Gunsmithing LA or SA tailspin

[badaboom]

Ok what makes a action a long action or a short action? bolt action types
I'm working with what I believe to be a early 1990s SA .223 rem caliber M70 bolt action rifle(Pushfeed). I believe it is a SA short action. For some reason I'm continally get confused how you recognize this. I just saw a winchester replacement rifle stock that was of interest to me and it is an original winchester stock that had a varmint .222 rem originally in the stock. The owner states that the stock is for a long action - he stated that he thought that it was a short action but when he purchased the short action repalcement stock to replace it with it didn't match up but a long action did work. Any help here?

 

[Kells81]

Re: LA or SA tailspin

I do not remember when but at some point winchester put everything into a long action, 222 and up. then they started using shorts and longs, maybe someone with some winchester history will know when I think it was in the 80's but not sure.

 

[Kells81]

Re: LA or SA tailspin

Found this on stocky's stocks website

Action length info
"Winchester 70 Post-64

All receivers are the same regardless of classic, XTR, push feed, etc..Prior to 1985 all were long action regardless of chambering so be sure to measure if in doubt."

 

[badaboom]

Re: LA or SA tailspin

Appreciate the info and reference

 

[Dick D]

Re: LA or SA tailspin

Guard screw spacing on a late model long action 70 is 7.575", and the guard screw spacing on a short action is 7.035". This is for all post 64 actions, even if Winchester calls them the "new Pre-64's". I had quite an argument the other day with a gentleman about his "Pre-64 short action"!!