AW magazine experiences - please share

[turbo54]

Hi gang,

I would like to hear people's experience using the AW magazines, particularly concerning what cartridge you run out of them, any feeding issues you've had, and also issues "topping off" the magazine while still in the rifle.

Please share your cartridge, cartridge overall length, and any issues you've had.

Thanks!

 

[SSG3K]

Re: AW magazine experiences - please share

Are you trying to make it work with an AW/AX or something else? Meaning AICS or some type of DBM? I have a few stories but need to know what the setup is to reply.

Rich

 

[turbo54]

Re: AW magazine experiences - please share

Basically, I'm considering rebarreling my M2008 (that currently takes AW mags) to a 7mm. Not sure at this point if it'll be a 7-08, 7-08ai or a 7SLR.

Any of the 3 *really* oughtta be loaded to the maximum COAL permissible by the magazine. The AW mags seem to comfortably hold cartridges @ 2.950".

I'm curious if I'll be up against feeding issues when the cartridges are full magazine length.

I'm also curious if people have found it obnoxious trying to "top off" AW mags (in the rifle) when they're loading to a long COAL.

 

[shoot4fun]

Re: AW magazine experiences - please share

I feed one of my M2008 rifles in 308 with AW mags. Never any problem with feeding there but I don't have to load to max mag length to get what I want. I also feed my M208 7MM08 with full length OAL and 168 SMK. It feeds perfectly most of the time. The issue is that the top of my mag catch is wearing down where it was built up and sometimes the mag droops.
As for topping off while in rifle I am sure you could do it if your hands/fingers are small enough to get in there.. Mine are definitely not.

 

[wburke2010]

Re: AW magazine experiences - please share

Since I sold my 284, I am also looking at building a new 7mm and want to run it in aw mags, not sure of the best caliber to run yet.

Walter

 

[Wheres-Waldo]

Re: AW magazine experiences - please share

I shot improved 6.5x47 Lapua through my M2008 with AW magazines. Far from maximum OAL and took some tweaking on the feed lips but it ran reliably.

I would imagine once you start getting closer to maximum OAL for the magazine, you will have less room to "tilt" rounds for optimal feeding by way of messing with the feed lips though.

 

[19Scout77]

Re: AW magazine experiences - please share

Be very careful trying to feed AI rounds in AW mags. With a .243 ai the steeper shoulder line ups direct on top of one of the aw magazine's reinforcement ribs. The interference pushes the bullet tips towards the center of the mag...which in turn causes a jam.

 

[MTETM]

Re: AW magazine experiences - please share

Turbo,

I have been using AW Mags in my primary rifle for several years now. The action is an AW cut Underground Skunks Works (Defiance). I have had a couple of 6mm Creedmoor barrels and currently have a 6.5 SLR on it. I have not had any feeding issue with any of the cartridges regardless of length, or with any of the mags I have used.
I have used the AW's with CDI bottom metal and KMW BM. Will have to give them a try in one of our McRee's for the hell of it.

I haven't loaded them to 2.950, but I have had them to 2.900 and not had any issues.

Top Loading: I have played with it, but it is a PITA...I just dump the mag and stick another in...my fingers don't do well with the top load. YMMV

I have been very pleased with the mag system. I wish I had a 2 more receivers with AW cuts so I didn't need to use AICS mags. Would be nice have everything on the same system.

 

[Wheres-Waldo]

Re: AW magazine experiences - please share

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 19Scout77</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Be very careful trying to feed AI rounds in <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="color: #FF0000">AX mags</span></span>. With a .243 ai the steeper shoulder line ups direct on top of one of the <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="color: #FF0000">aw magazine's</span></span> reinforcement ribs. The interference pushes the bullet tips towards the center of the mag...which in turn causes a jam. </div></div>

Wont AX Chassis accept AW magazines?

And are you speaking of AX mags or AW mags?

 

[cav1993]

Re: AW magazine experiences - please share

One of my m2008 308 feeds aw mags very unreliably from left side of mag,binds on nearly every round regardless of round length or mag lip angle very frustrating that kind of put in back of safe and this post reminds me to readdress it. All others ever owned that utlized aw mags (m2008 and apa genesi)feed well from 308 to 284 or 708 regardless of length.

Cant adress topping off though, will take one out and try.

 

[armada]

Re: AW magazine experiences - please share

I run a few Badger actions with AW mags and have not had any issues.In fact getting another built the same way. I have loaded some Bergers to 2.95, 30 to be exact, and had no issues with feeding. Still had some room. Loading long was the only way I could get them to shoot well. My chanbers are cut for SMK in my 260s. My SMKs are loaded to 2.77. I don't load from the top. The ejection port is a little small for my fat fingers.

 

[19Scout77]

Re: AW magazine experiences - please share

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Wheres-Waldo</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 19Scout77</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Be very careful trying to feed AI rounds in <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="color: #FF0000">AX mags</span></span>. With a .243 ai the steeper shoulder line ups direct on top of one of the <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="color: #FF0000">aw magazine's</span></span> reinforcement ribs. The interference pushes the bullet tips towards the center of the mag...which in turn causes a jam. </div></div>

Wont AX Chassis accept AW magazines?

And are you speaking of AX mags or AW mags? </div></div>

You are correct, edited to address my mistake.

 

[bm11]

Re: AW magazine experiences - please share

My .260 load is 2.960" and I have no feeding issues whatsoever. However, I have heard that the 7mm WSM is a bear to get to feed out of AW mags. Not the length, the girth. It just doesn't match well to the geometry of feed lips designed for a .308 round.

 

[turbo54]

Re: AW magazine experiences - please share

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bm11</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have heard that the 7mm WSM is a bear to get to feed out of AW mags. Not the length, the girth. It just doesn't match well to the geometry of feed lips designed for a .308 round. </div></div>

I'd be surprised to learn the 7WSM could be made to feed properly out of an AW magazine at all. I toyed with the concept of using a 284 from them, and it was immediately obvious that was a "fail".

 

[TEAMSENDIT]

Re: AW magazine experiences - please share

i can tell you from recent experiences that the ackley cartridges do not work well in aw mags. stick with teh 708 or the 7mm slr. i am keeping it simple and going back to the 243 because everything that is 308 case based runs flawlessly