The electrical length of the stub also depends on the dielectric within the tube. As I said, it's probably a kind of impedance compensator, to extend the bandwidth of the match.
It could also be there just to ground the center pin, for receiver ESD protection. In that case lambda/4 would be best, because the short on top would transform into open at bottom.
Do the screws have insulating washers below their heads? But why the strange pattern (not all at the same radius)?