{"id":17988,"date":"2025-12-19T02:46:29","date_gmt":"2025-12-19T02:46:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/?p=17988"},"modified":"2025-12-22T02:46:55","modified_gmt":"2025-12-22T02:46:55","slug":"remington-700-short-action","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/remington-700-short-action\/","title":{"rendered":"Remington 700 Short Action"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It&#8217;s safe to say that very few rifles in the history of American firearms have accumulated as much respect and popularity as <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.remarms.com\/rifles\/bolt-action\/model-700\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the Remington 700<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> short-action. Ever since its introduction in 1962, this bolt-action platform has become a favorite of civilian shooting sports enthusiasts, the military, and law enforcement. The Remington 700 short-action stands out for its speed, accuracy, and versatility across a range of popular calibers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here, we&#8217;ll analyze the Remington 700 design, explaining what makes a short-action unique. We&#8217;ll then examine compatible calibers, discuss the benefits and limitations of the short-action format, and compare the short- and long-action versions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether you&#8217;re a hunter, competitive shooter, or tactical enthusiast, understanding the Remington 700 short-action can help you select the optimal firearm for your needs.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Remington 700 Short-Action Design<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Remington 700 rifle operates as <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Bolt_action\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a bolt-action weapon<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with a cylindrical receiver and dual opposing locking lugs. The rifle provides consistent strength and accuracy through its &#8220;three rings of steel&#8221; design, which includes the bolt face, barrel shank, and receiver ring surrounding the cartridge head.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The push-feed mechanism is combined with an external plunger-style ejector, offering reliability and ease of maintenance. However, some users prefer controlled-feed systems, such as those used in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.winchesterguns.com\/products\/rifles\/model-70.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the Winchester Model 70<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Key Design Features Include:\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Adjustable trigger (X-Mark Pro in modern versions)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Broad aftermarket support for barrels, stocks, triggers, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/9mmmagazines.com\/red-dot-optics-a-buying-guide\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">optics<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Modular design with a two-lug bolt and simple construction for customization<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Accuracy-focused action with a reputation for sub-MOA performance<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Over the decades, the Remington 700 has become the foundation for numerous custom rifles, military sniper systems (such as the M24 and M40), and precision hunting rifles.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What Is a Short-Action?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bolt-action rifles are typically classified by their action length: short, long, or magnum. The short-action is designed to accommodate cartridges with an overall length (OAL) of approximately 2.3&#8243; to 2.8&#8243;. This length allows the bolt throw to be shorter than in a long action, making for faster cycling and often a stiffer, more rigid receiver, which is a beneficial trait in terms of speed and accuracy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remington 700 short-actions measure about 1\/2&#8243; shorter than their long-action counterparts, with bolt travel optimized for mid-sized cartridges.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the key benefits of the Remington 700 short-action is its compatibility with many of the most popular cartridges for<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/category\/hunting\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> hunting and target shooting<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Popular Short-Action Calibers<\/b><\/h2>\n<div id=\"attachment_18702\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-18702\" class=\"wp-image-18702 size-full\" title=\"Popular Short-Action Calibers\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC7671-Web.jpg\" alt=\"a photo of Popular Short Action Calibers\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC7671-Web.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC7671-Web-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC7671-Web-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC7671-Web-790x527.jpg 790w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-18702\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Left to Right: .308 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor, .243 Win, .260 Win, 7mm-08 Rem, .22-250 Rem, and 6mm Creedmoor.<\/p><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/rifle\/308-ammo\"><b>.308 Winchester <\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013 Arguably the most common short-action caliber, suitable for hunting and tactical applications.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/rifle\/6.5-creedmoor-ammo\"><b>6.5 Creedmoor <\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013 A modern favorite for long-range precision due to its flat trajectory and mild recoil.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/rifle\/243-ammo\"><b>.243 Winchester <\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013 Excellent for varmint and deer hunting, offering high velocity with light recoil.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/rifle\/260-remington-ammo\"><b>.260 Remington <\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013 A versatile caliber that balances ballistic efficiency with low recoil.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/reloading-supplies\/bullets\/rifle-bullets\/7mm-08-bullets\"><b>7mm-08 Remington<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 Popular among hunters for its effectiveness on medium to large game.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/rifle\/22-250-remington-ammo\"><b>.22-250 Remington <\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013 A high-velocity varmint round.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/reloading-supplies\/bullets\/rifle-bullets\/6mm-bullets\"><b>6mm Creedmoor<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 Gaining traction in precision rifle competitions.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These cartridges are well-suited for short-action rifles due to their compact case lengths and efficient powder burns.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Advantages of the Remington 700 Short-Action\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n<div id=\"attachment_18716\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-18716\" class=\"wp-image-18716 size-full\" title=\"308 bullet in a rifle chamber\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC7689-Web-1.jpg\" alt=\"a photo of a 308 bullet in a rifle chamber\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC7689-Web-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC7689-Web-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC7689-Web-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC7689-Web-1-790x527.jpg 790w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-18716\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The short-action design is compatible with popular centerfire calibers such as .308 Win and 6.5 Creedmoor.<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The short-action design provides multiple advantages to its users. The lighter weight and shorter overall length allow for faster cycling, quicker follow-up shots, and the potential for increased accuracy.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>1. Faster Bolt Cycling\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The bolt cycling becomes faster in short-action rifles because the bolt travel distance remains smaller. A shorter throw in the bolt provides multiple advantages for users:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hunting situations that require quick, successive shots.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PRS competitions and tactical matches that require quick performance and speed.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New shooters will find shorter cycling beneficial for building their shooting confidence and rhythm during training sessions.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>2. Greater Receiver Rigidity = Enhanced Accuracy\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Short-action receivers maintain less surface area that could bend or twist. The improved rigidity results in:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Better harmonics and vibration control.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The accuracy between shots remains consistent.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Predictable barrel-to-action alignment.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Precision rifle builders choose short-action platforms because the added rigidity helps maintain long-range accuracy.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>3. Lighter Overall Weight\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Short-action receivers weigh 3 to 6 ounces less than long-action ones. The minimal weight difference becomes important when:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hiking deep into backcountry terrain.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hauling gear on long hunts.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The construction of a precision rifle system weighing less than 9 pounds requires this approach.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>4. Compact, Maneuverable Rifles\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The shorter length of rifles using short-action receivers improves handling in dense brush areas and forested environments. It\u2019s also a plus in tight shooting positions in competitions, and tree stands or blinds with limited mobility.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>5. Better Efficiency and Barrel Life in Some Calibers\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The powder burn efficiency of 6.5 Creedmoor and .308 Winchester cartridges benefits from short-action receivers. The throats of these barrels endure less wear than magnum cartridges with overbored dimensions. Additionally, the precision shooter who fires thousands of rounds will benefit from extended barrel life with this configuration.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>6. Ideal for Most North American Game\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Short-action cartridges provide enough power to deliver clean kills to deer, antelope, hogs, and elk when hunters use proper aiming techniques. Most hunters will find that a short-action Remington 700 provides sufficient performance without the need to switch to a heavier, long-action rifle.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Disadvantages of the Remington 700 Short-Action\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n<div id=\"attachment_18714\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-18714\" class=\"wp-image-18714 size-full\" title=\"a bolt-action rifle\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC7731-Web.jpg\" alt=\"a photo of a bolt-action rifle\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC7731-Web.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC7731-Web-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC7731-Web-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC7731-Web-790x527.jpg 790w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-18714\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The short-action cartridge is limited in size, meaning less room for powder to increase velocities.<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As with all things, even the most appealing options have a few drawbacks. Don&#8217;t even get us started about the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.corywatson.com\/blog\/hunt-safely-season-remington-700-rifle-recalled-deadly-trigger-defect\/\">trigger issues<\/a>. Here are some key things to consider based on your circumstances.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>1. Limited Cartridge Options\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Short-action rifles have a restriction on cartridge length to about 2.8 inches or less. This disadvantage means:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/rifle\/30-06-ammo\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.30-06 Springfield,<\/span><\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/rifle\/270-ammo\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.270 Winchester<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/rifle\/300-winchester-magnum-ammo\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.300 Win Mag<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are among the long-action rounds that cannot be chambered.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You may have to choose between versatility and specialization.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Handloaders will find it challenging to seat their bullets to the maximum depth in some instances.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hunters who want to take down large game at extended distances or need flexible caliber options should consider this a significant drawback.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>2. Reduced Case Capacity = Less Muzzle Energy\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The reduced powder capacity in short-action cartridges results in lower muzzle velocity and terminal energy at extended distances and effective ranges on large game. The muzzle velocity and terminal energy at 800\u20131,000 yards, as well as the effective range on large game, are limited.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example, while 6.5 Creedmoor is incredibly efficient, it still delivers less energy at 800\u20131,000 yards than a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/reloading-supplies\/bullets\/rifle-bullets\/7mm-mag-bullets\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7mm Rem Mag<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or .300 Win Mag, which may matter for ethical big-game hunting or extreme long-range shooting.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>3. Long-Range Performance Ceiling\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The maximum distance that short-action cartridges can reach is restricted by:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The size of the bullet<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The speed potential\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The resistance to wind at long distances.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The performance of long-range precision shooting and reaching distances beyond 1,000 yards can be impacted by requiring more precise dialing, resulting in less ballistic performance compared to long-action or magnum cartridges.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>4. Potential Feeding Challenges with Longer Bullets\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The length of the 140+ grain 6.5mm bullets combined with the short-action design creates feeding problems that result in:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reduced seating depth\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Compressed powder charges\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Standard box magazines can experience feeding issues\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Short-Action VS Long Action<\/b><\/h2>\n<div id=\"attachment_18710\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-18710\" class=\"wp-image-18710 size-full\" title=\"a remington 700 bolt action rifle\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC7762-Web.jpg\" alt=\"a photo of a remington 700 bolt action rifle\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC7762-Web.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC7762-Web-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC7762-Web-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC7762-Web-790x527.jpg 790w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-18710\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">If you need magnum power, go with a long-action rifle, for everything else, a short-action will get the job done.<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"b-wrss-table-wrap\"><table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Feature<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Short-Action<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Long Action<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cartridge Length<\/span><\/i><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2.3\u201d to 2.8\u201d OAL<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2.8\u201d to 3.4\u201d OAL<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Weight<\/span><\/i><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lighter<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Heavier<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bolt Throw<\/span><\/i><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shorter (faster follow-ups)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Longer (slower cycling)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rigidity<\/span><\/i><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More rigid receiver<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Slightly less rigid<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Caliber Range<\/span><\/i><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mid-sized cartridges (.308, 6.5 CM)\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Larger cartridges (.30-06, 7mm Rem Mag)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Overall Rifle Size<\/span><\/i><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More compact<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Longer and heavier<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Applications<\/span><\/i><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Varmint, deer, and precision shooting<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Elk, moose, and long-range hunting<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n<h2><b>When to Choose a Short-Action:<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You prioritize fast cycling and lighter weight<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You primarily shoot within 600 yards<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your preferred calibers include<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/6-5-creedmoor-vs-308\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> .308 and 6.5 Creedmoor<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, among others.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You want a highly accurate rifle for hunting or PRS<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>When to Choose a Long-Action:<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You hunt large game at long distances<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You want maximum case capacity and muzzle velocity<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You prefer legacy cartridges like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/best-30-06-ammo\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.30-06 or magnums<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>A Brief History of the Remington 700 Short-action<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Remington 700 was introduced in 1962 as a civilian follow-up to the Remington 721\/722 series. Engineered to be affordable, accurate, and easy to mass-produce, the 700 quickly became a favorite of hunters and competitive shooters.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Its modularity and strong aftermarket support helped it evolve into a dominant platform for:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Custom precision rifles<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tactical sniper systems (M24 and M40)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Benchrest and<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/precision-rifle-series-competition-guide\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> PRS competition guns<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DIY builds using Remington 700 pattern actions<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The 700 short-action, in particular, played a major role in this rise due to its compatibility with some of the most accurate and efficient cartridges developed over the last few decades.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even after Remington&#8217;s bankruptcy and restructuring, the 700&#8217;s legacy continues, with new manufacturers offering 700-pattern actions and rifles designed around the same footprint.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Legacy &amp; Continued Relevance<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What keeps the Remington 700 short-action rifle relevant today? Simply put, accuracy, adaptability, and a massive ecosystem of support.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Numerous aftermarket manufacturers produce:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drop-in triggers (e.g., Timney, TriggerTech)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Custom barrels and chassis systems<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bolt upgrades and scope mounts<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stocks for precision shooting and hunting<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This has allowed the 700 short-action to stay competitive with newer designs from companies like Tikka, Bergara, and Savage. Even high-end precision rifle builders often start with a 700-pattern short-action due to its proven track record.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For those interested in custom builds or competitive shooting (such as PRS), the Remington 700 short-action remains one of the best foundations available.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Short-Action Summary<\/b><\/h2>\n<div id=\"attachment_18708\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-18708\" class=\"wp-image-18708 size-full\" title=\"a man shooting a Remington 700 short-action rifle\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC7887-Web.jpg\" alt=\"a photo of a man shooting a Remington 700 short-action rifle\" width=\"1024\" height=\"672\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC7887-Web.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC7887-Web-300x197.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC7887-Web-768x504.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC7887-Web-790x518.jpg 790w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-18708\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Remington&#8217;s <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">short-action rifle performs exceptionally well in both hunting and competition target matches.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Remington 700 short-action has become a permanent fixture in firearms history because of its precise design, versatile nature, and extensive aftermarket support. The rifle excels with popular mid-sized cartridges, offering excellent options for hunters, target shooters, and custom builders.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This rifle offers superior weight, speed, and accuracy compared to long-action or magnum calibers, although it does not deliver their full power range. It performs exceptionally well for both hunting whitetail deer in wooded areas and competing in local steel target matches.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It&#8217;s safe to say that very few rifles in the history of American firearms have accumulated as much respect and popularity as the Remington 700 short-action. Ever since its introduction in 1962, this bolt-action platform has become a favorite of civilian shooting sports enthusiasts, the military, and law enforcement. The Remington 700 short-action stands out [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":18707,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[693,396],"tags":[3371,3369,2202,1475,586,3372,3370,891,661,463,3374,3373,1235,364,3375,3376,3378,3377],"class_list":["post-17988","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-hunting","category-reviews","tag-22-250-remington","tag-260-remington","tag-308-winchester","tag-243-winchester","tag-6-5-creedmoor","tag-6mm-creedmoor","tag-7mm-08-remington","tag-bolt-action","tag-bolt-action-rifle","tag-hunting","tag-new-shooters","tag-prs-competition","tag-remington","tag-remington-700","tag-remington-700-short-action","tag-short-action","tag-short-action-cartridge","tag-short-action-rifle"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Remington 700 Short Action - Wideners Shooting, Hunting &amp; Gun Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The Remington 700 short action rifle is a testament to precision, performance, and reliability. 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