.223 Magazine Length

Lilswede1 · November 26, 2016, 10:12 PM

Just got a DPMS .223 Mod. A15 with a 30 rd. Magpul magazine.
What is the max. OAL the magazine will take and function consistently?
I mic'd mine and came up the 2.260"
Does that sound about right?
Is there a magazine out there that will take a longer bullet.
The ammo I use in my bolt actions is too long.

bedlamite · November 26, 2016, 10:18 PM

ASC stainless magazines are 2.29"

Mobuck · November 27, 2016, 09:23 AM

We tried the ASC SS mags in the 6x45MM and found the miniscule gain in OAL didn't make an appreciable diff.
I have a couple of the old 5/9 convertible range mags that will handle same length rounds as the ASC.

Road_Clam · November 27, 2016, 11:18 AM

Generally speaking the "unofficial" reliable mag length OAL is 2.240 . Like others commented there is no measurable gain pushing your oal beyond 2.240. A random hung bullet tip from trying to load long isn't worth the aggravation. (strictly my opinions)

T. O'Heir · November 27, 2016, 01:05 PM

2.260" is the SAAMI max OAL for a loaded cartridge. And that fits the inside width of the mag not the length. The width can't be any greater than the receiver's mag well allows.
If you want to use an 80 or 90 grain bullet(that Hodgdon shows 2.380" as the OAL your bolt likely uses.) you can't go any longer than mag width.

salt and battery · November 27, 2016, 01:26 PM

bad part about the AR is the mag is designed to be 1/100000th of an inch bigger then a loaded 55 FMJ. sometimes even with that round the bullet lightly touches the front of the mag

Ibmikey · November 28, 2016, 04:15 AM

Stick with 2.260 and avoid all of the problems you will encounter because of a "better formula."

Lilswede1 · November 29, 2016, 10:33 AM

My Tikka and Browning bolts both shoot really well at 2.295"
The ASC mag. advertises at 2.316" +/- .002".
The new DPMS AR will shoot longer bullets but I have not tried it at the shooting range to see if there is a significant difference.
I load with a Dillion 650 Progressive so would just be handy it I don't have to change settings.
Think I will post in the reloading section and see who has tried different loads in their AR's and how much difference they found.

bedlamite · November 29, 2016, 10:51 AM

Quote:

The ASC mag. advertises at 2.316" +/- .002".

Don't believe them, I have several, they are all 2.29" max.

Txhillbilly · December 1, 2016, 08:23 AM

Every ASC mag I have in 223 or 6.8 allows an OAL of 2.31", and I have 20 of them. It will just depend on what length you barrel likes to shoot them.
I have some bullets that shoot best at 2.20", and others that like up to 2.30", you just have to test different seating depths to find out.

November 26, 2016, 10:12 PM	#1
Lilswede1 Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2008 Location: NW Wash State Posts: 216	.223 Magazine Length Just got a DPMS .223 Mod. A15 with a 30 rd. Magpul magazine. What is the max. OAL the magazine will take and function consistently? I mic'd mine and came up the 2.260" Does that sound about right? Is there a magazine out there that will take a longer bullet. The ammo I use in my bolt actions is too long.

November 26, 2016, 10:18 PM	#2
bedlamite Senior Member Join Date: August 10, 2000 Location: WI Posts: 1,395	ASC stainless magazines are 2.29" __________________ A plan is just a list of things that doesn't happen.

November 27, 2016, 11:18 AM	#4
Road_Clam Senior Member Join Date: November 21, 2013 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 1,695	Generally speaking the "unofficial" reliable mag length OAL is 2.240 . Like others commented there is no measurable gain pushing your oal beyond 2.240. A random hung bullet tip from trying to load long isn't worth the aggravation. (strictly my opinions) __________________ "To be old an wise you must have been young and stupid"

November 27, 2016, 01:05 PM	#5
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	2.260" is the SAAMI max OAL for a loaded cartridge. And that fits the inside width of the mag not the length. The width can't be any greater than the receiver's mag well allows. If you want to use an 80 or 90 grain bullet(that Hodgdon shows 2.380" as the OAL your bolt likely uses.) you can't go any longer than mag width. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

November 29, 2016, 10:33 AM	#8
Lilswede1 Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2008 Location: NW Wash State Posts: 216	ASC mag. longer My Tikka and Browning bolts both shoot really well at 2.295" The ASC mag. advertises at 2.316" +/- .002". The new DPMS AR will shoot longer bullets but I have not tried it at the shooting range to see if there is a significant difference. I load with a Dillion 650 Progressive so would just be handy it I don't have to change settings. Think I will post in the reloading section and see who has tried different loads in their AR's and how much difference they found.

November 27, 2016, 09:23 AM	#3
Mobuck Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2010 Posts: 6,846	We tried the ASC SS mags in the 6x45MM and found the miniscule gain in OAL didn't make an appreciable diff. I have a couple of the old 5/9 convertible range mags that will handle same length rounds as the ASC.

November 27, 2016, 01:26 PM	#6
salt and battery Junior member Join Date: September 24, 2016 Location: ny Posts: 112	bad part about the AR is the mag is designed to be 1/100000th of an inch bigger then a loaded 55 FMJ. sometimes even with that round the bullet lightly touches the front of the mag

November 28, 2016, 04:15 AM	#7
Ibmikey Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2013 Location: Now relocated to Texas Posts: 2,943	Stick with 2.260 and avoid all of the problems you will encounter because of a "better formula."

December 1, 2016, 08:23 AM	#10
Txhillbilly Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2008 Posts: 512	Every ASC mag I have in 223 or 6.8 allows an OAL of 2.31", and I have 20 of them. It will just depend on what length you barrel likes to shoot them. I have some bullets that shoot best at 2.20", and others that like up to 2.30", you just have to test different seating depths to find out.