Newbie Question: Long vs Short Action

hopeisnotastrategy · May 25, 2011, 07:34 PM

I am looking to buy my first rifle and on the various manufacturer's web sites, rifles that appear otherwise identical will list the "action" as "short" or "long."

What is the "action"?

What does it mean for an action to be "long" or "short?"

What are the pros/cons of each?

Thanks!

Ideal Tool · May 25, 2011, 07:39 PM

Hello, May I suggest you go to your local library and read up on various sporting rifles, and aquaint yourself with at least the basics of firearm nomenclature before deciding upon a purchase. It could save you much dissapoitment and $$$ down the road!

gaseousclay · May 25, 2011, 07:45 PM

short vs long action simply refers to the type of cartridge length one can use on a rifle. a .308 and .223 are short actions and .270 win and 30-06 are long actions. an 'action' is the mechanism that loads and unloads a cartridge - ie. bolt action. pump action, break action, lever action, semi-auto

Kreyzhorse · May 25, 2011, 07:46 PM

Someone correct me if I get this right....

Long or short action refers to the throw of the bolt. Longer cartridges generally require a longer bolt throw to cycle the action. Shorter cartridges use a shorter throw. In theory, a short action will cycle quicker than a long action.

frumious · May 25, 2011, 07:47 PM

The action of the firearm is the "guts" of it...the set of parts that handles most of the business of firing the cartridge. For the most part, rifles are bolt action (your average traditional "deer rifle"), lever action (your average 30-30) or semi-automatic (AR-15, as an example). Although there are break-actions and others too.

Some cartridges are "short action" cartridges. Some are "long action". This distinction usually applies to bolt-action guns. Example of short action is the .308. Example of long action is the .30-06. If you have a given rifle (say, a Remington 700) in .308, and the same exact rifle in .30-06, the bolt part will be a little longer on the .30-06. That's "long action".

There is a lot more and a lot more exact information available on Wikipedia but what I have written here should get you started. Along with all the subsequent posts which will come along and correct me, I'm sure

-cls

SRH78 · May 25, 2011, 07:48 PM

The action is basically the part that makes the rifle function. It is the part the barrel attatches to that chambers and ejects cartridges. Short and long are just that, short or long. The short action is shorter, lighter, and requires less movement to cycle the action. A long action allows room for a longer cartridge.

For example

Short

223
22-250
243
308

Long

270
30-06
7 mag
300 mag

kozak6 · May 25, 2011, 08:46 PM

It essentially refers to the length of the receiver.

A long action allows the rifle to be chambered in a longer cartridge. To save money, some manufacturers also use the long action for "short action" cartridges.

A short action is intended to be used with shorter cartridges. This can allow for a slightly lighter gun. Also, theoretically, it has more accuracy potential since a shorter receiver is hopefully stiffer. Some people place great significance on this, but for most people, it doesn't really matter.

Crazy Reformer · May 25, 2011, 08:58 PM

If I were you I would do some research and decide what you want to shoot and then if they give you an option you will have to decide. I own 2 long action rifles and see no need for a short action.

20thru45 · May 25, 2011, 08:58 PM

Short actions are 1/2" shorter and the rifles will weigh about a 1/2 lb less everything else being equal.

Art Eatman · May 25, 2011, 09:24 PM

hope, have you given a fair amount of thought to what sort of shooting you will likely do? Casual shooting at tin cans? Mostly paper targets? Small game hunting? Deer hunting?

If we have some clues about your intended purpose(s), we can offer better commentary and be more helpful.

May 25, 2011, 07:34 PM	#1
hopeisnotastrategy Member Join Date: May 20, 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 66	Newbie Question: Long vs Short Action I am looking to buy my first rifle and on the various manufacturer's web sites, rifles that appear otherwise identical will list the "action" as "short" or "long." What is the "action"? What does it mean for an action to be "long" or "short?" What are the pros/cons of each? Thanks!

May 25, 2011, 07:46 PM	#4
Kreyzhorse Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2006 Location: NKY Posts: 12,463	Someone correct me if I get this right.... Long or short action refers to the throw of the bolt. Longer cartridges generally require a longer bolt throw to cycle the action. Shorter cartridges use a shorter throw. In theory, a short action will cycle quicker than a long action. __________________ "He who laughs last, laughs dead." Homer Simpson

May 25, 2011, 08:58 PM	#8
Crazy Reformer Junior Member Join Date: May 17, 2011 Location: Kaysville,Utah Posts: 8	Long or short action If I were you I would do some research and decide what you want to shoot and then if they give you an option you will have to decide. I own 2 long action rifles and see no need for a short action.

May 25, 2011, 07:39 PM	#2
Ideal Tool Junior member Join Date: October 6, 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,080	Hello, May I suggest you go to your local library and read up on various sporting rifles, and aquaint yourself with at least the basics of firearm nomenclature before deciding upon a purchase. It could save you much dissapoitment and $$$ down the road!

May 25, 2011, 07:45 PM	#3
gaseousclay Senior Member Join Date: August 4, 2010 Posts: 1,210	short vs long action simply refers to the type of cartridge length one can use on a rifle. a .308 and .223 are short actions and .270 win and 30-06 are long actions. an 'action' is the mechanism that loads and unloads a cartridge - ie. bolt action. pump action, break action, lever action, semi-auto

May 25, 2011, 07:47 PM	#5
frumious Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2009 Location: Carrollton TX Posts: 521	The action of the firearm is the "guts" of it...the set of parts that handles most of the business of firing the cartridge. For the most part, rifles are bolt action (your average traditional "deer rifle"), lever action (your average 30-30) or semi-automatic (AR-15, as an example). Although there are break-actions and others too. Some cartridges are "short action" cartridges. Some are "long action". This distinction usually applies to bolt-action guns. Example of short action is the .308. Example of long action is the .30-06. If you have a given rifle (say, a Remington 700) in .308, and the same exact rifle in .30-06, the bolt part will be a little longer on the .30-06. That's "long action". There is a lot more and a lot more exact information available on Wikipedia but what I have written here should get you started. Along with all the subsequent posts which will come along and correct me, I'm sure -cls

May 25, 2011, 07:48 PM	#6
SRH78 Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 517	The action is basically the part that makes the rifle function. It is the part the barrel attatches to that chambers and ejects cartridges. Short and long are just that, short or long. The short action is shorter, lighter, and requires less movement to cycle the action. A long action allows room for a longer cartridge. For example Short 223 22-250 243 308 Long 270 30-06 7 mag 300 mag

May 25, 2011, 08:46 PM	#7
kozak6 Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2005 Location: AZ Posts: 3,113	It essentially refers to the length of the receiver. A long action allows the rifle to be chambered in a longer cartridge. To save money, some manufacturers also use the long action for "short action" cartridges. A short action is intended to be used with shorter cartridges. This can allow for a slightly lighter gun. Also, theoretically, it has more accuracy potential since a shorter receiver is hopefully stiffer. Some people place great significance on this, but for most people, it doesn't really matter.

May 25, 2011, 08:58 PM	#9
20thru45 Senior Member Join Date: January 19, 2011 Location: In the first foothills of the Cascade mountains outside Portland OR Posts: 156	Short actions are 1/2" shorter and the rifles will weigh about a 1/2 lb less everything else being equal.

May 25, 2011, 09:24 PM	#10
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	hope, have you given a fair amount of thought to what sort of shooting you will likely do? Casual shooting at tin cans? Mostly paper targets? Small game hunting? Deer hunting? If we have some clues about your intended purpose(s), we can offer better commentary and be more helpful.