Thank you for that information. I am by no means an expert on wildcats or Ackley cartridges I am just a bubba.Manson has a page dedicated to Ackley Improved cartridges that has been posted on their site for years.
If you read it, You will see that the Ackley improved cartridges are about 0.004 shorter than the standard chambering. So what they told you is what has been the case for a long time, P.O. Ackley designed these cartridges so that you could still shoot factory rounds if needed or if that was going to be your method for fireforming.
This is why you must turn off one thread in most cases to be able to chamber the Ackley properly. You can use the standard cartridges go gauge as a no-go gauge if you stop chambering when the bolt will close about half way on a go gauge, After tightening the barrel, It will only close a little above half way. The case will have slight resistance when it's chambered.
Now on the 338 Imp. I do not know how many thous shorter it is, If it even is, Their are lots of improved cartridges and many of them have their own designs and specs.
If you are referring to this article:
It doesn't mention those details. I am not sure where the article you are referring to is.