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

[TOBY458]

Any PH experience in this area? I have rifles of all of these configurations. I already know what most will say is best, but what's your opinion, and why?

 

[lcq]

Slap, Rack, Tap

 

[johnnyblues]

+1

 

[TOBY458]

This isn't an ISIS hunting site! Haha!

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

My PH opinion would be hinged, 90+ yr old Rigby Mausr is 100% reliable. Our M-70s if attention is paid to the floor plate release button nearly 100% reliable.
I have seen more than 1 clip laying on the ground, more than one floor plate that would not stay closed (that is one of many uses of duct tape) of course that now makes the hinged mag a reliable blind mag. Hhmm!

 

[TOBY458]

My PH opinion would be hinged, 90+ yr old Rigby Mausr is 100% reliable. Our M-70s if attention is paid to the floor plate release button nearly 100% reliable.
I have seen more than 1 clip laying on the ground, more than one floor plate that would not stay closed (that is one of many uses of duct tape) of course that now makes the hinged mag a reliable blind mag. Hhmm!

So, are you saying the bling mag is ultimately the best? I like the idea of a blind mag, except for the fact that it's harder to clear a jam with them.
I have a Sako 85 in 375 h&h that has a detachable mag, but the retainment system is such that it would be hard to impossible to lose the mag while hunting. And you can also load it from the top without taking the mag out.
I also have a Kimber with a blind magazine, and a few more rifles with floor plates.
In the end, I think I prefer a floor plate arrangement as well.
Thanks for your reply!

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

Of course you can always go to a double, then you don't lose sleep over which magazine system is the best

 

[wesheltonj]

While I am not a PH, I prefer the hinged floor plate of my father's Husqvarna . That said I have 4 SAKO 85's with detachable magazines, that are impossible to fall out on their own and top load.

 

[Pheroze]

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.

 

[jacques smith]

I'll be the devils advocate. While guiding I've had clients who dumped the mags contents at the worst times. I've also seen many mag release buttons in the worst possible finger busting locations. I own both but for me above 375 I choose blind mag. Cheers

 

[fourfive8]

Been around a lot of shooters/hunters... probably thousands and have never seen a hinged floor plate open "accidentally". One would really have to work hard at opening one accidentally- but I suppose it could happen with a loose or worn out mechanism... but then again what in the world would one be doing using such junky equipment for serious hunting or DG hunting to begin with!! But if so worried about that "straw man" possibility, easy enough to pin closed the mechanism that opens a hinged floor plate... to make it into a blind magazine set up. I've no interest in detachable magazine type rifles for hunting so to each their own on that. I have always used and will continue to use a hinged floor plate design without worry.

 

[Velo Dog]

As with any mechanical contraption, automobile, airplane, rifle and soforth .... fewer moving parts is best.

 

[Nyati]

As with any mechanical contraption, automobile, airplane, rifle and soforth .... fewer moving parts is best.

The KISS principle

 

[jacques smith]

Kiss is good. I can not for the life of me figure out why makers think cluttering of the inside of trigger guards is a good idea

 

[TOBY458]

But is the absolute certainty that a blind magazine will not open at the wrong time, worth the small chance you could have a jam and have to dump the magazine to clear it?

 

[Dr Ray]

So, are you saying the bling mag is ultimately the best? I like the idea of a blind mag, except for the fact that it's harder to clear a jam with them.
I have a Sako 85 in 375 h&h that has a detachable mag, but the retainment system is such that it would be hard to impossible to lose the mag while hunting. And you can also load it from the top without taking the mag out.
I also have a Kimber with a blind magazine, and a few more rifles with floor plates.
In the end, I think I prefer a floor plate arrangement as well.
Thanks for your reply!

I agree w Toby 458

 

[Red Leg]

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.

 

[jacques smith]

I have to agree with Tokoloshe Use a double rifle and not think about it. My point is many modern manufactures put the damn thing inside the trigger guard. If you didn't want options and already love hinged floor plates why open the topic? I own and trust several rifles that have hinged floor plates

 

[fsrmg1]

I'v seen many hinged magazines open and dump their load, likewise with detachable magazines not seated all the way and either failing to feed or falling out. For DG bolt guns, I personally like the M98 military floorplate. Totally proven and fairly easy to remove come time for cleaning.

 

[Pheroze]

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.

Sure would make for an awkward conversation if your trigger disappeared into the long grass!