Understanding the Action: The Engine of a Rifle
Firearms are complex tools, and understanding their mechanics is essential for any shooter or gun enthusiast. The “action” of a rifle is its heart, the mechanism responsible for loading, firing, and ejecting spent cartridges. Two primary action types frequently discussed are the long action and the short action. These terms define the size and design of a rifle’s internal workings, and more importantly, they dictate the types of cartridges the firearm can handle. This article will delve into the core differences between long action and short action rifles, exploring their individual characteristics, advantages, and the scenarios where each excels.
Defining the Action
Before exploring the distinctions, it’s crucial to establish a foundational understanding of what a firearm action is. The action encompasses all the moving parts within a rifle that perform the following critical functions:
- Loading: Receiving a cartridge from a magazine or feeding it directly into the chamber.
- Chambering: Positioning the cartridge securely into the chamber, ready for ignition.
- Firing: Striking the primer of the cartridge, igniting the propellant and launching the bullet.
- Extraction: Pulling the spent cartridge casing from the chamber after firing.
- Ejection: Discarding the empty cartridge casing.
Different action designs achieve these functions in various ways (bolt-action, lever-action, semi-automatic, etc.), but the terms *long action* and *short action* primarily refer to the physical dimensions of the *bolt* and *receiver* within a bolt-action rifle.
Long Action: Designed for Power and Versatility
The long action is characterized by a receiver and bolt assembly designed to accommodate longer cartridges. Think of it as the workhorse of the rifle world, capable of handling some of the most powerful and versatile ammunition types.
Defining the Long Action
A long action rifle is built around a receiver designed to house cartridges with overall lengths typically exceeding a certain standard, often varying depending on the specific manufacturer. The bolt, the cylindrical component that locks the cartridge into the chamber, is also longer to match the longer cartridges. This longer design allows the bolt to travel a greater distance during the loading, extraction, and ejection cycles. The increased size of the action contributes to a robust design, often associated with the ability to handle high-pressure rounds.
Cartridge Compatibility in a Long Action
Long action rifles are ideally suited for cartridges that measure a significant overall length. These cartridges often provide exceptional ballistic performance, especially when it comes to downrange energy retention and effective range. Some prominent examples of cartridges commonly chambered in long actions include:
- `.30-06 Springfield`: A legendary cartridge, renowned for its versatility and effectiveness on a wide variety of game, from medium-sized whitetail deer to larger species like elk and moose.
- `.300 Winchester Magnum`: Known for its exceptional power and long-range capability, making it a favorite for hunting big game in challenging environments.
- `.270 Winchester`: Highly regarded for its flat trajectory and accuracy, making it a great choice for hunting open-country game.
- 7mm Remington Magnum: A highly effective cartridge for medium to large game, favored for its combination of power, accuracy, and manageable recoil.
- .300 Weatherby Magnum: Another excellent choice for big game hunting, known for delivering exceptional velocity and downrange performance.
This is not an exhaustive list, but it gives a general indication of the cartridge sizes. It is important to note that there can be overlap. Some cartridges designed for short actions may be chambered in long actions, but the reverse is often not practical or efficient.
Common Uses and Advantages of a Long Action
Long action rifles are often chosen for specific hunting scenarios and shooting disciplines. Their attributes make them well-suited for certain applications:
- Larger Game Hunting: The primary strength of a long action rifle is its ability to chamber powerful cartridges. This makes it an excellent choice for hunting larger game species like elk, moose, bear, and various African big game animals. The heavier bullets and higher muzzle velocities associated with these cartridges translate to increased energy on impact, contributing to a clean and ethical harvest.
- Extended Range Shooting: Many long-action cartridges are designed for extended range. The higher ballistic coefficients and flatter trajectories of bullets fired from these cartridges make it easier to compensate for bullet drop at longer distances.
- Versatility: Though optimized for longer cartridges, long action rifles can sometimes accommodate shorter cartridges, offering increased versatility if you desire the capabilities of both actions. While using a shorter round in a long action is technically possible (often requiring spacers), it typically isn’t the most optimal arrangement because the bolt throw is longer than needed, potentially impacting cycling speed.
Some Examples of Long Action Rifles
Several iconic rifles are built with long actions, establishing their legacy in the world of firearms. Some notable examples include:
- Remington 700 Long Action: A widely-used bolt-action rifle platform, known for its accuracy, aftermarket support, and popularity among hunters and shooters.
- Winchester Model 70 Long Action: Renowned for its reliability and craftsmanship, this rifle platform has a long and storied history.
Short Action: Compact and Efficient for a Range of Applications
The short action represents a shift toward compactness and efficiency. It’s designed to handle shorter cartridges, offering advantages in terms of handling and cycling speed.
Defining the Short Action
A short action rifle features a receiver and bolt assembly tailored for cartridges with shorter overall lengths. The shorter design results in a more compact rifle overall. The shorter bolt travel can translate to faster bolt cycling.
Cartridge Compatibility in a Short Action
Short action rifles chamber cartridges with shorter overall lengths. These cartridges often deliver excellent ballistic performance while maintaining a manageable size and weight profile. Popular examples of short action cartridges include:
- `.308 Winchester`: A versatile cartridge, well-suited for hunting medium-sized game and target shooting. It’s a reliable choice for a wide variety of shooting applications.
- 7mm-08 Remington: Based on the .308 Winchester case, it delivers impressive performance with excellent accuracy and flatter trajectories.
- .243 Winchester: A popular choice for varmint hunting and deer hunting, known for its accuracy and low recoil.
- .260 Remington: Another .308 based cartridge, offering excellent ballistics and range.
Again, this list is not exhaustive, and many other cartridges are chambered in short action rifles.
Common Uses and Advantages of a Short Action
Short action rifles offer distinct benefits that make them suitable for a range of applications:
- Medium Game Hunting: Short action rifles are a superb choice for hunting medium-sized game species like whitetail deer, mule deer, and pronghorn antelope. The cartridges offer ample energy to take down these animals ethically.
- Compactness and Handling: One of the primary advantages of a short action rifle is its smaller size and lighter weight. This makes the rifle easier to carry, maneuver, and handle in various hunting scenarios. The shorter action contributes to a more compact overall package.
- Potentially Faster Cycling: The shorter bolt throw in a short action can result in faster bolt cycling. This can be advantageous in situations where quick follow-up shots are necessary.
Examples of Short Action Rifles
The short action design is prevalent in the rifle market. Key examples include:
- Remington 700 Short Action: The Remington 700 is a highly popular bolt-action platform available in both long and short action configurations, giving shooters many options.
- Winchester Model 70 Short Action: Another very popular platform that has found its way into the hands of a large number of rifle enthusiasts.
Key Differences and Comparisons
Beyond the general characteristics, the core differences between long action and short action rifles have significant implications:
Cartridge Length and Overall Length
The most fundamental difference is cartridge length and, consequently, the overall length of the action. Long action rifles are designed to accommodate longer cartridges, which results in a longer receiver and bolt. Short action rifles, in contrast, are designed for shorter cartridges and therefore feature a more compact design. The longer a cartridge is, the more room is needed for its overall length, and a longer action will provide this. The overall length of the action contributes to the rifle’s overall length, affecting the handling, weight and balance of the rifle.
Weight and Handling
Due to the larger size of the receiver and bolt, long action rifles often weigh more than short action rifles. This difference in weight can be noticeable, especially when carrying the rifle for extended periods. Short action rifles typically have a more balanced feel, making them easier to handle in tight spaces or while moving through brush.
Recoil and Muzzle Rise
While the action length itself doesn’t directly cause recoil, cartridge choice does. The cartridges chambered in long action rifles tend to be more powerful, generating more recoil. This means the shooter should be prepared for a more significant kick. Short action rifles often chamber less powerful cartridges, resulting in reduced recoil. Muzzle rise (the tendency for the barrel to lift upwards after firing) is also influenced by recoil, with larger cartridges generally producing more muzzle rise. Factors like stock design also contribute to how recoil is perceived.
Accuracy Potential
Both long action and short action rifles can achieve exceptional accuracy. The accuracy of a rifle depends more on factors like the quality of the barrel, the trigger, and the shooter’s skill. The action’s role is mainly in providing a stable platform for these components. A well-built rifle in either action type can be extremely accurate.
Cartridge Availability and Cost
Both long and short action cartridges are widely available, but there can be variations in availability and cost. Some cartridges are more popular than others, influencing their production volumes and pricing. Generally, the more common the cartridge, the easier it is to find and the lower the cost. Some specialized or proprietary long action cartridges might be less readily available or more expensive than a popular short action cartridge like .308 Winchester.
Choosing the Right Action
The choice between a long action and short action rifle should depend on the intended purpose, desired performance, and personal preferences.
Factors to Consider When Selecting an Action
- Intended Use: The primary factor is the type of hunting or shooting activity. Are you hunting large game, medium game, or varmints? Will you be shooting at close, medium, or long ranges?
- Desired Cartridge Performance and Power Level: Consider the size of the game you plan to hunt. Choose an action that can handle the appropriate cartridge power.
- Physical Size and Weight Preferences: Consider how easy the rifle is to carry and maneuver. If portability is a priority, a short action might be a better choice.
- Budget: Prices can vary between rifles. Some cartridges, especially those loaded with specialized components, will cost more.
Matching Action to Purpose
- Hunting Elk in the Mountains: A long action rifle chambered in a cartridge like .300 Winchester Magnum or .30-06 Springfield is a strong choice. The power and range these cartridges provide will be useful in the mountain terrain.
- Whitetail Deer Hunting in the Woods: A short action rifle chambered in .308 Winchester or 7mm-08 Remington can be a superb option. The manageable recoil, accuracy, and compact size make this a well-rounded option.
- Target Shooting: Both action types are suitable. The choice depends on the preferred cartridge and desired level of performance. .308 Winchester in a short action is popular, as is a long action with a cartridge like .300 Winchester Magnum, depending on the target ranges.
Conclusion
The long action and short action rifles represent distinct engineering approaches to the same core function. The choice between them boils down to understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each design and matching it to the intended application. Long action rifles excel in situations where power, range, and cartridge versatility are prioritized. Short action rifles offer advantages in terms of compactness, handling, and potentially faster cycling. Weigh the factors carefully and select the rifle action that aligns best with your shooting needs. Remember to consult with a gunsmith or experienced shooter for personalized advice if you have further questions.
