If using 140-160 gr bullets, would the short Rem 700 action be long enough, in the magazine, to seat bullets out to touch the lands or would I need a long action?

Generally, 6.5X55's are chambered in standard length actions for the very reasons you just alluded to. The barrels are usually long throated to accomodate those long bullets for which these calibers have become noted. There are generally no feeding issues encountered either, when standard/ long actions are used.

Geronimo

Long....

While it will work in a short action, go for the long action. You will cheat the capability of the cartridge having to seat the bullets deeper in a short action.

Thank you!

Thank you!

A short action only if you are planning to shoot varmint weight bullets.. and if you go with a long action, MAKE sure that you throat the chamber to take bullets seated to the full length of the magazine...roughly 80 mms COAL..

cheers
seafire

In a short action, I don't believe that the magazine well will let you seat out the bullet's. I know it won't with a 6mm Rem.

You can do it either way, if the chamber reamer is set up to allow you to touch the lands (or nearly) while still fitting into the magazine.

Jaywalker