Two identical PROOF Research MTR rifles with Hawkins DBMs. The near is the Hunter and the far is the M5 the rifle comes with from the manufacturer. (Photo provided by author.)
December 09, 2025
By Colton Bagnoli
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Hawkins Precision has released a new 6ARC/22ARC/Grendel magazine for use in their short action Hunter DBM. This new low profile, 4-rd magazine is perfect for hunting and is an excellent option for all the cartridges sharing the same Grendel parent case. In the world of specialized hunting gear, a product like the Hawkins Precision Hunter magazine, designed for niche, high-performance cartridges, acts like a finely tuned engine part—invisible when working perfectly, but the most crucial component when performance and reliability truly matters.
One of the latest releases from Hornady ’s ARC (Advanced Rifle Cartridge) product line is the 22 ARC and 6mm ARC, which have taken off recently as hunters have discovered the cartridges amazing potential beyond just varmint and prairie dog shooting. Both the 22 and 6mm ARC are excellent hunting cartridges for deer, pronghorn, bear and hogs and in the right cases even larger game.
Hawkins Precision Hunter magazines are available in short action and long action lengths to cover nearly every major cartridge available. (Photo provided by Hawkins Precision.) The biggest hurdle for hunters using the short, 6.5 Grendel-based cartridges has been compact magazine availability, with only large 10 and 12-round magazines being the only option for AICS footprint DBMs (detachable bottom metal) in most bolt-action rifles. These large magazines rattle in the rifle and are cumbersome to carry in the field. The extended magazines also can impede the rifle when shooting from the prone position in some situations with broken terrain.
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I recently installed the new Hawkins Precision Hunter DBM in my PROOF Research Elevation MTR chambered in 22 ARC. The rifle comes factory with the Hawkins Precision M5 DBM, so the footprint is the same as the Hunter, making installation literally drop-in. After torquing the action screws, the rifle was ready to go with the new magazine. There is no rattling from the new Hunter DBM and magazine and it has a very strong latch to keep the magazine secure, which is critical for a hunting rifle.
The Hunter DBM has a lower profile without the mag well. It carries very well with the low pro Hunter magazine and feeds like a dream. (Photo provided by author.) The install should be similar for any rifle with a Hawkins Precision M5 DBM if it was bedded and installed correctly. I checked several of my custom rifles fit withan M5 footprint and the Hunter DBM fit every one of them perfectly. If you are ordering a new stock for a rifle build, be sure to order the Hawkins Hunter DBM or M5 inlet for the bottom metal and you will be in great shape. If you have an existing rifle and would like to add the new Hunter DBM and magazine, a gun smith can easily inlet your rifle stock to accommodate for the new parts if the stock allows.
After installing the new DBM and magazines, I hit the range to confirm my zero was still good. The rifle fed beautifully with the new ARC magazines with no hiccups or issues. Smooth and reliable feeding, just as the Hawkins Hunter DBM and magazines have become very well known for. With a couple hunting trips and several range days on the new magazine at this point, I have no complaints.
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If you are looking to build a new rifle or upgrade your favorite rifle chambered in 6mm or 22 ARC, I highly recommend you check them out at www.frontrangeprecision.com or get more information from www.hawkinsprecision.com.
