Howa 1500 bottom metal conversion

[JohnT]

I am becoming more and more convinced that I want to convert my rifle to magazine fed to simplify its use and give me greater peace of mind.
Some research has led me to settle on AICS mags combined with the Atlasworxs bottom metal.
My questions now are, has anyone fitted this combination? If so, what are your thoughts? Is it possible for an experienced/skilled person able to self-fit the bottom metal or is it a definite 'smith job?

Your thoughts or guidance would be greatly appreciated

 

[waterford103]

I've fitted a few of the AICS conversions and I have to say they vary quite a bit. Some are literally drop in and some need some fettling . I just fitted one to a composite stock for my Remmy 700 creedmoor , it was a right b----d plus composites are killer to cut. They only I think is to buy one , see if it drops in or is close and if not give it to someone "who can".

 

[JohnT]

Thanks for your input. You are basically saying what I was thinking

 

[roryh]

Thinking the same thing myself. Couple of blokes at my club reported no dramas with Howa's

 

[ejg]

The Atlasworx Howa DBM is very similar to the old Roedale Howa AICS mag conversion. They almost fit into the standard drop plate Howa setup. Whereas a Rem 700 AICS conversion is a bugger to fit the Howa is very easy. You only need to file out the corners of the mag well as far as I remember. Of course one might have to remove the mag catch and take a bit off until the mag clicks into position with the correct pressure/position.
edi

 

[Rasputin]

Not fitted that combo but I changed the floor plate over to a Howa magazine within ten minutes very easy to do. There’s lots of space when you take it off for fettling.

 

[blueeyes]

What about one of these I am fitting one to my GRS Rem 700 they are just drop in , but they are all Polymer Howa - Page 1 - RifleMags.co.uk

 

[JohnT]

Thank you for your responses, I really can't see any reason not to give it a go.

blueeyes, the only reason I am put off by the ATI version is the location of the mag. release.... IMO too easily caught on a branch.high seat rail etc., so I looked around for a version which has the release located in front of the trigger guard. The Atlasworx was the one with the greatest positive reviews, and you know that Aussies won't put up with rubbish

 

[Ausfild]

The Atlasworx Howa DBM is very similar to the old Roedale Howa AICS mag conversion. They almost fit into the standard drop plate Howa setup. Whereas a Rem 700 AICS conversion is a bugger to fit the Howa is very easy. You only need to file out the corners of the mag well as far as I remember. Of course one might have to remove the mag catch and take a bit off until the mag clicks into position with the correct pressure/position.
edi

Very sorry to resuscitate this old thread.

Ejg, I recently installed an Atlasworkx on my Howa .223. I am using MDT Aics polymer mags, but the top part of the magazine seems to hit that rim immediately below the bolt and it does not click in place properly (not sure if it will feed).
Do you think that sanding the catch lug to make it shorter may do the trick?

Thanks in advance

 

[nun_hunter]

Very sorry to resuscitate this old thread.

Ejg, I recently installed an Atlasworkx on my Howa .223. I am using MDT Aics polymer mags, but the top part of the magazine seems to hit that rim immediately below the bolt and it does not click in place properly (not sure if it will feed).
Do you think that sanding the catch lug to make it shorter may do the trick?

Thanks in advance

I had the same issue with an Atlasworx bottom metal and AI mags for a tikka T3. I started off adjusting the mag catch which sort of worked then tweaked the mag a bit which did then work.

When I got some MDT metal AI mags they didn't work at all this was when I realised the bottom metal wasn't lined holding the magazine's correctly and presenting them to the action at an angle. I checked and the bottom metal was sitting correctly and was lined up to the action but the internal walls of the mag well weren't at the right angle and were pushing rear of the magazine too high.

This was 100% a manufacturing fault but as I had already "tinkered" with the magazine catch and marked the bottom metal it was too late to return for a swap so I ended up having to do quite a bit of work to the bottom metal to get it to work.

If you haven't fiddled with it yet I'd send it back and get a replacement or you're potentially going to end up going down a rabbit hole like me and having to fettle it so much you'll be unimpressed.

I know this isn't applicable to you and a Howa but I wish I'd just bought a Mountain Tactical AI conversion instead.

 

[Ausfild]

I had the same issue with an Atlasworx bottom metal and AI mags for a tikka T3. I started off adjusting the mag catch which sort of worked then tweaked the mag a bit which did then work.

When I got some MDT metal AI mags they didn't work at all this was when I realised the bottom metal wasn't lined holding the magazine's correctly and presenting them to the action at an angle. I checked and the bottom metal was sitting correctly and was lined up to the action but the internal walls of the mag well weren't at the right angle and were pushing rear of the magazine too high.

This was 100% a manufacturing fault but as I had already "tinkered" with the magazine catch and marked the bottom metal it was too late to return for a swap so I ended up having to do quite a bit of work to the bottom metal to get it to work.

If you haven't fiddled with it yet I'd send it back and get a replacement or you're potentially going to end up going down a rabbit hole like me and having to fettle it so much you'll be unimpressed.

I know this isn't applicable to you and a Howa but I wish I'd just bought a Mountain Tactical AI conversion instead.

Thank you!I think that what you are describing is very similar to my situation.
Thanks for the advice

 

[ejg]

The last resort is to work the lips of a magazine. Just put the mag into the mag system and hold the mag into the bottom of the action without out stock. One can even screw into position using pillars without a stock to find out where does the mag system need to be, check feeding etc.... then adapt the stock so that the mag system is in that position or angle.
We have fitted quite a few Howa mag systems and never needed to play with the magazine or rework the mag system. That was before MDT metal mags came out and only 243/308. We did have a few issues with MDT metal on Tikkas but solved it somehow, think it was something small. I use MDT metal with my 22-250 T3 which needed a small change on the lips due to cartridge shape.

When fitting an Atlasworx mag systems it is good to know that the release catch is mostly too long. Shortening the lever is easier than making it longer.
Before shortening the release lever just check feeding by holding the mag up against the action using a dummy round. Ausfild, your mag system might need to be slightly forward? Just a guess. Or bolt stop needs to be adjusted? Never had one in 223.

edi

 

[User00040]

I reccomend the Waters Rifleman Howa AICS conversion for this reason.

 

[ejg]

I have a Howa 1500 action and Atlasworx aics lying on my desk and just tried a dummy setup. It worked with 223 MDT plastic 10 shot as well as AI 5 shot 308 mags. The floor plate must be fitted in the right position just like any floorplate.
edi

 

[Ausfild]

.

 

[Ausfild]

The last resort is to work the lips of a magazine. Just put the mag into the mag system and hold the mag into the bottom of the action without out stock. One can even screw into position using pillars without a stock to find out where does the mag system need to be, check feeding etc.... then adapt the stock so that the mag system is in that position or angle.
We have fitted quite a few Howa mag systems and never needed to play with the magazine or rework the mag system. That was before MDT metal mags came out and only 243/308. We did have a few issues with MDT metal on Tikkas but solved it somehow, think it was something small. I use MDT metal with my 22-250 T3 which needed a small change on the lips due to cartridge shape.

When fitting an Atlasworx mag systems it is good to know that the release catch is mostly too long. Shortening the lever is easier than making it longer.
Before shortening the release lever just check feeding by holding the mag up against the action using a dummy round. Ausfild, your mag system might need to be slightly forward? Just a guess. Or bolt stop needs to be adjusted? Never had one in 223.

edi

Hi Edi,

Thank you! I already adjusted the bolt stop, I trimmed it 6mm.
I will play with the position of the plate and see if that sorts it out. My impression currently it that it hits the body before clicking it, the bottom metal may be to deep into the inletting (video here: ) .

Thanks you for all your advice.

Caberlash, I had a WR bottom metal and I sent it back, it had a tolerance issue and was unable to take MDT mags (a problem with that production lot) apparently

 

[enigma]

I have and still use the ATI version "bottom metal and mag" the only upgrade i made was to make some inserts that stopped the polymer from being crushed and or splitting when i torqued it up to 5NM for GRS....been great ever since.

 

[ejg]

Hi Edi,

Thank you! I already adjusted the bolt stop, I trimmed it 6mm.
I will play with the position of the plate and see if that sorts it out. My impression currently it that it hits the body before clicking it, the bottom metal may be to deep into the inletting (video here: ) .

Thanks you for all your advice.

Caberlash, I had a WR bottom metal and I sent it back, it had a tolerance issue and was unable to take MDT mags (a problem with that production lot) apparently

That is quite normal, inlet seems too deep but actually the release lever just needs shortening. If one holds the mag up by hand without it clicking in position will it feed? If it feeds without clicking in position all you need to do is shorten the release lever. Knock the pin out, pick the spring up from the floor and grind off material from the catch say 0.5mm at a time until it clicks in position.
edi

 

[Ausfild]

That is quite normal, inlet seems too deep but actually the release lever just needs shortening. If one holds the mag up by hand without it clicking in position will it feed? If it feeds without clicking in position all you need to do is shorten the release lever. Knock the pin out, pick the spring up from the floor and grind off material from the catch say 0.5mm at a time until it clicks in position.
edi

Hi Edi,
Once again thanks fir your time. I keep my rifle at Bisley but I will check that ASAP.

Thank you!