RE: short-action or long-action
Yep like SJ said.
Short actions for short cartridges like the 308, 243, 22-250, 223, 350 Rem mag, WSM's,
etc...
Long actions for long or "standard" length cartridges. 30-06. 270, 300 Win mag, 7mm
Rem mag, etc...
Magnum length actions for even longer cartridges such as the ultra mags and STW's.