Long action vs short action ?

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charse

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Ok so I was going over the idea of a build ... Looking at 6.5 creedmoore , 260 , 308 ... I don't know and I'm at the point of pulling the trigger on one certain caliber just yet because I am still trying to figure out what my needs will be . So I was thinking that I could at least look at actions and go from there . I know there are long action 308s and that if you are reloading 260 that it is sometimes better to have a long action but is there any pros or cons to using a long action over a short ? Like using a long action for a 6.5 Creedmoore ?

Thanks
 
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Of the 3 chambers you listed, the Creedmoor will feed through a short action with heavy bullets. The other two will not if loaded with heavy bullets and seated long to take advantage of all case capacity without going to expensive long box bottom metal and magazines.
 
I am in a similar predicament and will try not to hijack the thread. I wanted to build a 7mm08AI, I have recently acquired a Remington LA, so part of me says build it and seat the 180's out as far as I can and run it in a long action, but then part of me says that's a waste of a long action and I should step up to a 280 or 284.

I agree with shooter, the creedmoor will feed and shoot the heavies just fine from a short action, where as a 260 might be borderline? I think the 260 will work well with an AICS mag with the front plate removed so that you can load to around 2.95 as opposed to the 2.80 standard length.
 
Like Toolman, I load my 260 with 139 Scenar's at short action mag length and it shoots rediculously well.

Two things to consider:
First, a short action receiver is going to be stiffer than similar long action. Second, since you're going to be getting a custom barrel, you can have it chambered for the bullet you want to use. This means that the smith can set the throat and lands where they will be optimal for that particular round.

You're probably doing a lot of reading right now but my feeling is that 260 is better if you reload and 6.5CM is better if you don't.

Almost forgot.. if you're going to be competing in any kind of match which requires quick fire, the short action bolt is slightly quicker to manipulate and I find that my long action bolts hit my nose once in a while causing me to come off my cheek weld.

Just food for thought, hope this helps
 
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charse said:
Ok so I was going over the idea of a build ... Looking at 6.5 creedmoore , 260 , 308 ... I don't know and I'm at the point of pulling the trigger on one certain caliber just yet because I am still trying to figure out what my needs will be . So I was thinking that I could at least look at actions and go from there . I know there are long action 308s and that if you are reloading 260 that it is sometimes better to have a long action but is there any pros or cons to using a long action over a short ? Like using a long action for a 6.5 Creedmoore ?

Thanks
Click to expand...

And when you have a clear idea on your goals, objectives and rifle layout, this question can be answered very easily. A hunting rifle is different then an F class rifle then a precision rifle then a ????

Also, actions vary greatly in internal sizing and supporting parts. Then there is the overall build budget which may greatly limit the options.

So focus on what you want as an end result. Focusing on parts means nothing as you are not versant in how this stuff works nor the options out there.

By sharing your end use goals, the parts will resolve in a few seconds.

YMMV

Jerry
 
CanuckR said:
I am in a similar predicament and will try not to hijack the thread. I wanted to build a 7mm08AI, I have recently acquired a Remington LA, so part of me says build it and seat the 180's out as far as I can and run it in a long action, but then part of me says that's a waste of a long action and I should step up to a 280 or 284.

I agree with shooter, the creedmoor will feed and shoot the heavies just fine from a short action, where as a 260 might be borderline? I think the 260 will work well with an AICS mag with the front plate removed so that you can load to around 2.95 as opposed to the 2.80 standard length.
Click to expand...

Dont forget about the 7x57 and all the goodness it can provide.

Jerry
 
dusticles said:
Like Toolman, I load my 260 with 139 Scenar's at short action mag length and it shoots rediculously well.

Two things to consider:
First, a short action receiver is going to be stiffer than similar long action. Second, since you're going to be getting a custom barrel, you can have it chambered for the bullet you want to use. This means that the smith can set the throat and lands where they will be optimal for that particular round.

You're probably doing a lot of reading right now but my feeling is that 260 is better if you reload and 6.5CM is better if you don't.

Almost forgot.. if you're going to be competing in any kind of match which requires quick fire, the short action bolt is slightly quicker to manipulate and I find that my long action bolts hit my nose once in a while causing me to come off my cheek weld.

Just food for thought, hope this helps
Click to expand...

In addition, short action AI magazines tend to have higher capacities than the long action AI magazines.
 
dusticles said:
Like Toolman, I load my 260 with 139 Scenar's at short action mag length and it shoots rediculously well.

Second, since you're going to be getting a custom barrel, you can have it chambered for the bullet you want to use. This means that the smith can set the throat and lands where they will be optimal for that particular round.
Click to expand...

This is exactly what I did. Knowing what you want to do before having it chambered is key.
 
From my experience shooting a 308 with heavy high BC bullets and with a long throat, I cannot always jam the lands and be able to eject a loaded round without removing the bolt.

For this reason I would prefer a long action even for 308 which usually does not call for it.

Having said that, a long action is generally not as rigid as a short action, but that does depend on the specific model of action. If you go with a long action, just make sure the model you select is real stiff.
 
Thanks !
These are the responses I was hoping for .... Stiffness of the action , not be able to eject a loaded round, having to remove cheek from cheek rest to chamber another round ...

Great info

But in the end it is all about budget and what the goal is before doing anything I guess .
Thanks
 
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