Best Magazines to Run in Mcree's Stock???

[Shredder58]

OK...so I just broke down and ordered a Mcree's Precision stock for my custom GAP built .308 FN/SPR. The only weak point (for me) in the current build on this rifle, is that for some reason when it was built (by another owner) they installed the factory FN DBM and FN magazine setup (old style system, limited to using only the old style 4-round mags) into a McMillan A4 stock.

Now that I am shooting matches on a pretty regular basis, being limited to mags with 4 rounds can be a PITA and leads to lost match points in many cases due to time/points lost changing magazines. Instead of spending the time and money on upgrading the existing stock to a modern DBM system, I decided to get a Mcree's stock. I have seen a few at matches and like how they look and feel. Plus, the appeal of just dropping your barreled action in (after some minimal assembly), torquing down the action screws, and not having downtime on the rifle due to shipping/installation, and possible rebedding issues, are all pretty awesome advantages.

Now my question...for those who have firsthand knowledge...what magazines should I order to use for shooting tactical matches wth a McRee's stock??? Alpha, AICS, McRee's, other? I have not received the stock yet, but I would like to get some mags ordered as I have a couple of matches coming up fast and want to hit the ground running when the new stock comes in and I don't want to suffer with magazine issues.

I really like the compact size of the 10 round Alpha mags, but my shooting partner runs them in a couple of different custom rifles and advised me against buying any (and he is a machinist/gunsmith). His problem with the Alpha's is that they fit too tight, so he is losing time/points struggling during magazine changes. He likes the Alpha mags too for their capacity and compact size (and they feed good), but he is on the verge of milling out his DBM systems so the Alpha's don't bind during mag changes.

Any help is greatly appreciated

...

 

[Captramrod01]

Re: Best Magazines to Run in Mcree's Stock???

I was running Mcree's self branded mags (5 rounders) with good results. Easy to insert and would drop free.

 

[majohnson2]

Re: Best Magazines to Run in Mcree's Stock???

For my 223 I used the AI mags, purchased from our sponsor Mile Hight Shooting. Even shooting with bullets set at longer then spec lengths, they feed reliably.

 

[StrayDog]

Re: Best Magazines to Run in Mcree's Stock???

For the FN SPR you will still need to remove metal from your action. The FN will not "drop in" to the stock and let mags seat. Search CDI bottom metal and FN SPR for good photos of the metal removal that needs doing. Also, my SPR in a McRees liked AI mags best as they allow the round to sit high. One thread you'll find has a photo of the proper round height--you want to be able to see all of the primer from behind and some brass below it too. But, I love the FN/McRees set up, and it feeds real good with AI mags! My 5 round McRees mag didn't let the round sit high enough, and neither did a standard alpha. Go AI, and good luck!

 

[usrifle]

Re: Best Magazines to Run in Mcree's Stock???

My 5R in a Mcree wouldn't seat an Alpha mag, it likes the AI's.
I haven't tried any others yet.
FWIW

 

[Dennis_in_VA]

Re: Best Magazines to Run in Mcree's Stock???

Too bad you can't get a Beta Mag in 308.

You could load it up once and shoot the whole match on one mag.

Maybe that's what I'll do. Gas Gun capability in a bolt gun.

 

[Shredder58]

Re: Best Magazines to Run in Mcree's Stock???

Thanks for the comments and input! After much research there does not appear to be any easy answers, or one size fits all solution, to the magazine delima. Magazine fit and function seems to be a common weak link across all platforms. Some work great, some work only sometimes, some don't work at all.

I called Mcree's about this, and ended up speaking with Scott. We had a really good discussion about magazine fit and function and I really appreciate him taking the time to enage with his customers to discuss issues like this.

Then there was the info provided below from StrayDog...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: StrayDog</div><div class="ubbcode-body">For the FN SPR you will still need to remove metal from your action. The FN will not "drop in" to the stock and let mags seat. Search CDI bottom metal and FN SPR for good photos of the metal removal that needs doing. Also, my SPR in a McRees liked AI mags best as they allow the round to sit high. One thread you'll find has a photo of the proper round height--you want to be able to see all of the primer from behind and some brass below it too. But, I love the FN/McRees set up, and it feeds real good with AI mags! My 5 round McRees mag didn't let the round sit high enough, and neither did a standard alpha. Go AI, and good luck! </div></div>

That info about problems with an FN/SPR action fitting in a Mcree's stock got me worried. I spoke to Scott about this when we were discussing magazine fit and function. He said the FN/SPR action will fit just fine, the problem comes back to the magazines. It is the magazines which may require some tweaking, or trimming/grinding a minor amount of metal on the action, in order for the magazines to fit, seat, lock in place, and feed rounds reliably. Scott also said this problem is not limited to FN/SPR actions, other actions and chassis or stocks can experience this same problem and may require custom fitting for proper operation. He said the action manufacturers have variances in tolerances, and or by batches, that can cause problems.

So, in conclusion it sounds like you buy what you want and then hope it works, or be willing to spend time/money to customize your action/stock/magazines to work together properly. Some guys don't have any problems at all with the combinations they are running, some guys have lots of problems and it requires some tweaking to get it all sorted out. Not exactly what I wanted to hear, but this seems to be the reality.

Many thanks to my shooting partner Dennis, for his insightful suggestion to try Betamags! Let me know how that works out for you Dennis

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