I am contemplating a rifle build on a Montana Rifle Company stainless "short" action. Even though the action is supplied with bottom metal and a 3.125" magazine, I was wondering if anyone knows whether a blind magazine is available either from MRC or an aftermarket source. I e-mailed MRC and have done some internet searches to no avail.

Though it isn't popular cartridge by any stretch of the imagination, I was thinking this action would be perfect for making a 376 Steyr. Brass is available and a few hundred should keep me stocked in ammo for a long time; as other relevant components are common.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

You can use the mag box supplied with the action. Just sell the bottom metal and get a simple trigger guard from a Remington ADL, or similar.

Alternatively, a lot of blind magazine rifles are made with no mag box. The inletting is done to the wood or composite so it acts as the box.

Jeremy

I think the MRC bottom metal matches the Winchester M70. If you can find a Win M70 blind mag for a short action, it should work. Call MRC to confirm or if they have suggestions.

Thank you for the input. So it seems that the factory box can be utilized and the spring/follower are located in the bottom of the stock. My plan is for stainless/synthetic so it shouldn't be any problem to either modify or purchase a stock designed for this application (been thinking either McMillan or MPI). During my internet research I saw that MRC had previously sold blind magazine rifles (Ridgeline series). Therefore, they should have some good suggestions and a call will probably render some useful advice.

That said, there are so many AR posters with a wealth of knowledge that I figured it was well worth the time to also ask here.

Having only ever purchased factory rifles, I just wanted to do as much research as I could before rashly jumping into a project. In the end, my goal is to have a simple, reliable, and accurate rifle. Everybody has to start somewhere and I look forward to starting this build.

Now you've got my interest. I just sold a MRC 300 WSM and was thinking of a 7X57. How much weight do you think you would save by deleting the bottom metal? I even have an aluminum trigger guard that will work. MRC's lightest barrel contour isn't super light, so another brand of barrel would be in order. There are some lightweight synthetic stocks out there too!

quote:

Originally posted by Vol717:
Now you've got my interest. I just sold a MRC 300 WSM and was thinking of a 7X57. How much weight do you think you would save by deleting the bottom metal? I even have an aluminum trigger guard that will work. MRC's lightest barrel contour isn't super light, so another brand of barrel would be in order. There are some lightweight synthetic stocks out there too!

You're thinking on this does not match your note at the bottom of your post.

quote:

Originally posted by HondoLane:
I am contemplating a rifle build on a Montana Rifle Company stainless "short" action. Even though the action is supplied with bottom metal and a 3.125" magazine, I was wondering if anyone knows whether a blind magazine is available either from MRC or an aftermarket source. I e-mailed MRC and have done some internet searches to no avail.

Though it isn't popular cartridge by any stretch of the imagination, I was thinking this action would be perfect for making a 376 Steyr. Brass is available and a few hundred should keep me stocked in ammo for a long time; as other relevant components are common.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

FWIW I did the very thing except I kept the bottom metal. You will like it when you finish.