Long action vs short action

[P1ZombieKiller]

I have seen a few guys say that some 6mm's are too long for the short actions. I hope my next question is not too silly. Can you choose a short or long action for any caliber that would fit in a short action? I have always ASSUMED that a 308 is short, and there is no way you could put a 308 in a long action, but I never really knew why.

Lets take a 6mm cart that is longer than a 308 cart.... could/should you use a long action to build that gun? I have also assumed a shorter action is more accurate, and I assume it's cause less,actually shorter) moving parts mean stronger stiffer and less movement, thus more accurate.

Is there a distinct advantage to a shorter action rifle?

Please excuse my ignorance.... I'm just a deer hunter that loves to shoot, and I found a nice site that has a TON of info for me to learn.

 

[BigJim]

I don't know that I am the right person to answer your question, I would suggest you contact a good gunsmith about changing from a short action to long action for the 308. I suppose it is possible to have a barrel custom made that would work with a long action if made to the 308 chamber length.

The length of the case will determine if you will use a short action or long action. My example would be the 243, 270 & 30-06. All use the same basic case but are different lengths and have different case body dimensions and different shoulders. While the head of all three cases are approx 0.467 they should never be inter exchanged in a rifle or barrel not designed or manufactured for a different caliber. First the bullets have different dimensions and will result in a disaster, injury or death. Make sure your barrel is properly marked for the caliber you are shooting.

The bolts for 270 and 30-06 will work with the 308 case since it too is a cut down 30-06 case. But you want to be sure that the locks on the bolt lock in correctly and that the head space between the bolt and the barrel and cartage is correct.,Gunsmith job).

As to what are the advantages - generally short actions are lighter rifles,except Bench Rest guns with bull barrels and extra weights put into the stocks). Shorter barrels, shorter actions, less metal on the gun.

Long action rifles advantages are more powder in the case for faster,7mm Rem Mag, 300 Win Mag) long range shooting, but are heaver,some believe that is an advantage), longer range 1000 yr, 1500 yr, heavier bullets, better long range accuracy,questionable, but is less affected by wind drift.) More foot pounds placed on target,Deer, elk, moose, bear)

If I am target shooting, I like the 85 grain 243,6mm),Short Action), if I am hunting, I like the 130 grain 270,long range) or the 180 grain 35 Remington,Short Range, but short action)

I hope this helps

Good and Safe Shooting
Jim

 

[rayjay]

The action length doesn't really matter. Savage used to only make long actions. You could get everything from 223 to the big magnums. I have also owned a Remington 40x [ short action ] that was factory chambered for the 300 Win Mag.

Back when I was messing with Savages I had all 112 long action single shots. This way the stocks would interchange, bolt heads, scope mounts etc.

You can't buy a Rem long action bolt for 223 size case heads but for the 308 sized case head you are good to go.

 

[tenring]

If you are using a box magazine, long actions are preferable. Why? Because a short action box will not always allow you to have bullet touch the lands. With a long action, this is not likely to happen. I built a 7mm-08 for hunting on a Mauser 98 action, for that very reason. Also, some longer cartridges may not fit the short action loading port. Check this before you build.

 

[P1ZombieKiller]

If you are using a box magazine, long actions are preferable. Why? Because a short action box will not always allow you to have bullet touch the lands. With a long action, this is not likely to happen.

Ten,

This was one of the things I was thinking of. I am in the process of building a 260 on a Remington short action,from 2 of this sites sponsor's Krieger barrels and Masterclass Stocks). We have decided to shoot 140gr Berger bullets at first. One of the plus/minus of these bullets are the length. When I shoot at the range, I usually only single shoot the gun, but in 2010 I am going to embark on my first P-dog hunt, and I thought it might be nice to have a repeater. Another question for ya..... What do I loose/gain from going to a long action as opposed to a short action for any given caliber? if I choose to build a,insert any normal short action caliber here) on a long action, do I just buy a new bolt? or when I send my action to the barrel makeer/ gun smith, do they change the bolt to fit the specific caliber I'm building?

 

[ssphoger]

I just took a old Rem. 721 long action, Opened the bolt to Mag. and installed a Sako extractor, Then screwed a 6.5 Rem mag barrel on it so I can set those long 140 gr bullets out were thet I can get the most out of it.
I will be at the range Friday testing it out. The only problem I have seen so far is feeding from the box mag, The rounds need to be lined up or they jam, I plan on cutting down the follower and installing a spacer to fit the rounds next.
Will update then.

 

[BlackHawk95]

Ive got a Win M70 Long action that used to be a factory 30-06. I had it changed over to a .243Ai. I actually like the long action, with the 115gr bullets seated out there you have plenty of room. Right now its even got a 6mmBr barrel on it.

I dont know if it is good or bad for accuracy, but it shoots.

 

[people]

The USMC uses short actions for the m40a3 and the Army uses long actions for their m21. Both are shooting 308. I was reading that the army was having some issues with feeding the 308 but I am sure it a end user issue as if it was a real issue they would change what they are using.

 

[wal]

P1ZombieKiller

Can you choose a short or long action for any caliber that would fit in a short action?
Yes

Lets take a 6mm cart that is longer than a 308 cart.... could/should you use a long action to build that gun?
Purely your decision make sure port length is long enough to eject case/pick out.
Depending on what you intend to use this rifle for? for eg.I would suggest a remington 700 and pin recoil lug so you could switch barrels and have more than one barrel/cartridge.

The only reason for short or long actions is for magazine length and feeding. A remington 700 for eg. whether it be short/medium/long if trued accuracy is not effected at all.
Thread dimensions,TPI,tenon length all the same therefore no advantages other than port length.

Im guessing the deer hunter in you wants to build a long range rifle. Goodluck

wal

 

[Chuckhunter]

Another option is an extended magazine box. I have one,,I believe it's a wyatt) in my short mag. and I can seat into the rifeling with no problem. My particular box gives me an extra .110 of length. That should be plenty if you want to shoot long bullets in a 6MM Rem.

 

[prestonpritchett]

Your correct as in the army uses the LA. It is my understanding that the original idea was to have 2 bolts, 2 barrels for the rifles so they could interchange 308 and 300 win mag. I hear that one of the problems with the feeding of the 308s is you have to keep your shells pushed to the rear when incerting them into the rifle.
If your feeding from a AI mag out of your short action you can cut the plate out in the front portion of the mag and gain a extra .1 but when you do this you need to put your action upside down in the mill and cut a small radus in your feed ramp so the shell coming up will not catch its nose on the ramp. Some bottom metals are bedded to far forward and the point of the bullet will catch on the ramp and this will cure that feeding problem also.
Thanks
Preston

 

[Ground Pressure]

I've noticed that Rangemaster Rem 40Xs are always in the short action. Maybe a production simplification issue anyway. But it is a thought.

 

[Sendero_man]

I have a 243 AI built on a Stiller TAC30 SA.

It has Badger BM and I have no feeding or ejecting issues loading the 115 DTACS. 2.825 OAL

My calling partner has a Rem. 700 LA on his 243 AI and he sometimes has feeding issues with the LA follower. He has to push them all the back for them to feed and be picked up correctly. Kinda reminds me of shooting the 220 swift with the angled boxes.