Most hunting rifle reviews focus on accuracy. Candidly, this is what most rifle buyers are most interested in. However, in the field reliability costs hunters far more opportunity than accuracy. Surprisingly to some, the rifle’s magazine is often the most integral component to the reliability of the firearm. With that in mind, this article breaks down the pros and cons of the two most common systems for feeding modern hunting rifles: the detachable box magazine and the fixed floorplate.
Detachable Box Magazines
Pros
Detachable box magazines are the most common system on new manufacture rifles and have a lot of benefits. First of all, it is fast and easy to unload your rifle temporarily. For example, when crossing a fence or driving to a new spot it is handy to be able to quickly pop out your magazine.
Another advantage of the detachable box magazine is that they are easy to load. Because the magazine can be removed from the firearm the shooter has a lot of space to put new cartridges into and there’s no fidgeting in the space under the scope tube. Also, although rarely needed when hunting detachable box magazines allow the hunter to carry a spare magazine, making reloads much quicker than with fixed systems.
Cons
On the other hand, detachable box magazines come with their own set of drawbacks. The most glaring drawback is that in many cases there is reduced reliability. Depending on the quality of the magazine and the tightness of the magwell, detachable box magazines can cause feeding issues. Furthermore, because they can be taken out of the gun, detachable magazines create greater opportunity for the feed lips to be bent or damaged if the magazine is dropped.
In spite of this, there are some tremendously reliable detachable box magazines. Manufacturers such as Tikka and designs using AICS magazines are typically very reliable. In order to accomplish this, simple single stack magazines are used. This lowers capacity slightly, but most single stack magazines feed very reliably.
Another issue with detachable box magazines is that they can be lost. Fortunately, I myself have yet to fall victim to losing my magazine in the field. However, my hunting partners and I have found several magazines still full of cartridges lying in the woods. So, if you know someone who lost a 270 WSM Tikka magazine above Lowry Lake… At any rate, detachable box magazines can and sometimes do fall out. If you are interested in carrying a spare, consider buying one from the button below. Northern Rifle receives a small percentage of the sale at no increased cost to you and it helps to keep the website running.
Fixed Floorplate Magazines
Pros
A classic system, the hinged floorplate system has been serving reliably on rifles for over 100 years. One main reason is its steadfast reliability. Short of a single shot, there is no more reliable system for feeding a rifle than a fixed magazine. It cannot be lost, it is almost impossible to damage in practical use, and it feeds very consistently. Because there is no interface for removing the magazine, the follower is able to offer a much more consistent presentation of the cartridge every time. A small advantage of the fixed magazine is the ability to ‘top off’ your magazine quickly without having to unload the gun.
Also, the fixed floor plate has an advantage in capacity. In standard 30-06 case-based cartridges, many designs are able to fit 5 cartridges in the magazine while still retaining a flush magazine bottom. In contrast, many detachable box magazine designs can only hold 3 standard cartridges. When it comes to capacity, more is better and I would much rather have cartridges I don’t need than need cartridges I don’t have. I have had two moments in my hunting career where I was following a wounded bear into cover with only one cartridge left in my rifle due to a 3-round magazine. In both situations a fourth round wasn’t necessary. However, I certainly would have felt better knowing I had one if I needed it.
Cons
On the other hand, fixed magazines can be difficult to load underneath a scope. With traditionally styled hunting rifles mounting the optic very close to the bore is necessary to get a solid cheek weld for consistent shooting. However, a low-mounted scope can make it more challenging to top load the fixed magazine. Even without a low optic, loading a top feeding magazine is rarely as ergonomic as filling a detachable box magazine.
Another drawback is the unloading process. Dumping a handful of loose cartridges just to cross a stream or a fence is inconvenient. This is annoying if you are getting in and out of a vehicle regularly. Loose cartridges can also fall and get water on them, which in cold temperatures can lead to issues if the water freezes in the gun.
Closing Thoughts
In summary, both the detachable box magazine and the hinged floorplate systems have their advantages and drawbacks. My personal preference trends towards the fixed box magazine for the extra capacity and reliability. On the other hand, if my hunt requires more time in/on a vehicle I opt for a detachable box magazine.
One interesting hybrid that I really like is the magazine on the Sako 85 series of rifles. The magazine is a solid steel double stack design that locks up incredibly tightly. Additionally, the magazine can be fed from the top while still in the rifle, allowing top-ups. Finally, there is a locking feature that prevents the magazine from falling out inadvertently. In my opinion, this is the perfect system for a hunting rifle.
At the end of the day, which system is best boils down to how often you are loading an unloading your rifle. The detachable box magazine is far more convenient during loading and unloading. Likewise, the fixed magazine offers advantages for the hunter that loads his rifle once at the start of the day and leaves it that way. Regardless of your preference, both systems have their place and will be around for years to come.