Savage AICS Bolt binding on magazine

[LRJammer]

I have a custom 260 built on a Stevens 200 action (Savage model 10) in an AI chassis system. I love the stock but if there is any pressure exerted upward on the magazine, the bolt will bind up on the magazine feed lips. I tried some temporary spacers between the chassis and action to see if it could be space upward enough with bedding to stop it but then there isnt enough thread left on the action screws to ensure a good purchase on the action.

For just belly shooting it works great but when shooting from field positions, I invariably have somethting in contact with the magazine and then have the resulting problem. I shot a match last weekend and it cost me a lot of time and is very frustrating. Anyboyd have any experience with this or how I can correct it?

 

[LRJammer]

BTT. Nobody have any experience with this?

 

[Rlbol]

It is an easy fix!

Either sell me the aics or trade me for an xlr carbon chassis I have!

If either does work for you more then likely mag is binding on the bolt look at the fingers on the top of the magazine

 

[LRJammer]

The contact point is definately the feed lips of the magazine. Just wondered if anyone had encountered it and figured out a way to correct it. Have way too much money invested in this one to entertain buying another chassis. Just need to figure out how to address this problem.

 

[6brshooter]

I have 2 savages in aics, a model 10 6 br and a lrp. I have never had the issue u describe. On all chassis that use ai mags, atleast the chassis i have used, the action actually keeps the mag from going higher. Meaning that with out a barreled action in place, the mag can go several inches farther up. So ur spacer system would still not work. Might try to figure out where on the mag and bolt it catches and try to smooth/ round it. 5 rd ai mags have a lip that sits flush to the aics, should keep it from exerting too much pressure on bolt, not a great option for match rifle to limit rd count. If u could tig weld a stop on the outside of the mag to limit up pressure that could work.

 

[17874]

My bolt contacts the feed lips when pressure is placed on the bottom of the magazine, but it still feeds alright.

 

[KentuckyWindage]

So the mag is sitting too high? Is the mag catch tab out of spec? Is the mag release too long on the chassis? File something till it works, don't make a spacer thingy.

 

[6brshooter]

The release or mag tab have nothing to do with going too high. They keep the mag from going too low and the bolt skipping over a cartridge. The op's problem is pressure on the mag pushing up, causing bolt bind. I experimented with mine earlier, with me putting part of my weight on the rifle, with it resting only on the mag, i had some resistance in bolt operation. Keep in mind i had probably35-45 lbs worth leaning on/down against the rifle. Not sure what op is doing to exert that much weight on rifle/mag. I would try something different or mig/tig a 1/8" tab on the front of mag to keep over-insertion in check.

 

[LRJammer]

The release or mag tab have nothing to do with going too high. They keep the mag from going too low and the bolt skipping over a cartridge. The op's problem is pressure on the mag pushing up, causing bolt bind. I experimented with mine earlier, with me putting part of my weight on the rifle, with it resting only on the mag, i had some resistance in bolt operation. Keep in mind i had probably35-45 lbs worth leaning on/down against the rifle. Not sure what op is doing to exert that much weight on rifle/mag. I would try something different or mig/tig a 1/8" tab on the front of mag to keep over-insertion in check.

Guess I should have noted that my mags are Alpha mags. Not sure if that will make a difference. I am going to order a genuine AI mag and see if that makes a difference. If not, adding some height to the top of the mag to control its heigt would seem to be the corrective action.

 

[KentuckyWindage]

Guess I should have noted that my mags are Alpha mags. Not sure if that will make a difference. I am going to order a genuine AI mag and see if that makes a difference. If not, adding some height to the top of the mag to control its heigt would seem to be the corrective action.

The release or mag tab have nothing to do with going too high. They keep the mag from going too low and the bolt skipping over a cartridge. The op's problem is pressure on the mag pushing up, causing bolt bind. I experimented with mine earlier, with me putting part of my weight on the rifle, with it resting only on the mag, i had some resistance in bolt operation. Keep in mind i had probably35-45 lbs worth leaning on/down against the rifle. Not sure what op is doing to exert that much weight on rifle/mag. I would try something different or mig/tig a 1/8" tab on the front of mag to keep over-insertion in check.

Gotcha, somehow I missed where the problem was with the rifle resting on the mag... I have Mcree mags(AI pattern 10rnd), Mcree chassis, Sav 4.4 bottom bolt release. If my rifle is resting on the mag, major binding. I thought about trying to "bed" the chassis to limit the mag travel "upwards". I found it was much simpler to not rest the rifle on the mag! I DO NOT like AI pattern mags in my savage platform because of this problem we have and the whole single stack/partial double stack 3 foot long mag for 10 rounds bullshit. Good luck.

 

[LRJammer]

Well it would appear that the Alpha mags are the culprit. I remembered that I have the one 5 round AI mags that came with the chassis and tried it. With it inserted, I took a kneeling field position with most of the rifle weight on my hand pusing up on the mag. There was some drag, but could still cyle the action. With the Alphas, the action would just flat lock up with the bolt to the rear and couldnt push the bolt forward until my hand was moved to another position. Comparing the difference in height of the feed lips relative to the top of the mag body that limits its upward travel, there is about 3/32 of an inch. It is particularly irritating becasue the Alpa mags arent much cheaper than the AI mags. Live an learn..... and spend more money.