Did MDT drop the ball?

[Chukwithak]

In October I began building a Tikka 7PRC. I was back and forth between chassis as this was my first custom build. Building my 7PRC for hunting, looked at the HNT26 and saw that @MDT_OFFICIAL does not make a polymer magazine in 7PRC for their hunting chassis. I reached out via phone and talked with a couple guys, told them exactly what I was doing and what I was thinking. They told my that a 3rd Polymer magazine was in the works, so I pulled the trigger on the HNT26. I knew I would have to shoot with the 5rd AICS for a while. Finally have my build dialed in. As a hunting rifle (scope mounted) minus my AICS mag I'm ay 7lbs 14oz. Right were I wanted to be.

Today I got the email the magazine was finally available. MDT 7PRC 3rd Polymer mag. $50...does NOT work with the Tikka LA. WTF...

I'm going to have to hunt it this year, but end of the season I'll have to go to another company. I just cant fathom how MDT left the Tikka shooters out on this one. Maybe I'm naive.

 

[b6graham]

no. they brought what will be a more popular product to market first.

 

[wpeach1912]

You’re naive

 

[powdahound76]

No.
AICS Poly mags are a hard thing with Tikkas in most chassis or AICS style bottom metal. (Have not had luck myself, just use metal mags).
Best tikka polymer mag is their DMB and factory mag.

A slick choice would be a Pure Precision stock with factory or Mtn Tactical DBM and factory or aftermarket tikka style mag.
Similar weight.
better looks.

 

[Chukwithak]

No.
AICS Poly mags are a hard thing with Tikkas in most chassis or AICS style bottom metal. (Have not had luck myself, just use metal mags).
Best tikka polymer mag is their DMB and factory mag.

A slick choice would be a Pure Precision stock with factory or Mtn Tactical DBM and factory or aftermarket tikka style mag.
Similar weight.
better looks.

I'll check it out, thanks.

 

[MarinePMI]

What @powdahound76 said. Polymer lipped mags are problematic for Tikkas due to their need for a high presentation of the round to the chamber. Polymer mag lips tend to be too thick.

I suspect that's what drove them to produce the hybrid mags (polymer bottom, and metal top/feed lips).

 

[LeftyJason]

It takes work to make a magpul polymer aics work with a tikka to the point where it weakens the lips. Not worth it.

Picture from here (not mine).

 

[Hennig]

As an aside, after reading all these similar frustrations over the last 15 years …. Why on earth do people persist with trying to make LA tikkas work with anything but factory stocks and mags. Such a waste of effort.

 

[ma smith]

As an aside, after reading all these similar frustrations over the last 15 years …. Why on earth do people persist with trying to make LA tikkas work with anything but factory stocks and mags. Such a waste of effort.

Tikka OEM mags are underated.

 

[LeftyJason]

As an aside, after reading all these similar frustrations over the last 15 years …. Why on earth do people persist with trying to make LA tikkas work with anything but factory stocks and mags. Such a waste of effort.

The biggest issue I have seen is with chassis. Other bottom metals require modification to trigger housing.

Redsnake tactical @RedRooster (hasn't been here since 2022) makes some bottom metal that drops in factory cut stocks and they have a version for aics 3.715" 300 win mag (3.5" oal) and another for trg 42 300 win mag.

 

[4O6shootist]

Perhaps try one these? https://mdttac.com/300wm-mdt-metal-magazine/

3.560 oal, holds 3.480 internal. Which should handle a 7prc just fine. I have used these on my 2 Tikka long action xlr chassis.

If you want it shorter, less capacity, send it to Justin @kinport peak rifles in Idaho, he'll cut and modify it for 3rd.

 

[chevy_man]

I'm just sitting here wondering why they didn't make the hnt26 in a 30-06 mag length.

 

[4O6shootist]

I'm just sitting here wondering why they didn't make the hnt26 in a 30-06 mag length.

Just use a long action? I mean aren't all the -06 family cartridges long action?

https://mdttac.com/30-06-mdt-cip-la-polymer-magazine-3-rnd/

They even make the magazines for it.

 

[chevy_man]

Just use a long action? I mean aren't all the -06 family cartridges long action?

https://mdttac.com/30-06-mdt-cip-la-polymer-magazine-3-rnd/

They even make the magazines for it.

That's new.

They used to only have 30-06 mags at 3.715.

Since the rifle I would buy it for is a 25-06, I didn't want to deal with trying to make a 300 mag work. I was ready to buy one last fall until I realized it was 3.850.

 

[NewsShooter]

Seems like the 3.56 metal mags made for a Tikka would work fine. Waters mags from Australia have worked the best for my 7 saum at just under 3.2 OAL.