Box vs Tubular magazine

I have tube magazines on two rifles, which go through the buttstock. Both have teardrop shaped loading ports. They are exceedingly fast and easy to load.
 
I have 3 Mossberg model 51 and 151s. they load thru the stock into a tube mag. The 152 Mossy is a "box type" mag and only holds 7 shots as compared to the tube which can hold up to 14. I also shoot a great Marlin 81 which is tube fed but under barrel type. Holds 14. The only thing regretable with the tube is that it has a limit and cannot be upgraded to perhaps 30-50 shot mags like the 10-22 mags. But the upside is that the tube type cannot get lost or misplaced, and can easily be reloaded quickly in the field without ruining your thumb. I have both types of .22s but only carry a tube type when walking the varmint fields, but use several of the box type when bench shooting at the range. guess it all depends which type of shooting you want to persue. Many of the extended mags are real easy to break or bend as they hang so low out of the guns. Sure it is fun not having to reload as often but try laying down to shoot with the longer mags, and think of how costly it can be when you spray and pray as I see so often on U-tube. Just my 2 cents worth.
 
Hey all, I am curious to know if there are any advantages to either design.
Or if it is just personal preference?
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All boils down to personal preference.

Some prefer high capacity box mags (15 or more)

Some prefer the quick reload capability of box mags.

Some prefer the fact that tube magazines are part of the rifle and cannot be lost or misplaced, like magazines tend to be.

Some are not inclined to pay for extra magazines.

Some prefer the sleek looks of tubeys.

Some like the idea that tubeys contain 15 rounds and stock-fed tubes can be topped-up on the fly.

And so forth.
 
theres only one advantage to a box magazine and thats for a truck gun-you can keep the rifle unloaded and legal but pop the magazine in if you see a grouse.Other than that, the tube magazine is less likely to get lost
 
I hear the argument about lost DM s but you know, I have never lost one in 50 years of doing this. I have rimfires with both DM or tube but when hunting or target shooting the mag is not the issue-accuracy is more important. Although my 9422 is pretty accurate I still prefer my CZ452 which just happens to have a DM. I would hunt either if the situation dictates. However, that said, I PREFER DMs and will attempt to get what I want with one. I never use large capacity mags as they are not usually made by the original manufacturer which may be a problem and have a tendancy to get hung up on stuff in the bush. Regular DMs are fine for me and always have been. Besides if you cant kill it with a damn 10 shot clip then you shouldnt be using it to hunt with in the first place. But then that is just IMHO:)
 
since its not legal to have a loaded gun in a car, a box mag is often prefered by hunters for ease of loading and unloading, but I still prefer the tube even if it isnt as fast. my rabbit gun is a 1906 winchester pump :cool:
 
When I go gopher shooting, generally I park and walk. There are other times, (yesterday) when it was in and out of a vehicle all day long. As much as I love my tube fed Browning, I stuck to the 10/22 most of the day, just for ease of use with the vehicles. Of the two, I prefer a tube mag. It's cleaner, (dirty thumbs) easier, (no sore thumbs) and faster. I can pop out the tube and drop in four or five rounds and slam it back into place before the other guy while he fumbles around taking a mag out and sticking in any ammo.
 
tube mag wins for many reasons, won't loose it, a tougher setup, count on it to feed.
the gun sets better without a mag hanging down. I like flush mounted box mags of 5 or 7 rounds..
Shotgun mags, tube is the only way to go.;)
 
One of the joys of DMs is you can carry spares. I carry them loaded so there is no "fumbling around". Pop the empty out and pop the loaded one in. None of my tube mags load nearly that fast. If I have spare mags with me they are already loaded. I only ever had a feed problem with a DM and that was my old Cooey 64. A file fixed that and that was 50yrs ago. If the action is heavy or if the vehicle is involve I still prefer the DM but then sometimes I just want to shoot something else so the tube feeds get some action too. Main difference is you cannot carry a spare loaded tube mag. All that said, it is never an issue having to stop and load anything. If the shooting is heavy there is lots of game around and I can take the time to reload whatever I am using at the time regardless of its storage system. A very small deal. Its all fun and I am out shooting. Nuf said.
 
tube feed mags

Personally, I can't load a tube much faster than a clip, although the clip can be painful after a while. However, for gopher hunting, last year I prepared a bunch of drinking straws that were stapled closed on one end.

Then, I loaded up 10 rounds in each straw and stored them closed end down of course. The loading is pretty easy if you dump out the cartridges on a cotton cloth draped over something and then scoop them up with the straw.

When it came time for reloading, I just removed the brass tube, selected one straw and "poured" it in. It works quite well, and if you don't mind taking 15 minutes to prepare before you start, you can easily outshoot the 10/22 guys and their speed loaders, IMHO.
It did mean I had to count the shots so I wouldn't dry fire.

If you decide to try this trick, let me save you a bit of trouble. Most stores don't carry straws that large in diameter. However, the starbuck straws worked pretty well, so try them first.

Now my way was admittedly quick and dirty. I suppose I should have taped them together to make the correct capacity, etc. Someone else will likely be able to improve on my method.
 
Always seems to be someone on here looking for mags for mossys or Cooey 64s. Ever wonder why? Worn out mag lips, lost mags, need more than one to improve carrying capacity? But how many are looking for replacement tubes?

Many ( including myself) have several mags for a gun, and have "misplaced, lost in the field, fell out of pocket, failed to load anymore" . The part retailer likes that.
 
LarryG said:
Personally, I can't load a tube much faster than a clip, although the clip can be painful after a while. However, for gopher hunting, last year I prepared a bunch of drinking straws that were stapled closed on one end.......If you decide to try this trick, let me save you a bit of trouble. Most stores don't carry straws that large in diameter. However, the starbuck straws worked pretty well, so try them first...........Now my way was admittedly quick and dirty. I suppose I should have taped them together to make the correct capacity, etc. Someone else will likely be able to improve on my method.
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That's not a bad idea at all...:)...must remember to visit Mac's or a local 7/11 soon....:D....I've tried using a dowel as a "pusher-rod" inside a piece of PVC tubing with a 1/2 inch diameter..:redface:..while that'd work well for .38/.357's as a speed-loader, the .22's just rattle about in there....:(.....:yingyang:
 
Thanks for the info guys.
It looks like the tubular magazine wins. :D

The particular .22 I'm looking at comes with either a 7 round box, or a 17 round tubular.
And not much in the way of after market magazines.:(
 
I have several of each. My Mossberg 146B's hold 21 long rifles in the tube. That's a fair bit of shooting between loadings! I find the tubes pretty good, but realize the detachable has some advantages also. Still prefer the tube in the buttstock....best system going. Eagleye.
 
I hear you Eagleye....I have changed my go to gun for gophers from a 1960 Lakefield Mark II bolt to a 1947 model 151 Mossy. Absolutely accurate gun and a joy to shoot. The butt tube loading is so easy to replenish and it never goes missing. Over 300 critters on its last outing.
 
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