Detachable box magazine recommendations

[Unknown]

I got so much great information when asking about the 6.5mm cartridges, I figure I'll probably get as much good info on box magazines for my build.

Obviously, the rifle build will be a 6.5mm. Probably a Surgeon 591, or trued Remington 700. I am familiar with the Accuracy International box magazine system, and understand that Seekins recently posted info on this site about their system.

I would like to have a system that will use a 10 round detachable magazine, but don't know about the reliability, or ease feeding from various newer systems. I have a Sako TRG, and it's magazines are wonderful, but spendy. I have also used the Quick Clip conversion, and although mine have never malfunctioned, it seems a little flimsy compared to the Sako magazine system.

A system that uses M14 or FN magazines would be neat, but I don't know if anyone makes one. When I had my M1A I used to modify the 20 round mags to take 11-13 rounds with a full 20 round mag spring in them. Worked great!

Anyhow, I'm looking for information and recommendations on the various detachable box magazine systems that will work in the Surgeon/Rem700 platform. I have already read the excellent thread about the differences between the various Accuracy International magazines.

I'm guessing that the AI staggered 10 round military magazine will take up less length than the single stack 10 rounder, and probably be more robust. But will use of that system require modifications to the actions that can't be reasonably accomplished? Is there any other info I need to be aware of?

 

[jasonk]

Re: Detachable box magazine recommendations

In short, most all the mag "systems" that you see around here use the AI mags. Either AW or AICS mags. Badger, Seekins, Surgeon, CDI, etc all use the AI mags.

There is a trend now to use the AW mags if you can, but this will require modifying your action unless you get a Guardian/Skunkworks/Stiller/LA Precision one that is already cut for the AW mag.

Personally, I find nothing wrong with the AICS mags, I think that the AW mags are a little bit of a fad produced by some people thinking they were cooler because they came in AIAW rifles. The AICS mags eliminate a lot of feeding issues because they feed from dead center, not the right and left. Also, if you're going with a Surgeon action you won't really be able to top load the rifle all that well (which is the one benefit I can find with the AW mag) so you might as well go with the AICS mags and at that point I'd use Surgeon BM too.

 

[RTH1800]

Re: Detachable box magazine recommendations

Surgeon makes DBM for their actions. Nice set up. Badger also mekes a great DBM of course. Both use AICS which is a good box.
Now the part you might not want to hear. Why a DBM? I have seen none that are really quite and for pratical field use all are unnessary on a bolt gun. If you are shooting comps, or in a war zone fine. For hunting or field use, they are a bit of a handicap, IMO. I doubt you care what I think of them, but that is my opinion. I have and use many of them. Many find it tough to be cool without them though.

 

[Northman]

Re: Detachable box magazine recommendations

Just somebody make a metal 223 magazines as well.. even though the AI plastic mags are probably fine, but a staggerd 10 round 223 magazine would be much lower.. and feel like quality.

 

[Unknown]

Re: Detachable box magazine recommendations

I do shoot in competitions where fast reloading times can be an advantage. Although I believe that great equipment can't make up for poor shooting skills, or a lack of practice. But when shooting skills are practiced, any extra advantages do help. When I used to teach, I had one student who always bought the newest gadget rather than practice, ... his shooting still sucked, and he earned the moniker "Gizmo Joe". So, although I agree that under field conditions the detachable mags wouldn't help with hunting, they do help reload times in matches where faster times earn better scores.

The AICS mag is longer than the AIAW 10 round mag. But the AICS mag feeds from the center position. Is the center feed enough of a benefit to offset the extra length? Or, is the extra length of minimal consequence?

I ask because when I use a prone position with a tight sling, I try to get my left elbow directly under the rifle to reduce the tendency of the rifle moving in an arc to the right and down. This causes stringing to the 4-5 o'clock position on the target. However, some magazines are so long that they hit me in the forearm requiring me to have my elbow off to the side of the magazine...hence stringing.

 

[RTH1800]

Re: Detachable box magazine recommendations

I had the same trouble shooting an AICS with a sling on my Surgeon. I do like the center feed, and tough mag box. Do not have expirence with AIAW. When I shoot with a sling now, I use the short 5 rd mag, which defeats the purpose, of course. One of the reasons I am not a huge fan.
When I want a DBM now I just break out the SR 25 or custom LBR M1A. Smile

 

[Driftwood]

Re: Detachable box magazine recommendations

My rifle has a Stiller Tac 30 action and a one piece base. When I had the rifle built I didn't see any need for a drop magazine and opted for the standard BDL bottom metal. The Stiller action has a smaller ejection port, which is made smaller still by the one piece base. In a shooting school I went to over the summer, I found it somewhat difficult to make fast reloads, because the space was limited making it difficult to make sure the cartridges were pushed to the back of the magazine. I am getting an HS Precision drop magazine system to alleviate this. Its much easier to just put 4 new cartridges in the bottom. I can have a 10 round magazine for those times when I know I will have more targets. I have a HS Precision HTR with their magazine system in it and have been pleased with it. I am sticking with them so that my controls will be the same on both rifles.

 

[Unknown]

Re: Detachable box magazine recommendations

What can anyone tell me about the cost and difficulty of making the AIAW 10 round staggered feed mags work in the Surgeon actions?

 

[TEAMSENDIT]

Re: Detachable box magazine recommendations

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Unknown</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What can anyone tell me about the cost and difficulty of making the AIAW 10 round staggered feed mags work in the Surgeon actions?</div></div>

its tough to find someone who will to the modification, i gave up looking and just got a underground skunkworks action(made by defiance) instead and couldn't be happier with the action. very smooth, and all parts fit perfectly together machining masterpiece in my eyes.

 

[Hateca]

Re: Detachable box magazine recommendations

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Unknown</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What can anyone tell me about the cost and difficulty of making the AIAW 10 round staggered feed mags work in the Surgeon actions? </div></div>

I did conversion on Remington’s and others ever since the AW mag came out. I have since stopped doing this conversion ever since I developed the Guardian AW action and had Glen over at Defiance Machine do the machining.

But to answer the question I charged $125 to do the conversion. It's not just simply machine out the feed rail, if this isn't done correctly you can have issues when you go to use AICS mag and the mag pushing up too far into the receiver. The hardest part was the feed ramp. Do this wrong and you have a very expensive Surgeon paperweight.

My advice is leave the Surgeon alone and buy the Guardian AW action from Defiance Machine.

 

[sniperaviator]

Re: Detachable box magazine recommendations

Anyone know how to get an AW magazine to work on an AICS short action 308. They are double stack and take a 2.94" bullet.