MDT AICS Magazines - MDT Field Report

When I first got into the precision rifle game, I looked for a rifle that would take AICS magazines and cost less than $1000. I needed an accurate rifle that shot the legendary 6.5 Creedmoor, had a decent trigger and had to feed from an AICS-style magazine. The availability to run an AICS magazine was big on my list because of its versatility on many platforms. The rifle I chose was the Bergara B14 HMR. It came factory with a decent stock and, of course, AICS pattern mags. The original mags were ten-round Magpul P mags which did alright, but you only unlock a rifle's reliability once you get a good quality magazine.

More: Upgrading the Bergara B14 and Building a Custom Bergara B14 for Competition

MDT provided not only that, but they offered it in a 12-round capacity. If you shoot the precision rifle series, you know match directors love to throw 12-round stages in on almost every match. I found the all-steel 12-round MDT magazine dependable and robust. It could take falls, bumps, and knocks and never skip a beat.

More: Analysis: 6.5 Creedmoor

MDT ACC Premier Chassis, Falkor Defense 7even action, Bartlein Barrel, Leupold Scope.

As my experience grew, so did my gear requirements, and I started to look at custom rifles. I built a custom rifle using an MDT ACC Chassis, Falkor Defense 7even action, Bartlein barrel, and a Timney Calvin Elite trigger. The MDT ACC Chassis System gave me all the adjustability I wanted. The long handguard gave me plenty of room to mount my MDT CKYE-Pod bipod, and weights allowed me to find the perfect balance. I was hooked! MDT chassis fulfilled all my needs for precision rifle chassis with adjustable length of pull, adjustable cheek height, and modularity with the ability to add weights to help balance the rifle for competition. But, as with most things in the gun safe, we're never happy with just one.

MDT XRS Chassis, Zermatt Arms TL3 Action.

My next rifle also featured an MDT XRS Chassis System, but this time I chose a Zermatt Arms TL3 action and a 6 mm ARC barrel. The beautiful thing about these new actions is the manufacturing and machining have such tight tolerances that it allows us to get pre-fit barrels. Next, I decided to go with the magnum cartridge and found a pre-fit barrel for my Zermatt arms action from Altus Shooting Solutions in 6.5 PRC. Paired with a bolt face change, I was up and running but still needed to feed that rifle.

More: HORNADY 6MM ARC FOR COMPETITION

MDT AICS Magazines are available for most common calibers.

I had to look no further than MDT and their metal AICS mags for magnum cartridges. Like the 6mm ARC magazines I purchased from MDT, I started with the 224 Valkyrie magazine and now run the metal 12-round 6 mm ARC magazine. The MDT AICS magazine in the magnum configuration ran flawlessly and worked great with my short action 6.5 PRC. Then I got into a cartridge that used less powder than my 6 ARC, 6GT, and much less than my 6.5 PRC. The next step for that same rifle was to get a pre-fit barrel with a 223 Wyle chambering. I had a new barrel and bolt face, so I looked to MDT again for their all-metal 223 magazines, which fed perfectly.

More: 6mm GT Load Development

CLOSING THOUGHTS

MDT offers a wide variety of AICS mags to fit your needs. Every cartridge I decided to run on this particular rifle ran flawlessly through the MDT magazine due to their workmanship and quality. I've owned both their polymer and all metal mags, and I highly recommend their magazines for any of your projects that use AICS magazines.

CALIBER AND MAGAZINE RESOURCES FROM MDT

• XM "Midlength" Magazines
• Is the 308 Winchester Still Relevant?
• Why All The Hate For The 30-06
• Advantages of the MDT Poly/Metal Magazine
• Impact Shooting: Magazine Mod for a Howa Barreled Action
• Loading 6MM ARC And .223 REMINGTON with A Dillon Progressive Press
• Hornady 6MM ARC For Competition
• Analysis: 6MM BR NORMA
• Analysis: 6.5 Creedmoor
• Fire Forming and Loading 223 AI
• Loading 6GT with Hodgdon H4350
• 270 Winchester and Colorado Elk
• 6mm GT Load Development
• Capable And Versatile: A Close look at the 6.5X55 Swedish

CLICK HERE TO SEE OUR ENTIRE CATALOG OF MAGAZINES.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I have 20+ years in the automotive industry- first managing shops in the northwest for over 13 years and now as a factory rep for Hunter Engineering. I love my family, my faith, and my firearms. I've shot competitively in the PRS southwest region for two years. I also compete in long-range AR-15 competitions at least once a month and am an avid reloader. I have written for Ballistic Magazine's 'Ballistic Best' precision rifle edition for two years. My other hobbies include photography, videography, woodworking, and knife-making. You can find me on Instagram @davidinthesun