I am starting another build to give my ole 6.5x55 tube a home (parted out my SS last year). This time I am going to run it as a repeater in an XLR chassis. I was thinking the stagger feed may be better for mags, but I hobbled myself with one of the $30 EGW 25moa bases, which are round back only.... hence the question.

Since the stock, mag box, and barrel are all going to be changed out, is there really a benefit to running a SF over the CF?

I am seriously kicking around the idea of buying a 111LRH in .338LM, parting it out keeping the action alone (would need large shank barrel at that point). I love the LA with target port, but I can't seem to find any bolt heads that match the lug dimensions of the .338/WSM, but for a round in the .475 family.. is there anything for doing the conversion, or maybe something in the WM/RUM family?

If that doesn't work out, I am thinking a CF LA. There is some question when going to the larger/heavy hitting calibers on the small shank. IF the swede works out, I may be looking to go further with my LR play time, and bump to .338RUM or .338 Edge. I have seen a bunch of internet rhetoric about running these rounds in the small shank, but can't find a reputable source on wither it's safe/advised to run the heavier calibers with the small shank actions.

There is a 7mm WSSM large shank sitting at the local pawn for $428.xx. Is it safe to assume the WSSM rifles had the same magazine openings as the other short actions, or did Savage do anything extra to accommodate longer rounds than the .308 family?

Yeah, I am all over the map on this one... it's late and next week is finals so my brain is FRIED!