Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Model 70 FWT 6.5 Swede

Why is the Model 70 FWT 6.5 Swede a long action? Are they all long action?

I saw one for sale downtown and had always thought they were short action.

All I've ever seen are LAs. Someone posted not long ago about Winchester chambering the Swede in a SA stainless steel barreled action (FWT stock). If that's the case sign me up, as long as they use chambering reamers cut with the 3.1" magazine length in mind (kind of like the current production WSMs).

Far as the SA vs LA, it's due to long bullets and the corresponding COAL which could exceed the SA magazine length using available bullet lengths (160 gr included).

This is similar the .257 Roberts-most LAs, some SA (older Rem 700 Mtn Rifles).

Personally, I think the SA length would be fine, but Remchester didn't ask me <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />.

It's my understanding that with the exception mentioned, all are long actions. This is for the use of longer 140 and 160 grain bullets. I have noted some saying the Winchester magazine in a short action is long enough for use with a 6.5/284 even with longer bullets but not sure how or if that translates to the 6.5 Swede.

The 6.5x55 and 6.5-284 cases are the same length, so throating should be considered if you are going to use greater than 140 grain bullets. At 1 time, there was some discussion about the 700 Classics in 6.5x55 being so short throated that they wouldn't accept some factory loaded 140 grain ammo. My older push feed 70 Fwts are throated for 160 grain bullets.

Jeff