Precision shooting is way out of hand at this point. It’s morphed into a beastly form that is nearly unrecognizable from what it was 10 years ago—heck make that 5 years ago. The competition scenes of the Precision Rifle Series and NRL, not to mention the various sniper competitions, have forced shooter and manufacturer to keep pace or be left behind. Everything has gone high-speed, low-drag, even in the hunting rifle arena. And while the target rifle and the hunting rifle have reached unprecedented heights, they still aren’t sniper rifles. No. The sniper rifle is, while precision in nature, something entirely different. It has a different purpose, with a different build and entirely different execution. You can immediately see it and feel it in the the Steyr SSG M1. It’s a real sniper rifle.

Steyr SSG M1: A Real Sniper Rifle

When first drawn to precision rifles, and more specifically, bolt actions, all I had as a reference was some form of tactical focused rifle. Typically it was something with a heavy profiled barrel mated with a McMillan or H-S precision stock. They usually had a beefier appearance and man did they look good. Chassis weren’t a thing that I can remember, but I was inexperienced to say the least. That said, the rifles we looked to were geared toward people who shot precision rifles for a certain line of work, not so much geared for sport.

The Steyr SSG M1 is one of the finest rifles I have laid my mitts on. Battle-ready, it joins the ranks of greats like AI, Victrix Armament, and Cadex. While you may consider others, I consider those brands to be of the next tier in quality and refinement. And while I’m going on memory of my interactions with these others, I feel that that Steyr may have crawled a smidge higher. 

You don’t know good stuff until you have it in your hands, and you don’t miss it until it gets back into your hands. There is a robustness in its composition. The Steyr conjures up the old feels of why I wanted to shoot bolt-action rifles to begin with.

A Fully-Equipped Platform

To say there is a lot going on with this rifle is an understatement. Gadget guys will get weak in the knees due to the way the various components come together. Its fitment is right all the way down to a refined finish.

On bolt actions, I believe it’s important to of course start with the action. That’s the heart and soul of it. Being multi-caliber from .338 Lapua Magnum\ down to 6.5 Creedmoor and .308, it’s a long action. I don’t have in-depth info on the action like I’d like to, but let’s just say it’s a massive piece of aluminum, and it appears to have a flat bottom. Judging by it’s appearance, the magwell and receiver are one piece.

The bolt features four lugs, two sets of two, a 60-degree throw and has a DLC-like coating, allowing the  SSG M1 to run silky smooth. Rifles like this make me wish I were a right-handed shooter. The top rail has 30 MOA built into it all the way out to the forehead rail, which is not monolithic.

Three-Position Safety

The Steyr features a unique, three-position thumb safety. We’ll say position three is fire and the bolt functions as it normally should. Position two is “safe” and allows the user to manipulate the bolt, but the trigger is safe. Position one locks the bolt completely and also allows the bolt handle to be pushed slightly lower into a transport position, making it less likely to get snagged on anything and making it less likely to be bent or broken. Bolt removal is achieved by placing the safety in position one, while the bolt handle is in the full up position. It’s actually quite slick in its operation. I should also add that the safety is worked by ambidextrous safety levers as well as by a rotating dial/wheel on the angled tang of the Steyr. Again, interesting and effective design.

The 25-inch match-grade barrel is cold hammer forged with a unique pattern stamped into it because of the hammer forging process. It’s 24 inches in length and while it is multi-cal, my test version only had a .308 chambered barrel with it. The barrels are changed via two bolts on the left side and a nut that rests between the receiver and the forened. The barrel comes with a muzzle brake designed for a specific suppressor and I’m not positive which suppressor it is designed for. It can be removed, but the threading is metric, so you’ll need to be prepared to use an adapter.

M-LOK & Heavy Mags

An M-LOK-laden forend has replaced the keymod type from before, so fitment of accessories isn’t an issue. The SSG M1 also has a dust cover and case deflector for those of us who shoot lefty style.

Magazines can be a point of contention on certain rifles. Some are better than others. The magazines of the SSG M1 are like ammo boxes. They are heavy and sturdy to say the least. It’s likely the most impressive magazine that I’ve seen on any firearm ever. It has a polymer inner area with a metal exterior. It’ s also labeled for .6.5 Creedmoor, .260 Remington, and .308 Winchester. It’s as long as the 338 Lapua magnum magazine but configured to hold the short-action rounds.

The pistol grip has replaceable panels to get the best fit for the operator, while the two-stage trigger is not only adjustable for pull weight but for length of pull as well, thanks to fore and aft movement designed into it. This is accomplished through cutouts int the trigger guard.

Finally, the buttstock. This piece might be the most impressive part of the rifle. Made from aircraft-grade aluminum and featuring what they call Eloxal coating, this folder locks up tight, but is simple to fold. It also has excellent adjustability with a spring-loaded cheek piece and entire design that makes adjustments a snap. The cheek riser also can be adjusted side to side to accommodate you neanderthal types.

Field Use

The SSG M1 is a solid representation of what I love most in precision shooting—a tactical long-range bomber that doesn’t fatigue or get noticeably sloppy as the strings of fire get longer and longer. It’s a tool with a job, and that job is to deliver without regard to maintenance schedules or special handloads. Get on your belly, set your DOPE, hold for wind, and press the trigger.

It’s a precise rifle and shoots as such. It delivers the rounds with little fanfare even in .308 trim, which can be a little spicy in the wrong platform, especially when you’re used to shooting lower recoiling cartridges. I shot several different loads and narrowed it down to a top three that it seemed to like the best, although it actually shot all of them well except one lower tier brand.

Rounds Downrange

In the end, Federal’s 168-grain Gold Medal Match, the gold standard in factory .308 ammo, achieved the best groups with a .60 inches, even besting Hornady’s excellent 168-grain BTHP, which managed .66 inches. SIG Sauer’s 168-grain Marksman Elite OTM shot .71 inches. I shot several groups, trying to coax everything I had on that day from the Steyr. 

After groups I engaged in some long-range bombing. Starting out at 792 yards on an 18-inch wide target in twitchy winds that were gusting to 15 mph, the Steyr showed up big time. It easily handled the task with excellent stability thanks to the Accutac bipod I had in place. I shot at many distances with the shortest being 562 yards on a 12×12-inch plate and all the way out to 920 yards on an IPSC-sized target. No problem even for 168-grain projectiles, which some people scoff at. I used the Gold Medal Match for this session.

Final Thoughts

In full disclosure, I have heard of some issues getting extra magazines and other parts, but a discussion with a Steyr rep put that to rest for me. Time will tell, but at this price point I’d expect support like a $200 jock strap.

The SSG M1 is an outstanding rifle, pure and simple. It’s one of the finest rifles one could own, and you’d be happy with it for a lifetime of shooting and advancement in the activity of precision shooting. It’s far better than I, and if you started handloading for it, well, the sky would be the limit. This is a correct rifle. Hardened, accurate, good looking and exotic. I’m hooked.

Steyr SSG M1 Specs

• Type: Bolt-Action Repeater
• Action: 4-lug 60-Degree Throw
• Caliber: .308, 6.5 Creedmoor, .338 Lapua Mag
• Barrel: CHF Match Grade, w/Muzzle Brake, 25 inches
• Length: 48 inches
• Weight: 14.3 pounds
• Trigger: Two-Stage Adjustable Weight/Length of Pull
• Capacity: 10
• Stock: Steyr Fully Adjustable 
• Grip: Steyr Interchangeable Panels
• MSRP: $7,999

Steyr SSG M1 Performance