Pls. explain. Newbie ?
- Thread starter bigd.45
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SDC
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The "short" and "long" are just the overall length of the action; since some cartridges are longer than others, they require a longer action to be able to feed those longer cartridges, but you wouldn't want that extra length (or weight) for shorter cartridges, so they make the actions in different lengths. An ADL has an entirely internal magazine, that has to be loaded and unloaded through the top of the receiver, at the bolt raceway. A BDL has a hinged floorplate at the bottom of the mag, so you can press a release and dump the cartridges in the mag all at once. HTH.
Legionnaire
Contributing Member
Short and long refer to the length of the action. Different cartridges have different lengths. The long actions are long enough to handle the likes of the .30-06, 7mm Mag, .300 Win Mag, and the like. The short actions handle the .223 Win, .243 Win., 7mm-08, .308 and the like. The short actions are a bit lighter, and have a shorter bolt throw when chambering a new round.
BDL and ADL refer to the finish of the guns. Same action and barrel. The BDL is nicer wood, typically includes a trapdoor on the box magazine, which allows you to unload the gun without cycling the action. ADLs are more plain, may have synthetic stocks, and have a blind magazine, meaning the only way to unload it is out of the top, typically by cycling the bolt.
That's the short answer, anyway.
BDL and ADL refer to the finish of the guns. Same action and barrel. The BDL is nicer wood, typically includes a trapdoor on the box magazine, which allows you to unload the gun without cycling the action. ADLs are more plain, may have synthetic stocks, and have a blind magazine, meaning the only way to unload it is out of the top, typically by cycling the bolt.
That's the short answer, anyway.
SDC
Member
A Special Purpose Synthetic in .308 should be a short action BDL; they have a hinged floorplate, and the "long" action starts at 270/30-06, IIRC.
Legionnaire
Contributing Member
Check Remington's web site. The BDL and ADL are specific models. The SPS is a different model, sharing some of the features of the others. It has a synthetic stock, like an ADL Synthetic, and a hinged floorplate, like a BDL. But the BDL is, and to my knowledge always has been, a wood-stocked rifle with iron sights. The SPS is a relatively new version of the 700.
http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/centerfire_rifles/model_700/model_700_SPS.asp
Click the "specifications" tab on the link above. Note that the 700 SPS in 30-06 has a 24" barrel and an overall length of 44 1/2 inches; the SPS in .308 has a 24" barrel and an overall length of 43 5/8 inches. The difference is the different length of action, indicating that the SPS in .308 is a "short action" 700.
http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/centerfire_rifles/model_700/model_700_SPS.asp
Click the "specifications" tab on the link above. Note that the 700 SPS in 30-06 has a 24" barrel and an overall length of 44 1/2 inches; the SPS in .308 has a 24" barrel and an overall length of 43 5/8 inches. The difference is the different length of action, indicating that the SPS in .308 is a "short action" 700.
SaMx
Member
the best way to understand short action and long action is that short action is basically .308 size and long action is basically .30-06 size.
There is also the distinction of "magnum length" actions, which are for extra long chamberings such as .375 H & H, i. e. the original "magnums" that had to be extra long to perform like they did. So a .308 = short action, .30-'06 = long action, .375 H & H = magnum length action
People make a big deal out of getting similar performance out of a shorter length action, so you'll often see "same performance as an xxx, but in a yyy-length action!"
I have no problem with a longer bolt throw for my needs, so it means little to me but for some people it is an important distinction for quick follow-up shots on dangerous game, etc.
gp911
People make a big deal out of getting similar performance out of a shorter length action, so you'll often see "same performance as an xxx, but in a yyy-length action!"
I have no problem with a longer bolt throw for my needs, so it means little to me but for some people it is an important distinction for quick follow-up shots on dangerous game, etc.
gp911
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