List of short action calibers?

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evan the cdn

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Is there such a thing as a list of calibers that work in short actions and a list of calibers that work in long actions, or does it depend on more details that change based on the particular rifle?
 
I assume you are thinking of actions for a rebuild??? First, the diameter (size) of the boltface is a factor. (For example, a 308 won't fit in a 223 boltface recess...and vis- versa, the 223 will be too small for the extractor to catch in a 308 boltface.) Second, the length of the port opening must be long enough so a loaded round will clear to eject. (For example, although they both have the same diameter boltface, a loaded
30-06 round ...long action... will be too long to clear the shorter port opening on a short action 308)... However, you can build a 308 on a long action becuase the bullet will clear.
 
I don't think there is even a clear and precise definition.

My recommendation would be to look at a number of manufacturers web sites and see how they divided and classify their rifles.
Some even talk about a medium action.

For example: http://www.sakoa7.net/, look at models and you'll see.

Typically 308 and shorter is a "short" (7mm08, 243...), 7mm Mauser, 30-06, 7mmRM is at least medium or long, Anything longer than 30-06 is usually considered "long".
 
.284 Win will work in a short action but you may not be able to remove a loaded round without removing the bolt.

Any of the .308 derived rounds will work, .308, .260, .243, 7-08, 6.5-08.

Also 6x47, 6.5x47, 6.5-284, 6-284, 22-250, 6-250, 6XC, 6BR, 6mm Dasher, 6BRX, 7BR, if I think of any others I'll add them to the list.
 
284 Win was designed to work in a short action. Factory length rounds will function through a short action with no problem at all. Basically anything based on a 308 case (7mm-08, 260 Rem, 243, etc) and shorter are short action rounds. There are also super short action rounds, the WSSM's from Winchester. Any round based on the 7x57 case (6x57, 6.5x57, 8x57, etc) are medium length rounds designed to work in Mausers. This length also includes the 6.5x55. 30-06 length cases (280 Rem, 270 Win, 25-06 etc) are designed to work in a standard length action (in some brands this will be their "long" action. 7mm Rem Mag length magnums (270 Wby, 264 Win Mag, 338 Win Mag etc) fit into this length of action as well. Some manufacturers build a longer length action yet, for 375 H&H length magnum cartridges (300 Wby, 340 Wby, 416 Rem Mag, 8mm Rem Mag etc.) Again, in some brands, these cartridges are simply put into their "long" action. There are also longer and larger actions, rather specialised items for the bigger cartridges (big bore African cartridges up to the 50 BMG etc). Clear as mud right? Then you throw in the various bolt face options for various cartridges (not that many, really 223 Sized, 6 PPC sized, 308 sized (same as the 30-06 family), std magnum sized (7mm Rem Mag etc), which also includes the SAUM, WSM, and full length H&H cases, and the Lapua, Rigby, and other African cartridges. Then up to the 50 BMG class. There are numerous combinations of bolt head size and cartridge length, depending on what the manufacturer is trying to do ro sell at the moment. Hope that helps. - dan
 
As others have said whether a round will work in a given action depends on bolt face and the length of the port. I think the basics for each length have been pretty well covered.

On an somewhat related note, have you shot your precision carbine yet? Surely you're not thinking of re-barreling it already hehe. If you were though, because it's a savage not only can you change the barrel with relative ease, I believe the bolt face can be changed fairly easily too. This would allow you to switch from .223 bolt face to .308 if you were so inclined. That option allows you to pretty much use any of the short action calibers.

Jeff
 
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Wow. Lot's of good info here.

Jeff,
No I haven't shot it yet and I wasn't thinking about that rifle in particular when I asked the question. This is just one thing that has stumped me for a while.
 
Thought I would check this post out to find info on the RUM line. I'd like to build a 300 or 338 on a savage stevens action with a shilen screw on barrel. Anybody know if this will work? I was thinking of the stevens in a 300WM as the donor.
 
Magazine length is also an issue. Some cartridges that are offered in short actions would do better in a long action - the bullets would not have to be seated as deeply in the cases.
 
Here's a list I found on Longrangehunting.com regarding bolt face diamaters. I make no claims as to it's accuracy but it looks pretty good to me:

Some times when considering a rebarrel and chamber or cartrige change you need to
know what round will work without boltface and extractor work.

I have a cheat sheet/ready reference and thought I would share it with anyone
that is interested.

All of these groups of cartriges should interchange without bolt face and extractor
work.( some work on recever rails may be needed to improve feeding ).

As far as wild cats what ever the parent case was it should work in the action listed.

I know this list is not complete but it's close.

Short actions with a bolt face .Dia of .384 +/-
17 Rem, 204 Ruger. 222 Rimingtion, and 223 Rem.

Short actions with a bolt face .Dia of .470 +/-
225 Winchester, 22/250 Remingtion, 6mm Norma BR, 243 Win, 250 Savage, 260 Rem,
6.5/284 Norma, 7/08 Rem, 284 win, 300 Savage, 308 Win, 338 Federal, 35 Rem, and
the 358 Winchester.

Short actions with a bolt face .Dia of .540+/-
223 WSSM, 243 WSSM, 25 WSSM, 7mm Rem saum, 7mm WSM, 300 Rem saum, 300
WSM, 325 WSM, and the 350 Rem Mag.

Long actions with a bolt face .DIA of .470 +/-
220 Swift, 6mm Rem, 240 Weatherby Mag, 257 Roberts, 25-06 Rem, 257 Weatherby ,
6.5x55 Swedish, 270 Win, 7x57 Mauser, 7x64 Brenneke, 280 Rem, 30/06 Springfield,
8mm Mauser, 338/06 A Square, and the 35 Whelen.

Long actions with a bolt face .Dia of .540 +/-
264 Win Mag, 270 weatherby Mag, 7mm Rem Mag, 7mm Weatherby Mag, 7 STW,
7mm Rem Ultra Mag, 300 H & H, 300 Win Mag, 300 Weatherby Mag, 300 RUM, 303 Brit,
8mm Rem Mag, 338 Win Mag, 340 Weatherby Mag, 338 RUM, 375 H & H, 375 Weatherby,
375 RUM, 416 Rem Mag, 458 Win Mag, and the 458 Lott.

Long actions with a bolt face .Dia of .585 +/-
30/378 Weatherby, 338 Lapua, 338/378 Weatherby, 378 Weatherby mag, 416 Rigby,
416 Weatherby Mag, 460 Weatherby Mag, and the 470 Nitro Express.

I hope this information helps in deciding what your next build will be and minimize some
of the cost.

J E CUSTOM
 
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