Hunting Rifle with a Detachable Magazine

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The smiling swordsman

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I am looking to buy a hunting rifle. I would like to get an entry level rifle and I think that I would like one with a detachable magazine. I know that the new Ruger American and the T/C Venture both come with detachable magazines.

1. What other brands come with a detachable magazine that are quality entry level rifles?

2. Are there any major drawbacks to the detachable magazine?
 
IMO the only drawback to a detachable mag on a hunting rifle is the possibility of loss. I for one greatly prefer a detachable magazine to another rifle that dumps my ammo all over the place when it comes time to unload.

The Remington 770 has a detachable magazine too although its debatable as to it being a "quality" firearm.

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Savage makes several rifles with detachable box magazines, 11/111 FCNS is one of them. Remington 700 CDL DM is another. CZ makes several. A lot of companies making them these days make them with a DBM, just have to look around.
 
I paid less than $500 for mine new from Cabelas no less. I think it might have been close to $500 after taxes.
 
I'd look for something with available & relatively inexpensive extra magazines.

The man with only one magazine 50 miles from home will have a clumsy single-shot at some point.

Murphys Law says so.
And Mr. Murphy is never wrong.

rc
 
R.W.Dale said:
IMO the only drawback to a detachable mag on a hunting rifle is the possibility of loss. I for one greatly prefer a detachable magazine to another rifle that dumps my ammo all over the place when it comes time to unload.

The Remington 770 has a detachable magazine too although its debatable as to it being a "quality" firearm.

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I agree. While my AR is one of my favorite guns (and obviously has a detachable magazine), it is well-known that this is the Achilles' heel of any magazine-fed gun. For that reason, I take great comfort in having a bolt gun without a magazine. It is as reliable as hell, with no magazine to break or lose, rendering the weapon a "clumsy single shot."
 
R.W.Dale said:
Nice rifles for sure. But at over $500 I wouldn't exactly call one entry level.

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I only paid $408 for my Stainless T3, I have seen the regular black on black for sale as low as $350 at times. Great rifles, but the Ruger very well might be as well.
No issues with my detatchable mags, I keep mine in the case with the rifle, never lost one.
Best budget rifles on the market.
#1 Savage 110/111....etc Owned several of them, just bought another one already scoped for less then $400 sub-moa all day, and zero issues with any of mine.
#2 Tikka T3, a tad more money but much more refinment then the others, first three shots from mine landed within 3/4 of an inch at 100yd IMPRESSIVE, best action and trigger on ANY rifle except for mabey it's Sako sibiling. Synthetic stock is a cut above the rest, fiber/matrix instead of injection molded.
#3 Weatherby Series II, never owned one but the reviews are very very very good, and they finnaly put a good trigger on it! The old Vanguards always have been a great gun for the money.
#4 Marlin XS(L)-7 While it feels cheap and clunky it puts bullets right where you want them and does not have any mechanical issues.
#5 Savage Edge, while not as nice as the 110s it is a highly accurate rifle, and for the money it cannot be beat.
#6 TC Venture, while not always a sub-moa gun as promised, they are very tough, and more then accurate enough for hunting purposes. Nice steel too.
I cannot comment on the new Ruger yet but my guess is that it will be a winner, right up there with the Savage and Weatherby.
 
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JPG19 said:
I agree. While my AR is one of my favorite guns (and obviously has a detachable magazine), it is well-known that this is the Achilles' heel of any magazine-fed gun. For that reason, I take great comfort in having a bolt gun without a magazine. It is as reliable as hell, with no magazine to break or lose, rendering the weapon a "clumsy single shot."
Click to expand...

I would argue there's no difference in losing a mag or losing your ammo w no detach mag.

When I hunt with a (I'm gonna call it clip for brevity sake) clip fed rifle the mag is where I store my ammunition when unloaded versus in a box or container w a fixed mag gun. It stands to reason that if I can lose my clip I could just as easily lose that box of ammunition and be in the same or worse situation.

Most of the time I keep a spare mag and ammo on a trip so for me its really a non issue

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The Tikka is a mid level rifle. $500 or so is a bit more expensive than some, but well worth the money.
 
There are a lot of very nice Mauser Sporters out there for great prices and Gibbs still makes a 3 round detachable hunting magazine for them. I use one with my Mauser Sporter.
 
Only one I have is a Stevens Model 325 bolt action in .30-30. Only mfg. for a couple of years, it was superseded by the Savage Model 340 in 1950 IRRC.
 
You can get either a British Enfield in .303 or an Ishapore in .308 for around $250.
 
R.W.Dale said:
I would argue there's no difference in losing a mag or losing your ammo w no detach mag.

When I hunt with a (I'm gonna call it clip for brevity sake) clip fed rifle the mag is where I store my ammunition when unloaded versus in a box or container w a fixed mag gun. It stands to reason that if I can lose my clip I could just as easily lose that box of ammunition and be in the same or worse situation.

Most of the time I keep a spare mag and ammo on a trip so for me its really a non issue

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I should have specified that I was speaking more in the context of long-term ownership, should things deteriorate to the point that acquiring replacement parts/accessories is difficult.
 
Detachable box magazines are geared more towards the "tactical" aspect of rifle shooting in that they allow rapid reloading, but hence are more convenient. Some stocks are less rigid because of the amount of material removed to form the drop out. If you ever get one with any type of mag that sticks out, it could make it harder to rest the rifle on things to shoot from in the field, as well as poke you in the back when its slung across you on a hike. For an "Entry Level" DM rifle, look at the Remington 700 SPS DM. They are in the $500 range and have a TON of aftermarket parts for them. The Savage Model 11/111 FCNS have a DM as well and are solid, solid rifles in the $500 range too. I'd avoid the Remington 770's and the Savage Axis line -
 
SDBoltz said:
Detachable box magazines are geared more towards the "tactical" aspect of rifle shooting in that they allow rapid reloading
Click to expand...

I wouldn't say that at all...

They also make it possible to unload without working every round through the chamber (yes a floor plate can too, but the cartridges can go everywhere)

Faster loading is beneficial in situations other than "tactical" as well.
 
If Savage wanted to "OWN" the Scout Rifle maket they would do a model 10 that took
M1A/M14 magazines in a handy light rifle.
 
I have almost had to cancel a moose hunting trip because my brother lost the magazine for his TC Venture rifle right before we were to leave.

We ended up borrowing a Tikka T3 from a friend and had to make a quick range trip to confirm zero.

We ordered a new magazine for the rifle when we got back from hunting. Cost about $25 if I remember correctly.
 
Joe_m107 said:
I have almost had to cancel a moose hunting trip because my brother lost the magazine for his TC Venture rifle right before we were to leave.

We ended up borrowing a Tikka T3 from a friend and had to make a quick range trip to confirm zero.

We ordered a new magazine for the rifle when we got back from hunting. Cost about $25 if I remember correctly.
Click to expand...
I guess he could've dropped one in the chamber and left it up to you for a quick second shot if needed. But yeah, that would've sucked. Thank God for access to a backup. Did you guys get your moose?
 
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