• Savage 110 Detachable Box Magazine Systems

    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.
    Comments 17 Comments
    1. davemuzz's Avatar
      davemuzz -
      Now....educate me here. Can you take any previous blind magazine Savage, and convert it to a detachable magazine? If say it's a short action or long action built in 2010, or the same built in say, 2000?
    1. mudpig's Avatar
      mudpig -
      I don't have a full answer because I know that screw spacing has changed in the SA line, but I personally have converted a LA rifle built in the early 90's to a center-feed DBM. I ordered all the parts from Savage and then started inletting the old wood stock for the bottom metal and removed the mag box from the bottom of the reciever. Once wood was all cut, I bedded upper and lower metal. Pretty easy project.
    1. davemuzz's Avatar
      davemuzz -
      Yeah.....I kind of thought that would be the case. A call to Savage and a chat telling them what you have and what you want, an exchange of CC info and your on your way. I personally like a rifle with a detachable magazine. It's a push of a button or a pull of a bottom gizmo, and all but one round is in your hand. Then you eject that round, load it in the mag, and when your going back out it's, "smack, rotate, 'n ready" Put the safety on of course.

      Dave
    1. sharpshooter's Avatar
      sharpshooter -
      Quote Originally Posted by davemuzz View Post
      Now....educate me here. Can you take any previous blind magazine Savage, and convert it to a detachable magazine? If say it's a short action or long action built in 2010, or the same built in say, 2000?
      Everything built since January 2008 is a center feed. All of the mag boxes(the stamped part) are the same, regardless of being blind, DBM or HFP. The only thing different is the blind style is held in location by the stock via an "L" bracket. The same mag box coupled with a steel bottom cap makes it a detachable box magazine, with the addition of the steel magazine frame. The same magazine box coupled with a hinged floor plate frame, makes it a HFP.
      The same mag box coupled with a poly bottom cap will not work with a steel mag frame. It will only work with the poly frame or the molded in mag retention system in the stock.
    1. davemuzz's Avatar
      davemuzz -
      Thanks sharpshooter!!
    1. Rifleshooter308's Avatar
      Rifleshooter308 -
      IMHO the Axis plastic BDM is crap. When changing to a better stock I prefer to go back to the reliable internal blind mag. You use the magazine body without the base as the internal blind magazine. If you really want a DBM then get a CDI and a stock that is inlet for it, or have your stock properly inlet for it by the manufacturer or other competent smith. Putting the plastic Axis BDM back into a new stock is more trouble than its worth.
    1. bl-u13's Avatar
      bl-u13 -
      I have a model10 FCP-SR.(19480)in .308 I don't like the long 10 rounder. I find it protrudes too much and it rattles(loose fit annoys me). I realize the bottom metal on this gun was designed for the tactical/law enforcement category. I'd b happy with 4 or 5rounds can anyone tell me of what other options there might be????Thank You
    1. bl-u13's Avatar
      bl-u13 -
      thanks Twinsen
    1. tomnewguy's Avatar
      tomnewguy -
      from tomnewguy i have a savage model 110 long action with the internal mag. i want to know if i can convert to a external magazine as i am wanting to change to a heavy barrel and a tactical stock chambered in a different cal. i would like to have a couple of extra magazines and want to learn as much as i cam before i order anything and also the old trigger group i would like to replace replace with something adjustable will a newer savage accu drop in or should i just start with another rifle please help
    1. maxcarp's Avatar
      maxcarp -
      I have a Savage 110 LH with an older style Staggered Feed Detachable Box Mag with the release button on the side.I want to replace the stock,and find that Boyds has a Classic LH stock on clearance that would work well on this rifle,but I am sure it is made for the newer style magazines with the release on the bottom.Could I convert my rifle to the newer style mags?Either Centerfeed or Staggered would be fine with me as long as it is an easy,affordable conversion and works well.Here is a link to the stock from Boyds.https://www.boydsgunstocks.com/Produ...channel-walnut
    1. Robinhood's Avatar
      Robinhood -
      This is probably the wrong place to post this. It looks to me that the stock you are linked to is for a centerfeed stock. that would require bottom metal magazine and some machine or grinder work on the bottom of the action to work.
    1. CarlosDJackal's Avatar
      CarlosDJackal -
      FWIW, I recently converted my 20+ year old Savage 110FP Tactical in 3.08 Win to accept AICS pattern magazines. I had bought a Choate Tactical stock last year and sent it to CDI Precision Gun Works in Florida. They did the inletting on my stock and sent it back with a DBM style trigger guard assembly. All I had to do was cut the front bolt down to size (to clear the bolt) and now I am able to use 5 and 10 round AICS pattern magazines from Magpul without any issues (so far).
    1. Thomas Farquhar's Avatar
      Thomas Farquhar -
      So on the barrel of my savage it says Model 114, but it’s has the original DBM system, the magazine was lost and I am trying to find a new one but it’s near impossible, any options or ideas, the rifle was given to me by my father
    1. djwolbert's Avatar
      djwolbert -
      I just inherited my dad's old model 110C (left handed) 30-06 which is identical to the one in the first pictures. My Dad had it custom fitted with a synthetic stock about 20 years ago and in doing so, bonded the floor plate to the stock. I have refinished the original stock and want to put it back on. But using the original floor plate really doesn't seem like an option. Does anyone know where I can get another floor plate? I have looked everywhere and everyone shows OUT of STOCK..
    1. globalkooler's Avatar
      globalkooler -
      I recently acquired an older Savage Model 111 .30-06 that requires the original Side Release magazine (Savage P/N 55111). I have searched and searched and have not found this magazine. I did fine one for a .338 Win. Mag. but don't believe it will work with the .30-06 cartridge. Anyone know where I might acquire
      this magazine? Thanks.
    1. J.Baker's Avatar
      J.Baker -
      Quote Originally Posted by globalkooler View Post
      I recently acquired an older Savage Model 111 .30-06 that requires the original Side Release magazine (Savage P/N 55111). I have searched and searched and have not found this magazine. I did fine one for a .338 Win. Mag. but don't believe it will work with the .30-06 cartridge. Anyone know where I might acquire
      this magazine? Thanks.
      Ebay will be your best bet as those magazines have been out of production for roughly 15 years now.