HNT 26, Tikka 223 Magazine Compatibility

[B_Reynolds_AK]

I have an Unknown Munitions Tikka 223 coming. My preferred stock is a HNT 26.

Wondering if anyone knows what Tikka 223 mags fit and operate well with the HNT 26, factory or aftermarket.

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

To tentatively answer my own question, I see that the Waters Mag's come in 223 AICS 6 rd. 2.4" and 2.6" internal length and also that Hawkins has the Hunter 223 5 Rd. 2.5" internal length.

 

[Lawnboi]

I can’t speak for the hnt26. But I do have an ACC. The smallest, best mag imo is the waters rifleman aics mags, not to be mixed up with the standard tikka mags. They seat very tight and feed well.

Here’s a picture of a 10 round next to a 10 round accurate mag. He makes a 6 round too. 2.6” coal. Nice high round presentation.

The Hawkins may not work and usually their hunter mags are specific to their bottom metal. Though they might.

 

[wind gypsy]

The MDT polymer mags allow like 2.550" and have worked well for me in bravos. Not sure they make lower capacity ones for hunting though. Cheap, light, long COAL, plastic (quiet), so pretty solid option.

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

@Lawnboi Awesome. Thank you. Since they are expensive, I may try the Hawkins first as they can be returned alot easier. I know that the Hawkins Hunter mags fit in the HNT 26 fine, atleast the .308 version that I have.


@wind gypsy Yeah I really like the MDT poly mags, but the only one that they make for 223 is a 10 round.

 

[mtnbound]

I have an Unknown Munitions Tikka 223 coming. My preferred stock is a HNT 26.

Wondering if anyone knows what Tikka 223 mags fit and operate well with the HNT 26, factory or aftermarket.

The easy button is to use MDT's mags.

 

[SamsonMan22]

Accurate mags and open them up for longer coal if needed. They have served me well both in the hnt26 and bravo. They are easy to do a little filing and get more length on them.

 

[TMKSHOOTER]

Accurate mag steel 5 rounders worked fine for me.

 

[Lawnboi]

The aluminum waters are also very light compared to accurate mags as well.

I also havnt had issues with accurate mags. They are just bigger and heavier.

If the Hawkins works post pictures

 

[JCMCUBIC]

...
The Hawkins may not work and usually their hunter mags are specific to their bottom metal. Though they might. ...

This irks me so badly. I was really happy when Hawkins came out with the "almost" flush fit 223 mags. I ordered 3 of them for use in multiple AICS fed .223/.223AI's as soon as I could. For hunting/calling I much prefer a flusher fit mag for carry. They only fit the one rifle that had Hawkins Hunter BM. The mags are too thick to fit in other AICS bottom metals (CDI, Badger Ord, Grayboe).

If there's a standard, make it to the standard, not a proprietary "just our" size.

 

[Lawnboi]

This irks me so badly. I was really happy when Hawkins came out with the "almost" flush fit 223 mags. I ordered 3 of them for use in multiple AICS fed .223/.223AI's as soon as I could. For hunting/calling I much prefer a flusher fit mag for carry. They only fit the one rifle that had Hawkins Hunter BM. The mags are too thick to fit in other AICS bottom metals (CDI, Badger Ord, Grayboe).

If there's a standard, make it to the standard, not a proprietary "just our" size.

You would probably like a waters 6 round.

We are lucky to have some options atleast. For the longest time it was AI and accurate mags.

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

This irks me so badly. I was really happy when Hawkins came out with the "almost" flush fit 223 mags. I ordered 3 of them for use in multiple AICS fed .223/.223AI's as soon as I could. For hunting/calling I much prefer a flusher fit mag for carry. They only fit the one rifle that had Hawkins Hunter BM. The mags are too thick to fit in other AICS bottom metals (CDI, Badger Ord, Grayboe).

If there's a standard, make it to the standard, not a proprietary "just our" size.

They changed them in the past year to fit the HNT 26 specifically, and probably others bottom metals as well. If you look at one of their videos, they go over this. I’m hoping this is actually the case.

 

[mtnbound]

They changed them in the past year to fit the HNT 26 specifically, and probably others bottom metals as well. If you look at one of their videos, they go over this. I’m hoping this is actually the case.

Here is that video, but the cost is tough to justify. Do you prefer the flush mount or is it a legal issue to only have 5 rounds?

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

5 rounds is great for me for hunting. Nothing legal to do with it. I’ll use a 10 rd for training probably

 

[JCMCUBIC]

They changed them in the past year to fit the HNT 26 specifically, and probably others bottom metals as well. If you look at one of their videos, they go over this. I’m hoping this is actually the case.

In that vid they don't mention the .223 hunter mag. I've used their standard short action mag in various AICS pattern bottom metals...and was expecting the same with the .223. However, the .223 is made slightly larger so that it won't insert in any of the other AICS bottom metals I own. The Hawkins Hunter bottom metal is very thin walled and slightly larger than most others...it's the reason why many AICS mags have some "wiggle" in it...and it's the only option for the Hunter .223 mag.

At some point I'll get aggressive with grinding it and make it fit.

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

In that vid they don't mention the .223 hunter mag. I've used their standard short action mag in various AICS pattern bottom metals...and was expecting the same with the .223. However, the .223 is made slightly larger so that it won't insert in any of the other AICS bottom metals I own. The Hawkins Hunter bottom metal is very thin walled and slightly larger than most others...it's the reason why many AICS mags have some "wiggle" in it...and it's the only option for the Hunter .223 mag.

At some point I'll get aggressive with grinding it and make it fit.

Copy. I’ll have mine next week and will update if it works and if there’s been any recent changes.

 

[Sun_and_Steel_77]

I shortened a couple of 10rd plastic MDT's to 5 rounders and they ran great in my HNT26 stocked Tikka.
Modifying the 10rders was quite easy to do and shortened them physically by half.

 

[nphunter]

5 rounds is great for me for hunting. Nothing legal to do with it. I’ll use a 10 rd for training probably

You could do as suns&steel suggests or just put a spacer in to magazine to limit the capacity. Many of the Cali legal pistols just have a plastic spacer that can easily be removed to make them cali legal, same as a plug in a shotgun. You could easily just add a spacer in your magazine and then use the same magazines for everything for consistency sake. Although a low profile magazine would be nicer and snag less.

 

[bojangles808]

I shortened a couple of 10rd plastic MDT's to 5 rounders and they ran great in my HNT26 stocked Tikka.
Modifying the 10rders was quite easy to do and shortened them physically by half.

How'd you do this? I have a bunch of MDT poly er 10 rounders sitting arond, id love if they were 5 rounders

 

[Sun_and_Steel_77]

How'd you do this? I have a bunch of MDT poly er 10 rounders sitting arond, id love if they were 5 rounders

You need to cut the mag at the first rib/line down from the top and then carefully file or sand the rib to reduce it's width and allow the bottom plate to slide on. Cut the spring from the bottom as shown in the third picture.
Take your time and it is not difficult.