Hawkins Precision hunter DBM bottom metal and hunter mag are our preferred solutions for hunting rifles. It’s time to take a closer look at both of these products, which have been a part of nearly all of our builds!
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Our Hunting Builds
Hawkins Precision’s hunter DBM and hunter magazine work in tandem to provide greater functionality and interoperability without sacrificing aesthetics. They come in a variety of SKUs to fit varying action types and calibers.
Our recent lightweight hunting build featuring Foundation Stocks’ new Gideon needed a short action module.
In contrast, the 22 GT in an XLR Element 4.0 Chassis required a chassis-compatible DBM and mag.
A WOOX Superleggera, Pristine long action, and Carbon six barrel formed the basis of a .280 AI custom build. Hawkins Precision bottom metal and hunter mag rounded out the rifle.
Another of my favorite rifles is my Bergara full-custom 7mm PRC. While the bones started with Bergara, I centered my new build around Hawkins long action DBM and hunter mag, which I Cerakoted OD green.
While not a build, we were able to convert the hinged floorplate internal magazine of the Bergara Sierra to accept a detachable magazine with the M5 DBM, another popular bottom metal.
This is notable as the hunter DBM is also a M5 cut, but with a protected magazine release inside rather than outside the trigger guard.
This prevents hunters from inadvertently dropping the magazine if the catch were to snag on brush or other obstacles.
About Hawkins Hunter Mag
The standout feature of the hunter mag is that it is almost flush with the stock.
This makes it easier to maneuver the rifle and greatly expands the number of stable shooting positions available. This is especially valuable to hunters.
It’s important to note that as the magazine is not exactly flush, there is still enough purchase to insert and remove the magazine from the rifle with ease.
The magazine release is located inside the trigger guard, preventing the user from inadvertently dropping the magazine. The system is also engineered to prevent heavy recoil from releasing the magazine.
From Hawkins Precision:
The Hawkins Precision hunter magazine is the answer for shooters wanting to run magazines in their hunting rifles without sacrificing COAL in their rounds. These flush magazines are specifically designed to be used in our hunter DBM and give hunters additional magazine space for longer bullets/calibers. Their flush design also will not snag on branches or brush, and make it easy to load and unload rifles quickly. Hawkins Precision Hunter Magazines are made from a single piece of billet aluminum, making them light and handy for your hunting rifle.
The magazine and magazine baseplate are both machined from billets of aluminum — diamond-like facets providing an elegant appearance.
Inside is a steel spring compressed by a polymer follower. While this construction is high-quality, it is also lightweight. The short action hunter magazine weighs 2.6 ounces, the medium action weighs 2.8 ounces, the long action weighs 3.2 ounces, and the long action .338 weighs 3.8 ounces.
The chart below details the available hunter magazines for cartridges ranging from .223 to magnum cartridges. A hunter mag for long action belted magnums is coming soon!
Before purchasing, be sure to consult Hawkins Precision’s compatibility chart.
Chassis require a different hunter mag designed specifically for the XLR Atom, XLR Element 4.0, and MPA BA Ultra-Lite.
This magazine is available in short action only with standard (.308) and magnum boltfaces.
About Hawkins Precision Hunter DBM
In contrast to the hunter magazine, the hunter DBM only comes in three different lengths: short (2.8 oz.), medium (3.26 oz.), and long action (3.4 oz).
This flush-mounted DBM comes with pillars, action screws, and features a protected magazine release lever.
It is a M5 bottom metal cut and works with both hunter magazines and standard AICS magazines. (The long action version will not work with CIP length AICS, MDT, or Accurate magazines.)
Conclusion
Hawkins Precision put a lot of thought into their hunter DBM and magazine, incorporating hunting-specific features into a lightweight package. I’m also especially glad to see Hawkins offer their DBM and hunter magazine in medium action.
Get the Gear
Hawkins Precision Bottom Metal
Hawkins Precision Hunter Magazine
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Thanks,
Gavin Gear
