Howa Bottom Metal Help

[kornface13]

I got my Howa bottom metal from PTG today, and I have some issues that I'm not really sure how to solve... Would appreciate some help from the Hide!

First problem is that I can't seat the mag. It bumps into the little tang thing (not sure what its called) on the bottom of the action. I could sand away the mag, but theres A LOT to sand, and I'm not sure if that would be taking too much of the mag away. Here's a video (click it to open imgur where it'll play) CLICKEE for video

The next problem seems a little more serious. The Howa bolt doesn't go back far enough to grab the next round. I'm not sure if all Howa's are like this, or maybe just the .223 is worse? But its not even close. I wonder if the PTG bottom metal is not compatible with the 223. PTG website didn't say anything about that, so I'm not sure what to think.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Kevins750]

Is your rifle the mini action?

 

[kornface13]

Is your rifle the mini action?

It is not. This is what I have: https://www.brownells.com/aspx/search/productdetail.aspx?sid=180190&pid=84749

 

[Kevins750]

Go on youtube and look for an install of those plastic bottom metal kits and compare to what you have.

 

[spife7980]

Trim the bolt stop, it’s stopping the bolt prematurely for the short Favtory mag. Aics is much longer so taking enough off will allow it to travel far enough back. Measure the need of which you are short and take off accordingly.

 

[Kevins750]

So if you buy the "plastic" bottom metal, the mag is shorter so no trimming of the stop is needed?

 

[308pirate]

In order to use an AICS magazine on a 223 Howa short action you must trim the bolt stop to increase travel and you must mill/grind off the tab left at the back of the magwell opening in the receiver itself (to allow the magazine to come up all the way).

The latter is not necessary with a KRG chassis, but the bolt stop still needs to be trimmed back.

Despite popular opinion, many firearm parts still need to be fitted particularly when they are aftermarket or a modification of the original design.

 

[kornface13]

So if you buy the "plastic" bottom metal, the mag is shorter so no trimming of the stop is needed?

If noone had any advice for me, then I would have bought the plastic one to compare. Sounds like the AI mag is just "longer" or allows the bullets to sit further to the rear maybe. I still kinda wanna buy it just to compare.

In order to use an AICS magazine on a 223 Howa short action you must trim the bolt stop to increase travel and you must mill/grind off the tab left at the back of the magwell opening in the receiver itself (to allow the magazine to come up all the way).

The latter is not necessary with a KRG chassis, but the bolt stop still needs to be trimmed back.

Despite popular opinion, many firearm parts still need to be fitted particularly when they are aftermarket or a modification of the original design.

Thanks a TON for the info. I'll start messing around with this today and see if I can figure it out.

 

[308pirate]

Thanks a TON for the info. I'll start messing around with this today and see if I can figure it out.

Look at figures 4 and 5 on page 4: http://www.webshop.roedale.de/media/content/RCS II H1500 user manual.pdf

While this is a different stock/chassis, what you have to do to make it work is what you need to do to make the PTG bottom metal work.

The tab on the bottom of the receiver needs to be milled off completely but go easy on the bolt stop because you can remove too much. Just take off enough so the bolt face clears the back of the case by maybe a 1/16th.

 

[spife7980]

Look at figures 4 and 5 on page 4: http://www.webshop.roedale.de/media/content/RCS II H1500 user manual.pdf

While this is a different stock/chassis, what you have to do to make it work is what you need to do to make the PTG bottom metal work.

The tab on the bottom of the receiver needs to be milled off completely but go easy on the bolt stop because you can remove too much. Just take off enough so the bolt face clears the back of the case by maybe a 1/16th.

Excellent guide, screen capped here for ease of view

 

[kornface13]

THanks for all the help everyone. Was super easy to get going. I removed a bit of the bolt stop (which doesn't look exactly like the above picture, but is similar) and cut out part of the magazine. Super easy with a dremel, and now we're in business. Already loving having a real magazine for this gun.

 

[Mooseknuckles]

How do the mags fit in the dbm? I am getting ready to order the same ptg dbm also, just want to make sure they aren’t sloppy.
Also have you tried magpul AICS mags yet?

 

[kornface13]

How do the mags fit in the dbm? I am getting ready to order the same ptg dbm also, just want to make sure they aren’t sloppy.
Also have you tried magpul AICS mags yet?

Magpul doesn't make AICS mags in 223 unfortunately. If they do, please enlighten me. I have the polymer AI 10 round mag. It fits very well. Not at all sloppy, but still drops free when you hit the mag release. I had to file down the feed lips a bit because the bolt was binding on them. I can take a video showing the fitment a little later if you want.

EDIT: Just realized its the same dbm for 223 and 308, so I'll try seating a Magpul AICS mag tonight and see how it goes.

 

[Shankin]

I would like to note that the picture above with the bolt stop.... that bolt stop is MUCH shorter than what is currently shipping with Howa .223 SA’s. I haven’t gotten my .223 mag in yet, but to get the bolt face to pick up a round out of a Magpul AICS mag, I had to take .500” off of the bolt stop (the nose on this thing was hella long).

I should have my .223 mag in on Friday.... if I took too much off, or too little, I’ll let y’all know.

Edit to add: To be clear, the Magpul AICS mag is a .308 mag, as they don’t make .223 mags.

 

[kornface13]

I would say I also took off about half an inch, which is about half of the length of the bolt stop. I honestly just went to town with the dremel since the bolt stop is so long. I wasn't too worried about going a little bit too far.

 

[Crzhog]

Try MDT .223 AICS mags. They work fantastic in my Weatherby Vanguard, in MPA chassis. $40 and readily available. Excellent quality to.

 

[Crzhog]

Link to MDT

.223 MDT Polymer AICS Magazine

mdttac.com

 

[Crzhog]

For MDT magazine and for Accurate Mags on .223 SA, 4mm off the bolt stop needs to be removed.

 

[Crzhog]

Couple supporting pictures