"Prettiest" .308 Mag for a Bolt-Gun Build

[barnbwt]

No, I'm not kidding.

I'm looking to fit a detachable (or at least >10 capacity) box magazine to my 700SPS build in .308. I will be making custom bottom-metal to match my stock design, so the field is fairly wide open on what I can use. I anticipate needing to modify the magazine to work, which is fine, because I'd only need a couple for a bolt-gun.

So, aesthetics are the main criteria (aside from durability, metallic construction, <60$ "non-panic" price). I'd prefer a magazine as featureless (i.e. fewer lines, wrinkles) as possible, and the FAL is the favorite so far (since I won't cut up my FNAR mags). I greatly prefer double-stack for it's shorter profile. I have no preference for a rock-in or push-in insertion method, since the modded mag probably won't end up attaching the original way anyhow (I've not even decided if I want the magazine "removable," and to just load from the top).

I've looked at FAL mags, M1A mags, AR10 mags, and my FNAR mags; there's gotta be some others I'm missing...

Here's the build so far (handgrip isn't inletted for trigger mechanism yet). It's about 70% done on the exterior, and about 20% as far as inletting. I'm nearing the point where I have to figure out the magazine/bottom metal setup.



As you can see, it's a faceted design, that wouldn't "look right" with, say, a waffle-grid PMAG sticking out of it

TCB

 

[RPRNY]

Well, you're clearly a handy guy, so why not make your own? It's just stamped metal with a spring in it. This isn't a deer rifle you're building so it's not like the mag needs fixing against lots of movement and rough handling, and you don't need to speed change. It just needs to mate with the receiver, so a good lip and two spring clips on the receiver will do it. Bend aluminum sheet, tungsten arc weld the seams - only tacking really. Use Mauser magazine springs with a couple of extra spring links to cover the extra depth.Make up 4 of them and have them anodized in the color/texture of your preference.

Just a thought. Gives you exactly what you want.

Cool build. Hope it works out for you.

 

[Z-Michigan]

I think M1A mags are the best bet. FAL mags would be fine too. FYI, the design of the FAL mag is intended to interface with cartridge feed lips inside the FAL, unlike most other military rifle designs, so it's possible your bottom metal would be more complicated when using the FAL mag vs. another design.

 

[TIMC]

I used Surgeon bottom metal on my Remington 700 build, I got it from Brownell's. They are $350 and in stock.
http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/triggers-bottom-metals/bottom-metals/bottom-metal-with-detachable-magazine-prod27538.aspx?ttver=2

here is how mine turned out:
Remington 700 SA .308
Timney trigger
Shilen 26" light varment contour barrel
Houge custom stock with full aluminum bed block, action glass bedded
Surgeon bottom metal, uses AI mags
Leupold VX3 6.5-20 LR scope
Night force steel rings
Picatinny rail mount

 

[barnbwt]

Z-Michigan:
I didn't know the FAL was unique among the contenders, I assumed they worked the same way as most double-stack magazines; holding rounds at the right elevation for the bolt to catch them. The FAL has internal feed rails/lips of its own? That's actually closer to the Remington action so they might work.

I found group online that's gonna be offering a R700 bottom metal that takes modified FAL magazines (can't tell from their photos how they are modded, though ), and is similar to what I'm trying to accomplish. But, theirs has the FAL-lever (which I'll find a way to avoid) and will only fit a "normal" rifle stock setup.

I've heard rave reviews of the AI setups, but those mags is pricey, and they are only single stack, which kind of kills it for me . I'm trying to avoid dumping too much money into this thing, and instead fund it with my time . I need to find a metal supplier around here that'll sell me some 3/4" plate that I can begin the long process of shaping (I have no powertools other than a Dremel and hand-drill ). See you in a(nother) couple years!

TCB

 

[TIMC]

Good luck with your build!

 

[stubbicatt]

Odd to see this posting here. Today I was cleaning my CZ550 and wiping down the 10 rounder magazines. They are a thing of beauty, rubber grips on them, deep bluing, fantastic fanfold springs.

I think they are a marvel of manufacturing.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

10 round "inch" pattern FAL or M-14 rebuilt polished and blued.

I have some beauty 5 rounders I used hunting with an M-14 and they looked very nice with a prettified-Bastogne Walnut rifle. Seems like I was specifically pleased with how former Winchester (OM(C)) floor plates tuned up.

 

[Z-Michigan]

The "inch" pattern FAL mags are a bit more rugged, but MUCH more difficult to find than the metric pattern.

 

[barnbwt]

I've made about as much progress on the wood stock itself as I can without making the new bottom metal, so I'm diving into that rabbit-hole now with some 3/4" aluminum plate I ordered. I've no power tools beyond a Dremel, so I'm darn sure not gonna make it out of steel . I picked up a malfunctioning metric FAL mag (bad lips) that I will convert to a non-removable box magazine of an as yet undetermined capacity (10 or fifteen--20 is too long). I will fill in the ugly grooves in the body with lead or Bondo and sand/paint to a smooth, clean finish

I'm bumping this thread briefly to give a shout-out to the Swiss for making what it probably the most well made and gorgeous magazine I've seen. I picked this up for my upcoming PE57 build:

Hopefully my chopped up parts kit will one day look like this:


The mag body is completely seamless; I have to assume it was cast from aluminum as a unit--lips and all. The exterior is then machined to final dimensions (thus the swirly face-mill marks on the sides) The locking tabs are steel and attached with brazing. The follower is about 1.5" tall, made of smooth plastic, and rides like on rails with zero tilt. It is as easy to depress the follower from the front or back as the center. The magazine is chambered in 7.5x55 Swiss so it's huge, but can actually feed 308 just fine in the SIG AMT (export version in 308) with a spacer.