AICS Mags and maximum COAL

for a .308 in a Short Action the AI mags fit a larger OAL than the Remington internal magazine. I don't have the measurement with me now but I'll try to get it for you tomorrow.

I do recall that the max OAL for a Remington internal mag is about 2.835" for a .308. Off the top of my head the AI can fit something closer to 2.9-something or 2.89 roughly. I have it written down somewhere and I have an AI mag but not with me at the moment. It isn't a huge jump but they give a little more room.

You may not have a remington at all but I figured it would provide some kind of frame of reference for comparison. I may be able to compare some other internal and detachable magazines.
 
The front plate can be removed, after which you can load to 2.960" COAL. However, this will also require modification of the feed ramp standard Remington actions.
 
I'm trying to decide whether to go 223 or 308 and wanted to make sure there wasn't a limitation caused by the mags when using heaver projectiles (say 68 and up for 223 and 168 and up for 308). Thanks for the info.
 
Some people will modify the 308 mags to work with 223 cases, then you would have more overal length than you would need and a few more round cap as well. I can try to find the thread about how to do it if your interested.
 
So far I've only be loading 223 with 68gr SMK for use in an AR-15, so COAL has been quite restrictive. I'm tossing up whether to build a 223 or 308 gun using the AICS chassis, and wondering if either of them should be eliminated owing to the magazines. Sounds like the 223 polymer mags shouldn't present a problem / restriction with a 75 gr bullet.
 
I sm thinking of ordering AICs 2.0 with 338LM mag to 300RUM conversion.
would be cool if someone gives me the details on quality and finish of a product.
since the stock, few extra mags and custom paint will cost around $2000 just for a stock.

if anyone got one "share" your experiences please! cheers
 
are there any instructions on this? I am wanting to do this because all of my LR loads tend to be too long for the mag so i have to shoot single shot

Can be done with a Dremel. Grind the plate in behind the spot welds until it detaches, and then grind the areas flush. Or, if you know someone who has access to a mill or wire EDM, that is the quick and clean way to do it...

For the rifle feed ramp, once the front place of the mag is removed, if you insert it into the rifle (sans internals), and look into it, you will see that the bottom of the feed ramp now overhands the front of the mag. The tips of bullet will get caught under this if you leave it as is and you'll get a major jam. So, you need to grind the feed ramp back about 0.090" in the center area. Since the AICS mag only feeds from the center, you don't need to open it up all the way to the sides, just re-shape it so that the center area is back behind the front inside face of the mag. I did the rough work on mine with the milling machine, then shaped it and polished with the Dremel. However, it could have been done entirely with the Dremel... just would have taken longer.

Here is a pic I found on the web that shows it:
DSC_0314-1.jpg
 
Some gunsmiths just plunge a 1/4" endmill down like this:

receivermodsforlongeroal2.jpg


receivermodsforlongeroal3.jpg


This worked ok for 308, but I was getting jams with my 6mm Crusader, so I had to open it up more.
 
I'm trying to decide whether to go 223 or 308 and wanted to make sure there wasn't a limitation caused by the mags when using heaver projectiles (say 68 and up for 223 and 168 and up for 308). Thanks for the info.

I have AI Polymer mags for .223, and I shot my 77gr SMK loads out of those without a problem. My cartridge OAL was 2.310. Available room in the mag measures 2.551, I use the .308 mags for my .260 Remington loads, cartridge OAL of 2.800, magazine measures 2.888, not as much differential room to spare. Hope this helps.
 
Back
Top Bottom