Just keep in mind that magazines break and get lost if they're being used.
20 or 30 rounders for AR
- Thread starter 357smallbore
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mcb
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I have been on a 4, 5 & 7 round kick the last few years for hunting.
The 5rd and 7rd magazines I used the past three seasons
The 4rd and 7rd magazine I plan on using this season.
In general I do like straight 20rds best but I have been unable to find a 300 BO specific staight 20rd so I use the D&H curved 20rd for my subsonic hunting round since it won't feed in a standard 556.
The long nearly cylindrical 220gr Maker Rex bullet (top right) requires a 300BO specific magazine.
The only time I use 30rd magazine is playing games like 3-gun and carbine matches.
The 5rd and 7rd magazines I used the past three seasons
The 4rd and 7rd magazine I plan on using this season.
In general I do like straight 20rds best but I have been unable to find a 300 BO specific staight 20rd so I use the D&H curved 20rd for my subsonic hunting round since it won't feed in a standard 556.
The long nearly cylindrical 220gr Maker Rex bullet (top right) requires a 300BO specific magazine.
The only time I use 30rd magazine is playing games like 3-gun and carbine matches.
Crosshair
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Mosin Bubba
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I tack on a 20 rounder every time I make an order from Brownell's.
mokin
Member
I prefer the 20 round magazines. That being said, I let the last 20 round magazine I had go when I sold my SP1 quite a while back. I presently have a bunch of 30 round magazines for my AR-15s. As stated above, I use a five round magazine unless I'm in a 3-Gun match or something. I do have 20 round magazines for my Mini-14.
mokin
Member
I like that idea. I'd copy it but I can't....
I really like Twenties, as they allow a really low prone position, for the occasions when that might become REALLY important, and because they catch on fewer things, which is especially relevant in brush and thickets. Tens are nicely convenient, and are handy in the thickest brush and thickets, so are a runner-up favorite.
Thirties have their usefulness, mostly for high-volume training, to keep up with other folks using thirties, but I only have a few, and do not plan to add more.
Thirties have their usefulness, mostly for high-volume training, to keep up with other folks using thirties, but I only have a few, and do not plan to add more.
jeff-10
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30 round Gen 3 PMAGs.
Mike .45
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I prefer 30's. I stocked up on P-mags And metal mags from Okay industries.
I do keep a box of 20's for shooting from a table or prone. I will usually toss 1 in the range bag. For 20's I just use P-mags.
I never really got into the drums or 60. Rounders. I do have a few 40 round P-mags though.
I do keep a box of 20's for shooting from a table or prone. I will usually toss 1 in the range bag. For 20's I just use P-mags.
I never really got into the drums or 60. Rounders. I do have a few 40 round P-mags though.
I prefer 10s. For what I do that's all the ammo I need onboard, and they don't get in my way as bad as longer mags.
I have a couple 20s, and 30s, as well as a 40, but almost never even toss them in my range bag. Course I usually only shoot a box or two of ammo out of my AR at the range, and maybe 2 or 3 shots when in actual use.
I have a couple 20s, and 30s, as well as a 40, but almost never even toss them in my range bag. Course I usually only shoot a box or two of ammo out of my AR at the range, and maybe 2 or 3 shots when in actual use.
illinoisburt
Member
Not a big fan of plastic mags. Have a couple 5 and 10 rounders for the range. Seems like the larger cap polymer mags spread out and feed poorly if kept loaded for a few months. Never had that issue with steel and aluminum. Generally keep a couple mag pouches loaded in the locker, so 12 30-round mags for each AR, AK, and just 6 for Mini. Not a whole lot of point in my mind keeping stacks of empty magazines. If you have plenty of time to load a magazine before shooting then no real need for extra mags.
Chuck R.
Member
I use:
20s for bench and hunting
30's for all around, classes and the majority of match stages
40's for some stages requiring high round count and going prone as their just the right height to use the mag as a mono-pod.
I view mags as a "Class IV" (disposable item that wears out) so 16 would be a good start, especially if you envision a possible scenario where they're difficult to obtain. Mine are predominately PMAGs, but I still have a few aluminum.
20s for bench and hunting
30's for all around, classes and the majority of match stages
40's for some stages requiring high round count and going prone as their just the right height to use the mag as a mono-pod.
I view mags as a "Class IV" (disposable item that wears out) so 16 would be a good start, especially if you envision a possible scenario where they're difficult to obtain. Mine are predominately PMAGs, but I still have a few aluminum.
I've got almost all 30 rounders, though I keep a couple 20s around for shooting off the bench and I have two 45s I built out of PMags. Mine are a mix of PMags and metal and I've never had an issue with either one that a new spring and follower couldn't fix.
jonnyc
Member
I have cheapo 20 rounders for the range, 30s for almost all other 5.56 applications, and good 20 rounders for BLK-Only.
FL-NC
Member
I have both. I also have 2 5 round mags for hunting as required in Fl. 20's are good for shooting prone, esp. with a short bipod. I used to keep some in my range box in the army so guys could use them to zero at the range. 20's are also desirable for things like HD or applications like an AR pistol in a vehicle when you want to keep the whole package as small as possible, with the willingness to have "only" 20 rounds available loaded. Are 12 mags enough? I don't know the application(s). As a reference, I typically carried 6 on my kit and 1 in my gun on most missions I did in afg. I only had to do a "mandatory" reload once in all the missions I did carrying the M4. I did many more reloads using machineguns and such. I have a mix of about 10 mags in my shed with my range stuff (20 and 30 rounds), I have many more in a rubber made box in the attic, where it has been for about 3 years.
bassjam
Member
I don't have any 20's. Most of my shooting is slow enough that the few 10 round mags I have is more than enough, normally just loaded to 5. Then there's about ten 30-rounders I rotate through just to keep myself satisfied they work, maybe I'll take one or two with me to the range each time just to empty them once while standing and shooting at the 150 yard gong at my range, and load them back up when I get home. I also have a few more unopened 30 round mags sitting in their original packaging stored in boxes.
Charlie98
Member
Never been a big fan of the metal 30's, but my frame of reference is the beat up crap we had in the Army. Before the plastic mag craze hit us, I was happy with my stash of 20rd USGI mags... and still have them and use them. I bought 1 20rd Magpul when they first came out, with the intention to not like them. No matter what I did, I couldn't get it to fail or break (no, I didn't run over it with truck...) so I thought I would give half a dozen 30's a try (Gen2, by then...) and I've been on them ever since. I bought a dozen Magpul 20's Gen2's when they came out, too... but aesthetically, they aren't as cool as my USGI 20's because of the curve... but they sure do work.
I think there were issues with the early mags, but that has since been fixed. The Gen3's don't even come with the 'dust cover' any longer. I've had some loaded for nigh onto 10 years and they perform just like the ones I've just loaded up. My original 20rd Magpul is just starting to show a little fatigue at the feed lips, and it's over 10 years old, if memory serves.
I think there were issues with the early mags, but that has since been fixed. The Gen3's don't even come with the 'dust cover' any longer. I've had some loaded for nigh onto 10 years and they perform just like the ones I've just loaded up. My original 20rd Magpul is just starting to show a little fatigue at the feed lips, and it's over 10 years old, if memory serves.
Cemetery21
Member
Can't remember when I've used a 30 since retirement, but I keep a dozen or so loaded and more than that on hand.
20s at the range since I'm usually only there for testing. 5 and 10 rounders on hand in case I ever hunt again.
edit to add: Mine are a mixture of metal and plastics. My really old metal mags (mostly Colts) have newer springs/followers and I don't think I've had a mag failure with either type. I don't pay much attention to which one I pick up.
20s at the range since I'm usually only there for testing. 5 and 10 rounders on hand in case I ever hunt again.
edit to add: Mine are a mixture of metal and plastics. My really old metal mags (mostly Colts) have newer springs/followers and I don't think I've had a mag failure with either type. I don't pay much attention to which one I pick up.
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WestKentucky
Member
I have a wide variety. I have everything from 5 round for my 6.8 (hunting regulations limiting mag capacity)to 30 rd for the 223. I prefer the pmag 20rd mags because of their length. As others have said, 30s can be problematic prone or on a bench, and Magpul has nicely rounded products which are visually appealing but also just flat work. The 20rd also doesn’t bang into me nearly as bad when the gun is slung either, and the rounded corners aren’t pokey.
Is 12 enough? I don’t know. It’s enough for me, but each person has to make that decision for themself. It depends on the mixture of sizes, calibers, colors, etc. Since my 6.8 mags don’t interchange with 223, I have about 5 mags for that gun and about 10 for the 223. Most of both calibers are still new in package, and my 20 rd 6.8 mags will probably never be used.
Is 12 enough? I don’t know. It’s enough for me, but each person has to make that decision for themself. It depends on the mixture of sizes, calibers, colors, etc. Since my 6.8 mags don’t interchange with 223, I have about 5 mags for that gun and about 10 for the 223. Most of both calibers are still new in package, and my 20 rd 6.8 mags will probably never be used.
theotherwaldo
Member
I usually buy my mags by the stack and then break them down and clean, burnish, blueprint and graphite them.
Most of mine are aluminum 30s.
Your rifle only works well if your magazines work well.
Most of mine are aluminum 30s.
Your rifle only works well if your magazines work well.
doubleh
Member
My AR is a coyote gun. I use a five round mag. It works great off the bench, is easy to carry in the jeep, and it doesn't jab you in the back when toting it around slung over your shoulder. I have half a dozen or so assorted 20 and 30 round mags laying around that just gather dust.
Same, and my favorites are the E2 Okays.
DDDWho
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I have 30s but just ordered 2 10s (shipped yesterday) for deer season. I don’t actually “hunt” deer I just set on my front porch with a rifle in front of me and reminisce about the old days and fellow hunters long passed. Memories are as close as I want to come to killing another deer.
Mosin77
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IMO for “practical civilian self defense” a couple of 20 rounders are more than adequate.
If you shoot about like most people, a half dozen are nice so you don’t have to reload at the range. Reloading mags isn’t fun, for me anyway.
For either tactical games or prep for some kind of invasion/civil war/end-of-the-world/extended period of lawlessness and violence scenario? I’d like a couple of dozen of each (20 and 30) on hand with very ample ammo. Seems like any more than that would be overkill though... in the realm of “sure it would be nice, but so would reinforcements, an attack helicopter, an M1A1 Abrams tank, and maybe an aircraft carrier.”
Mags are cheap even now, so it’s an easy way to hedge against future uncertainties.
If you shoot about like most people, a half dozen are nice so you don’t have to reload at the range. Reloading mags isn’t fun, for me anyway.
For either tactical games or prep for some kind of invasion/civil war/end-of-the-world/extended period of lawlessness and violence scenario? I’d like a couple of dozen of each (20 and 30) on hand with very ample ammo. Seems like any more than that would be overkill though... in the realm of “sure it would be nice, but so would reinforcements, an attack helicopter, an M1A1 Abrams tank, and maybe an aircraft carrier.”
Mags are cheap even now, so it’s an easy way to hedge against future uncertainties.
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