Please Explain DBMs To Me

[Jellybean]

So let me see if I can word this without seeming like a total moron:

Can <span style="font-style: italic">any</span> bolt rifle/action be made to accept detachable box mags?

Is it pretty much just a matter of replacing the stock? Or having the existing stock modified?

For example, I'm assuming I could take a Rem 700, remove the factory stock and put it in an AICS (I'm sure there's more to it than that but for simplicity's sake....)
Obviously, I'm not going to be able to do the same with something like an FN SPR which doesn't have a 700 action. So what then?

As far as companies that do DBM conversions(?), is there any huge difference between say, Badger vs Surgeon vs HS, or is it more of a personal preference?

I have also noticed that most conversions use AI mags.
Are there any that use other magazine types, and what would the advantages be, if any.

Is any of this making sense or do I have this completely tangled up?

A few of the threads I read here concerning this are linked at the bottom. If anyone can explain this better, or link me to a thread or video or whatnot that does, that would be great.

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2138286
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1186812&page=2
https://snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2783482

 

[DMann]

Re: Please Explain DBMs To Me

OK, I will take a stab at answering this without being an asshole..., which, according to my wife, may be impossible.

Creating a DBM system for a factory produced bolt action rifle is not rocket surgery, but it does depend on supply and demand. Since most shooters in the US run a Remington 700 or a custom variant thereof, and Accuracy International had a demand from those shooters to make their chassis available for an M700, they produced the AICS which uses their proprietary single stack magazines. Since the magazines proved to be reliable and fairly available, other manufacturers began to produce bottom metal assemblies that would mate the AI mags with a 700-pattern action. This can be done because the 700's all have the same hole spacing between action screws and the same clearance for the trigger and the same bottom cut for the mags, etc., etc. Those dimensions are not the same on an FN or a Tikka or whatever non-Remington system you can think of. So, an entirely different bottom metal assembly would have to be fabricated for the particular action you want to run, that would mate the magazine to the bottom opening and allow reliable feeding. On Savages, this has proven problematic as some of their recent changes have involved the spacing between action screws and the bottom cut to go from a double stack feed to single stack and other issues.

CDI has jumped into the fray and started making bottom metal for Savages and FN's that will mate the AI magazine. Seems like they may be doing Tikka metal too, or I may be thinking of someone else. There are minor style and ergonomic differences between the manufacturers you listed that really go more toward personal taste than any functional differences - go with a good manufacturer with a good reputation and you will get a good product.

So the short answer to your question is - Yes, just about any rifle can be adapted to use a DBM system - all it takes is money. If a DBM system is not currently available for the system you want to run, it will cost more as it will be a one-off product. If you go with a Remington-pattern system, you will be golden for available DBM systems.

I think I have reached my monthly word quota now.

Hope it was helpful.

 

[frankythefly]

Re: Please Explain DBMs To Me

Short Answer yes..every rifle can have a DBM system. I personal would go with a rem pattern action for simplicity of already having a wide variety of chassis, and DBM systems for it.

 

[RyanScott]

Re: Please Explain DBMs To Me

Stick to AI magazines right now. HS are apparently problematic, FN are problematic. Seekins are supposed to be excellent though I've not used one. They have bottom metal now that uses AI mags.

AW mags are better than AICS magazines but require receiver modifications or a receiver intended to take AW magazines.

 

[Jellybean]

Re: Please Explain DBMs To Me

Thanks guys!
DMann, that sounded fine to me.

So pretty much I would be good to go with a Rem 700 bottom metal kit as long as the stock can accept it?

From what I'm seeing on sites like Surgeons (http://www.surgeonrifles.com/surgeon-sho...wBvAHIAaQBlAHMA), I'm assuming that most custom actions that take detachable mags are based off the Remington as well?

 

[carterjoe]

Re: Please Explain DBMs To Me

Go with the DBM system that fits your action. Not all custom actions are based on the 700 action.

 

[Muttt]

Re: Please Explain DBMs To Me

And, most of the modifications with the different manufacturers of bottom metal entail inletting of the material under where the action screws go. This is due to different thicknesses of material.

The only bottom metal that I know of that doesn't need inletting is the Wyatt's outdoor. The only negative thing I've heard about them is that they use a proprietary magazine. So, it wouldn't interchange with Badger or any of the others (that take AI). Wyatt's are also supposed to be a drop in for either a Remington factory stock or B&C stock.

 

[1kHIT]

Re: Please Explain DBMs To Me

My FN runs the CDI system, and I can use AI or Alpha Industries mags. I agree with the other posters above, stick with a system that takes AI mags.