Bolt Action .223/5.56mm Using AR Mags

[DevRogue]

As of 2019, there are now three manufacturers that make bolt action .223/5.56mm rifles that use AR mags. i'm a big proponent of mag compatibility as it saves money and helps with 'SHTF' situations.

Ruger AMERICAN RIFLE 26944 model
.223REM
22" barrel
1:8 twist, rail included

https://ruger.com/products/americanRiflePredator/specSheets/26944.html

Ruger American Rifle Ranch 26965
5.56mm
16" barrel
1:8 twist, rail included

https://ruger.com/products/americanRifleRanch/specSheets/26965.html

Mossberg MVP series
5.56mm
1:7 to 1:9 twist
16" to 20" barrel, rail included

https://www.mossberg.com/category/series/mvp-series/

Voere S16 Lightweight rifle
.223
1:?? twist
19.5" (50cm) barrel

http://www.voere.at/en/rifle-technology/hunting-rifles/s16-light-weight-rifle.html

MVP definitely gives you way more options; just curious how to re-barrel when that time comes. i have a MVP Flex in 5.56mm and love the 1:9 twist rate since i'm not rich enough to practice w/ 77gr all the time.

[ChuckDizzle]

Honestly, skip all these rifles. Double stack mag feeding bolt rifles all have some bad qualities when I fondled them whe searching for a new .223 hunting option after the AW ban on BB AR's. The actions are all rough and wobbly.

For a SHTF rifle just be prepared to convert your AR into an AW. As much fun as bolt guns are they aren't much use in defensive application. There's a reason Patton called the M1 Garand the greatest battle implement ever devised, it was high capacity and semi automatic in a world of manually operated infantry rifles.

With the right parts list an AR 15 can be every bit as accurate as a bolt gun. And you'll have a better all around platform.

Now if you want to buy a bolt action in 5.56/.223 just for enjoyment then go for it, there are a lot of great options out there, but the best ones don't feed from AR mags.

Personally I recommend a CZ 527.

[MissiontoMars]

I’m a fan of the Ruger american ranch.

[scarville]

I have a Mossberg MVP Predator and it is pretty good rifle. The barrel is not threaded .

[alpha_romeo_XV]

I have both CZ527 Varmint and Mossberg MVP Varmint.
CZ is a great rifle. Magazine limited to 5 rnds.
Mossberg will take a 20 rnd AR mag but I often just use a single shot bobsled as I'm going for accuracy not speed. When I do use a double stack magazine I push the bolt forward with my thumb then lock down with hand which minimizes the AR mag issue. Photo below has bobsled in the magwell.

[GunDog]

My Mossberg MVP Patrol Carbine.....

Mossberg 3.jpg

[3006]

I have MPV in the varmint version easy sub MOA not as acrate as my 700 Remington in 22.250 but its stock the Remington has been beded, has a much lighter trigger pull and years working up handloads that are now obsolete.

[Guardian Mode]

Honestly, skip all these rifles. Double stack mag feeding bolt rifles all have some bad qualities when I fondled them whe searching for a new .223 hunting option after the AW ban on BB AR's. The actions are all rough and wobbly.

For a SHTF rifle just be prepared to convert your AR into an AW. As much fun as bolt guns are they aren't much use in defensive application. There's a reason Patton called the M1 Garand the greatest battle implement ever devised, it was high capacity and semi automatic in a world of manually operated infantry rifles.

With the right parts list an AR 15 can be every bit as accurate as a bolt gun. And you'll have a better all around platform.

Now if you want to buy a bolt action in 5.56/.223 just for enjoyment then go for it, there are a lot of great options out there, but the best ones don't feed from AR mags.

Personally I recommend a CZ 527.

I agree with this.
I've thought about it too...but honestly, if it comes down to the point where we lose our AR's.....we've already lost America.
At that point...we should have been using them for their intended purpose. Lol.

Just have parts ready to swap over.

[ar15barrels]

As of 2019, there are now three manufacturers that make bolt action .223/5.56mm rifles that use AR mags.

Ruger AMERICAN RIFLE 26944 model
.223REM
22" barrel
1:8 twist, rail included

https://ruger.com/products/americanRiflePredator/specSheets/26944.html

Ruger American Rifle Ranch 26965
5.56mm
16" barrel
1:8 twist, rail included

https://ruger.com/products/americanRifleRanch/specSheets/26965.html

Mossberg MVP series
5.56mm
1:7 to 1:9 twist
16" to 20" barrel, rail included

https://www.mossberg.com/category/series/mvp-series/

Voere S16 Lightweight rifle
.223
1:?? twist
19.5" (50cm) barrel

http://www.voere.at/en/rifle-technology/hunting-rifles/s16-light-weight-rifle.html

The problem with using double stack magazines in bolt actions is getting the cartridge out of the magazine.
The cleanest solution is to use a 3 lug bolt so that the lug can fit between the magazine lips.
Ruger does that.
Mossberg chose to add a little tab that swings down to "snag" a cartridge and then moves back up into the diameter of the bolt when bolt is pulled back into the action during ejection. That little tab is pretty fragile.
Voere stuck the magazine on the SIDE of the action so that one of the two bolt lugs would fit within the magazine lips.

[Guardian Mode]

Another cool thing about the Ruger is...MDT makes a chassis for the AR mag version.

[rcslotcar]

I was looking into changing over my Remington seven in .223 to a AR magazine platform. A ten round mag would make a great field gun.

[WHH]

The problem with using double stack magazines in bolt actions is getting the cartridge out of the magazine.
The cleanest solution is to use a 3 lug bolt so that the lug can fit between the magazine lips.
Ruger does that.
Mossberg chose to add a little tab that swings down to "snag" a cartridge and then moves back up into the diameter of the bolt when bolt is pulled back into the action during ejection. That little tab is pretty fragile.
Voere stuck the magazine on the SIDE of the action so that one of the two bolt lugs would fit within the magazine lips.

Does this make the Ruger the preferred choice in your opinion?

[dfletcher]

I was looking into changing over my Remington seven in .223 to a AR magazine platform. A ten round mag would make a great field gun.

Check out Pacific Tool and Gauge. They sell bottom metal that drops in and allows for AR 15 mag use. I've had one for a few years, use it in a Remington 700 Hart barreled 6X45 set up by Ken Breda (Kendog 45/70) that's so accurate it's boring.

"Drop in" is a bit misleading though. The underside of the action rails need to be relieved for the bolt to reliably pick up the rounds. When I first got the mag it didn't pick them up, worked about 80% of the time depending on the mags. No poly mags worked. But I'm regularly up in Oregon and PT&G is in White City next to Medford. Fellow who designed the unit opened up the shop on a Saturday, did the mill work and it's been great since. I think they recommend the work as needed on any 700 for reliable function.

It is pretty convenient, going to the range with 4 or 5 20 round magazines with different loads, not having to carry boxes of ammo.

[ar15barrels]

Does this make the Ruger the preferred choice in your opinion?

Yes.

I'm no fan of AR magazines in bolt guns though because they are so limiting on the overall length.
I use AICS 223 mags because you can load to 2.5" OAL and that really opens up your options with heavy bullets and larger charges of powder.