Steyr Mannlicher SSG M1

By Chris Parkin

Steyr’s SSG M1 has satisfied armed forces assessing its functionality and capability in accordance with their needs, so I’m merely reflecting personally on how it may apply to a civilian shooter’s desires and needs. The M1 shows a laterally ported muzzle brake capable of accepting an overfit moderator, tipping the barley twist external finish imposed by the cold hammer forging process used by Steyr. It’s Cerakoted flat dark earth on this example, like the aluminium stock, it’s 20mm in diameter and interchangeable as part of the multirole military capability up to a 338 Lapua Magnum. A 6.5 Creedmoor is available on the same bolt face as this 308 too. This barrel is 25”/635mm, but you can go for a shorter 20” and the 338 would be a 27” to appreciate the cartridge’s powder volume full burn requirements. A detailed manual is supplied along with tools in the hard case that comes with the rifle.

The octangular fully free floating for-end offers plenty of cooling airflow and 104 Key-slot accessory points, as well as a 30 M.O.A. inclined Picatinny rail aligned with the action for scope/accessory mounting. I used a Picatinny add-on rail underneath for a Harris bipod, but options to suit you are numerous. There is an underside cover forming square sides to the for-end for clamping into a tripod or you can mount with additional Picatinny rail fitted here, although no specific barricade stop or Arca rail is machined as part of the chassis itself. The magazine is a twin column, ten round aluminium unit with polymer follower that can be top loaded in or out of the rifle. Single rounds feed directly into the chamber from the follower if dropped into the ejection port for a time critical backup shot. Holes in the magazine walls allow you to see remaining ammunition content and the magazine release lever sits to the front of trigger guard, dropping the mag cleanly into your waiting palm when loaded heavy with ammo or empty and light. There is plenty of space in the trigger guard for gloved fingers and the blade offers two stage operation, adjustable for position and breaking weight. I weighed it as supplied at 1500 grams but didn’t alter the thread locked Allen screws which I suspect in true military application, implies only certified armourers are allowed to tinker with a serving sniper’s rifle. Private buyers aren’t restricted by the same military rules and I would personally have made minor adjustments to alleviate the small amount of creep which I suspect is left in on a military rifle as additional rough handling caution.

A hinged dust flap covers the ejection port to repel debris from entering the action and this automatically springs open when the bolt is cycled, there’s also a case deflector at the rear of the ejection port. Steyr arrange the four bolt lugs in opposing pairs, they are narrow for approximately 60-degree lift on the handle rather than the 90-degree you might expect. Lift force is as light as a twin lugged bolt too. The push feed bolt face shows a single extractor claw and plunger ejector that never failed to offer perfect operation throughout this trial. The bolt shaft is 20.7mm in diameter with a 112mm stroke, longer than a 308 cartridge needs but required for longer 338 cartridge option. The 60mm handle is conically tipped with a 22mm head for grip. Steyr’s characteristic tang mounted roller safety catch enables forward for fire, middle for safe and rearmost locking the bolt. It’s slightly different from the regular format here as it has wings on both sides of the action as well, allowing mechanical operation and perhaps also enabling greater multipositional visibility of the gun’s status? Everything works logically and this system also controls bolt removal. Steyr’s other subtle trick is that the bolt handle can be squeezed in and locked close to the stock when `safe`, making the handle less protrusive for transport, it pops back up as soon as you set to fire for normal operation. I have appreciated this on their sporting rifles and pleased to see it here too.

 The underslung AR-15 grip ergonomics are fundamentally familiar to military users and Steyr supply interchangeable panels on the front and rear to alter it in size and shape for differing hands. Reach to trigger blade is adjustable but measured 76mm from the throat as supplied. There are slots in the trigger guard’s underside for Allen key access to trigger adjusters if you have removed the thread lock, Adjustment is covered in the manual. The stock is fully user adjustable, its cheekpiece allows 38mm of vertical movement with teeth for additional security when clamped by the thumbscrew adjusters. These springs opened when loosened off to enable untoothed motion silently, a neat touch. The comb adjusts laterally with a Torx driver to enable perfect head alignment behind the optic, it’s slender and nestles under the cheekbone without pressure on the jawbone. This is a factor I really appreciate on rifle design as it lessens resonance transfer to the skull as well allowing vertical head position with your eyes level, rather than rolling over a bulbous comb, something I consider fundamentally beneficial when precision shooting. Length of pull adjusts from 355mm to 400mm using a similar sprung locking system for assured consistency without any rattles when nipped up. There’s Picatinny rail beneath the butt for a monopod or soft rear bag but no specific butt hook which I do miss a bit. The recoil pad is firm rubber and adjustable for angle and vertical position through 65mm of travel top to bottom. There is a hinge mechanism allowing the stock to fold with a strong sprung latch that locks the gun securely straight or folded. The latter position shrouds the bolt handle for protection and as well as more compact carriage and storage of this large, heavy rifle. It also makes bolt removal and cleaning a lot simpler without moving the cheekpiece!

This is a competent rifle that has been arduously tested to high standards by those far more at risk than I will ever be. It shoots with precision and accuracy as well as an incredibly calm recoil transit character into the shoulder from the inherently low, linear action/barrel layout. Hornady’s 168gr ELD-M ammunition performed reliably for more than just a single one-off group in the SSG and critically, maintained similar performance from cold bore or hot barrel confirming previous experience of Steyr’s reliable thermal stability after critically pure quality control standards throughout manufacture. The SSG could retain groups below 20mm for ten rounds at 100 metres on a hot summer day, a standard few rifles are pushed to and even fewer would achieve. Shooting steel at longer ranges showed the gun remained reliably consistent yet more notably, I was focused on tracking bullet trace visually through the optic as well as reload speed and effects on positional/sighting stability as the bolt was operated. These were notably smooth and efficient, with good trace visibility and the ability to reload subconsciously without undue effort or effect on rifle aimpoint. A braked, heavy 308 is never going to recoil hard but the calm stability is what allows seeing the bullet swirl into the target or off to one side, allowing immediate correction and repeat fire after a smooth reload. The brake directs sound away from the shooter and was relatively well received by bystanders who commented on its good manners, some brakes are horrendously noise and transfer reverberation through the stock, the Steyr’s didn’t. The stock’s adjustability offered positional comfort from seated, supported standing and prone positions. In the current world of PRS competition popularity, the SSG isn’t the ideal gun, it’s heavy with a bulky for-end, not so easy to weave around or between narrow barricade cut-outs, but when you have to maintain bipod position on poor surfaces, it’s all stiff enough to offer good perception of bipod loading pressure. It’s also not easy to customise the balance point but I could never fault the gun being ideal for its originally designed role, long range precision shooting in warzones with muti-calibre options.

Conclusion

Although an expensive rifle, it’s functionally without any doubt and will attract buyers who specifically like the design style and reputation. Steyr’s barrels are very good and have proven their worth with me on multiple occasions in a variety of their rifles. The exclusivity of the SSG M1 will appeal to some buyers just as much as the assured capability, I can’t really find fault with a gun!

Specifications

Calibres, 308 Win (6.5 Creedmoor and 338 Lapua Mag also available)

Overall length, 48”/1220mm (40”/102- folded)

Weight, 14.3lbs/6.5kg

Magazine capacity, 10+1

Trigger, Two stage tested at 1500gr/54oz.

Barrel length, 25”/635mm, 20.9mm Diameter

Stock material, Aluminium Chassis, Folding butt

Length of Pull, 14”/355mm to 15.75/400mm, Adjustable Pad angle

Cheekpiece, Adjustable lateral and vertical

Finish,  Cerakote, Flat Dark Earth, Black and green available

Three position safety catch, Forward fire, mid safe, rear locked

Scope bases, Integral Picatinny with 30 M.O.A. inclination

Accessories, Hardcase, manual, grip components

Price

£8780.99

Contact

www.sportsmanguncentre.co.uk

Photo Captions

1. Steyr Mannlicher SSG M1 in 308
2. Laterally ported muzzle brake also allows overfit moderator, it’s great for recoil reduction and directs noise expertly with minimal vibration transfer
3. The bolt handle can be tucked deeper into the action wall when on `safe`, also note safety and dust flap
4. Fully adjustable folding stock is reliably secure and extremely comfortable before and after the shot is taken, the cheekpiece is particularly comfortable under the cheekbone without jaw contact
5. This is a multi-calibre rifle supplied with tools for barrel change
6. Folding the stock enables more compact carry and easier bolt removal and bore cleaning access
7. Four lug push feed bolt was reliable throughout the review period, chambering, extracting, and ejecting cartridges smoothly without damage and minimal point of aim disturbance for repeat shots
8. The ten round magazine has a polymer follower and lateral indicator holes allowing you to see quantity remaining
9. Trialling ammo showed consistent performance on paper before final zero was confirmed with the overall winner, Hornady’s 168gr ELD-M
10. SSG in use at long ranges
11. SSG in use at long ranges