Gentlemen: I have been eyeing a .243 chambered FN Mauser Commercial actioned rifle, imported by Firearms International, (FIE) and I believe those actions are all standard long, .30-06 bolt face. This is a later one with safety at the side like the Mark X actions rather than on the bolt shroud.

What could I expect for the mag box size? Did they just use a standard '06 box or will it be a short version? I want the rifle for the action, but need the .30-06 length for what I have in mind. I'll probably have to measure it, but thought someone might share. Thanks.

Yes, All the old FN comm. guns were FN Mausers and had a 06 size box as far as I know and I have had a bunch of them.

Thanks Ray: I thought the FN would make a nice 6.5x55 but didn't want to get stuck with a shorty box. I'll take a good look at it and make an offer.

I had one in 243 and I rebarreled to 35 Whelen. It had a 1/2 " spacer in the rear of the mag box held in place with a pin. Drive out the pin and you have a full length box. The 35 Whelen fed flawlessly without any other alteration. Hope this helps. Roger

FN's chambered in short rounds like 243, 308, 300 Sav, 250-3000, etc. had spacers inside the magazine box to hold the shorter rounds in place. They can usually be removed fairly easily to open up the box for longer rounds. Later FI FN's often came with aluminum trigger guards/floorplates, not as desirable IMO.