Question re. Precision Rifle Build

[Saluki91]

I am in the earliest of early stages in my first precision rifle build, and have a question regarding magazines and bottom metal.

For the sake of conversation, let’s say, I find a donor action (Savage model 110) with a box magazine. If I drop this action into a chassis like a KRG Bravo, do I need to replace the bottom metal before the rifle will accept AICS magazines?

Thanks for any assistance you can offer!

 

[horsemen61]

I have no idea but others will be along to help you with that now what I am wanting to know is What Cartridge will it be chambered for?

 

[Varminterror]

let’s say, I find a donor action (Savage model 110) with a box magazine. If I drop this action into a chassis like a KRG Bravo, do I need to replace the bottom metal before the rifle will accept AICS magazines?

The KRG Bravo, like most chassis', will have integral "bottom metal" which will accept AICS magazines (or for other chassis', whatever magazine footprint they designed the chassis to accept). Shouldn't be an issue for your Savage 110, but some actions which weren't designed for DBM's will need the feed rails milled from the action to accept the DBM. For a Savage 110 in a KRG Bravo, make sure you mind your action lengths - things got more complicated when Savage started using the 110 moniker even for their short actions. You may have a bit more work in front of you and a bit of compatibility work to consider if you have a long action 110 and want to run short action AICS mags for a short action cartridge - I'm not entirely certain how Savage is managing that; whether they're all long actions or some are still short, and I'm not certain how KRG is managing the adaption either. A couple quick phone calls would have you cleared right up.

 

[Saluki91]

I have no idea but others will be along to help you with that now what I am wanting to know is What Cartridge will it be chambered for?

Thanks... If I had to choose right now, it would be 6BR. I have a lot of powder on hand that will load quite nicely in that cartridge, and I will do most of my shooting from 675 yards and in.

However, 6x47 Lapua is also under consideration, as I may want to put this rig in a field stock later on (pronghorn, whitetail, etc.). I can also get a smokin' deal on a 6x47 barrel right now... will have to weigh the savings in the cost of the barrel vs. the expense of buying powder for the 6x47.

 

[Saluki91]

The KRG Bravo, like most chassis', will have integral "bottom metal" which will accept AICS magazines (or for other chassis', whatever magazine footprint they designed the chassis to accept). Shouldn't be an issue for your Savage 110, but some actions which weren't designed for DBM's will need the feed rails milled from the action to accept the DBM. For a Savage 110 in a KRG Bravo, make sure you mind your action lengths - things got more complicated when Savage started using the 110 moniker even for their short actions. You may have a bit more work in front of you and a bit of compatibility work to consider if you have a long action 110 and want to run short action AICS mags for a short action cartridge - I'm not entirely certain how Savage is managing that; whether they're all long actions or some are still short, and I'm not certain how KRG is managing the adaption either. A couple quick phone calls would have you cleared right up.

Thanks so much! The action I have my eye on is a short action (.308). I'm 99.9% sure thta there won't be any compatibility issues with the chassis... but "I'm 99.9% sure..." are very famous last words! I really appreciate your input.

 

[Txhillbilly]

It depends on if you're using a Staggered feed magazine action or a newer Center feed action.
A Center feed action should work, but a Staggered feed will probably need some machining done on the bottom of the action to work with AICS style magazines.

 

[Varminterror]

Thanks so much! The action I have my eye on is a short action (.308). I'm 99.9% sure thta there won't be any compatibility issues with the chassis... but "I'm 99.9% sure..." are very famous last words! I really appreciate your input.

Out of curiosity, I checked the KRG site this evening, and I don't see any Savage footprints in the KRG line up currently.

 

[Saluki91]

Out of curiosity, I checked the KRG site this evening, and I don't see any Savage footprints in the KRG line up currently.

No doubt - It should be easier to find. https://kineticresearchgroup.com/product/bravo-savage/

 

[Walkalong]

Website designers slay me.

 

[thump_rrr]

3 things to look at when purchasing a Savage action/ rifle.
Action length, bolt face diameter, and barrel shank size.

For both 6x47 Lapua and 6BR You will need a short action with a 0.478” bolt face diameter and a small 1.055” (most common) barrel shank diameter.

MDT sells AICS pattern mags for 6BR.

IMPORTANT: Whatever you do DO NOT buy any Savage action with a bottom bolt release.
Most aftermarket chassis systems will not work with it.

 

[Saluki91]

Got it… and thank you!

Btw… mag availability/reliability is the only thing I am questioning with 6BR… other than that, it appears to be the easy button.

 

[Varminterror]

Got it… and thank you!

Btw… mag availability/reliability is the only thing I am questioning with 6BR… other than that, it appears to be the easy button.

If you're converting to a chassis which accepts AICS mags, then MDT 6BR mags and AIAW mags with HRD Gear blocks work perfectly for 6BR and derivative cartridges.

For many actions, AICS, MDT, and AIAW mags work just fine, even without the mag blocks. Left to Right AIAW blocked, MDT blocked, Accurate Mag (these don't work worth a damn for any cartridge), and AICS not blocked. I HAVE blocked mags, but my actions all feed just fine without blocks from AICS, MDT, and AIAW mags.

 

[thump_rrr]

If you're converting to a chassis which accepts AICS mags, then MDT 6BR mags and AIAW mags with HRD Gear blocks work perfectly for 6BR and derivative cartridges.

For many actions, AICS, MDT, and AIAW mags work just fine, even without the mag blocks. Left to Right AIAW blocked, MDT blocked, Accurate Mag (these don't work worth a damn for any cartridge), and AICS not blocked. I HAVE blocked mags, but my actions all feed just fine without blocks from AICS, MDT, and AIAW mags.
View attachment 1194398

Please elaborate on the Accurate Mags not working because I've been using Accurate mags for nearly 15 years flawlessly on 308 and 6.5CM.
I'm even using them on my 6BR without issue unaltered.
You have some sort of aftermarket follower in yours.

Any preference between HRD Gear and MDT for 6BR?

 

[Varminterror]

Please elaborate on the Accurate Mags not working

If you live anywhere with real dust, the followers hang. New followers, old followers, really doesn't matter. They bind and hang.

 

[Varminterror]

Any preference between HRD Gear and MDT for 6BR?

The HRD Gear are block and follower kits for AIAW magazines, these are stagger feed mags. Inherently, we're moving the rounds more, so we'll feel a little more mag drag in feeding, but AW mags are a lot shorter than standard magazines, so the advantages are easier loading (pop rounds into the top like AR mags, instead of sliding rounds in from the front) and the shorter profile so they are less apt to interfere on obstacles or on the ground when shooting prone. So I like AIAW mags the most, blocked or otherwise. Not all actions are cut to accept AIAW mags, they have to ride a little higher in the stock/chassis and rifles need a little wider mag port cut for the wider stagger feed front end.

The MDT mags with or without blocks are silky smooth. Almost to the point of feeling like we miss pick up. I use the 12rnd mags, binders, no binders, doesn't really matter. But they're a lot taller. My son uses MDT 12's with blocks exclusively, in my old action which used AIAW mags for several years. I use AIAW mags almost exclusively, except for 12rnd+ stages. I use the same set up in my 6 creed, obviously no blocks, AIAW's and MDT's... I know AICS mags work fine also, I just don't use them, and don't have as many. MDT is a huge supporter of the sport, and the mags run exceptionally well.

If I only had one or the other, I'd be fine. Having both is nice.

 

[Varminterror]

You have some sort of aftermarket follower in yours.

This was the "upgraded follower" Accurate sent after I sent videos of my follower dragging and failing at a match in Oklahoma. Meant to avoid tilt and binding. No dice. I have newer Accurate mags with the more traditional looking followers as well which have shipped included with stocks, but still no dice. I've played a little with graphite lube and cleaning, but we have dust out here, and they choke. The only worse mags I've ever used were the Magpul AICS pattern mags - so wild that Magpul figured out STANAG mags so well, but are so far off of the mark with their AICS pattern mags.

 

[thump_rrr]

This was the "upgraded follower" Accurate sent after I sent videos of my follower dragging and failing at a match in Oklahoma. Meant to avoid tilt and binding. No dice. I have newer Accurate mags with the more traditional looking followers as well which have shipped included with stocks, but still no dice. I've played a little with graphite lube and cleaning, but we have dust out here, and they choke. The only worse mags I've ever used were the Magpul AICS pattern mags - so wild that Magpul figured out STANAG mags so well, but are so far off of the mark with their AICS pattern mags.

This is as close to dust as we get. LOL

Shot my best score at 500M that day.

Beat it a couple of months later.

 

[Varminterror]

This is how close we get to dust down here.