Am I missing out on life without a DBM?

[TurdFerguson]

I've just standard floorplates for years. I never got into chassis's due to weight, and looks. I'd like to try out a DBM with a regular stock, preferably not the magpul one. I see grayboe has one, is it gtg? Any other recommendations? Thanks in advance!

 

[JC0352]

So, are you talking about chassis or just a detachable box mag?

 

[TurdFerguson]

So, are you talking about chassis or just a detachable box mag?

Sorry, I got into a rush...Non-chassis, traditional stock with a DBM.

 

[nn8734]

Badger M5, no question.

As far as missing out, that’s subjective but fumbling around with an internal magazine is something I stopped doing ~10 years ago when I replaced the hinged floor plate with a M5 on my 700.

 

[wade2big]

Not missing anything at all. Each has their use.

 

[JC0352]

Sorry, I got into a rush...Non-chassis, traditional stock with a DBM.

It’s nice to have at the range; easy to clear your rifle after a hunt without cycling the bolt for every round, or using the hinge and having the rounds dump out the bottom. It’s a necessity if you ever shoot in any kind of tactical long range match.

 

[BigJimFish]

I've just standard floorplates for years. I never got into chassis's due to weight, and looks. I'd like to try out a DBM with a regular stock, preferably not the magpul one. I see grayboe has one, is it gtg? Any other recommendations? Thanks in advance!

Yea, your missing out not using a DBM. Magazines are so much nicer a way to load and unload rounds. I remember all the debate on the hide 10+ years ago about this before AICS basically became the standard and everybody and their brother started making DBM's for 700 inlet stocks to the Badger standard to use those mags. Yea, mags pretty much won the debate. If you don't like the bulky look of a mag hanging out the bottom of your rifle, the 5rd factory AICS ones have a shorter and more angled profile that does not extend below the trigger gaurd and fits well with a hunting look.

5 rd AICS factory mag for a hunting look in my Mesa Precision Arms crux rifle with McMillan Game Warden stock.

For what it is worth, I am more of a stock guy than a chassis guy myself. Each system has it's strong points as do hybrids eg. Manners mini-chassis, but I tend to prefer the feel and weight of a stock as you do so I think I get where your coming from.

To weigh in on the Grayboe, I did a review of their Ridgeback stock last year. I liked it and plan to buy another for the next build I am looking into. How is that for a lot of links in a post.

 

[HiDesertELR]

Wyatts fit the standard floor plate cuts, kind of a painless way to try it out without breaking the bank and let's you use factory bottom metal when you want. Mine works good, but I have no experience with the other offerings.

 

[mountainman308]

+1 for Badger Ordinance. I put one on my Remington and never looked back.

 

[Genin]

I have the HS Precision Gen2 DBM. I could not recommend it highly enough. It is great for hunters. The bottom of the mags have a coating so they are smooth and rounded (won’t get snagged on things) and have a spring system to ensure there’s constant pressure on the mags after seating so there’s no rattle or noise.

 

[19Scout77]

Badger was great...15 years ago. There are slightly better (more refined) and much cheaper options out there now. Badger was first...and others improved.

 

[rockn30809]

A DBM is defiantly convent and I wouldn't have a rifle without one. The Grayboe version will probably be just fine along with most any new manufacture version. I have a PTG that is shitty fit and finish wise but functions fine. The rest are a mix of Badger and Surgeon. I played around with a Magpul version that wasn't bad at all.

 

[TurdFerguson]

A DBM is defiantly convent and I wouldn't have a rifle without one. The Grayboe version will probably be just fine along with most any new manufacture version. I have a PTG that is shitty fit and finish wise but functions fine. The rest are a mix of Badger and Surgeon. I played around with a Magpul version that wasn't bad at all.

How well do the badgers stack up to its competitors? I'm guessing some of the cheaper ones are on par? I liked the grayboe but I am not not sure about the size of the mag release.... Would it be an issue getting hung up and releasing?

I've thought about the magpul, how does it respond to heavy use? Does it flex? I know a lot of guys who shot high power with 03a3's ditched the stamped floorplate for an older machined 03 floorplate due to supposed flex.... I guess that would be more of a bedding issue rather than a flexing issue... For the magul I assume that a bedding block or pillars would fix flexing if it is even an issue.

The testbed is used hunting a lot, I mean a lot lol....

 

[rockin randy]

For a typical hunting rig like my 700 308 I just the BDL hinged floor plate. Holds 5 and feeds well. No issues and it’s one less thing to worry about while hunting.

For my range guns (all stocks no chassis)I run badger M5 on my short actions and accurate mag cip length DBM on my long action magnums. Takes some fitting but well worth it. I stay away from the entry level “upgrades” as they may work well, or may not. I like to run things that are proven.

 

[JC0352]

How well do the badgers stack up to its competitors? I'm guessing some of the cheaper ones are on par? I liked the grayboe but I am not not sure about the size of the mag release.... Would it be an issue getting hung up and releasing?

I've thought about the magpul, how does it respond to heavy use? Does it flex? I know a lot of guys who shot high power with 03a3's ditched the stamped floorplate for an older machined 03 floorplate due to supposed flex.... I guess that would be more of a bedding issue rather than a flexing issue... For the magul I assume that a bedding block or pillars would fix flexing if it is even an issue.

The testbed is used hunting a lot, I mean a lot lol....

I think the greyboe is as snag free/low profile as you can get. It maybe just me but I think you’re overthinking all this. You shoot a greyboe stock right? Just as soon get their dbm system

 

[RTH1800]

DBM’s are popular now. For a hunting rifle they are often not needed. What are you doing with the rifle? Quick loads/unloaded required? High volume shooting?

 

[IowaGeologist]

My Grayboe DBM works great with no mag hangups. Good fit and tolerances are just fine for the metal MDT mag I run. I've noticed a few dings in the aluminum and some missing finish form the mag, but just minor cosmetic things.

 

[pmclaine]

I like you have no DBM bolt guns.

Of the variety of bolt guns the internal magazines on the Remingtons are the worst.

Springfield '03s and Winchester 70s are solid. Thumbing rounds in is secure and they always feed.

The Remingtons - if you are not careful going in a round will get boogered or sometimes trying to push a round into the chamber something gets fouled.

I admit for the Remington problems are operator induced but its also because the floaty follower requires shit to be loaded just right.

I just got a stock cheap. Its pretty.....

Im going to put a DBM on it.

Either Badger M5....

or PTG flushmount....

I see at lot of attraction for the convenience of loading the mag on the side and than pushing the whole thing into the rifle. At classes DBM is a lot less cumbersome than thumbing the internal mag full.

If anyone has any thoughts concerning Badger vs PTG please pass it on.

 

[JC0352]

My only experience is with Badger-manufactured Gen 2 mini chassis in my Manners stock. It’s been perfect

Just an anecdotal story regarding PTG bottom metal fit: My dad purchased a Manners stock from Altus that was inlet for an M5 dbm and a PTG M5 patterned bottom metal from PTG directly. They didn’t fit; it wasn’t even close. I’m not sure which part was out of spec. Some additional time opening up the stock inlet and no worries.

His Magpul AICS mags feed well from it but do not drop free. We got him a steel mag from MDT as a gift and that one works perfectly.

 

[JC0352]

There’s so many DBMS nowadays. I think my next one will be from KMW because Terry is just good people and his stuff is top notch.

 

[TurdFerguson]

I like the looks of the PTG, I have a few spare stocks to practice on. Are there any reference videos for inletting for a DBM?

 

[blackblue]

Badger was great...15 years ago. There are slightly better (more refined) and much cheaper options out there now. Badger was first...and others improved.

Badger has updated their DBM also. Actually really nice.

 

[Cheyenne Bodie]

For hunting I don't want a DBM if I have the choice, but for a competition or tactical situation no doubt I would prefer the DBM.

 

[Kimber.204]

Echoing what many have said above....

On hunting rifles I prefer a hinged floor plate or even (gasp) a blind magazine. On less thing to worry about losing. One less thing to catch on brush... And unless you get a super duper carbon fiber setup the bottom metal plus magazine will weight more than a hinged floorplate setup.

All of my competition rifles have DBM's and I wouldn't want it any other way.

I suggest you look at the for sale section there are always some good used bottom metals in there.
And if you don't like it.... Sell it.

 

[CHADPEZZLE]

For hunting I don't want a DBM if I have the choice, but for a competition or tactical situation no doubt I would prefer the DBM.

This, I hunted for years with a BDL style floor plate, recently built a new hunting rifle with the PTG bottom metal and I'm not a fan on a hunting rifle.

Bottom metal definitely has advantages but for me I think I'll be switching back to a BDL floor plate.

I like to carry the rifle by hand sometimes and the best balance point is right where the mag is. Gripping a smooth floor plate vs a mag hanging down is more comfortable.

Magazines allow for longer cartridge lengths if you reload, I don't currently reload so it's not something I'm taking advantage of.

I also noticed when strapping the rifle to the side of my pack it was easy to accidentally hit the mag catch and drop the mag while hiking through brush. That would be a crappy thing to lose and not notice.

 

[TurdFerguson]

This, I hunted for years with a BDL style floor plate, recently built a new hunting rifle with the PTG bottom metal and I'm not a fan on a hunting rifle.

Bottom metal definitely has advantages but for me I think I'll be switching back to a BDL floor plate.

I like to carry the rifle by hand sometimes and the best balance point is right where the mag is. Gripping a smooth floor plate vs a mag hanging down is more comfortable.

Magazines allow for longer cartridge lengths if you reload, I don't currently reload so it's not something I'm taking advantage of.

I also noticed when strapping the rifle to the side of my pack it was easy to accidentally hit the mag catch and drop the mag while hiking through brush. That would be a crappy thing to lose and not notice.

I hadn't thought of that. Do the AICS Mag allow a longer OAL and feed reliably?

 

[XLR308]

I hadn't thought of that. Do the AICS Mag allow a longer OAL and feed reliably?

If your receiver is cut appropriately you can run as long as a non binder AICS will allow reliably but the mags may need some minor adjustments to the feed lips that are easily accomplished.
There is also the option of needing to slightly modify the feed ramp on some actions to avoid the tips of the bullet hanging up under it but isnt anything new just a known fact.
In alpha type 2 ten round mags and Accurate non binder 5 round mags I have loaded and cycled rounds as long as 2.96" without issue.

 

[mcfred]

FarmallA, if you're not shooting LR steel competitions where 10+ rounds per stage are the norm, or require more than a few rounds in succession, then you're not missing anything by not having a DBM.

I like to carry the rifle by hand sometimes and the best balance point is right where the mag is. Gripping a smooth floor plate vs a mag hanging down is more comfortable.

I suggest you attach a suppressor or bipod and the balance will shift forward. Most of my "hunting" rifles have a balance point just ahead of the front receiver screw. Despite my big hands the DBM never seems to interfere.

I live out west so I'm not usually bushwacking through underbrush like the east-coasters, but if anyone's really concerned about dumping a detachable magazine during their once-in-a-lifetime hunt I think a little duct tape could go a long way towards preventing the accidental mag release in the thick brush. Inelegant? Sure, but whatever works, works.

 

[CHADPEZZLE]

FarmallA, if you're not shooting LR steel competitions where 10+ rounds per stage are the norm, or require more than a few rounds in succession, then you're not missing anything by not having a DBM.



I suggest you attach a suppressor or bipod and the balance will shift forward. Most of my "hunting" rifles have a balance point just ahead of the front receiver screw. Despite my big hands the DBM never seems to interfere.

I live out west so I'm not usually bushwacking through underbrush like the east-coasters, but if anyone's really concerned about dumping a detachable magazine during their once-in-a-lifetime hunt I think a little duct tape could go a long way towards preventing the accidental mag release in the thick brush. Inelegant? Sure, but whatever works, works.

living in California leaves zero chance of me getting a suppressor.

I tried the DBM and it wasn’t a good fit for me, so I’ll be switching back.

My shorter barreled rifle balances at the mag well. It is what it is. And running duct on your mag release is a solution looking for a problem.

 

[chevy_man]

Just want to try one?

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I've used a few of these and they actually work flawlessly. They're the perfect thing to try, before you go spending $300+ on metal and $80/mag.

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