Long or short action

[Matt_3479]

Not that I have anything in the works, more for education purposes as I’d love to eventually put together a 7mm of some sort. I’ve always had the itch for a 7-300 mag as I have nearly 1400 pieces of 300. Win mag brass with 1000-1100 being Norma brass.

But I’ve been throwing the idea around of a 7mm Saum or possibly wsm. I know the wsm has the advantage in velocity but the Saum has got me really thinking! Trying to focus on a repeater, while running the 180’s at 2900+FPS would you build a short or long action rifle?

 

[B23]

If you want to wring every last bit of velocity out of it and keep it a repeater, build it on a long action. RL26 with the 180's in a short action should have no problem getting you to 2900 though. Even stretched way out and using a long action, you're only going to gain another 50-100 fps.

 

[JBT47]

The Defiance XM is a tweener action allowing a COAL of slightly over 3”. This is a great action for a WSM or SAUM. Only problem I have with it is there is no DBM that is compatible with it.

 

[ballisticdaddy]

Just a standard .284 win using the Berger 180 hybrid is already 3.24" COAL keeping it just above the doughnut so have no idea how a short action repeater would work.

 

[Matt_3479]

Just a standard .284 win using the Berger 180 hybrid is already 3.24" COAL keeping it just above the doughnut so have no idea how a short action repeater would work.

So your figuring it would have to be a long action no matter what? I’d like to keep it as a short action cause I’m debating on throwing something together as a lighter weight hunting rifle. Htg stock, 24-26” #5-sendero contour, trigger tech, remington 700 action. Like I said just throwing the idea around. But don’t want it to be a waste if a short action is going to be restrict it too much then a long action it is. Not that big of a deal really just thought I’d ask.

 

[Ringostar]

There isn't much weight difference between the 2 actions. The difference in length is in the middle of the action. Longer feed port in the bottom, and ejection port on top. Then a little extra bolt length in the middle also. I don't believe that a short action is any significant advantage for a hunting rifle. Here is another possible issue with the short action with a 284 length case. I tried a 700 short action 284 several years ago. It was used single feed for F class. It wouldn't eject empty cases with a 1 pc scope rail on top. The empty would hit the scope rail and fall back into the action. My fingers are too big to reach in and pull the empty out. I had to pick each case out with my chamber flag.

 

[Matt_3479]

There isn't much weight difference between the 2 actions. The difference in length is in the middle of the action. Longer feed port in the bottom, and ejection port on top. Then a little extra bolt length in the middle also. I don't believe that a short action is any significant advantage for a hunting rifle. Here is another possible issue with the short action with a 284 length case. I tried a 700 short action 284 several years ago. It was used single feed for F class. It wouldn't eject empty cases with a 1 pc scope rail on top. The empty would hit the scope rail and fall back into the action. My fingers are too big to reach in and pull the empty out. I had to pick each case out with my chamber flag.

Wow that would of drove me crazy! I never really thought of that. I’d use the rifle for target as well but it’s main purpose would be as a lighter weight hunting rifle. I hunt moose in northern Ontario every year, and when we hunt clear cuts and logging roads that aren’t accessible by truck or quad they can requirier a 5-10 mile hikes. I dragged around a 15lbs 260. Rem one year for bear, and a 16lbs 300. Win mag. I don’t mind when I’m hunting the bigger clear cuts, or back lakes but wanted a middle ground compromise.

Repeater is a must, drop mag fed or internal mag doesn’t matter. Good velocity, lighter weight but heavy enough for stability. 24-26” barrel for velocity. I figured stepping to a 30 might be added recoil not needed