Thanks for the opening... Here is what I think and why I am diligent about it.
My BLR is a SHTF rifle for my purposes, which is guiding photographers and biologists to watch and survey grizzlies. Many days of field time where bears are. A BLR is nearly as easy to carry as a model 94, and points where I look a bit better. It has a short lever throw which is very smooth and quick. It carries the trigger within the lever which makes it a bit more foolproof under stress(!). No pinched fingers or awkward long throw. Hands stay in firing position and can clear a misfire without hassle just by working the action. Rifle stays pointed the whole time. Reloads are fast from a four round magazine which is on my strong side belt. It doesn't have to be empty to switch mags and top up. It uses pointed bullets making handloading premium bullets much easier, not to mention better performance. Besides,a Winchester 94 holds six, my grandfathers old style Savage 99 held 6 (I think) in a rotary mag. I am not looking for a battle rifle.
I use ghost ring type sights, a protected front blade, and two spare magazines.The original factory open sight is there as a backup. The aperture sight fits behind the scope mount, which can be installed quickly using Weaver rings when I want to hunt deer.
200 grain handloads with a good bullet make an excellent, effective, and controllable load for multiple defensive shots at shorter ranges. I have tested it yearly on the range, with a chronograph, and slaughtered steers with it and seen the penetration and performance on big animals. It rivals my 870 as a bear defense choice, and has the advantages of a rifle, as well as being a little lighter. I am confident in it and can shoot it well under stress.
A larger magazine has come to mind whenever there are multiple bears in sight, which usually happens. My notebook reminds me this has meant as many as six grizzlies as well as 10 or more black bears, all peacefully feeding within 1000m. Grizzly family units with two year old sub adults will follow their mothers lead. I have seen them take on other grizzlies from a distance as a unit. Three grizzlies engaging in defensive behaviour is more than three times as bad as one.
So, having a couple more rounds in a magazine within reason seems sensible to explore, for my situation. I have never needed to use a firearm for bear defense in a guiding situation, as all the other normal precautions, care and attention,has always worked on my guiding sites which I know intimately. There are other things to manage and understand first, but a good well thought out rifle is important as a backup.
Asking a gunsmith to make me a larger mag makes sense when one understands the need for absolute reliability, which is why I posted my question here. In any case I have only grade 8 metal shop skills...
