Often on here I hear “but it’s a short action”. So people are impressed that their rifle can do almost as much as a long action of the same caliber. We’re talking about .54”. That right, a half an inch. Now there is some powder saved, and if you’re that frugal you’re probably in the wrong sport anyway. If you’re just loading for hunting, you’ll never notice the powder difference. Are we talking about weight? Like people (myself) screwing a 5 pound barrel on a short action? No, we’re not talking about weight unless you’re a serious backpack hunter where ounces (Like 3) count. Are we talking about bolt throw? Like how far you actually have to move your wrist to cycle the bolt. I don’t know. For fools like me a good action like a Tikka is still fast and easy whether it has the short or long bolt stop in it. And my dang savages are such an arm wrestling competition I can’t tell the difference either way anyway.

Last year I built a 7-08 with a truck axle. I would have preferred a .280 with a similar axle, but I had an extra short action and no extra long action. That was my simple reason.

Anyway, what are your reasons, I’m well aware they exist, it’s just not relevant for what I do.

I like long actions cause 30-06 doesn’t fit too good in a short action.

Most caliber comparable rounds from short to long action will gain about 15-20 grains of powder and about 150 to 250 fps, depending on bullet weight. That's basically going from like a 308 Win to 30-06 or a 6.5 CM to a 6.5-06. The long action magnums will gain even more. Comparing the short action rounds to a long action magnum there is a big difference in power factor and recoil. For basic hunting, most short action rounds are fine for hunting.

3030s are short action and i read they suck, IDK if i can trust a short action, probably bounce off a deer. I am buying a 30-378 just to be sure. Also long actions won 2 world wars, never seen a short action do that

This, a tirty-tirty, and a veinte dos is all anyone would ever need!

I don't know, I had a guy call me today who had just bought a 375 Chey Tac. We talked bullets and loads in detail. Then I asked how far he was planning on shooting. He said max of 300 yards. So, apparently, you now need a 375 CT for hunting out to 300 yards.

Dammit!! maybe a 416 barrett then, these deer are getting tougher all the time

LMAO! He actually asked me about his 416 Barrett also!

There’s one born every minute.

Thirty-thirty's have killed more deer than you can count.

I can count to potato

Some claim short actions are more accurate and base their claim on a belief that a shorter casing produces a more consistent power burn. Of course it could be one of many things often debated between short and long-action cartridges.

It's my understanding the highly worshiped and staunchly defended 6.5 Creedmoor was purposely developed as a short-action cartridge.

For real? What’s he doing with it, then?

I killed a lot of deer with a .270 Winchester before I ever considered the difference between a short or long action. The rifle went boom, deer went in the freezer. Took the same caliber to Colorado and Wyoming to shoot mulies and speed goats. Never even considered that a short action might be faster to operate...of course, a lot of those critters were killed with a T/C Encore, so there’s that.

I now have two 6.5 CM rifles, but action length was not a consideration. I wanted a light recoiling, accurate rifle that had enough energy to kill deer sized game at reasonable range (400 yards and under), but could go long range if desired. Check, check, check, check.

I also have a 7mm Mag and .300 Win Mag if that matters.

I’m glad somebody gets it

I have phone calls all the time from a hunter who bought a 338 Lapua Mag and wonders if it's enough gun to kill an elk.

Cheese and crackers. I bet you’ve got some stories, all right. People are goofy.

Long action holds more powder, which makes more speed. Makes more recoil, too.

Add in magnum bolt face, and increase all those some more.

That's the difference.

6MM PPC

.243 Win., 7mm-08 Rem., .270 Win., .30-06 Springfield, 8x57mm JS.

Handload them all, love them all.

I've never felt "undergunned" in any hunting situation with any one of them, though I only hunt deer and hogs in Texas.

I am kinda torn between 7mm-08 and .270 Win. Probably has more to do with the rifles they're chambered in.

I like true short actions for short action calibers. A scaled down action specific for a 308 sized cartridge like Kimber 84 or a Remington 7 makes a nice compact and lightweight rifle. It's like a tailored suit for the cartridge.

Had that EXACT conversation with a customer today who bought a 33 Nosler. his "definition" of LR hunting was 325 yards because that's the longest shooting lane cut on his lease. He also put a 5-25 scope on it.

Add a 20 gauge pump to that and I agree.

I've never read or heard it explained how the industry came to create two action sizes in the first place. Not sure but it could be one of the first examples where "open standards" were created to make it easier for manufacturers to produce and sell compatible products. For those not familiar with the term, open standards refers to specifications created so that products made by one manufacturer can be used with products made by some other manufacturer. Or perhaps it's nothing more than two sets of length ranges used to describe rifle cartridges.

I'm guessing to accommodate both ends of the spectrum. The long action were made to handle cartridges that are 3.6" long like the 375 H&H but are a little ridiculous for a 223 Remington.