I believe the Pre '64 action was made in one length only and would like to know from the experts if this is a bad thing or not. I've often heard that 'short' calibers such as .243 win etc. are not suited the standard length action. Can someone kindly add to this? Many thanks

Yes, it is true the pre-64 was only made in one length, but shorter cartridges of the .308 Winchester family can be fitted with very little problem and having the extra magazine length can be a distinct advantage to the reloader.

Bullet seating depth?

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Bullet seating depth?

That's one of the advantages. The Pre-64 with some modification was chambered in .22 Hornet all the up to .375 H&H (lengthwise). If you have one with an .06' boltface, a .243 is not a problem. Winchester just put a longer ejector, a long piece of metal on the left side of the extractor collar to shorten the stroke and put a spacer in the mag box to accomodate the shorter cartridge. I re-barrled an .06' National Match to .308 and never changed anything else on the action. It fed and function just as it did as an .06' only allowing me to seat 180-190 gr. bullets so as not to reduce the case capacity.

The only M70 Ive seen was chambered in .300H&H and Im having trouble visualising it in .22Hornet. Thanks for the info.

i've got both the .22 hornet and .300 h&h..in a pre-64.... the bolt travel on the hornet is only about half the stroke....and the ejector is in the magazine well....