Blind Magazine vs Hinged Floor Plate vs Removable Magazine for Dangerous Game

[Odinsraven]

The Blaser R8 is currently my favorite rifle for everything. The whole magazine and trigger group comes out. Yet, it has a reputation for absolute reliability. I trust it utterly not to come apart in my hands. I frankly think this is a non-issue on any quality made rifle.

Nope don't trust neber will after the 93 ....no country ever went to war with a straight pull

 

[dchamp]

Please don't take me wrong as I am just expressing my opinion and don't mean to sound critical but it is usually the nut behind the trigger who causes any malfunction that causes the dumping of ammunition. I have both the Sako 85 & Blaser R8 and have the utmost confidence in their reliability. As far as the Blaser R8 goes I have to say after several years of use it is my go to rifle regardless of caliber chosen. IMHO it is the best designed/engineered rifle on the market. But to each their own otherwise we would all think alike and have the same thing.

 

[larry4831]

I had an older 458 Winchester model 70. If you loaded just one in the magazine and fired it,it was OK, however, if you loaded three in the magazine and one in the pipe and fired it you had cartridges bouncing off your boots.

 

[IvW]

Proper hinged floor plate is the best.

Second would be the detachable magazine WITH locking mechanism such as on the Mauser MO3.

Blind is not a good idea.

 

[Rule 303]

For me, detachable magazine for the most dangerous game on earth. These be two legged For four legged types a tried and tested hinged floor plate. Have some blind magazine rifles, can take them or leave them. Pain in the neck to clean when in very dusty/dirty or wet places.

 

[Nicholas Barcomb]

Not a PH, but have hunted all over North America with a hinged floor plate, blind magazine, and detachable magazine. I have hunted in other parts of the world with detachable magazines and blind magazines. My favorite, the hinged floor plate for ease in removing cartridges when necessary. I have never had a magazine drop on me out of any detachable magazines and I have never had a floor plate pop on me at any time. As for the blind magazine, it's not that hard to scoop out 3-5 cartridges from one when necessary or to top off as needed. Still a hinged floor plate fan and Sako has one of THE best in the industry (at least in the Sako AIII, that is)!

 

[Dwight Beagle]

Not a PH either but I think the advantage is in convenience. In past life a witch put a curse on me, that whenever I go somewhere I will forget an item of significance. Once I was half way to Thunder Bay and realized I forgot my fishing license. The hinged floor plate means no lost magazines. And, it is easier than a blind mag to dump the cartridges when the time comes.

I’m like you in that I’ll forget something of importance, it is guaranteed. That is why no DBM for me, dangerous game or not. After haven’t sold and handled a bunch of Sako 85’s I don’t believe it possible to inadvertently drop the magazine. I pefer blind magazine first, then hinged floorplate, I’ve never thought about why.

 

[Red Leg]

Nope don't trust neber will after the 93 ....no country ever went to war with a straight pull

I have been to war. I am going hunting. And I am perfectly fine hunting dangerous game with the Blaser R8 which is the most reliable, accurate, and quick reloading rifle that I have ever used.

 

[peras]

Proper hinged floor plate is the best.

Second would be the detachable magazine WITH locking mechanism such as on the Mauser MO3.

Blind is not a good idea.

Agree.

 

[Longwalker]

I've never had a hinged floor plate open accidentally, so can't see any "reliability" reason for choosing a blind magazine. Blind magazines are certainly less convenient.

I have a Sako M85 .375 that I like a lot, it has a detachable magazine that holds 4, does not protrude below the rifle, can be fed from the top, the magazine latch locks, and I like the ability to load another full magazine in about three seconds. A very good system, not necessarily better than a hinged floor plate, but not inferior either.

Not all detachable magazine rifles are as well designed as the Sako. Single stack ( not staggered) magazines usually feed well but have limited capacity or protrude below the receiver right where your hand goes when carrying. They have to be removed when loading, and often are a feature of rifles with a very small opening in the receiver. Not ideal for dangerous game in my opinion.

 

[ZG47]

Nope don't trust neber will after the 93 ....no country ever went to war with a straight pull

Except ... Austria-Hungary! I had a Model 95, rechambered for the later rimmed round. My example was way past its best but handled nicely and it is the only rifle I have owned which had a genuine safety catch (vs a trigger block) that could be engaged in cocked and uncocked weapon states.

 

[TOBY458]

I've never had a hinged floor plate open accidentally, so can't see any "reliability" reason for choosing a blind magazine. Blind magazines are certainly less convenient.

I have a Sako M85 .375 that I like a lot, it has a detachable magazine that holds 4, does not protrude below the rifle, can be fed from the top, the magazine latch locks, and I like the ability to load another full magazine in about three seconds. A very good system, not necessarily better than a hinged floor plate, but not inferior either.

Not all detachable magazine rifles are as well designed as the Sako. Single stack ( not staggered) magazines usually feed well but have limited capacity or protrude below the receiver right where your hand goes when carrying. They have to be removed when loading, and often are a feature of rifles with a very small opening in the receiver. Not ideal for dangerous game in my opinion.

I too have a Sako 85 in 375. I feel the same about the magazine. I also have a Kimber 375 with a blind magazine. Both feed and function very well, although I do like the idea of being able to drop the mag and clear a jam with a floor plate or detachable mag vs a blind mag arrangement.

 

[curtism1234]

I have never seen or heard of a bolt action jamming so, to me, a blind magazine is perfectly fine. Unloading a blind magazine 2-3 times a day is not a huge inconvenience that warrants specifically buying a hinged plate. Now that said, it's more important to buy a rifle that feels and fits well to you. If that turns out to be a floor plate model, that's fine.

Regarding a detachable, it all depends on the release button and how the magazine pops in. Most of the new rifles out there have problems in one of the 2 categories. My favorite though is my Browning BLR - no way to accidentally release it and no question that it locked in. That model is not going to help you for dangerous game though.

When it comes down it, a floor plate or blind magazine will serve you well.

 

[Rule 303]

I have never seen or heard of a bolt action jamming so, to me, a blind magazine is perfectly fine.

Wow. Well let me be the first to tell you bolt actions do jam and fairly frequently. This can be due to short stroking or some other issue. Even the fabled M98 suffers jamming. The only action I have used that I have not had a jam with is the SMLE. But make no mistake they will jam.