Long Action???

[Cort]

I am collecting pieces for a new build. Right now, the plan is to build a rifle for a cartridge that is commonly chambered in a short action receiver. However, I am considering buying a long action receiver to allow use of any cartridge that matches the bolt face in the future. The action will be a single shot so magazine length and cartridge feed is not an issue. Is there a downside to chambering a "short action" cartridge in a long action?

Thanks for your insight,

Cort

 

[areaone]

Can not see a problem as long as it is a single shot.

 

[wboggs]

Some feel the SA is a little more rigid. You can feed some SA cartridges from a LA magazine if they are loaded to a long OAL. 300WSMs loaded to 3.28" feed fine from a LA UltraMag magazine in a R700.

 

[Minesweeper3433]

I am going exactly this route myself with a 700LA repeater set up. For what I hope to use it for I do not need quarter minute accuracy just very consistent half minute so here is hoping it turns out fine. I have gotten 308 to feed out of my AICS 300winmag magazines as long as I put a spacer in the back pushing the shoulder up against the same stop the magnum cases stop against within the magazine.

 

[ELR Researcher]

Cort:

From what you posted:

SA Pros - potentially a shorter, lighter, less expensive, and more rigid rifle; more stock/chassis options.

SA Cons - may force you to remove the bolt to remove the case if you use a significantly "longer" cased cartridge

 

[nastynatesfish]

I built a 260 and a 7-08 on long action repeater rifles and never had a hitch.

 

[Cort]

I appreciate all of your input. I have decided to go with the short action due to the larger number of choices in stocks, etc. I don't really see me ever wanting a "long action" cartridge so the short action will work fine.

I just needed some help thinking my way through the choices.

Thanks again,

Cort