinder may be the key.
Dakota, seriously - I did NOT mean to question you and I apologize if I came off too strong with my answer. I simply couldn't imagine that a major manufacturer, VERY experienced in the CAS gun scene, would make their cylinders too short or at least not TELL prospective buyers of the short cylinder. Hell, when S&W re-introduced their Model 3s about 10-12 years ago, they elected to not stretch the frame enough to use 45 Colt ammo, and kept it as the original. Except for the firing pin and other details. And not being able to use the MUCH more common ammo is why the gun wasn't very well received, IMHO. (Yes, I know - compared to 38 Spl. or 45 ACP, 45 Colt ISN'T overly popular, but in CAS use, the 45 Colt is MUCH more popular than 45 S&W. The 45 Cowboy Spl. may be nearly as popular as the 45 S&W, but I don't have production and use figures so that is simply my opinion.)
But that's a topic for ANOTHER post, not this one.