223 Trainer & Matching Fast 6mm

Is it a feeding issue, or the kind of thing where you can tune the CTR mags at the feed lips, or something? Or is it another mag-mystery thing, where some just work, and some don't?

I just went with a CTR with a recent EuroOptic deal, after googling around and seeing a bunch of guys say that the CTR mags were "the way" for Tikkas. Given how expensive those mags are, this is frustrating to hear.
I have been using MDT Bottom metal (CTR) that can take AICS mags, I use mdt polymer ones.

zero issues and they feed super smooth.
 
Is it a feeding issue, or the kind of thing where you can tune the CTR mags at the feed lips, or something?

Sometimes.


Or is it another mag-mystery thing, where some just work, and some don't?


Yes. Though, lots of them do work without issue.



I just went with a CTR with a recent EuroOptic deal, after googling around and seeing a bunch of guys say that the CTR mags were "the way" for Tikkas. Given how expensive those mags are, this is frustrating to hear.

You will probably be fine. I was just saying why not the CTR mags for the new magazines.
 
Is it a feeding issue, or the kind of thing where you can tune the CTR mags at the feed lips, or something? Or is it another mag-mystery thing, where some just work, and some don't?

I just went with a CTR with a recent EuroOptic deal, after googling around and seeing a bunch of guys say that the CTR mags were "the way" for Tikkas. Given how expensive those mags are, this is frustrating to hear.
You can run some AICS mags with a CTR if you’re willing to file here and there. I’ve found that in my CTR, the CTR mag works better with long loaded bullets and the MDT mags are very sensitive to pressure on the front of the mag to be in the position to feed. Honestly the magpul aics 223 magazine seems to feed the best but limits the max oal.

Water’s makes a CTR mag I’ve been meaning to try for a bit
 
Is it a feeding issue, or the kind of thing where you can tune the CTR mags at the feed lips, or something? Or is it another mag-mystery thing, where some just work, and some don't?

I just went with a CTR with a recent EuroOptic deal, after googling around and seeing a bunch of guys say that the CTR mags were "the way" for Tikkas. Given how expensive those mags are, this is frustrating to hear.
What cartridge?

Some guys on the Hide have reported issues with CTR mags over the years. I think I remember reading that for 308, then TRG mags work in a CTR bottom metal, but are more reliable - the claim was that they looked similar, but were better construction. I have no idea if any of that is true, but could possibly be worth some more research if you have the time.

MDT's all-polymer mags are reported to have issues, but the polymer base + metal tops/lips are meant to be more reliable. I've had fine performance from mine so far, but don't feel it's a large enough round count or sample size to really count.
 
What cartridge?

Some guys on the Hide have reported issues with CTR mags over the years. I think I remember reading that for 308, then TRG mags work in a CTR bottom metal, but are more reliable - the claim was that they looked similar, but were better construction. I have no idea if any of that is true, but could possibly be worth some more research if you have the time.

MDT's all-polymer mags are reported to have issues, but the polymer base + metal tops/lips are meant to be more reliable. I've had fine performance from mine so far, but don't feel it's a large enough round count or sample size to really count.

308 sized CTR mags suck. TRG mags don’t, and they will work in CTR’s…. They’re just nearly $200 a mag.
 
I have (4) 223 CTR mags and all of them suffer the same feeding issues. The first 6-7 rounds will feed fine, but then the bullet tips up causing the bolt head to not catch the case head so it doesn’t feed.

Tweaking the feed lips did not work for me. The plastic insert on the 223 CTR mags seems to be the root of the issue as the plastic insert is very thin at the top of the feed lips which can allow cases to “squeeze” past it leading to failure to feed.

I ended up going back to the factory bottom metal and Waters mags.

TRG mags in a CTR bottom metal is a good way to roll though
IMG_0278.jpeg
 
Ah ... so no TRG mags for you then ... unless someone knows of the 6.5 Cr mags would work??

F'ing proprietary mags. It's bad enough when companies do it unnecessarily to add another SKU and revenue stream, without a hard and specific engineering need to do so. But screwing it up just makes it worse. Engineering mags right is probably the hardest thing in gun design, while also appearing to be the simplest. The world would be a better place if everyone just went to Mec-Gar to get their mags done, properly, or just used existing designs. It's something that keeps biting so many companies in the ass eventually.
 
F'ing proprietary mags. It's bad enough when companies do it unnecessarily to add another SKU and revenue stream, without a hard and specific engineering need to do so. But screwing it up just makes it worse. Engineering mags right is probably the hardest thing in gun design, while also appearing to be the simplest. The world would be a better place if everyone just went to Mec-Gar to get their mags done, properly, or just used existing designs. It's something that keeps biting so many companies in the ass eventually.
I'm with you ... although, for what it's worth, not all of my '10 round' Mec-Gar 1911 mags take 10 rounds ... :)

And 9 vs 10 can make a bit of a difference on comp stages predicated on 10 round capacity, so that inconsistency does matter to me.
 
I'm with you ... although, for what it's worth, not all of my '10 round' Mec-Gar 1911 mags take 10 rounds ... :)

And 9 vs 10 can make a bit of a difference on comp stages predicated on 10 round capacity, so that inconsistency does matter to me.

I hear you. I used to be "factory mags only", as aftermarket mags in general are trash. But a number of companies have started outsourcing OEM mag design and/or manufacturing to Mec-Gar. It's one of just a few I trust, and the one's I've had have been extremely good across the board. Probably have about 40-50 in total between several pistols that I've run the daylights out of. That's annoying though, that you're not able to get a full load in some of their 1911 mags.
 
This may be stupid, but why not train w the exact rifle your gonna be hunting w?

That's a normal question for most hunters (or gun owners), so, not stupid. Not many have ever encountered someone who shoots enough to burn out a barrel on anything, so people's understanding of "training" is a bit skewed from what is common for really serious shooters. I don't compete, and still shoot over 1k centerfire rifle rounds of a month, all of it very goal-driven for capability.

It's also why a bunch of people buy into getting a trainer - the gun is a fraction of the cost of the ammo, even cheaper .223 ammo, over time.

Not sure if it was mentioned earlier in this thread, but another big reason is that .223 has far less recoil. And, less recoil = more shooting = better shooting. Especially when it's cheaper, too.
 
Yea forgive me. I shoot a ton, but if I put 10 rounds through my deer rifle a year in doing something. I ahoot plenty, shotgun (skeet trap ducks), a lot of pistol cause I have to, a lot of m4 cause I have to, to be honest, the more mandatory shooting I have the less I do of fun stuff haha. Def a dif kind of shooting, one day I’ll get into the long range , patience stuff. My adhd kicks my ass as it is
 
This may be stupid, but why not train w the exact rifle your gonna be hunting w?

223 Costs me about $.65 per round to shoot and has an insane long barrel life.

My 6CM costs me $2 per round to shoot and has barrel life of under 2k.

Last year I didnt shoot nearly as much as I wanted to but still put around 1500 rounds down range. This cost me under $1k in ammo. Had I done the same on the 6CM it would have run me 3k in ammo and a new barrel so ballpark $3600.

I do shoot my hunting rifles as well but far less.
 
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