The Steyr SSG 08 is a high-precision, high-performance rifle that was designed to the specifications of Austria’s EKO COBRA anti-terrorism unit and developed for professional applications in demanding environments. The cold-hammer forged heavy barrels are generously free-floated.
Each SSG 08 is built on a system that includes a folding hard Eloxal-coated aircraft-aluminum stock with an adjustable rear monopod, a cheek piece that is vertically and horizontally adjustable, and a recoil pad that is horizontally adjusted by adding and removing spacers and vertically adjusted by sliding the pad itself up and down. The pistol grip is configurable with a choice of interchangeable back straps to adjust for hand size and optimized grip. The action is topped with a 20-MOA Picatinny rail, while the forend allows for short Picatinny rails on both sides. The underside of the stock also houses a UIT rail for the addition of accessories such as a handstop. A newly designed bi-pod is included, and the entire platform is available in a choice of finish including black and two camouflage designs – one light and one dark.
As in other Steyr high-performance bolt-action rifles, the SSG 08 is built on the Safe Bolt System (SBS) action with a unique 2+1 safety function that offers three settings operated by a wheel switch on the tang of the stock. The FIRE mode (safety off) is indicated by a red dot, and the first level of SAFE mode disables the firing mechanism while allowing the bolt to be cycled. The second SAFE position locks the bolt, at which point the bolt can be pushed down against the stock, locking the firing pin and firing mechanism out of firing position, allowing safe transportation with a round in the chamber. Simply pressing the safety’s release tab and rolling it forward returns the bolt to either the SAFE or the FIRE position.
Another feature in the SSG 08 is the 2-stage magazine securing mechanism that uses a first stage to lock the magazine in but allows the bolt to be operated without feeding rounds in the magazine, thereby providing the user with the options of dry firing or loading individual rounds by hand while maintaining a full magazine at the ready. Simply pressing up on the bottom of the magazine seats it in the second stage, making it ready for auto-loading.
The SSG 08 is available in four calibers with the following magazines :
.243 Winchester with 23.6-inch barrel length, 10-round magazine
.308 Winchester with 23.6-inch or 20-inch barrel length, 10-round magazine
.300 Winchester Magnum with 23.6-inch barrel length, 8-round magazine
.338 Lapua Magnum with 27.2-inch barrel length, 6-round magazine
Specifications:
Model: SSG 08
Purpose: Long-Range Target Shooting, Tactical
Manufacturer: Steyr Mannlicher GmbH, Kleinraming, Austria
Importer: Steyr Arms, Inc., Bessemer, AL USA
Operation: Bolt-action repeating
Caliber: .300 Winchester Magnum
Magazine type/capacity: Polymer double-stack detachable box/8 rounds (.300)
Action material: 25CrMo4 steel
Barrel: 23.6" cold-hammer-forged heavy barrel
Rifling: 4 Grooves, 1:10" RH Twist
Sights: No sights; integral 15.9-inch Picatinny rail
Finish: Mannox®
Safety: 3+1 Position Safety
Trigger type: Single-stage, direct
Pull weight: 3 pounds, 8 ounces (adjustable)
Stock material/type: Hard Eloxal-coated aircraft aluminum
Length of pull: 14.25 inches min. (0.33-inch inserts available)
Drop at comb: +0.85 to -0.9 inches vertical adjustment
Comb adjustments: 0.5 inches longitudinal; 0.133 inch lateral (rotationally adjustable)
Drop at heel: +1.07 to -3.8 inches vertical adjustment
Recoil pad: Elastomer; 0.8-inch thick
Sling swivels: Two removable push-and-turn style
Pistol grip: Polymer with interchangeable rubber inserts
Checkering: None
Weight, empty: 13 lbs
Overall length: 48", 38.3" with stock folded
Included accessories: Owner’s manual, HD bipod, hard travel case, sling swivels
The information below comes from our Gun Caliber Dictionary and is for
general reference only. It does not describe the specifications of this
particular item.
The 300 Winchester Magnum, introduced in 1963, was the last of Winchester's family of (nominally) 30-06-length belted magnums based on the shortened 300 H&H case. It followed the 458, 264, and 338 Winchester Magnums, but has an unusually short neck to maximize powder capacity. Initial reception was mixed; critics faulted the short neck, and it was caught up in Winchester's unpopular post-1964 manufacturing shift. It took time, but the 300 Winchester Magnum has not just survived but prospered. Today it is the world's most popular cartridge that wears a "magnum" suffix. It is manufactured by all ammunition manufacturers, chambered by all riflemakers who have a suitable platform, and often employed by military snipers in the Special Operations community. Though not the fastest "fast 30-caliber" it is fast, accurate, incredibly available, and well-suited to virtually all non-dangerous game hunting throughout the world.
—
Craig Boddington
