Top tip - Cheap replacement for Tikka T3 CTR magazines

[Tartan_Terrier]

Anyone who owns a Tikka T3 CTR may be interested to know that MDT polymer mags will fit and feed. There will be a slight amount of side to side wiggle (as the mags are slightly tapered in shape), but that doesn't seem to have any effect on feeding.

Their metal mags may function too, but I haven't tried them yet.

At £37 or thereabouts, they're a much cheaper option than the original Sako TRG mags that they come with.


MDT AICS 10 round .308 magazine (Black/FDE) - RifleMags.co.uk

 

[Muir]

Thanks for the tip. I'll run one through my 6.5CTR and see how it works.~Muir

 

[Southern]

Yes, let us know. The Magpul AICS magazines are reported to not work in the T3 CTR.

 

[Tartan_Terrier]

I should have mentioned that mine is in .308. I'm pretty sure that it should work for your 6.5CM as well though.

 

[The tramp]

I just ordered one, I'll report back as to wether or not it works in a TRG

 

[scotch_egg]

Europtics in the USA have dropped the price of the CTR magazine to $70 or so. I wonder if they will follow suit in the UK....

 

[ejg]

Tried in the rack this eve, my 308 mdt plastic mag didn't click in position on my ctr.
I'll try again another time, also with 223 mags.
edi

 

[ejg]

Some dealers in Germany say it is much easier to get extra CTR mags than chase after AICS supplies, therefore now prefer to use CTR mags. Maybe we will have the aftermarket guys make ctr mag conversion kits for remmies soon...
edi

 

[Southern]

MDT does build bottom metal and 10-round magazines for the Remington 700 short action.

Magpul makes bottom plastic for the M700 SA with its AICS magazine, for $65.00 USD.

 

[scotch_egg]

MDT does build bottom metal and 10-round magazines for the Remington 700 short action.

I think edi meant a bottom metal that ustilised the tikka magazine for a remmy 700.

There is a company in the USA planning to make an aftermarket TRG/CTR magazine. Such a shame that the factory magazines are so expensive.

 

[Tartan_Terrier]

Tried in the rack this eve, my 308 mdt plastic mag didn't click in position on my ctr.
I'll try again another time, also with 223 mags.
edi

The first time I tried it, it was a bit tight. It's fitted easily since then though.

Here is a (rather crappy) video of my first test with a mate's MDT mag:

 

[ejg]

On my CTR too, had to give the mag a decent whack first. Recon it will lighten up with use.
I have two ctr mags for one rifle so not really pushed but good to know.
edi

 

[The tramp]

Update.

Recieved mag today, seems like black is the new FDE, but, colour aside, put a few dummy 308 rounds in it, and fitted it to the TRG, fitted. Wouldn't come out though, catches on the forend, not an issue, loosened the forend and moved it forward a touch, now comes out, and as the std mags align on an adjustable block, that didn't need adjusting, all good.

Until i tried to cycle the action,
When the bolt tries to pick up the round, and slams it into the action 'just' below the feed ramp.

I'm pretty sure that with a bit of tweaking to open up the front of the mag lips, i can get it to function correctly, so will report back after having a fiddle.

Pete


Ok. That was easy. Ran a file on the outer of the feed lips, as they were getting tightened up in the magwell, then thinned them down a touch on the inside to allow the round to sit a touch higher, feeds 308 fine, and tested with GGG 155gr match.
Won't work with the 260/140 bergers as i load them right to the limit of the std TRG mag, so are too long for the MDT one, but, my 95gr vmax loads fine.

So, spend 5 minutes and save a fortune.

Good result

 

[User00040]

Digging this one up as Riflemags.co.uk has these on sale (30 quid!), Tikka T3 CTR owners may want one!

 

[ShooterB]

Very old thread, but have just seen these online:

WR TIKKA T3 TIKKA T3x MAGAZINES 223 243 Win 6.5CM 308 Win

WATERS RIFLEMAN Precision metal magazines for the competitive, sporting and hunter shooter. Tikka T3, Tikka T3x 223 243 Win 6.5CM 243 Win 308 Win

watersrifleman.com

They look to possibly be providing a solution to the cost & OAL issue. Not sure about UK availability though.

 

[User00040]

Very old thread, but have just seen these online:

WR TIKKA T3 TIKKA T3x MAGAZINES 223 243 Win 6.5CM 308 Win

WATERS RIFLEMAN Precision metal magazines for the competitive, sporting and hunter shooter. Tikka T3, Tikka T3x 223 243 Win 6.5CM 243 Win 308 Win

watersrifleman.com

They look to possibly be providing a solution to the cost & OAL issue. Not sure about UK availability though.

I know they are quite popular among some users but having used one on a work rifle I found them to be unreasonably heavy and expensive.

The standard Tikka T3 mags are great, the T3x ones with reinforced lips are even better.

The CTR takes Sako TRG (can't remember which ones) mags too, which are even more expensive.

MDT polymer mags are also good for the money. About £30 on sale and £25 odd secondhand posted? Can't beat that when the factory mags are over £100!

 

[Jh1986]

Update. I just tried a gen2 MDT polymer mag on my CTR. Gave it a whack in, it seated, then wouldn't come out. Took a lot to get it out, but once out I could see the pinch point was basically the mag catch. Shaved that down with a Stanley blade and now it goes in and out much easier (I wouldn't say easy, but easier). Should loosen with use but only got it as a spare anyway.

 

[User00040]

@gixer1

 

[gixer1]

@gixer1

Thanks @caberslash.

 

[Jh1986]

Thanks @caberslash.