Long & Short Action

tacomasr5

August 26, 2009 09:45

Excuse my ignorance,I am new to this and would like to know the difference between Long Action & Short action rifles. I see it on manufacturers web sites, and don't know what is meant by it.

Thanks

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  iwannausername

  August 26, 2009 09:51

  It relates to the over all lenght of hte cartridge....
  
  243, 308, and similar are short action
  
  30-06, 270, and similar are long action
  
  
  Basically, with the short action, you are trimming a wee bit of weight since you don't need the extra length to accomodate the overall length of the rounds...

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  He Dog

  August 26, 2009 10:05

  There is an actual cartridge length, 2.something-I-can't-remember inches that divides the two. Short actions are more rigid which aids accuracy.
  
  
  Ignorance is certainly excusable, unless you choose to stay that way, which you have not. To that end you might want to buy a copy of Cartridges of the World, 12th Ed. Here is a pre-publication sale offer: http://tinyurl.com/

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  RCrosby

  August 26, 2009 10:43

  Just to clarify;
  Shorter cartridges can be chambered in long actions;
  Not the reverse, obviously.
  So the same action could be chambered for a 30-06, (long) and a .243 or .308, which are also often chambered in short actions.

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  glabray

  August 26, 2009 15:30

  Some believe that a short action reduces the time for a repeat shot due to the shorter bolt travel.

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