Savage short- v. long actions; how to determine?

**jeffreybehr** · 05-10-2021, 01:43 AM

Color me confused...or at least ignorant.

Just how long is a modern 'short' or 'long' Savage 110/12 action?? My 12BR of 2017, delivered in 6.5-284, has a bolt that's c. 6-7/16" long, overall, while the action is 8-3/8" long, from the rear of the rear tang to the face of receiver and not including the recoil lug or, of course, the barrelnut.. It uses large-shank barrels, and I've rebarreled it thrice..

The right-side (ejection) port--it also has a left-loading port--is c. 3-1/16" long, certainly long enough for even the 2.8"-long full-length-magnum cases.. The bolt from my 110 Tactical Desert, purchased new in 2020 in caliber 6Creed, fits this model-12 action and will chamber the 6XC cartridge the barrel is chambered for, and short of firing a cartridge, appears to function fully.

HIGHLY confusing is the measurement specs posted, for instance, here...

https://www.gunpartscorp.com/blog/short-action-vs-long-action

...NONE of which match that of my model 12, which has 3 action screws and which measure c. 3-7/16".

Click image for larger version.

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Is this a short action or a long action?

**Nontypical** · 05-10-2021, 06:08 AM

They refer to it as a dual port target action on the Savage website.

**olddav** · 05-10-2021, 08:06 AM

See if this helps

https://www.savageshooters.com/conte...Action-Lengths

**Nor Cal Mikie** · 05-10-2021, 09:45 AM

https://www.savageshooters.com/conte...Action-Lengths
BINGO!!

**Dave Hoback** · 05-10-2021, 10:04 AM

Just like the above post says. Savage actions are known by the distance between the centers of the action screws. Nothing else matters.

**jeffreybehr** · 05-10-2021, 01:57 PM

Originally Posted by olddav

See if this helps

https://www.savageshooters.com/conte...Action-Lengths

BINGO indeed! TYVM.. That's certainly the most-comprehensive article on Savage actions I've seen.

**Robinhood** · 05-10-2021, 02:42 PM

Originally Posted by Dave Hoback

Just like the above post says. Savage actions are known by the distance between the centers of the action screws. Nothing else matters.

yep

**jeffreybehr** · 05-10-2021, 02:43 PM

Originally Posted by Dave Hoback

Just like the above post says. Savage actions are known by the distance between the centers of the action screws. Nothing else matters.

Really? That means the bolts are the same length and have the same lug sizes, etc., among all these current models?

**Robinhood** · 05-10-2021, 06:27 PM

There are differences as each goes hand in hand. If you are trying to determine if you have a short action or a long action, the most common method is to measure the action screw center line.
You can also, as you stated measure the bolt.
You can disassemble the bolt and measure the bolt head nose. Or the firing pin. (watch out for the factory SA magnum bolt head. It uses a different Firing pin that is 1/8" longer than the standard SA firing pin.
You could measure the bolt body.
You can measure the magazine length.
You can read what is stamped on the magazine.
You could measure the ejection port too. Sometimes depending on the year, the mag port length.
I can look at an action and tell you what it is without measuring but there are many ways to skin this cat.

You have a special screw spaced Short Target action. There are no long actions with that spacing.
I have yet to see a stock made for your action besides the one Savage made and SSS sells.

Yes you can build for long magnum cartridges but unfired cartridges may have to be pulled through the rear of the action.

Good luck Jeff

Robin

**Dave Hoback** · 05-10-2021, 06:41 PM

Thank you CNN for answering based on ONE STATEMENT from my post. Sure, when you highlight that SINGLE phrase, I get it. But when the entire post is read in context, and taking into account the very question YOU ASKED being a topic of “ACTION LENGTH”, the ending “nothing else matters”, refers ENTIRELY to easily identifying the different Actions.

But your condescendence is duly noted & I’ll make a point to ignore any more of your questions if that’s what you wish. No hard feelings.

**jeffreybehr** · 05-10-2021, 07:29 PM

I'm trying to use this action for a .25 Win. Super Short Magnum cartridge, which, as the name indicates, is quite short, as in case lenth of 1.67".. The problem I have is that I'm trying to buy a new bolt, which Savage won't sell me, and which other suppliers don't identify enough for me to determine if they'll fit.. I much prefer to have a complete 'new' bolt rather than have someone change the bolthead.

'Tis all very confusing even tho I think I now understand that there are long actions, and there are short actions, and then there's the model-12 dual-port target action.

**Robinhood** · 05-10-2021, 08:31 PM

You need the Short Action standard length magnum bolt head for your wssm. It is machined for a short action magnum but the lug length is 7/16 like a standard .475 bolt head. This route is proven to be the most trouble free route to go.

25 Creedmoor would be the same. Similar case capacity with the 25wssm. You would not have to change a thing except the barrel.

**Robinhood** · 05-10-2021, 09:27 PM

It would look like I don't read but If you could find a standard short action bolt and use the PT&G bolt head you would have what you need. Otherwise wait for Midway to get the SA magnum bolt in stock.