Magazine change affect accuracy?

[Larry in wyoming]

Has anybody experienced changing magazines affecting accuracy?
Just a hypothetical question. I've never noticed it and never run a test for it.
I'm thinking in terms of ARs but any other detachable box mag rifle too.

 

[Pat Riot]

Not in my experience. I have had reliability issues with different mags, but no accuracy issues with mags.

 

[d2wing]

I suppose it is possible if it prevents full seating of the bolt.

 

[Y-T71]

Never experienced it either.

I am curious what led you to think of this question though.

 

[Varminterror]

The only way this could be possible - as rare as even this could occur, and certainly not without being obvious - is if one of the magazines feeds so poorly such the bullet or otherwise cartridge is being damaged when feeding from magazine to chamber.

Otherwise, no. Even with a magazine pushing up on the body of a bolt, no.

 

[Larry in wyoming]

I've got a 10rd magpul. I was just thinking about shooting from a bipod. Usually use a 30 when I'm on a bench.

Bench versus bipod could matter I know.

 

[dweis]

I don’t see it as possible. The cartridge travels from the magazine to the chamber. Entering the chamber aligns the cartridge with the barrel. The breech closes and the round is fully into the chamber. When the trigger is pulled the magazine is idle — having nothing to do with the actual firing of the round.

 

[Larry in wyoming]

I could see where varying pressure on the bolt could matter. Maybe.

 

[Varminterror]

I could see where varying pressure on the bolt could matter. Maybe.

AR mags won’t touch the bolt when in battery, and really shouldn’t be touching the bolt carrier either. It takes absolutely the most extremely precise AR and extremely skilled shooter behind it to shoot well enough for what little influence could occur due to slightly varied pressure by the mag on the BC, then BC on the tail of the bolt… don’t overthink this, we all change mags all of the time and rifles don’t spit the bit.

 

[12Bravo20]

The only way this could be possible - as rare as even this could occur, and certainly not without being obvious - is if one of the magazines feeds so poorly such the bullet or otherwise cartridge is being damaged when feeding from magazine to chamber.

Otherwise, no. Even with a magazine pushing up on the body of a bolt, no.

I was just going to post the same thing. And yes the magazine would have to feed pretty bad and cause the bullet to really get dinged up or bent to effect accuracy. And usually you will have feeding issue before that happens.

 

[Larry in wyoming]

It was just a random thought. I figured I'd throw it out here.
Thanks guys.

 

[mgmorden]

Generally no. Magazines can greatly affect reliability but have pretty much zero effect on accuracy.

 

[Thomasss]

It has or to say it can happen depending on the rifle and the magazine. I've had it happen also by adding a bayonet to a rifle. I believe the problem occurs by changing the "floating" of the barrel and changing of the barrel harmonics. The bayonet occurred on my Garand while participating in a military shoot. I had to bayonet "Ivan" Russian dummy to start the clock. ( I should have stabbed him and then drop the darn thing. Didn't know that was in the rule book.)
The magazine issue was shown, when a felon added a drum magazine to his rifle which through off his POI.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Pressure b/c of the magazine pushing up on the bolt (or slide) can affect how fast the bolt or slide moves. Depending on the strength of the magazine spring, it can affect (inconsistent) lockup. That would throw off the POI. It's why I prefer factory magazines.

 

[halfmoonclip]

Presume we are not talking about accidentally, or deliberately, resting the gun on the magazine? I've a 5 round AR mag, used strictly for zeroing.
Moon

 

[dirtman]

With poor feeding there is potental (depentaing on gun type) for the bullet to push further into the case creating pressure issues... be safe..

 

[film495]

possible. IMHO, but never tested. cycle enough dummy rounds and check them out, and sometimes the cases are dented or lead tips on bullets get a dent or deform a bit. if one magazine sends each cartrdige on a nice smooth trip into the chamber and one bounces it every which way and it finds its way in, but with extra dents and dings and more deformation between mag and chamber, yea - it would make sense the extra deformation or lack of conformity, certainly would not make it more accurate.

 

[Pivot Dr]

I don’t do a lot of center fire magazine rifle shooting, but I do have an AR that shoots somewhat differently with and without a magazine. Not so much between magazines, but definitely different with and without magazines. Like that is important?

 

[MonkTx]

I've seen too many rapid fire cleans shot in highpower matches with m14 and ar15 type rifles to believe a magazine affects accuracy.

 

[Ignition Override]

..?

An alum. “G3” German mag in my PTR-91 (.308) was replaced with a steel Spanish Cetme mag.

Three holes touched last week in the medium-size Shoot n See bullseye, from 50 yards. Iron sights, Tula ammo.

A: Apparently changing mags can help, or
B: provide an excuse if it doesn’t.