Quick answer: to choose the right MDT magazine, match three things: your magazine well (short-action AICS, medium, long action 3.560″/3.715″ or CIP 3.850″), your cartridge family (.308, .223, 6BR, 6mm ARC, short magnum, 30-06 or magnum), and your longest loaded cartridge length (COAL). Then pick metal or polymer and the capacity you need.
- Most precision rifles with an aftermarket chassis or bottom metal take short-action AICS-pattern magazines.
- One MDT .308 / 6.5 Creedmoor magazine feeds .308 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6mm Creedmoor, .243 Win, .260 Rem and 7mm-08.
- Metal magazines take longer cartridges and have adjustable feed lips; polymer magazines are lighter and cheaper.
- Tikka T3/T3x and Savage Axis long actions in an MDT chassis need the 3.560″ long-action magazine.
- 300 Weatherby and 300 RUM only fit MDT’s 3-round CIP polymer magazine.
MDT makes 36 different magazines across short-action, medium and long-action wells, in metal and polymer, from 3 to 12 rounds. This guide explains how the range is organised, which MDT magazine suits which cartridge, and the rifle-specific quirks to check before you order. You can browse our full range of MDT magazines and bottom metal online.
Which MDT magazine well does your rifle use?
Every MDT magazine is built for one of four magazine wells, and the well is set by your chassis or bottom metal, not by the magazine. So the first question is always what your rifle’s well accepts. MDT’s own CORE, Hunting and Precision bottom metals come in versions for each well.
| Magazine well | Max cartridge length (COAL) | What it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Short action AICS | 2.400″ to 2.960″, depending on the magazine | .223, .308 family, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6BR, 6mm ARC, short magnums such as 6.5 PRC and 300 WSM |
| Medium (MED, XM, XM+) | 3.240″ | Short magnums loaded long, and 30-06-length cartridges in a shorter, more compact well |
| Long action 3.560″ / 3.715″ | 3.480″ / 3.600″ | 30-06, 300 Win Mag and 338 Lapua in standard long-action wells |
| CIP 3.850″ | 3.630″ to 3.740″ | Long magnum loads with bullets seated out, such as 300 PRC and 7mm PRC |
Short action AICS is the most common magazine pattern in precision rifles. Nearly every aftermarket chassis and bottom metal accepts it.
Medium sits between short and long action. It suits cartridges that are slightly too long for a short-action magazine, such as 6.5 PRC or 300 WSM loaded to 3.2″, and standard long-action cartridges that can feed poorly in a full-length magazine. You need a chassis or bottom metal that is specifically MED, XM or XM+.
Long action magazines come in two outside lengths. 3.715″ is MDT’s standard long-action length. 3.560″ is for Tikka T3/T3x and Savage Axis long actions in an MDT chassis.
CIP 3.850″ is a longer well that lets you seat long, heavy magnum bullets out further. The magazine will only fit a chassis or bottom metal cut for CIP length.
MDT metal vs polymer magazines
Polymer magazines are lighter and cheaper, and they cover the popular calibres well. Metal magazines cost more but accept longer cartridges and come in more capacities.
- Polymer magazines are glass-filled nylon with a steel spring. The .308 family polymer magazine weighs about 0.3 lb in the 10-round size. Their maximum COAL is usually a little shorter than the metal equivalent: 2.850″ against 2.870″ for the .308 family.
- Metal magazines are nitrided steel with a Cerakote Elite finish inside and out. Many have adjustable feed lips and a removable floor plate, so you can tune them to your rifle and strip them for cleaning.
- DSSF (double stack, single feed) is MDT’s design for most of the range. Rounds sit double-stacked in the body and move into a single column at the top. The result is a magazine about ¾” shorter than a standard AICS 10-rounder, which helps with prone magazine changes.
- Binder plates sit at the front of some metal magazines and hold cartridges back off the feed ramp. The .308 family metal magazines come with or without one. With the plate, COAL is 2.870″ and they work in any AICS-pattern action. Without it you get 2.960″, but most factory actions need the feed ramp notched first.
- Capacity runs 3, 5, 7, 10 or 12 rounds depending on the calibre. Three- and five-rounders suit hunting and bench work. Ten- and twelve-rounders are for PRS-style and practical matches.
The CIP-length polymer magazines for long magnums are single stack and hold 3 rounds.
Which MDT magazine fits your cartridge?
Most cartridges share a magazine with their parent case, so the range is smaller than it looks. These are the families.
.308 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor and the .308 family
The .308 / 6.5 Creedmoor magazine is the workhorse of the MDT range. It feeds .308 Win and 7.62×51 NATO, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6mm Creedmoor, .243 Win, .260 Rem and 7mm-08. The polymer version also lists 6mm XC. It comes in polymer (3, 5 and 10 rounds) and metal (5, 10 and 12 rounds). 22-250 Rem will run in it at reduced capacity, but MDT also makes a dedicated 22-250 metal 10-rounder that holds the full count.
.223 Rem and 5.56 NATO
There is a metal 10-round magazine (2.500″ COAL) and polymer 10-round and 12-round magazines (2.480″). MDT notes that .223 AI won’t load to full capacity in the polymer magazine.
6BR family and 6GT
The 6BR metal magazine, in 10 and 12 rounds, takes 6mm BR Norma, 6mm BRA, 6mm BRX, 6mm Dasher and 22 BR, at 2.505″ COAL. The 6GT has its own 10-round polymer magazine.
6mm ARC, 6.5 Grendel, 22 ARC and 350 Legend
These short cartridges need their own magazines. The metal 6mm ARC magazine (10 or 12 rounds) feeds 6mm ARC and 6.5 Grendel. The polymer 6mm ARC magazine (10 or 12 rounds) feeds 6mm ARC and 22 ARC. 350 Legend has a 10-round polymer magazine.
Short magnums: 6.5 PRC, 300 WSM and friends
These have two routes. In a short-action AICS well, the 300 WSM / 6.5 PRC metal magazine (3 or 7 rounds) takes 6.5 PRC, 270 WSM, 7mm RSAUM and 300 WSM up to 2.955″. If you want to seat bullets longer, the medium-action version allows 3.240″. It comes in 3, 5 and 10 rounds for 300 WSM and 6.5 PRC, and in 3 and 5 rounds for 270 WSM, 7mm WSM and 325 WSM. MDT doesn’t recommend its polymer .308 magazines for 300 WSM.
30-06, 6.5×55 Swede and 270 Win
In a medium well, the 30-06 / 6.5×55 Swede metal magazine (3 or 5 rounds) feeds 30-06, 6.5×55, 270 Win, 280 Rem, 25-06 and 35 Whelen. A 10-round version covers 30-06, 6.5×55 and 6.5-284. In a long-action well there is a 5-round metal 30-06 magazine in 3.560″ and 3.715″ lengths. There is also a 3-round CIP polymer magazine for 30-06, 270 Win, 280 Rem and 280 AI.
Magnums: 300 Win Mag, 7mm PRC, 300 PRC and 338 Lapua
- 300 Win Mag: a 5-round metal magazine in 3.560″, 3.715″ and 3.850″ CIP lengths. There is also a 3-round CIP polymer magazine that also feeds 7mm Rem Mag and 264 Win Mag.
- 7mm PRC: its own 3-round CIP polymer magazine. It will also run in the 300 WM metal magazine once the feed lips are opened slightly.
- 300 PRC: metal CIP magazines in 3 and 5 rounds.
- 338 Lapua and 300 Norma Mag: a 5-round 338 LM metal magazine in 3.715″ and CIP lengths, and a 3-round CIP metal magazine that takes both cartridges.
- 300 Weatherby: only the 3-round CIP polymer magazine. MDT’s metal long-action magazines don’t work with 300 Weatherby, 300 Remington Ultra Mag or similar cartridges.
Rifles and actions that need extra care with MDT magazines
Most fit problems come from a handful of factory actions. MDT flags these in its specifications:
| Rifle or action | What to know |
|---|---|
| Tikka T3/T3x long action | Use the 3.560″ metal magazine in an MDT chassis. The CIP polymer magazines are not compatible. |
| Savage Axis long action | Use the 3.560″ metal magazine in an MDT chassis. |
| Ruger American short action | Not compatible with MDT’s 6mm ARC or 350 Legend magazines. |
| Howa 1500 short action | The .308 family metal magazines need slight modification. |
| Remington 700, Savage 10/11 and other factory actions | No-binder-plate metal magazines need the feed ramp notched. Remington 700-footprint custom actions are usually already cut for them, but check with the maker. |
| Three-lug actions | The 6BR magazines need feed-lip tuning to run reliably. |
| Remington Tactical Chassis, 338 Lapua XCR | These take a 3.775″ magazine, which MDT doesn’t make. |
| Winchester XPC inlets, Model 70 | The polymer .308 family magazines don’t fit XPC inlets and may need fitting in a Model 70. |
If you bought your rifle as a complete factory package, check the manufacturer’s magazine specification before you order. Bring it in and we’ll check the fit with you.
How to choose an MDT magazine in five steps
- Find your magazine well. Check whether your chassis or bottom metal is short-action AICS, medium, long action (3.560″ or 3.715″) or CIP 3.850″.
- Find your cartridge in the families above to see the magazines that feed it in that well.
- Measure your loads. Your longest cartridge must be under the magazine’s maximum COAL. If you seat bullets long, look at the no-binder-plate, medium or CIP options.
- Check the rifle notes above for your action.
- Pick material and capacity: polymer for light and affordable, metal for adjustable feed lips and longer COAL; 3 or 5 rounds for hunting, 10 or 12 for competition.
MDT magazine FAQs
Does a 6.5 Creedmoor fit in an MDT .308 magazine?
Yes. MDT’s .308 / 6.5 Creedmoor magazine is designed for both, and also feeds 6mm Creedmoor, .243 Win, .260 Rem and 7mm-08. Maximum loaded length is 2.850″ in the polymer version and 2.870″ in the metal version with a binder plate.
What is the difference between MDT metal and polymer magazines?
Polymer magazines are glass-filled nylon, lighter and less expensive. Metal magazines are nitrided steel with a Cerakote finish, accept slightly longer cartridges, offer more capacities and many have adjustable feed lips and a removable floor plate.
What does AICS-pattern mean for a magazine?
AICS-pattern refers to the magazine shape and catch position first used by the Accuracy International AICS stock. It has become the standard for precision rifles, so most aftermarket chassis and bottom metals, including MDT’s, accept AICS-pattern magazines.
Which MDT magazine do I need for 300 Win Mag?
Use the 5-round metal 300 Win Mag magazine in the length your well takes: 3.560″ (Tikka T3/T3x and Savage Axis in an MDT chassis), 3.715″ (standard long action) or 3.850″ CIP. A 3-round CIP polymer magazine is also available.
Do MDT magazines fit a Tikka T3x?
In an MDT chassis, Tikka T3/T3x long actions use MDT’s 3.560″ metal long-action magazines. MDT’s CIP polymer magazines are not compatible with the Tikka T3/T3x long action.
What is a binder plate on an MDT magazine?
A binder plate is a plate at the front of some MDT metal magazines that holds cartridges back from the feed ramp. With it, the .308 family metal magazine works in any AICS-pattern action at 2.870″ COAL. Without it you can load to 2.960″, but most factory actions need the feed ramp notched first.
Not sure? Pop in or WhatsApp us on 063 907 7906 with your rifle make, model, chassis and cartridge, and we’ll match the right MDT magazine for you. You can also browse our MDT magazines and bottom metal online.
Sources
Specifications from MDT’s official magazine listings at mdttac.ca/collections/all-magazines and the individual product pages, checked October 2026. MDT updates its range and specifications from time to time, so always confirm against the current product page.
