Anyone do the savage AR 223 mag modification? I found some stuff over on savage shooters but stupid photobucket has all the pics blocked out. I found a good video of a guy doing a 308 mag but hes using a different type of mag and had to machine a follower cause the mag he was using wouldn't work.
savage axis AR mag mod?
- Thread starter Axis II
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I dont have an axis, but a thought occurred to me. Since your already looking at getting a boyds stock, why not have it sent to CDI and have them fit their acis bottom metal. That would allow you a longer coal than an ar mag, which might make a difference with the long vld class bullets.
You could probably make some sort of mag well adapter to use ar mags, ive used a 223 axis and the magazine well should be wide enough for inserts of somesort.
You could probably make some sort of mag well adapter to use ar mags, ive used a 223 axis and the magazine well should be wide enough for inserts of somesort.
I don't thing mag length would be an issue with the short throat. If I knew I would get somewhat decent $ out of selling it I would run from this thing and get a model 12 but I purchased it for a whopping $230 so I cant complain for a heavy barrel. I watched this video and not really sure it will work with the 223mags. I'm trying to do this as cheap as possible.
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?...3BA1CB6DAF3134A478833BA1CB6DAF31&&FORM=VRDGAR
You could probably fit an ar mag completely inside the axis magazine if you were inclined to do it that way.
I found site using mini-14 mags like that.
http://www.snydermags.com
Im supposed to work on my buddies axis at some point in the near future so ill see how much work attaching one would be at the same time.
Also are you just interested in the increased capacity where extending the stock mag is fine, or are you wanting to be able to slap in ar mags
I found site using mini-14 mags like that.
http://www.snydermags.com
Im supposed to work on my buddies axis at some point in the near future so ill see how much work attaching one would be at the same time.
Also are you just interested in the increased capacity where extending the stock mag is fine, or are you wanting to be able to slap in ar mags
Just extend the stock magazine. Is that CDI thing a true AR mag setup or their own thing? I couldn't find any info like that.
Ive done some research on the cdi converions. As i was curious about trying something like that for my RAM.
They fit bottom metal to your stock that allows the us of AICS pattern magazines.
So not an ar type mag, but a readily available option.
If your just wanted to extend the capacity then it might be easiest, and cheapest to fit an ar15 mag inside the savage magazine. Get it lined up to feed with shims, then just pour in epoxy to lock it in place.
They fit bottom metal to your stock that allows the us of AICS pattern magazines.
So not an ar type mag, but a readily available option.
If your just wanted to extend the capacity then it might be easiest, and cheapest to fit an ar15 mag inside the savage magazine. Get it lined up to feed with shims, then just pour in epoxy to lock it in place.
Gotcha, I thought those mags looked a little odd. I figured I have 2 magazines for the axis already so convert one and leave the other 4 round and if I goofed it up I still have a 4 round.
Makes sense!
Again in theory it shouldnt be TOO hard. The savage action themselves are plenty wide enough for an ar mag to be fitted so it will feed properly. Mostly it would just be getting the magazin lined up to feed correctly. You would probably want it as far forward as possible.
Again in theory it shouldnt be TOO hard. The savage action themselves are plenty wide enough for an ar mag to be fitted so it will feed properly. Mostly it would just be getting the magazin lined up to feed correctly. You would probably want it as far forward as possible.
Based on that video I linked his only issue was the follower but his mag was different. I found another vid where the guy couldn't use the 308 mag follower so he epoxied the savage follower to the 308 follower and it worked. I remember a guy cutting the floor plate out to accommodate the AR mag and then drilling holes and pinning it with brads and jb weld and it worked well but photo bucket scrapped all his pics.
When you say want it as far forward as possible what do you mean? Sorry, you lost me on that one.
Those guys were probably (the on in the linked video for sure) trying to fit the larger .308 mags into the savage. Which dont fit all the way up so that the magazine lips can be used to control feeding so they were welding the upper part of the savage mag (which contols the round durring feeding) to the lower part of the donor mag.
The ar15 mag is thinner in the cross section and should be able to fit all the way into the savage mag box. You would need to cut the top of the savage mag off to allow the ar mag to ride up far enough for the bolt to strip rounds from it. But from there it should work.
And positioning the ar mag forward is so thwt the distance between chamber and front of the mag is such that the round wont release till the bullet is started into the chamber. Otherwise you have a good chance of it poping up and jamming.
I THINK savage is using the same mag boxes for all of their magazines, ive got a couple of those in some of my project guns ill see if the ar mags will fit in them.
The ar15 mag is thinner in the cross section and should be able to fit all the way into the savage mag box. You would need to cut the top of the savage mag off to allow the ar mag to ride up far enough for the bolt to strip rounds from it. But from there it should work.
And positioning the ar mag forward is so thwt the distance between chamber and front of the mag is such that the round wont release till the bullet is started into the chamber. Otherwise you have a good chance of it poping up and jamming.
I THINK savage is using the same mag boxes for all of their magazines, ive got a couple of those in some of my project guns ill see if the ar mags will fit in them.
Cool, thanks! I always enjoy your help/replies cause they are always filled with info.
In the picture thread I seen he cut the floor plate and slid the AR mag up into the floor plate and jb welded it together and left the savage follower but used the AR springs. I'm guessing the reason he cut the floor plate was to have something ridged to hold the AR mag into place while still being able to use the savage mag to feed rounds.
Varminterror
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For bench rest, I'd just buy/build a receiver rug - a single shot magwell plug. If you get off of the bench and need DBM repeating capabilities, I'd switch to a CDI or PT&G bottom metal, and use AI pattern mags.
That match says one round hand fed. I was looking at mag extensions for paper and woodchucks. We had like 9 in a field one time and I ran out of ammo lol.
Varminterror
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Then both of my statements apply. For your bench match, you'll benefit from a single shot magwell plug. For paper and woodchucks, you'll get your barrel as hot as you would ever want with AI mags fed through CDI or PT&G bottom metal, without breaking the bank.
I actually spent a little time tonight cutting an inletting template to put a PT&G DBM bottom metal in one of my Ruger's, really for the purpose of ELR matches, even though the rifle really isn't suitable for such.
I actually spent a little time tonight cutting an inletting template to put a PT&G DBM bottom metal in one of my Ruger's, really for the purpose of ELR matches, even though the rifle really isn't suitable for such.
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I took apart my savage 10, and one of my Arisakas, both of which use the savage .308 short action box mags.
I have both a ar15 Pmag, and a Tapco mini-14 mag.
Either mag COULD be made to fit into atleast a .308fam savage magazine. The metal would need to be modified least for the mini mag.
If positioned properly, i believe the mini-14 magazine could be made to feed correctly from its stock feed lips. I actually made a short video of holding the mag in place and feeding a single 6x47 round into my model 10....my rounds are way to long to fit in the magazine which is why i didnt try more. I dont have any .223s on hand right now....need to make another store run....
The AR mag sits too low on my savage for it to work without more modification. This is probably why everyone uses just the ar mag bodies, and the savage magazines control the feeding. Honestly if the transition from savage to ar mag is smooth enough to not be a pain to load then this is probably the best working solution.
Ive got pictures of all this stuff but resizing has to wait till i can look thru them all and pick ones worth keeping. Also none of my magazines are actual axis mags, so that may change findings.
Im all for projects like this and if theres anything i can do to help ill certainly try, BUT honestly Id likely follow VTs advice and get a cdi or ptg magazine adapter installed in a boyds stock....or the cheapest option and just carry more standard magazines.
If you do go with an AI pattern mag you can buy the bob sled insert for them for your competition. They aint cheap but i think it would make loading that axis much easier.
I have both a ar15 Pmag, and a Tapco mini-14 mag.
Either mag COULD be made to fit into atleast a .308fam savage magazine. The metal would need to be modified least for the mini mag.
If positioned properly, i believe the mini-14 magazine could be made to feed correctly from its stock feed lips. I actually made a short video of holding the mag in place and feeding a single 6x47 round into my model 10....my rounds are way to long to fit in the magazine which is why i didnt try more. I dont have any .223s on hand right now....need to make another store run....
The AR mag sits too low on my savage for it to work without more modification. This is probably why everyone uses just the ar mag bodies, and the savage magazines control the feeding. Honestly if the transition from savage to ar mag is smooth enough to not be a pain to load then this is probably the best working solution.
Ive got pictures of all this stuff but resizing has to wait till i can look thru them all and pick ones worth keeping. Also none of my magazines are actual axis mags, so that may change findings.
Im all for projects like this and if theres anything i can do to help ill certainly try, BUT honestly Id likely follow VTs advice and get a cdi or ptg magazine adapter installed in a boyds stock....or the cheapest option and just carry more standard magazines.
If you do go with an AI pattern mag you can buy the bob sled insert for them for your competition. They aint cheap but i think it would make loading that axis much easier.
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That was my concern with going that route was having to add more to it. I was told the boyds would be okay but anything else will put me into custom rifle category and that would mean shooting against $2k rifles. No way i could do that. I'm just brain storming now. I still need to get the stock, find a load for the match bullets and buy a bipod before May.
Varminterror
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The bobsled insert is just a special follower. I’d ask your MD - if changing the stock doesn’t make it a “custom rifle,” then I’d challenge wth about adding different bottom metal would make it “custom”. Different MD’s have different levels of experience, but it doesn’t make sense to me that an aftermarket stock is still “factory,” but new bottom metal crosses the line - especially when it wouldn’t be an advantage for the competition, as you’re all running like a single shot.
I'm not really sure i will ask on that one. I emailed them about the stock change and the response i got was i would be shooting in the class with AR, hunting guns, etc and then they have their custom and military division. All stocks maybe free floated, glass bed, optics, etc. I'm guessing when they say custom they are talking bull barrels the size of baseball bats and 30lbs rifles. Based on the pics they showed there are some wild looking custom rifles so i don't see anyone questioning a basic boyds laminate but i could be wrong.
Varminterror
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Right - I’d venture if an MD is generous enough to let the stock change, they won’t care about bottom metal change either.
Went through that a bit myself, the NRL22 has a “Base class” where guys can shoot any model with an MSRP below $350. Problem is, I don’t care - for any reason - to shoot a factory Tupperware stock, so I strapped on a Boyd’s on one of my Savage Mark II’s. Boom, puts me in Open class. I’d rather play and lose than not get to play, and I don’t care for any of the factory rifles on the Base list, so I’m shooting open. Would love to have a Voodoo, but for the money, I’d rather build another specialty pistol or CF rifle, so my Savage does good enough (mag’s suck).
Went through that a bit myself, the NRL22 has a “Base class” where guys can shoot any model with an MSRP below $350. Problem is, I don’t care - for any reason - to shoot a factory Tupperware stock, so I strapped on a Boyd’s on one of my Savage Mark II’s. Boom, puts me in Open class. I’d rather play and lose than not get to play, and I don’t care for any of the factory rifles on the Base list, so I’m shooting open. Would love to have a Voodoo, but for the money, I’d rather build another specialty pistol or CF rifle, so my Savage does good enough (mag’s suck).
someguy2800
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This all seams like alot of messing around for an axis.
I guess i should have added i was worried about having a bunch of after market stuff added on and get stuck going head to head with a guy and his $2k rifle.
I know my reaction to one of those Mossbergs with AR mags on he range was what in sam hell!!When life gives you lemons you make lemonade!!
When i first got this thing it was something so i could shoot woodchucks for local farmers with which then helps me gain deer and other hunting permission and when i got tired of spending an arm and a leg on factory ammo that wouldn't print less than an inch and my very first reloads all touched each other the accuracy animal was created. Trust me if i knew what i know now i would have a model 10-11 sitting in the safe and not an axis. At the time it was a heavy barrel, varmint caliber with a 4-12 scope and accu trigger for $250 i figured i would shoot 30-50 times a year but that has since changed. If i ever come across more money ill lost my rear end on this rifle and buy something nicer.
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someguy2800
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I done plenty of turd polishing in my day, I have an obscene amount of time into my handi rifle. Just thought I would throw that out for perspective, carry on!
No harm man. I appreciate any and all insight. I also have a handi rifle and seeing how they are no longer produced ive thought about a boyds thumbhole for it but its more a loaner/backup deer rifle so I don't care about it that much.
I'm a tinkerer and always looking for my next "fix" something hobby or upgrade. I figure the rifle shoots good and getting something better would put me way over the cost of a stock and a P mag so use what I got and upgrade later.
someguy2800
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Yep nothing wrong with that at all. Most of my guns are project guns.
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