Hunting Rifle Recommendations?

[Lars]

Is there an advantage to a fluted barrel? I imagine there is some weight savings, but any other reason to get one besides it looks cool?

A flutter barrel has more surface area than a non-fluted barrel of the same diameter. More surface area equals more heat decipitation, which equals a cooler barrel. Some also argue that a fluted barrel is stiffer than a non fluted.

[zulu01]

What are your opinions on detachable box magazines? Is a hinged floor plate just fine or is the mag much nicer for loading and unloading?

[Lars]

What are your opinions on detachable box magazines? Is a hinged floor plate just fine or is the mag much nicer for loading and unloading?

I use a hinged floor plate on all my big game rifles. A detach mag is nice for quick reloads but it adds weight to the rifle, and in most states that have limits on how many rounds can be loaded in the rifle, the weight isn't justifiable. In the field I can reload my rifle just as quickly as with a magazine, because unless you plan on missing, your extra mag is probably in your pocket where I have a few extra rounds on the butt of my rifle. So while you are digging out your mag I simply grab a few rounds feed them and go. I'm not knocking a box mag, I use them for all my predator rifles. I just don't care for them in my elk rifle.