What is Medium Action? - Ultimate Reloader

If you have been wondering what “Medium Action” is or find yourself confused about the exact specifications and capabilities of this footprint, this is the guide for you.

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Build Details

We recently completed a 7mm PRC build on the channel featuring a BAT Vesper medium action resting in a Foundation Ezekiel stock, utilizing a Hawkins Precision Hunter DBM and Hunter magazine.

I quickly discovered that when shooting this rifle, it felt like I was running a short action—yet I was successfully feeding a full 7mm PRC.

It turns out you don’t always need a full long action for the 7mm PRC, and stepping down to a medium action can save you dimensional length, weight, and bolt throw.

The Industry Standard Footprints

To understand medium action, we have to look back at the industry standard: the Remington 700.

For decades, the Remington 700 footprint has standardized the aftermarket chassis, stock, and bottom metal compatibility around two distinct sizes: Short Action and Long Action.

Short Action Specifications

Using the BAT Vesper short action as a modern premium example, a short action features:

0.900″ from the back of the recoil lug to the front action screw.
6.500″ center-to-center distance between action screws.

Traditionally, short action handles cartridges around a 2.800″ overall length (like the .308 Winchester). However, utilizing extended bottom metal like the Hawkins Hunter DBM, you can push a short action to handle a 2.980″ overall length, which is great for cartridges like the 6.5 PRC.

Long Action Specifications

Using the BAT Igniter long action as an example, the standard steps up significantly:

0.910″ from the recoil lug to the front action screw.
7.350″ center-to-center distance between action screws.

This action length features a massive 4.080″ action cut. Using a Hawkins Hunter magazine without a spacer, you can run cartridges up to 3.770″ long. If you are shooting massive cartridges like the .300 PRC or .338 Lapua, you absolutely need a full long action.

Enter the Medium Action

If you are not stretching to the outer limits of a .300 PRC or .338 Lapua, there is a better, more optimized option.

In collaboration with manufacturers like BAT Machine, Hawkins Precision, and Foundation, the industry is converging on a standardized medium action footprint:

0.912″ from the back of the recoil lug to the front action screw.
6.838″ center-to-center distance between action screws.

The BAT Vesper medium features an action cut of 3.460″. When paired with the medium Hawkins Hunter magazine, you have a maximum internal cartridge capacity of 3.400″.

The 7mm PRC Sweet Spot

This 3.400″ capacity is the absolute sweet spot for the 7mm PRC. According to SAAMI specifications, the max overall length for the 7mm PRC is 3.340″.

By utilizing a medium action and the medium Hawkins Hunter magazine, you are left with 0.060″ of comfortable headroom. The entire package is completely optimized for the cartridge without requiring the excess weight or unnecessarily long bolt throw of a full long action.

Other Cartridge Candidates

Medium action is an optimal choice for two distinct scenarios: short action magnums at distance and shorter long action cartridges. Cartridges like the 6.5 PRC or 7mm SAUM often run out of room in a short action when shooters load heavy, high-BC bullets. A medium action provides that extra bit of headroom so you never have to worry about notching feed ramps or running out of magazine capacity.

Cartridges that naturally fall under that 3.400″ length limit—such as the .300 Win Mag, 7mm Rem Mag, and .30-06 Springfield—feed beautifully from a medium action platform.

A Note on Steel Magazines

If you prefer to run steel magazines (such as those from MDT), be aware that there is an industry limitation on medium steel magazines capping out at approximately 3.200″ internal length. While steel medium action magazines are a fantastic option for giving short action magnums (like the 6.5 PRC) a bit of extra room, they do not have the capacity to feed a full-length 7mm PRC. For full-length 7mm PRC in a medium action, you will need to rely on specialized setups like the Hawkins Precision Hunter system.

Conclusion

Medium action perfectly bridges the gap between traditional industry standards. Whether you are building a dedicated 7mm PRC big game rifle or want to give your 6.5 PRC plenty of room to breathe, verifying your components fit that critical 6.838″ action screw spacing will yield an incredibly optimized, fast-cycling rifle.