Savage has offered a detachable box magazine option on most of their bolt-action centerfire rifles since 1966. Over the years the design has changed and most recently we have seen some different variations of the system from model to model which has created a lot of confusion. This article should help clear up some of that confusion.
Staggered Feed Detachable Box Magazine System
The original Savage detachable box magazine (DBM) system was Bob Greenleaf's second major assignment after taking an engineering job at Savage Arms in 1962. In 1966 his new DBM system for the Model 110 was released and remained an option on one or more 110 models up thru the mid 2000's.
This system used a stagger stacked magazine box that held 2, 3 or 4 rounds depending on the cartridge, and was released via a push button on the right side of the stock just below the ejection port. The system used a housing that attached to the action similar to a blind magazine. This housing also housed the mechanical components for the retention and release mechanism.
Towards the end of it's production life in the mid to late 2000's this original DBM system could only be found in one or two specific models in the Package Series.
Premium Center-Feed Detachable Box Magazine System
First debuted in 2005 on the Model 14/114 American Classic rifles, the Premium Center-Feed DBM system was completely different and shared no parts with the old staggered feed system. Unlike the old system, this new system had no parts that attached directly to the action. Instead everything was attached to and/or contained within the stock when the barreled action was removed.
This new system necessitated that the screw spacing on short actions also be changed slightly to accommodate the release lever in the bottom surround. It also uses a different machine cut in the bottom of the action. Both of these differences mean it is not possible to upgrade an older staggered-feed rifle to the newer center-feed system.
Between the years of 2005 and 2008 all of Savage's premium rifle models were transitioned over from the old staggered-feed system to the new center-feed system. From 2008 forward all DBM models in the Classic Series, Hunter Series (select models), Law Enforcement Series, and Weather Warrior series use the Premium Centerfeed DBM system with the metal magazine bottom cap and bottom surround.
The Premium Centerfeed DBM system is comprised of two parts - the magazine box (which is comprised of a blind magazine housing, metal magazine cap, follower and follower spring) and the bottom metal surround. As mentioned above, the bottom metal surround houses the release lever.
There are two slight variations in this system as shown in the photo's above. The rifle in the photo on the left has the newer bottom bolt release, and the bottom surround is unique for this style as it's a little thinner where it extends back under the bolt release lever and trigger guard. The rifle in the photo on the right has the old-style bolt release up on the side of the action and it's bottom surround is unique in that it's thicker where it goes back under the front of the trigger guard.
Trophy Hunter XP Detachable Box Magazine System
Savage launched the Model 10/110 and 11/111 Trophy Hunter series of centerfire package rifles in 2012 which replaced the bulk of the previously offered package rifle models. In an effort to cut costs to keep the price down, Savage chose to utilize the Axis style magazines in these models rather than the Premium Centerfeed DBM system magazine shown above.
The primary difference between these two magazine types is the retention system. With the Axis magazines the retention clip is part of the plastic magazine bottom cap rather than a part of the bottom surround that's attached to the stock.
Initially all of the Trophy Hunter XP models were similarly equipped whether they had a wood or synthetic stock. This setup consisted of the Axis magazine and a plastic bottom surround. However, prior to the end of the first year of production Savage started molding the separate plastic bottom surround into the synthetic stocks to save assembly time and money. As such, as of 2013 only those Trophy Hunter models fitted with a wood stock have a the separate plastic bottom surround piece.
Note that the Savage Model 11/111 Lightweight Hunter also uses the same Axis magazine and separate plastic bottom surround as the wood-stocked Trophy Hunter package rifles.
Also note that all Trophy Hunter models feature the new-style bottom bolt release lever, and as such if converting to the Premium Center-Feed DBM system magazine and metal bottom surround you will need to get the surround designed for the bottom bolt release.
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