loading a rifle with a hinged floor plate

[catnthehat]

Quite a few years ago I was shown a very neat way of loading a rifle with a hinged floor plate.
One of my clients on a moose hunt had a very nice M70 .
I watched in great interest as he simply flipped the rifle upside down, hit the release, then dumped in three cartridges - without even
blinking an eye!
"Won't they jam up" I asked?
"Nope, and it has nuthin' to do with this here Pre '64 action either" he said.
I have shown other hunters this method since, and it never fails to amaze them.
most guys know about dumping the cartridges out, but I have seen VERY few that ever took into consideration the fact that you can LOAD them that way also!
The other day when Silverado and I were out chasin' critters I watched as he flipped his M700 upside down and with gloves on dumped in a few rounds and closed it up - a lot easier to do than when trying to keep them on and load from the top!!
if you have never tried this, I strongly suggest you give it a go.
remember to keep the bolt closed however!
Cat

[Win94]

Now you have me itchin to try that David!!!

[Kelly & Beth]

I had some "dummie rounds" made up for my 22-250 and had to try that. Well you learn something new everyday. I've used guns with the spring for 15 years and never once thought of trying that and I never had any issues with jamming.

[Bushrat]

Also turn it upside down to empty, that way they don't fall into the snow when the door flys open when your hands are frozen.

I have been loading my 700s through the bottom for over 25 years,yet it seems like very few people realize that it can be done.

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by stubblejumper

I have been loading my 700s through the bottom for over 25 years,yet it seems like very few people realize that it can be done.

Of course, those that know me well know that my rifles typically cannot be loaded that way!
Cat

[cmfic1]

Same as stubblejumper...been doin' it that way for yrs. The funny thing is, when you mention it to people they look at you like you need to be drug screened....until they seen it done.

[Timo]

Been doing it that way forever. Showed my nephew how to do it as well.
I only top feed when I am sighting in at the range.

Also while each rifle is different ...I find if I have the barrel pointed slightly up so the shells fall to the back of the mag it works best for me.

[CaberTosser]

I use this method to get in that extra round loaded in my controlled round feed Winchesters or my Ruger. Load one from the top, chamber it and put on the safety, then load the rest from the floorplate.

[chuck0039]

thanxs for sharing that Cat i know i will let my buddy know as i laugh at him every time he loads his rifle from the top it a slow process. I personally love my clip but i guess you can't be picky if thats what was given to you down the family line as is the case with my buddy. I'm sure he will thank you as well. good luck this season

I have been doing it for about 30 years. But I just taught my son to load this way this morning.

[knight hunter]

Learn something new everyday. Thanks.

[Bushmaster]

I've been around guns my whole life....longer than many here have been alive....and never heard of this before!! Thanks for the tip.

You CAN teach an old dog new tricks !!

[duffy4]

Well I just about didn't learn something new today and its 1/4 past 11. So just in time I did learn something new. I have been hunting with a M70 for well a bunch of years and never thought of loading it from the bottom, upside down (which really means you load from the top, case the bottom is now the top)

I'll give her a try next time.

Robin in Rocky

[buckshoot]

Wish I had heard this a week ago, just spent three days hunting with a M70rifle I bought on here a year and a half ago and finally got scoped and sighted in this summer. After the one trip I was ready to sell and buy something with a detachable magazine.

[Unregistered user]

Good one.

[bowman077]

Thanks catnthehat

Makes alot of sense. Might even consider buying one with a hinged floor plate now.