It seems I ordered the wrong MDT stock and now I'm considering building a savage short action rifle.

The main purpose would be as a corn/bean field hunting rifle in KY and MO.

Give me your ideas for caliber, barrels, glass, etc.

ETA: I'd prefer it to NOT be 6.5CM or .308

22Creed

284 Winchester best you'll get out of a short action for long range.

Have it throated for long heavy bullets.

But I'm not sure of magazine length of your short action so that's a big consideration for me.284win shines in a long action but works fine in short but I'd look into magazine length to see if it gets you happy with the pills you want to shoot.

Also the idea of changing bolt head for say 300 wsm but I have no idea of that's possible as I'm not a savage guy or enough experience with them to say.with feeding or anything else

284 Winchester is right on heels of 7mag and excellent cartridge.

I'm thinking a 26" barreled 284 win with heavy Berger bullets would be very sweet.
You can do criterion to bartlein prefits now.everyone has jumped in

6 creed

Bingo

For short action, I would build a 358 Win (but I am in woods and timber and don't need long distance (although I do have the 284 Win and 3x 6.5x55 Swedes - but that one is not SA). You don't mention distance, but do say corn/bean field hunting, so I am assuming longer distance/no req for heavy bullets. I LOVE the 284 Win, and agree it would be awesome. But, I would lean hard towards the 6.5-284. IF you want the luxury of factory ammo, then 7-08? But assume you reload, so... Reason I say 6.5x284 that is that the plethora or 6.5 bullet weights available (espec since the 6.5 Creed) run the gamut, and assume you reload. And can get light varmit bullets up to heavy 156 grn. Light to medium light taper bbl. Glass - depends on whether weight is an issue. And I am not a glass guru, as most of my (lever) guns wear peeps, and I don't need to shoot past 100 yds normally, but can go out to 300 with a 2-7 or 3-9. Depends on budget after that...

450 yards and in, a 223/77 TMK with a 6x scope.

6.5 prc. Or 7/08.

Oscarflytyer done flung a craving on me. 6.5x55 was the rifle i killed my first deer with. It was a war gun i think, restocked on a plastic stock with a cheap scope on it. I bought it at a pawn shop in north birmingham, i believe. If im thinking of the right gun. Got me wanting another one. Ive always thought it was a fine round. Not short action but a fine round overlooked for hunting usually. Mostly just used to kill people.

Jwalk - LMAO! I LOVE the 6.5x55 - the ORIGINAL 6.5!!! Had at least 5 total. 3 surplus (one sportered - still have). A win Mdl 70 FW - LOVE it, but going to a kid that killed his first deer with it. And a Custom job on a 98 FN Mauser. The 6.5x55 (imho) is one of THE best all around calibers. You are correct that it is not a short action, but - I don't care! And - I/we have NEVER had to 'track' a deer or hog shot with a 6.5x55 - and hunted with it for 35 years!

270wsm?

6.5 PRC > 270 WSM - for a multitude of reasons

Caliber - 6CM

Barrel - northland shooters supply you can pick your length and contour

Scope - something not Chinese made at least 3-15 power or higher since it's field hunting, Mil/Mil reticle and adjustments

7-08, all day. If not, then 260 or 6.5 if you don’t want a 30. 308 if you did. It really doesn’t matter, but I’d take them all over any 6, just for on game performance….especially anything over 150#. Folks that trash a creedmoor will talk up the 6.5x55 and 260…..fur is never gonna know any difference.

Assume this is a chassis.

My advice - build a short magnum. .270WSM or something.

6.5x284 is much better performance wise in a long action.

22 creed or 22 Parvo

"My advice - build a short magnum"

Not unless you reload - AND have PLENTY of brass. SM supplies are unobtainiam from what I hear.

ps: and this from a guy that shoot a LOT of stuff that hasn't even been commercially available for decades!