Steyr Mannlicher rifles

[Grahamcs]

Anybody on here have one?

What are they like?

I quite like the look of the Steyr Pro Hunter heavy barrel in .308 with box magazine or SSg 04 in .308

Seems to tick the boxes for a nice all rounder.

I am also considering an AI AT but it may be overkill for a first rifle.

Sporting Services had a Steyr 08 second hand and that is what got me looking at them.

I know buy once.....but I don't want to waste money.

[Mezzer]

Anybody on here have one?

What are they like?

I quite like the look of the Steyr Pro Hunter heavy barrel in .308 with box magazine or SSg 04 in .308

Seems to tick the boxes for a nice all rounder.

I am also considering an AI AT but it may be overkill for a first rifle.

Sporting Services had a Steyr 08 second hand and that is what got me looking at them.

I know buy once.....but I don't want to waste money.

Graham

I have an SSG 04 in .308 Win.
What do you want to know?

Mezzer

[Grahamcs]

Hi Mezzer,

How it compares to the rest really?

What you like about it?

I don't suppose you've fired an at as well have you?

How do they compare for target shooting? (I know I need to fire both but that may not happen)

What's the action like compared to a tikka / sako /at?

Do you use it for hunting or is it not appropriate?

General info basically please

I like them

[Blackstuff]

My Steyr SSG 04 is the only full-bore bolt-action rifle i've owned and although i've 'had a go' with dozens of other rifles its not bee to the extent that i could give an accurate comparison. I have used mine for 3 deer stalks and managed ok. They are heavy rifles once you've got some glass and a mod on there though. The stalks i was doing was driving between known areas and yomping the last 5-600 yards which was fine. Not sure i'd fancy taking it up into the Highlands for a full-on stalk though

[jmc67]

I have a Steyr SBS tactical in .308 (like an early version of the Pro Hunter with a heavy barrel). Couldn't give you comaprisons with others I'm afraid, but it is a very solidly built rifle, and has been very accurate and reliable for me.

I do target shooting not hunting, but as mentioned above if you are walking around with it it is not a light gun.

I've been told the barrels aren't the simplest to change if they wear out due to how they're fitted, which also limits the number of gunsmiths who are willing to work on them.

Depends what you're going to do with it really - if you're after a 1000 yrd gun then it's not the best choice, but if you want a good solid .308 which has been well engineered then they are a good choice.

[Grahamcs]

Great replies thanks.

Target shooting to start with.

100-300- maybe 1000 yards

100 mostly though.

I was just snooping around and found one for 1k and thought I could save 2k on an AT.

It's not the money but I don't want to overspend if I don't have to.

I guess if I want a pistol grip I have to get an 08 or AT/AX

[Blackstuff]

That is a brilliant price considering Sportmans has them on for £2,100+!

If you do get one take my advice; don't take the bolt apart 'just for a look'. As i did that and then couldn't put it back together. Neither could 4 gunshops. It had to go back to Steyr for them to sort out, nice £60 mistake there clapclap :lol:

[Mezzer]

Graham

On the first visit to the range it took around 8 rounds to zero it then I was knocking the hell out of a 4 inch target at 400 yards every round after that. This was with hand-loaded ammo (155 SMK with 42gr of N140 under it). I don't go for hot loads and haven't tried to find a sweet spot for this rifle yet but no doubt with time and patience I could improve on the initial results.
I'll probably be using this rifle out to around 800 yards for target shooting only and it is well-capable up to that range. Top it off with some good glass and you are good to go. As indicated by one of the responders, you wouldn't want to be lugging it around any distance but then it's well made, accurate and the bolt is very smooth. The SBS bolt system is probably about the safest there is.
The recoil is about the same as my other 30 cal toys and I don't notice any particular benefit from the brake. Saying that, there were no complaints from the folks either side of me on the firing point and that in itself is a good thing.
As a first rifle it's a winner, unless of course you have your heart (and wallet) set on an AT. As you are probably aware, the SSG08 is the same gun underneath but with a different chassis.

Mezzer

[phaedra1106]

I got my SSG-04 for well under £1000 I don't think Sportsman are selling Steyr any longer, nothing showing on their web site last time I looked.

Would I sell it?, not a chance!!

Excellent rifle for target work but too heavy for stalking.

I de-cocked the bolt once, managed to get it back by twisting things in the wrong direction to what they looked like they should do, not done it again after looking it up online!!.

Currently running 42gr of Viht N140 or 43gr of Lovex S062 with 168gr Nosler Custom Competitions through it, if I can do my part it's 1/2MOA or better.

If you fancy something Steyr that's a bit different I know where there's a CISM going for £1200, if I wasn't off to the US shortly I'd have bought it myself!

[Grahamcs]

Thanks Mezzer.

The thing is I don't want to spend £3k if I don't have to.

It seems that you have to pay for a pistol grip either way then!!

I quite like the look of the Elite by the way with pistol grip but.....

I now quite like the look of more traditional looking rifles like yours as well

Who'd have thought it.

Seems they are factory fix and service only though???

Everybody has Tikkas and Sakos at the club with the Tikka T3 tactical being extremely popular.

I fancy something a bit different.

I'm also going to buy used now I think as I have seen some lovely bargains that people have got hold of at the club and I can always sell it for similar money again.

I guess the thing to do is have a list of three and then buy what is a good rifle and available and the time.

I would like a pistol grip though...

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