short action vs. long action, whats the difference?

[The Deer Hunter]

So whats the difference between short and long action bolt rifles?

 

[Hoppy590]

the length of the throw. and subsuquently. the size of the cartrige it can take. the differance between the armys M24 rifle and the Marine Corps M40 is the M24 is long action and the m40 is short action. this means the M24 can be made to fire larger cartrigages, such as the 30-06 and 7mm rem mag. where as the m40 is more or less limited to 7.62 nato

 

[Chawbaccer]

For example: A 308 Winchester is a short action cartridge and a 30-06 is a long action cartridge. There is also magnum length actions for the 300-375 length cartridges. The 308 can work in a long action but a 30-06 wont feed thru a short action. aome say the shorter action makes a stiffer receiver which would be more accurate, also a short action has a shorter bolt throw, making it a bit faster to use.

 

[The Deer Hunter]

oh, pics?

 

[steelhead]

Long action on top. Short action on bottom.

You can also now get actions that are shorter than the traditional short action.

 

[.38 Special]

Realistically you're talking 1/4" to 1/2". I've never been one to believe there is any advantage to a short action. Of course, if the cartridge you're looking for fits into a short action, there's no real reason to buy a long action. IMO.

 

[steelhead]

The top rifle is actually chambered in a "short action" round (358 Win) until I can figure what I am going to turn it into next.

 

[USSR]

Half an inch.

Don

 

[Goosekiller]

long action stock

can a long action stock be fitted with short action componants? Anyone know? Thanks

 

[LHB1]

Goosekiller,
No. The action must fit the inletting with rear action screw in a set place and and recoil plate at front of action fitting into an inletted slot. The long and short actions have different lengths and thus neither will fit the stock for the other action size.

Good shooting and be safe.
LB

 

[steelhead]

Maybe

You can fit a short action magazine depending on the brand. I have a Savage LA that, if I wanted, I could install a shorter box and follower. However, I have had no problems feeding my 358 Winchester or 22-250's from the existing long action setup.