.223 in long action pros/cons

[223DRIVER]

Hey guys I bought a 223 lat year and didn't really know much about savages or rifle shooting at all. Well little did I know it was an older LA tactical 223. I have scene came across a deal on another 223 SA stagger feel spotter. My question is is there and benefit the La 223 over my other SA 223. I am looking to get a new stock and just though I might want to also get a new barrel at the same time so was curios as to the pros and cons of a LA vs SA.

[82boy]

Great find.
The 223 long action uses a special hard to find bolt head that is very desirable. Besides that there is not advantage of one over the other. the short action has a shorter bolt travel, and may have more stock options, but that would be it. They will shoot on the same accuracy plane, and barrels and other parts will interchange.

[223DRIVER]

Whats so desirable about it I'm thinking about selling or parting out the whole rifle, but if its something I'm going to want some day maybe I should hold on to it. Thanks for the help!

[82boy]

Whats so desirable about it I'm thinking about selling or parting out the whole rifle, but if its something I'm going to want some day maybe I should hold on to it. Thanks for the help!


Savage only offered the 223 in a long action for a couple of years, they went to the short action that uses a short action bolt head. People wanting to put a 223 on a long action have to either find one of these rare bolt heads, or purchase a change over kit from Sharp Shooter Supply to make it work. If you try to use a short action bolt head on a long action you will get a too long firing pin protrusion, and have blanked primers.

If it was me I would not get ride of it, for a short action.

[SSW7]

Sort of related post...

Would a standard 308 based bolt head work on a long action bolt, or as per the LA 223 need a special bolt head?

[GaCop]

I built my 1/8 twist 223 on a long action using an SSS extended baffle and a PPC extractor bolt head. I went with the long action for the added room to seat long 80 grain bullets into or to the lands and still have room to eject a loaded round if needed.

[82boy]

Would a standard 308 based bolt head work on a long action bolt, or as per the LA 223 need a special bolt head?


No a short action bolt head will not work on a long action. The 308 has the same dimensions on the case head as a 30/06 so a 30/06 bolt head would be the proper one.

[Blue Avenger]

Would a standard 308 based bolt head work on a long action bolt, or as per the LA 223 need a special bolt head?


No a short action bolt head will not work on a long action. The 308 has the same dimensions on the case head as a 30/06 so a 30/06 bolt head would be the proper one.
internal dimensions are different, the firing pin will not work with the short bolt head.