Magazine or floorplate

[User00035]

Never had a problem with the "cheap and tacky" polymer magazine in my .222 rem model 595. I put something like 14,000 rounds through the rifle in the time I had it and never ever any issues with magazines whether polymer or metal. I tended to use the polymer magazine more than the steel one as it lay flush with the stock. The longer 6 round steel magazine would be used mainly on the range or to carry spare rounds when in the field.

The same goes for my CZ 452, both magazines (5rnd and 10rnd) are polymer and I've lost count of the many thousands of rounds that I have fired through that rifle over the last 16 or 17 years, never any issues with either. So while I know that many shooters prefer steel magazines and will opt for those, my personal experience is that single stack polymer magazines can and do work. Seen a couple of double stack polymer magazines on rifles that seemed problematic though and the odd one on a single stack Tikka T3 that had to be replaced.

Never had a problem with mine either. As I said, I haven't replaced it because it works. But it's about the only piece of plastic on the rifle and because of that it stands out rather as an afterthought on an otherwise very high quality gun. And the fact I've also got a Sako 75 and it feels "complete" with it's steel mag.

I few years ago I used to do a bit of range shooting with the Tikka and I could have done with a five shotter then.

 

[bogtrotter]

Never found the need to use a hat or some other receptacle as I've never had a problem with using a hinged floorplate and catching the rounds in my cupped hand if I needed to fully unload a rifle myself.

When crossing a ditch/fence or climbing into a high seat I simply remove the chambered round and immediately push it back down into the magazine while ensuring that I don't rechamber it as I close the bolt on an empty chamber. I do something very similar with my Sako (85) which being double stacked has the benefit of being able to be top loaded.

Exactly this.

 

[Treedave]

Detachable mag all the way. I can load it at home and pocket it. I understand that you could forget it, but there’s plenty of other things you could forget and mess up the outing - do you not use them either?
For me it’s easier to load/unload quickly and safely when up a tight high seat or faced with an angry entitled type than with a plate that drops rounds out for you to catch. I’m hoping to god that no body cycles the rounds thru the chamber as a way of unloading (but yes I’ve seen it done on a dsc trg day at the range!).
I presently run a 10 round mag (double stack with central feed). This covers the bolt pick up reliability that ejg mentioned and I don’t mind a small box sticking out of my rifle where my hands don’t go. In the past I’ve used and liked the Sako mag system, never dropped out or accidentally released them, but rarely loaded them from the top either. It’s also a visual reminder of loaded /unloaded condition and I don’t feel need for a wallet of extra ammo in a pocket. 10 rounds is plenty of work for me and yes, I’m culling not taking one for the pot or out for a Sunday stroll with a rifle.
I understand the aesthetics of the ‘clean lines’ a floor plate/internal mag will give you, but that sounds like the argument that moderators ruin a good rifle to me. Perhaps I’m a bit more ‘functional’ about my rifles than others.
Question I have for floor plate users - do you leave it open when empty? Just wondering how easy it is for someone (assuming a level of firearm knowledge on their part) looking at your rifle to see it’s not loaded eg on a firing point at the range or being approached by landowner/police officer/worried dog walker etc?

 

[NewForester]

A mate whose a pro stalker says one of his tests when he has a client he's never taken out before is to push a rifle and box of ammo at him while he's getting stuff out of the car and say just load that mag for me will you.

On an NRA course I was on years ago, that a was a trick the instructor used on the students, but in a different manner. You were not to accept the rifle until you had asked for it to be shown to be clear, and he had shown that it was. If you did accept the rifle, you got a bollocking.