450 Bushmaster Mag Mods

**Underhammer** · 04-09-2020, 07:32 PM

I think the picture says it all.
If you don't use the spacer, the 'bullets' will move forward and nose dive........sometimes.
But, you also have to move the spring forward, or they still want to nose dive.
Not simple, just wish they would make a Bushmaster Axis.
This is what works for me.

**Robinhood** · 04-12-2020, 07:59 AM

I don't have a bushmaster but I am betting this will help someone in the future.

How does it shoot?

**Underhammer** · 04-12-2020, 08:39 AM

Originally Posted by Robinhood

I don't have a bushmaster but I am betting this will help someone in the future.

How does it shoot?

**GaCop** · 04-13-2020, 06:54 AM

Originally Posted by Underhammer

I think the picture says it all.
If you don't use the spacer, the 'bullets' will move forward and nose dive........sometimes.
But, you also have to move the spring forward, or they still want to nose dive.
Not simple, just wish they would make a Bushmaster Axis.
This is what works for me.

Good to know. I'm seriously thinking of rebarreling my 243 Axis to Bushmaster. Did you make a plastic spacer?

**Underhammer** · 04-13-2020, 09:09 AM

Originally Posted by GaCop

Good to know. I'm seriously thinking of rebarreling my 243 Axis to Bushmaster. Did you make a plastic spacer?

Mine was a 243 HB. I used some old scrap plastic.

**GaCop** · 04-21-2020, 09:37 AM

Originally Posted by Underhammer

Mine was a 243 HB. I used some old scrap plastic.

Got my barrel yesterday from Rhineland in Spring Tx. $172 shipped. Temporarily spun the barrel on the action in order to open up the factory stock channel. Really had to open it up with a 3/4" sanding drum in a drill bit extension. Barrel is tight in the channel but I've opened it up as much as I can. I'd love to find a factory Axis stock with the varmint barrel channel, the would be a perfect fit. A Boyd's laminate would be another possibility but a lot more expensive.

**GaCop** · 04-21-2020, 09:41 AM

Originally Posted by Underhammer

I think the picture says it all.
If you don't use the spacer, the 'bullets' will move forward and nose dive........sometimes.
But, you also have to move the spring forward, or they still want to nose dive.
Not simple, just wish they would make a Bushmaster Axis.
This is what works for me.

I looked at my 243 mag but am not sure how to safely remove the plastic base.

**Underhammer** · 04-21-2020, 09:48 AM

Originally Posted by GaCop

I looked at my 243 mag but am not sure how to safely remove the plastic base.

It has little plastic fingers that snap into the metal mag. They break easily, be careful. That is why I won't pull it apart for pictures.

**GaCop** · 04-22-2020, 06:41 AM

Originally Posted by Underhammer

It has little plastic fingers that snap into the metal mag. They break easily, be careful. That is why I won't pull it apart for pictures.

**GaCop** · 04-27-2020, 07:26 AM

My 243 mag definitely need your modifications, rounds nose dive every time. So far put 10 rounds thru my build to get it sighted at 100 yards. Now for load development.

**Underhammer** · 04-27-2020, 09:19 AM

You can but the replacement bottoms from ebay others may carry them. I need a long action.

search:

Savage AXIS / Trophy Hunter Short-Action Magazine Base Plate 223 to 308 Calibers

**GaCop** · 05-21-2020, 08:02 AM

Did the mag mod using a piece of pine I cut to fit the mag box. Modified the follower and used JB weld to attach the follower to the spring. Feeds the 250 gr FTX and 245 gr Interlock nice but 300 grain XTP-MAG loads hang on the front of the mag box even though I lowered the front as much as I can. Mouth of the case hangs on edge of mag. I beveled the front inside mag edge w/o results.

**Underhammer** · 05-21-2020, 10:56 AM

Try opening the spring, so that you have more spring tension on the front. When I push down on the bullet, it springs right back up!

**GaCop** · 05-22-2020, 07:41 AM

Originally Posted by Underhammer

Try opening the spring, so that you have more spring tension on the front. When I push down on the bullet, it springs right back up!

Did that yesterday. I'll see how it does Sunday at the Club range.

**Underhammer** · 05-23-2020, 11:24 AM

Shooting yesterday, first two fed great, last one 'popped' and jumped and jammed. So close!

I may try my WSM next, take the bottom off the Mod mag and a spacer......so very close.

I may open the feed lips a smidgen!

**GaCop** · 05-24-2020, 05:54 AM

Tweeked the spring but, blunt bullet loads still hang up on the mouth of the case and front of mag

**Underhammer** · 05-24-2020, 05:17 PM

Originally Posted by GaCop

Tweeked the spring but, blunt bullet loads still hang up on the mouth of the case and front of mag

Lower the front!

Have you tried to open the feed lips and get the case setting higher? I am going to try to open mine a smidgen.

I messed with mine last night and every last case fed great. Mine is close, but not perfect.

:::Just opened the front up .010, it was .390", now it is .400" the front of the case and bullet set higher.
Close it slow or fast and they all fed OK.

I use two fits all wrenches and pry apart.

**GaCop** · 05-25-2020, 07:22 AM

Originally Posted by Underhammer

Lower the front!

Have you tried to open the feed lips and get the case setting higher? I am going to try to open mine a smidgen.

I messed with mine last night and every last case fed great. Mine is close, but not perfect.

:::Just opened the front up .010, it was .390", now it is .400" the front of the case and bullet set higher.
Close it slow or fast and they all fed OK.

I use two fits all wrenches and pry apart.

I'll give that a try, thanks!

**mattri** · 05-26-2020, 01:10 PM

About to attempt this, will post results.

**GaCop** · 05-27-2020, 06:30 AM

I haven't done it yet. Weather permitting, I'm going to test some loads I made up with 405 gr cast RNFPs resized from .458" to .452", over Unique.

**mattri** · 05-31-2020, 09:19 PM

To clarify- you don't modify the spring at all correct?

**Underhammer** · 06-01-2020, 08:52 PM

"To clarify- you don't modify the spring at all correct?"

Punched a 1/8" hole thru it for a small screw to hold it from sliding.

**GaCop** · 06-05-2020, 06:43 AM

Opened up the feed lips but, with two in the mag, top round feed slick, last round still hangs up on case mouth. Still a work in progress...….

**mattri** · 07-19-2020, 09:31 PM

I'm not having any luck either. Tried the above mods and also tried modding the original 223 mag like this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2jJhj5Zd10

So far no joy.

Would a WSM mag be useful?

**GaCop** · 07-23-2020, 09:33 AM

Originally Posted by mattri

I'm not having any luck either. Tried the above mods and also tried modding the original 223 mag like this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2jJhj5Zd10

So far no joy.

Would a WSM mag be useful?

Don't know about a WSM mag but I got a 22-250 mag off of eBay but it needs mods too and will not feed blunt bullets. I notice, all bullets clear the front of the mag box, it's the mouth of the case that hangs up. Gotta play with feed lips more and mod the follower/spring.