I see references from time to time of relatively long cartridge / bullet combinations being chambered in "standard" length actions. At what point, or length, does case or overall cartridge length require a longer action? For instance, what is the longest case or cartridge that can reasonably be used in a Mauser K98 action?

30.06 regular M2 ball length, a longer bullet needs cutting/milling the receiver's feed ramp forward and/or deeper.I do not recommand it.

Edmond, but at what case length is spent cartridge too long for a standard action because bolt throw is too short or ejection port too short, regardless of magazine box length or mods to the feed ramp? Is it 67mm or 70mm or 75mm or some other figure?

Wink,
there's always exceptions, but here's what I work along, as I like to balance effort to results
under 2.8 inches - short actions
2.8-3.4 standard length
greater than 3.4 long action/rework..

of course you ahve to take diameter of case (not bullet) into account

under .473 - you WILL have feeding issues to resolve
.473-.550 - easy enough to make work in a standard width action

over.550 - you WILL have feeding issues to resolve, and should go with a wider action (enfield, CZ, etc)


223/7.62x39/22-250 range rounds
should be in a short action, but CAN be in a properly designed standard ation

2.8-3.4 -- simple enough to put into a standard action this covers 250 savage to 458 winmag

over 3.4
either use a spelized action, one designed for them, or expect alot of work

large diameter and long length
use a specalized action and save yourself tons of work

jeffe

jeffeoso, would it be correct then for me to assume that is more a function of cartridge overall length than of case length? For instance, if the c.o.a.l remains under 3.400", then it doesn't really matter how long the empty case is?

Wink,
there's probably cases where it would, but i am much more concerned about ejejting loaded rounds

jeffe

Thanks Jeffe, I know more now than when I woke up this morning, which is a good thing.

I have a .358X.404 (case length a bit over 2.8"), built on a standard Mod. 98 action. It is a single shot. Loading is no problem and ejecting a spent case is no problem.You can not eject a loaded cases as Jeffe points out. You can, however, easily remove a loaded case in a second and a half. roger