New member & mag box question

[Toolbreaker]

Hi guys. 1st post here. I've finished up a build recently using various parts based around a Stevens 200 receiver. It is a stagger-feed, blind box which is attached to the receiver. I've got the rifle shooting pretty well and am still working on different loads, but haven't tackled the mag feeding part yet. The receiver is from a .243 rifle, but it's now a .223. My question is: can someone measure, or does someone have, the inside length of a factory .223 mag box so that I'll know the max OAL I can load to while still feeding? Thanks in advance...

J

[dfrosch]

Welcome to the forum.

I have a stagger feed 223 internal mag that checks about 2.415" inside. I've tried a couple of these and have not been able to get it to feed reliably. Just ordered a single shot type follower.

Dana

[bootsmcguire]

Often you can work over the mag by tweaking the feed "lips" and help many feeding issues.

Some more detail on what is going on when it fails to feed may help some of use here assist you in a diagnosis.

[Toolbreaker]

Dana:

Thanks, that's just the info I was hoping for. Looks like I have quite a bit of room to play with in regards to seating depth and using the mag box as well.

Boots:

I've just been single-feeding up until now. I've still got the large factory box installed, along with the factory large follower. Out of curiosity, I tried loading the large box, but it wouldn't hold the cases on the inboard (operator's left) side. Before I purchase a short box & follower, I wanted to make sure that there was plenty of wiggle room length-wise to play with seating adjustments. Ideally, I'd like the ability to mag feed this rifle, but if there wasn't much room to play with the seating, I'd just install a single-shot follower in the existing box. Looking at the front profiles in the following link, I was thinking that the large box wouldn't work?

http://www.savageshooters.com/content.php?154-Staggered-Feed-Magazines

[bootsmcguire]

I see, I guess I misunderstood your issue.

Out of curiosity what length and for that matter what bullet are you running in your 223?

[Toolbreaker]

So far, I've just ran box ammo through it. HPR brand with 55 grain V-max, and Hornady with 68 grain BTHP. It really seemed to like the V-Max better, which is a plus in my book. I was hoping it would shoot the 50-55 grain weights well. This one will be my short-range varmint rifle, hence my interest in keeping the magazine.