What do you know about Steyr-Mannlicher Bolt Action Rifles?

I owned one of the Pro Hunter Mountain rifles in 308 for a while. One of the more accurate guns I ever owned. Trigger was very good. Steyr does things a bit different, the safety is different as is the butterknife bolt handle and stock shape. Nothing wrong with most of it, just a different approach than we are used to here. Replacement magazines can be hard to find and expensive.

I didn't like the bolt handle. The shape meant the scope had to be mounted higher to prevent the bolt handle from hitting it. But they can be replaced with a more traditional bolt handle.

There were things I liked about mine, but overall it just didn't fit the niche I was looking for. Even though mine had the 20" carbine barrel and synthetic stock it still weighed far more than I wanted. That combined with a scope setting up a lot higher than I wanted made it expendable. I had no trouble getting my money back.

If someone likes the styling and other design quirks it would be hard to find a more accurate, well made rifle.
 
I've only fondled them, but never actually shot one.
Very nicely made, smooth, slick action.
Excellent finish.
But pricey, very pricey.
Which is why I've only ever fondled them.
 
A 1903 is probably the best bolt gun ever made. Action is smooth like butter.

I had an MCA for awhile but sold it. Normal scope mounts don't work and the factory mounts are practically non existent.

If you buy one make sure it has mounts.
 
We have an SL model in .222 that my father bought in the 60's. The bolt did take some getting used to as did the double trigger. That being said, it is probably the smoothest rifle I've ever shot as well as one of the most accurate.
 
I had a Steyr Mannlicher Model M carbine in 243 Win that was a real shooter. 2.5 x 8 Leupold and mounted low. Don't know about the other guy's bolt handle clearance comment as this one worked fine. It had a fine wooden stock similar to a Weatherby or Winslow, super nice wood and well finished.
 
Ive got an SBS lightweight in 308. Detachable mag version

That gun is amazing. Ive pulled it out during our SWAT teams sniper quals and out shot custom 700's

The bolt handle is the butterfly type so not what us Americans are used to but it works

I think of it as a poor mans Styer scout rifle. Unfortunately, it doesn't get much use these days. Just kinda adorns the safe :(
 
What do you know about Steyr-Mannlicher Bolt Action Rifles?
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High end prices, well though of generally (other than price) with some features some love, others don't.

Very well made, guns, but not to everyone's taste.
 
Back in the '60s my dad had one in 30-06, and my uncle had one in 6.5x55mm. Not sure if that was the correct caliber as I was only about 12 yrs old then. Both had set triggers and shot tiny groups. What I remember most was the beautiful deep bluing, and they were just beautiful rifles.

After reading the next post ,which jogged my memory, the two rifles above were
Mannlicher-Schoenaur's. :confused:
 
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Clevinger said:
What do you know about Steyr-Mannlicher Bolt Action Rifles?
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I know that they're a modernized/restyled Mannlicher-Schoenaur, the Gold Standard for mannlicher's.

The changes involved barrels made via running a barrel-length of smoothbore tubing over a positive rifled mandrel, that was then externally rotary-pounded onto the mandrel to form the rifled bore.
Steyr left the spiral pounding pattern on the outside of the barrels as a styling feature, polishing/bluing them - ver different for the time of intro (1972 ?).

IIRC, they have rotary plastic magazines, and a more tubular receiver which made scope mounting easier.

They have always had a reputation for excellent accuracy - and a high price (relatively).

I also know that a 1903 is not a Steyr-Mannlicher; it's a Mannlicher-Schoenaur, although Steyr made both.


.
 
Almost bought a mannlicher-Schoenauer on two occasions

Only thing that stopped me was odd, European calibers that are not readily available.
Beautiful guns and the actions are sweeeeet.
 
um... perhaps I am on a completely different wavelength or everyone else is.

are you talking about modern steyr rifles or the M1895 steyr mannlicher straight pull?
 
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