Looking to buy some 330s for beaver and otter. I know belisles are the best, seen a 330 belisle hold a 60lb beaver by back foot. That being said how are the Duke magnum 330s? Can’t justify the extra cost! Any ideas?

I have held beaver by the rear feet in Dukes and Bridgers, and of course Belisles.

you can always weld a 2nd jaw, like the old Bulldog style, too

I hate magnums. Especially when one is stuffed full with a huge beaver, and I forgot my setters. Too much work when you consider that a properly set 40 year old square jawed Conibear makes them just as dead. (Weak regular Dukes too, for that matter.)

Spring for the Belisle's. Justify it this way.... spend the same amount of money for quality over quantity. Then take the same approach when making your sets. Quality over quantity and be twice as productive.

Belisle.

Common misconception is that a magnum has a stronger spring. They don't. The only difference is the gap between jaws once closed.

I personally don't see the benefits of the magnum on my line. My beaver are fat.

This right here. Heaven forbid, if the day ever comes that you desire to sell your traps, you'll do better on the quality traps vs the cheap ones.

Maybe it depends on the manufacturer. I can assure you that the dozen of magnums which I have are much stronger than the regular 5 dozen which I have. They both close the same.

Traps with double jaws like the LDLand the sauvageau have stronger springs.
In order to pass the trap testing facility in Alberta,the springs on the double jaw traps had to be strengthened.They failed the tests because the weight of the extra jaw slowed down the momentum of the jaws when closing causing a loss of striking force.Once the springs were strengthened they were a superior trap in both striking force as well as clamping force-both critical for a humane quick dispatch.

Sure the springs may vary from Maker to maker but a true magnum is only different in the jaw gap.

Just maybe you either have all magnums or no magnum.

If it will result in you dropping out of this discussion, I will agree with you entirely. Just let me know specifically what I need to agree with.
Unless you have data from all, most, or some 330 manufacturers stating information which supports what you claim about spring strength. please have a nice day.

Duke magnum

Belisle

I caught a 3 legged bobcat by the shoulder in a 160 duke in a square bucket set for a coon.

I always thought Magnum meant the jaw bends, not spring strength. I run mostly BMIs and never heard them saying the springs were stronger on a magnum. I wouldn't have got them if that was the case- I don't like a crazy strong bodygripper.