With all the stock, action, and bottom metal choices on the market there is a lot to digest when picking the right bottom metal for your rifle. To help navigate the process for your next hunting, competition, service, or fun gun build we have compiled this article on how to pick the best bottom metal from our product line-up. (We will update this guide to bottom metal as new bottom metals and developments arise.)
First let’s talk about Detachable Box Magazine Bottom Metal.
M5 DBM (Detachable Box Magazine)
Hawkins M5 DBM is designed to fit into stocks with an M5 inlet. These will not drop into a standard BDL inlet (hinged floorplate)! The M5 inlet is larger to accommodate a magazine. They are precision CNC machined from a single piece of billet aluminum, incorporate a barricade stop, and have a patented cantilever spring release that will not open under heavy recoil.
These are made for Remington 700s and custom 700 pattern clones. (Impact Precision, Lone Peak Arms, Defiance, Zermatt Arms/Big Horn, Stiller, Curtis Customs, Terminus, Kelbly, Surgeon, American Rifle Company, Borden, Pierce Engineering, Vudoo, RimX, etc.)
Short Action DBM: The short action M5 DBM is made for use with AICS magazines, but will work with AW magazines if your action is cut accordingly. Please select our LA Latch/AW version of you plan on strictly running AW magazines or are using a 22LR. The latch is taller and helps the magazine ride higher in the magazine well for better feeding. Accurate & MDT 223 Magazines, and Vudoo Gunwerks users will also want to pick our AW/LA latch version.
Long Action DBM: These feature the same features as our short action bottom metals. They are made for long action magnum and standard calibers with AICS magazines. (300 Win Mag, 7 Rem Mag, 30-06, 280AI etc.)
XM DBM: Hawkins Precision makes bottom metal for both the Defiance XM footprint. For Defiance XM use MDT XM magazines. This is only for Defiance XM (not XM+) See below on other medium length options
Medium / XM+ DBM: Medium length actions are designed to allow shooters to run SAUM, WSM, 6.5 PRC calibers with longer bullets and added COAL. Use MDT 10 round XM magazines. For Lone Peak, Stiller, Zermatt, Impact Precision, Defiance XM+, Newman Precision Medium length actions
338 CIP Length Notes: 338 CIP bottom metal is designed to use with AICS magazines with an internal case overall length of 3.750”. For use with long action stock inlets. (Part number 6715)
338 CIP+ Length Notes: Designed for use with Accurate Magazines with a magazine overall length of 3.850”. (.338 Lapua Mag. SSSF Magazine or Accurate 300 RUM magazine) For use with long action stock inlets. These will also work with 3.850″ MDT Magazines. Please note this is the outside dimension of the magazine. Internal COAL is 3.760″ for MDT / 3.750″ for Accurate.
M5 Oberndorf Bottom Metal
The Hawkins Precision M5 Oberndorf Bottom metal is the perfect solution for anyone looking for added modularity in their rifle system. This is a hinged floorplate bottom metal designed for an M5 inlet. Running this bottom metal allows the user to have numerous stock options while still having a BDL style bottom metal.
They feature a reversible and adjustable mag/floorplate catch and have a thicker floorplate that creates less spring pressure, providing added reliability when loading Ultra Mag cartridges.
Weight: 5.008 oz – Long Action / 4.672 oz Short Action / 4.825 oz MED Actions
The M5 Oberndorf line is designed for Wyatt’s Outdoors extended magazine boxes. Make sure your action is cut for extended boxes, or have it cut for them. There are a lot of options for magazine boxes, so we placed them all here for you. MBE-2 and MBE-3 we recommend for Long Actions. MBE-4 and MBE-5 for short actions. Please consult your gunsmith. Wyatt Extended Box descriptions are below.
MBE-2
This box is designed for the Remington 700 Long Action and extends the O.A.L. of the cartridge by approx. 110″. For standard and magnum long action calibers. (30-06, 280 AI, 300 Win Mag, 7 Rem Mag). Outside length is 3.910″. Inside length is 3.825″.
MBE-3
This box is designed for the Remington 700 Long Action. It incorporates a window and break-point to allow for wider ctg. case bodies such as the Ultra Mags. Extends the O.A.L. approx. .110″. Outside length is 3.910″. Inside length is 3.825″.
MBE-4
This box is designed for the Remington 700 Short Action. It incorporates a window and break-point to allow for wider cartridges such as a WSM. It extends the O.A.L. of the ctg. approx. .110″. Outside length is 3.060″. Inside length is 2.995″.
MBE-5
This box is designed for the Remington 700 Short Action and extends the O.A.L. of the cartridge by approximately .110″. For standard short action calibers (308 WIN / 7-08 / 6.5 & 6 Creedmoor). Outside length is 3.060″. Inside length is 2.995″.
MBE SA 6.5 PRC
This box is for the short action PRC cartridge family. It’s very similar to our MBE-4 except that the window has been moved to the proper location for the PRC. This box is also an extended box and allows a cartridge overall length of 2.985″. Wyatt’s also offers a specific follower for the SA PRC
MBE LA 300 PRC
This box is for the long action 300 PRC cartridge family. It’s very similar to the MBE-3 except that the window has been moved to the proper location for the PRC. This box is also an extended box and allows a cartridge overall length of 3.830″. Wyatt’s also offers a specific follower for the LA PRC
Oberndorf Bottom Metal
If you’re looking for the lightest weight premium bottom metal for your ultralight hunting rifle, this is it. CNC machined from a single piece of aluminum the Oberndorf line is light and rugged. It also features a patented cantilever spring release that will nor accidently open under recoil.
Weight: Long Action – 2.6oz / 2.4oz – Short Action
These bottom metals will work with the standard box magazines. These include standard length RLA and RSA kits. Consult your gunsmith if you’d like Oberndorf bottom metal machined to work with extended Wyatt boxes.
Standard Length Box COAL are as follows:
SA – 2.800″
LA – 3.700″
Please Note: When ordering your stock ask for a Hawkins Oberndorf inlet. The Oberndorf profile is not the same as a Remington 700 BDL. An Oberndorf bottom metal will fit inside a stock with BDL inlet, but it may not fit perfectly. Some fitting may be needed. If you’d like a perfect fit, order an Oberndorf inlet from the start. These bottom metals will not fir an M5 inlet!
Hunter DBM
The Hunter Detachable Box Magazine (DBM) bottom metal is designed for shooters that are looking for a flush mounted bottom metal that will accept AICS pattern magazines. The DBM is machined from a single piece of billet 6061 and features our patented cantilever spring release that will not open under heavy recoil. It also features an adjustable magazine release inside the trigger guard that is sleek, and all but impossible to actuate accidently.
The Hunter DBM is made to fit into an M5 inlet. It is available for Remington 700 actions, and all Remington 700 clones. Comes with pillars and action screws. Please note: Long Actions Hunter DBMs must be paired with a Long Action Hawkins Hunter Magazine.
Short Action Magazine Compatibility:
Short Action Hawkins Hunter Magazines:
6.5PRC/SAUM – COAL 2.980″
308/6.5 Creedmoor – COAL 2.880″.
6.5 Grendel/6 ARC – COAL 2.550″
Short Action AICS 5 and 10 round 308 (3901 – 5 Round / 3902 – 10 Round)
Short Action Standard & Grendel magazine holds 4 rounds
Short Action Magnum magazine holds 3 rounds
Short Action Magazines will not work with 22-250
Medium Length Magazine Compatibility:
Medium Length Hunter DBMs are designed for Lone Peak, Stiller, Zermatt, Defiance XM+, Impact Precision, Newman Precision Actions only. Will not work on Defiance XM
MED Magnum Magazines hold 3 rounds (~3.210″ COAL). Will also work with Defiance XM+.
Long Action Magazine Compatibility:
Long Action magazines hold 3 rounds (~3.770″ internal length)
LA Magnum – 300 PRC/28 Nosler/RUM
LA Standard – 280 AI, 30-06, 284 WIN
LA Norma/Lapua – 338 Lapua / 300 Norma
LA Hunter DBMs must be paired with LA Hunter Magazines.
Long Actions are designed to be run with Beltless magnum cases. Feed less optimally with belted mags.
Long Action Hunter DBMs require gunsmithing in factory length factory Remington 700 actions to accommodate the magazine COAL.
Note – Users may need to contact a gunsmith to run the 2.980″ 6.5 PRC magazine to for proper feeding. These magazines do not feature a binder plate and your action’s feed ramp may need to be notched to prevent bullets from catching below the feed ramp.
Conclusion
Thanks for reading this over. If you have any questions please contact us and we’d be happy to help you find the right bottom metal for your next rifle build.