Adam

The MS rotary magazine really is cartridge specific. It is hard to describe but basically consists of a spring loaded rotar with 5 longitudinal "beds" arranged about its axis, each of which holds one round. Each of the 5 "beds" is profiled to the exact shape of the cartridge the rifle is chambered for.

The rotar sits in the middle of the main body of the mag assembly which has provision for support of the rounds at front (projectile nose) and rear as they rotate in the mag. To allow proper feeding you need to stick to the original projectile shape and cartridge overall length (or at least that has been my experience) so that the cartridges remain supported and feed properly.

The post war models seem to be less finicky because the support ring was moved back to the cartridges shoulder area which gives a few more projectile options.

To change a MS to a different cartridge would require at least sourcing an appropriate rotar, or machining the old one for the new cartridge shape, corresponding changes to the main body of the mag, not to mention goodness knows what changes to feed rails etc. I suppose if the cartridge shapes were close it would simplify things a bit.

Having said all that it has been done before so obviously isn't impossible.

These are just my opinions based on the little experience I have with Mannlichers. Others here will be able to give better descriptions and ideas based on much more experience.

Cheers.

GG