Bolt-action rifles have long been some of the most popular rifles ever created, renowned for their precision and ability to chamber a wide array of different cartridges. While these rifles have many features that distinguish them from other platforms, one such feature that isn’t considered all that often is the type of magazine they use.
Magazines are an essential component of any repeating firearm, as they’re responsible for storing and feeding ammunition into the chamber when cycling. Still, when you think of magazine-fed rifles, bolt-actions usually aren’t the first that come to mind, as they’ve most often used internal magazines. However, as bolt-action rifle designs have evolved to fit more specialized roles, it’s more common to see them using detachable magazines.
Still, unlike semi-automatic rifles that widely use standardized magazine designs, bolt-action magazine designs vary quite heavily. Some models have continued to use the classic internal magazine, while others use proprietary magazines or even AR-pattern magazines in some instances. There’s only one truly standardized magazine choice for bolt-action rifles, and that’s the Accuracy International Chassis System (AICS) magazine.
As such, there’s often some confusion amongst enthusiasts new to the platform, as there are a lot of rifles that use a lot of different magazines. Below, we’re breaking down some of the most common ones available.
Understanding AICS Magazines
While bolt-action rifle magazine designs lack widespread standardization, Accuracy International Chassis System magazines have been widely regarded as the industry standard bolt-action magazine. These magazines have seen widespread use by both Military/Law Enforcement Groups, and civilians alike, cementing their legacy as one of the most prolific magazine options for bolt-action rifles.
Today, AICS pattern magazines are produced by several brands such as Magpul, MDT, and Amend2. They come in multiple configurations designed to accommodate different calibers and action lengths, and they can be made from either a steel or polymer with both options being rated for professional use. For example, Magpul PMAG 10 AICS short-action magazines are made of a durable polymer and are equipped with a self-lubricating follower for enhanced reliability.
Caliber Options
Being as popular as they are, AICS magazines are available in a wide range of calibers, but there’s also several dedicated long-action options that are compatible with multiple calibers.
Magpul’s long-action AICS magazines are compatible with several long-action calibers like .30-06, .270 Winchester, and many more. If the cartridge is designed for use in a long-action receiver and doesn’t extend past 3.5 inches in total length, it should fit and feed with no issues. This makes them a solid choice for those who want multiple long-action rifles that use AICS magazines, but there are caliber specific options available too, if you’d prefer.
Short-action magazines will almost always be caliber-specific since there are so many varying sizes to accommodate, but there is some magazine interchangeability with select calibers. For instance, .308 and 6.5 Creedmoor share many similarities, with 6.5 Creedmoor being similar in size to .308. As a result, most .308 AICS mags are often labelled as “.308/6.5 Creedmoor”, since they can hold and feed both cartridges with no issues. Still, there are still a fair number of differences between these two calibers though, but we highlight them in our guide, “6.5 Creedmoor vs. .308 Winchester”.
For other short-action calibers, you won’t be hard-pressed to find an assortment of options to choose from. All your usual suspects like .223/5.56 and 6.5 PRC are readily available, and you can even find options for more unique calibers such as MDT’s 6mm ARC Short Action Steel AICS Magazines.
AICS Magazine Compatible Rifles
Given their widespread use, there are several bolt-action rifles that come standard with AICS magazine compatibility from the factory. Rifles such as the Bergara B14 HMR and BMP, Ruger Precision Rifle, and select Savage Model 110 rifles are just a few notable examples that come pre-equipped with AICS-compatible magwells. Also, if your rifle isn’t already compatible with them, you might be able to opt for an upgraded bottom metal or a complete chassis system that can make your rifle compatible with AICS magazines.
Brands like MDT, Magpul, and Oryx Chassis produce a plethora of parts, components, and accessories for bolt-action rifles, including bottom metals and chassis systems that are compatible with AICS magazines. Between the two, upgraded bottom metals are the most affordable choice costing anywhere from around $75 to upwards of $300 depending on the manufacturer. Chassis systems are, by far, the most expensive options, but they can completely transform your rifle since they can come with added features like adjustable stocks, M-LOK rails, and full metal construction. These can cost anywhere from around $300 to upwards of $2,500+ depending on the model though.
Other Popular Bolt Action Magazines
Although AICS magazines are the most standardized detachable magazine for bolt-action rifles, not all rifles use them. In fact, most modern bolt-action rifles either use traditional hinged floorplate magazines, proprietary magazines, or AR-pattern magazines.
Hinged Floorplate Magazines
Hinged floorplate magazines are one of the most common magazines you’ll find on bolt-action rifles. An internal magazine, they have a hinge built into the floor plate (hence the name) that allows it to open, emptying all the cartridges at once when unloading. Additionally, they give the rifle a sleeker overall design since the bottom of the magazine sits flush with the stock—this makes it less likely to snag on any surroundings when carrying the rifle in the field like when hunting.
Still, compared to detachable magazines, they’re slower reload since each cartridge must be loaded manually, and the total round capacity for these magazines is very low, usually no more than 5 rounds in most instances. Also, the hinging mechanism can wear out over time. However, modern rifle designs use high quality materials to extend their lifespan, making them an excellent choice for recreational shooting and hunting.
Proprietary Magazines
As we mentioned before, many bolt-actions come with their own proprietary detachable magazines. While they perform similarly to AICS magazines, they lack interchangeability with different rifle models.
Rifles like those from SAKO, Browning, and Tikka, for example, mostly use proprietary magazine designs. Although this isn’t always the case, proprietary rifle magazines can be quite expensive at times. Tikka Compact Tactical magazines, for example, can vary in price ranging from $40 to upwards $150 per magazine depending on the caliber—far more than what standard Magpul AICS Magazines can cost. Keep in mind that this is highly dependent on the type of rifle you have, but it’s still worth considering.
When shopping for proprietary magazines, it’s imperative to check each option’s compatibility before buying. Searching for a .308 bolt-action rifle magazine will bring up several different magazine options, so it’s best to check compatibility charts and manufacturer details before pulling the trigger on one.
AR Pattern Magazines
Some more modern bolt-action rifles like the The Fix by Q, CZ 600 Trail, Ruger American Ranch and Predator, and the Mossberg MVP are each compatible with AR pattern magazines.
These magazines come with a plethora of advantages, with one of their greatest being their availability. AR-15 and AR-10 magazines are some of the most widely produced and affordable magazines on the market, with them being offered by several brands. Some options can even cost as little as $10 to $20 in some instances.
Although AICS magazines remain the dominant option for bolt-action rifles, AR magazines are becoming more popular as more rifles continue to use them. However, it’s important to recognize that the use of AR magazines is heavily limited by the rifle’s caliber, as they can only use those that fit within the confines of the magazine’s dimensions. As such, you’ll most commonly see these rifles chambered in calibers like .223/5.56, .300 Blackout, .308, 6.5 Creedmoor, and a few others like 6.5 Grendel and 350 Legend.
Conclusion
Shooting with a bolt-action rifle will forever be a favored pastime for many. And while these rifles stand out for their reliability and accuracy, it’s crucial to recognize how the type of magazine they use plays a key role in determining how they perform.
If you’re looking for the most widely used and standardized magazine, AICS magazines are the clear winner. Being that they’re the only truly standardized option, there are several top-tier brands producing AICS pattern magazines, giving you no shortage of high-quality options to choose from.
As the standard option on most rifle models, hinged floorplate magazines work well too. Although you won’t be able to reload them as quickly as you would with detachable magazines, they’re still a solid low-profile possibility that’s great for less dynamic shooting disciplines.
Proprietary and AR-pattern magazines are great detachable magazine options. However, proprietary magazines are model-specific and can be quite expensive, while AR-magazines are more affordable and easier to find but are in limited use comparatively. Nevertheless, both can be a solid pick.
While it’s impossible to distinguish one magazine as the ‘best’ one, it’s more-than-possible to find the best option for you by choosing the one that best aligns with your needs and preferences. If you’re new to bolt-actions or looking for one, our guide on the Best Bolt-Action Rifle for Hunting goes in-depth into what features to look for when shopping for one, as well as some popular options to help you get started in your search.
