Help! What defiance magazine cut did I get?

[83cj-7]

I just received a Classic action from OTM and I realized that it’s not going to work with the HS Precision magazine system. The description says it works with hinged floor plate and center feed mags. What cut do I have and what do I need to work with the HS?

 

[khuber84]

So this has been the issue at defiance, they offer way too many options and models of actions. Their "medium" is actually a rem700 sa fitment. This appears to me a medium with mag cut for tradition standard length rem700 sa boxes, not the extended bdl/aics cut. These are around 2.870 internal length I believe. Having the bottom of the action opened up with a mill, and a simple swap or modification of the bolt stop should allow you to run your desired hs precision magazines.

The bolt face looks very small, is this a 223 build? Perhaps defiance did something one off with their 223 faced actions in thoughts of someone utilizing the very short factory Remington style 223 magazine box.

This is your bottom mag cut, and what a traditional extended bdl/aics center feed looks like(defiance tenacity referenced)

 

[gbflyer]

The HS works with a ADL/BDL cutout. I don’t know what yours is.

 

[83cj-7]

I sent Defiance an email. Hopefully I can get them to mill out the action. I do agree, their mag options are confusing.

 

[83cj-7]

This is a 223 based action. I’m actually building another 6x45

 

[khuber84]

This is a 223 based action. I’m actually building another 6x45

I believe this may be a magazine inlet based upon the 223 bolt face only. Had it been a 473 or 535 bolt face, it'd likely been different all together.

 

[83cj-7]

This is what’s confusing. Every 700 action is either short or long regardless of the bolt face. I’ll just have to talk with Defiance.

 

[BBob]

what do I need to work with the HS?

My bet is the HS isn't going to work. You will likely need a DBM that uses AICS mags or a floorplate with a Rem 223 box. Rem parts are almost non-existant though so that leaves and AICS compatible bottom metal unless you can find a Rem 223 box, spacer and follower.

A Remington style mag box for 223 uses a spacer in the rear of the box. That is what this action looks like it was cut for. 223 AICS mags like the MDT's also have a step/space at the rear positioning the cartridge forward in the magazine.

 

[83cj-7]

Interesting, I forgot about the spacer in the rear of the mag box. The MDT feed lips start in front of the spacer where the HS run the full length of the mag. I’d like to have the action opened up because one day I might want to swap the bolt and run a 308 based cartridge.

Geez this shouldn’t be so complicated.

 

[BBob]

Geez this shouldn’t be so complicated.

But unfortunately it is

Another note: Feed rails for 223's are usually narrower and shorter and generally wont feed larger diameter cartridges. Note how short the beveled feed rails are. It's too much work ($$$) to open them up so people usually give it up and leave them dedicated to a 223 based cartridge. You would also have to address the bolt for a larger dia cartridge which is even more $$$.

 

[khuber84]

Welcome to defiance. They have short, medium, xm, xm+, and long action. Appears now they offer 4 different magazine cuts in just short action seeing there is a specific 223 face.

Have it opened up for wyatts extended/aics mag cut, and your hs setup or dbm w/ mdt or accurate mags will work. And in future gives options to load up to 2.990 coal with a wyatts box.

 

[BBob]

Actually after pondering this more I think you could slot it and get your HS to work. It'd still work with AICS and Rem boxes. You'd have to change or alter the bolt stop for the increased rearward travel. I bet they have a standard bolt stop for the regular actions that'd work.

 

[Sevens]

Call them and give them your serial number, they will have the full specs. Their customer service is top notch, so I’m sure they can fix it for you if something was wrong.

Not sure on 223 bolt face, but have a Classic with a WSM cut and there is a large V notched in the front for use with AICS style mags. This seems to be newer as my anTi does not have this (also doesn’t have the anti bind rail either, but later models did receive this).

 

[83cj-7]

Defiance was extremely helpful and the action is on the way back to them. I sent them the pictures and they recognised the problem. They said they will either have this action milled correctly or send me a new one. A pre-paid shipping label was provided. Nice to see good customer service!