Anyone use one of the Hawkins m5 cut bld setups? Thinking of going this route instead of a normal bld since I could inlet the stock for m5 and swap to detachable bottom metal with the same stock. What do y’all think?
Hawkins m5 bld
- Thread starter Jakeweb09
- Start date
I haven't used the bdl setup, but have a hawkins M5 dbm bottom metal and... they make good stuff.
I would think a bdl bottom metal in m5 pattern would do exactly what you're looking for. But why have two bottom metal setups, all my bolt actions are mag fed these days.
I would think a bdl bottom metal in m5 pattern would do exactly what you're looking for. But why have two bottom metal setups, all my bolt actions are mag fed these days.
min building a rifle fora friend and he isn’t sure if he wants bdl or dbm. He’s always has bdl, so I’m wanting to get that initially and then he could have the option to switch to dbm later if he would so choose is my idea. But would have to get stock inlet for m5 obendorf. I’ve used the bdl obendorf, but never used the DBM obendorf.
Makes sense. To me the only reason to go bdl is, well two maybe...
Save a few ounces in weight on an ultralight build.
Save a few shekels on mags.
But getting the m5 bottom metal inlet in the stock will allow either setup.
Save a few ounces in weight on an ultralight build.
Save a few shekels on mags.
But getting the m5 bottom metal inlet in the stock will allow either setup.
@Jakeweb09 I have a Hawkin's M5 BDL on a hunting rifle I put together last year.
I do not prefer DBM on my hunting rifles. I like to be able to carry one handed at the balance point.
I built a 6.5 PRC on a Bighorn SR3 action. I bought a used McMillan Hunter stock that had an M5 inlet.
I actually bought both the Hawkin's M5 BDL and the Terminus Flush Fit M5 bottom metal (along with one of their new 3 shot magnum magazines).
The Hawkin's feels better in my hand, but some work needs to be done to get the rifle to feed properly. This is not an issue with the Hawkins bottom metal, or even the Wyatt's box and follower kit....The issue is that BDL's (especially with short mag cartridges) usually need some fitting to feed perfectly. I haven't taken the time to deal with it - but one in the chamber and one in the mag worked all season for me. I need to bend the spring to put more pressure on the rear(head) of the case to keep the bolt from sliding over it.
The Terminus 3-shot aluminum magnum magazine works flawlessly. Joel really got it right. My only gripe is that the bottom of the magazine has very square corners and is not as comfortable in my hand when doing a single hand carry.
In terms of weight, I dont' remember the numbers off the top of my head, but it is basically a wash between Terminus flush bottom metal with 3 round aluminum mag vs. Hawkins M5 BDL, with Wyatt's extended box/spring/follower.
Good luck,
Ross
I do not prefer DBM on my hunting rifles. I like to be able to carry one handed at the balance point.
I built a 6.5 PRC on a Bighorn SR3 action. I bought a used McMillan Hunter stock that had an M5 inlet.
I actually bought both the Hawkin's M5 BDL and the Terminus Flush Fit M5 bottom metal (along with one of their new 3 shot magnum magazines).
The Hawkin's feels better in my hand, but some work needs to be done to get the rifle to feed properly. This is not an issue with the Hawkins bottom metal, or even the Wyatt's box and follower kit....The issue is that BDL's (especially with short mag cartridges) usually need some fitting to feed perfectly. I haven't taken the time to deal with it - but one in the chamber and one in the mag worked all season for me. I need to bend the spring to put more pressure on the rear(head) of the case to keep the bolt from sliding over it.
The Terminus 3-shot aluminum magnum magazine works flawlessly. Joel really got it right. My only gripe is that the bottom of the magazine has very square corners and is not as comfortable in my hand when doing a single hand carry.
In terms of weight, I dont' remember the numbers off the top of my head, but it is basically a wash between Terminus flush bottom metal with 3 round aluminum mag vs. Hawkins M5 BDL, with Wyatt's extended box/spring/follower.
Good luck,
Ross
Great info and appreciate the time put into the response!! He’s gave me a strict 3k limit for parts. So that rules out the terminus flush dbm but that thing looks great! Might go on my next custom of my own! What’s the stock inlet for that?
I think we’re just gonna stick with the straight bdl for this one running on a Stiller predator with proof barrel and a AG alpine hunter. Probably go jewell trigger and APA gen3 brake chambered in 7 Saum I’ve managed to find every component in stock with the exception of the stock itself. Gosh this process is fun even though it’s not even mine!
I have three rifles with Hawkins M5 BDL Obendorf bottom metal and Wyatt boxes.
I too prefer the flat bottom of the BDL configuration in hunting rifles but caution that you should not underestimate the challenge of getting the Wyatt box to feed well even with the "right" box for your caliber. They do not plug and play at least with Impact actions and Proof CF barrels. I have LongRifles Inc. on speed dial but that has not been necessary yet.
I may be looking at the new Hawkins Hunter flush DBM with a three-round magazine for the next build if Kevin Wyatt is not able to ship boxes that work without endless bending and hammering.
I too prefer the flat bottom of the BDL configuration in hunting rifles but caution that you should not underestimate the challenge of getting the Wyatt box to feed well even with the "right" box for your caliber. They do not plug and play at least with Impact actions and Proof CF barrels. I have LongRifles Inc. on speed dial but that has not been necessary yet.
I may be looking at the new Hawkins Hunter flush DBM with a three-round magazine for the next build if Kevin Wyatt is not able to ship boxes that work without endless bending and hammering.
I have not seen the Hawkins hunter dbm but will look into that. I thought The impact actions said specifically they will only with with detachable box magazines? I’ve used the Wyatt box with the Hawkins obendorf bdl with no issues. But I’m not the one putting it all together so I don’t know how much tweaking it took.
I said Impact but meant Mausingfield M7. Making the Wyatt box work with the new Impact long action is my next project. All I need is the Proof barrel which should be here any day. DBM only is with the Impact short action. The new Impact long action works with DBM and BDL.
My struggles are all with the Wyatt boxes. The Hawkins bottom metal M5 Obendorfs are great.
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I haven’t used the Hawkins Oberdorf but am considering using that system someday exactly how you describe (mag/bdl switch). However…two thoughts:
Is your friend going to hunt with a suppressor? They add weight up front and may move the one-hand balance point forward, past the BDL, so maybe a mag would work fine.
Also, I have a Bergara that comes with a Grayboe Terrain stock. I discovered Bergara has their own mag bottom metal, and they sell three round mags for it that are very low profile. Just the little flared bottom lip of the 3 rounder mag sticks down.
Grayboe will cut that profile for a little extra. Not sure if a regular Rem 700 action/clone would work with it, but as Bergara Premiers are M700 footprint, it might work and give you a good compromise. I believe the Bergara-branded mags are rebranded Magpul AICS Pmags so you could use either manufacturers’ 5-10 rounders as well.
Although…I guess since the 3 round Bergara-branded Pmags are AICS, they might work in any AICS bottom metal, but the bm would have to be flush (for the 3 rounders).
Edit: just noticed Hawkins also makes a M5 Hunter DBM that is flush at the bottom and uses the Obendorf inside-the-trigger-guard mag release. Wow.
Is your friend going to hunt with a suppressor? They add weight up front and may move the one-hand balance point forward, past the BDL, so maybe a mag would work fine.
Also, I have a Bergara that comes with a Grayboe Terrain stock. I discovered Bergara has their own mag bottom metal, and they sell three round mags for it that are very low profile. Just the little flared bottom lip of the 3 rounder mag sticks down.
Grayboe will cut that profile for a little extra. Not sure if a regular Rem 700 action/clone would work with it, but as Bergara Premiers are M700 footprint, it might work and give you a good compromise. I believe the Bergara-branded mags are rebranded Magpul AICS Pmags so you could use either manufacturers’ 5-10 rounders as well.
Although…I guess since the 3 round Bergara-branded Pmags are AICS, they might work in any AICS bottom metal, but the bm would have to be flush (for the 3 rounders).
Edit: just noticed Hawkins also makes a M5 Hunter DBM that is flush at the bottom and uses the Obendorf inside-the-trigger-guard mag release. Wow.
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