I'm a complete newbie, so forgive me. But what are the pros/cons of long-action vs. short-action? I see a lot of people mentioning it, but never understand the significance. Any shared wisdom would be appreciated!
Long-aciton, short-action?
- Thread starter Aer454
- Start date
Re: Long-aciton, short-action?
In the simplist terms use the shortest one that will accomodate the caliber of choice. But there are quite a few factors that come into play when picking action length.
In the simplist terms use the shortest one that will accomodate the caliber of choice. But there are quite a few factors that come into play when picking action length.
Re: Long-aciton, short-action?
The only "con" to a long action is it's longer and VERY slightly heavier.
The only reason to use a long action over a short one is if you mag-feed and the short action will not accommodate the length of round you wish to feed.
ie. If using a .308 and you want to seat 3 inches or longer and want to still mag feed.
The only "con" to a long action is it's longer and VERY slightly heavier.
The only reason to use a long action over a short one is if you mag-feed and the short action will not accommodate the length of round you wish to feed.
ie. If using a .308 and you want to seat 3 inches or longer and want to still mag feed.
Re: Long-aciton, short-action?
Ah okay. So (rarely) there are times, a short action wont accept a specifically long round? But it seems, in most circumstances, short-action is the way to go, if it's an option.
Thanks for the 2 bits!
Ah okay. So (rarely) there are times, a short action wont accept a specifically long round? But it seems, in most circumstances, short-action is the way to go, if it's an option.
Thanks for the 2 bits!
Re: Long-aciton, short-action?
I do not have any solid proof but I have heard that short actions can have a faster lock time. I think the general opinion is short action unless you have to. I think It would make for a slightly shorter rifle length too.
I do not have any solid proof but I have heard that short actions can have a faster lock time. I think the general opinion is short action unless you have to. I think It would make for a slightly shorter rifle length too.
Re: Long-aciton, short-action?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MuleHunter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I do not have any solid proof but I have heard that short actions can have a faster lock time. I think the general opinion is short action unless you have to. I think It would make for a slightly shorter rifle length too. </div></div>
Works for me. By the way - Benchmark Barrels... where are they located? Someone said Arlington, but I don't recall ever seeing a sign or anything around the area. (I live in Arlington). Anyway, was just curious.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MuleHunter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I do not have any solid proof but I have heard that short actions can have a faster lock time. I think the general opinion is short action unless you have to. I think It would make for a slightly shorter rifle length too. </div></div>
Works for me. By the way - Benchmark Barrels... where are they located? Someone said Arlington, but I don't recall ever seeing a sign or anything around the area. (I live in Arlington). Anyway, was just curious.
Re: Long-aciton, short-action?
Give them a call. They are always happy to help. They will show you around their shop. They are right off I-5.
Give them a call. They are always happy to help. They will show you around their shop. They are right off I-5.
Re: Long-aciton, short-action?
Aer454,
Just to be more specific, if we are talking Remington 700 Short actions vs the their long actions the answer is 2.94".
That means if your cartridge Over ALL Length (OAL) either factory or handload, is greater than 2.94" it must go into long action. If it's shorter than 2.94" then go with a short action.
It's that simple....
Aer454,
Just to be more specific, if we are talking Remington 700 Short actions vs the their long actions the answer is 2.94".
That means if your cartridge Over ALL Length (OAL) either factory or handload, is greater than 2.94" it must go into long action. If it's shorter than 2.94" then go with a short action.
It's that simple....
Re: Long-aciton, short-action?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Aer454</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Ah okay. So (rarely) there are times, a short action wont accept a specifically long round? But it seems, in most circumstances, short-action is the way to go, if it's an option.
Thanks for the 2 bits! </div></div>
No. There are rounds that, no matter what, MUST go in a long action. 30-06, 300wm, etc. The there are rounds that will fit in a short action that you may want to put in a long action for greater options when reloading. For example, 7mm winchester short magnum. A lot of guys are looking to put this round in a long action even though it will fit in a short action. They do this so that they can take the Berger 180vld and seat the bullet past 2.94" overall length.
I'm building a 7mm-08 on a long action as I intend to have an overall length of around 3 inches and I still want to be able to mag feed. Also, I already own a 30-06 so I can use a lot of the tools and parts I already have. Magazines, case holders, stocks, scope bases, etc.
The Army originally had their M24's built on long actions in the .308 caliber in so they could switch to a long action cartridge just by a barrel change and bolt swap. It allows for flexibility later down the road if you decide you'd like a change.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Aer454</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Ah okay. So (rarely) there are times, a short action wont accept a specifically long round? But it seems, in most circumstances, short-action is the way to go, if it's an option.
Thanks for the 2 bits! </div></div>
No. There are rounds that, no matter what, MUST go in a long action. 30-06, 300wm, etc. The there are rounds that will fit in a short action that you may want to put in a long action for greater options when reloading. For example, 7mm winchester short magnum. A lot of guys are looking to put this round in a long action even though it will fit in a short action. They do this so that they can take the Berger 180vld and seat the bullet past 2.94" overall length.
I'm building a 7mm-08 on a long action as I intend to have an overall length of around 3 inches and I still want to be able to mag feed. Also, I already own a 30-06 so I can use a lot of the tools and parts I already have. Magazines, case holders, stocks, scope bases, etc.
The Army originally had their M24's built on long actions in the .308 caliber in so they could switch to a long action cartridge just by a barrel change and bolt swap. It allows for flexibility later down the road if you decide you'd like a change.
Re: Long-aciton, short-action?
Last 700 I built was a 308 on a long action. Works like a champ.
Long actions are easier to find as there are more of them. They are easier to load rounds in magazine and as one guy said he can load his bullets long. I know the Engineer in Charge (retd) for the M24 and he said the design was so stated for the ability to change to longer rounds with minimal action rework.
Last 700 I built was a 308 on a long action. Works like a champ.
Long actions are easier to find as there are more of them. They are easier to load rounds in magazine and as one guy said he can load his bullets long. I know the Engineer in Charge (retd) for the M24 and he said the design was so stated for the ability to change to longer rounds with minimal action rework.
