Steyr Mannlicher?

18 March 2008, 22:59

JP577

Steyr Mannlicher?

Hello

Checked out a Steyr Classic Mannlicher in 300 WinMag today at my dealer's. My questions are:

Is it a good quality rifle? What do you think of it's performance, reliability, and durability?

Is it perfectly accurate out of box as I was told, or could it use some tweaking?

Is this a good all around African rifle for plains game?

Are there any countries that ban this caliber or requests a bigger one to be used?

Thank you.

18 March 2008, 23:05

bulbwerks

I love our Steyr, we have a model S in 375 H&H and we can't get the gun to shoot groups bigger than 1.25" no matter what we feed it. With loads it likes, it is a sub .5 moa gun all day long. I would never pass up an oportunity to buy a Steyr. Just don't drop the magazine in cold weather.

19 March 2008, 00:35

AKsheephunter

I have a Steyr prohunter stainless in 26" 300 WM and will be taking it to South Africa next month for Plains Game, it's an excellet rifle, I use it up in Alaska, for everything except Brown Bear. This rifle is flat shooting and can with stand pretty much all weather conditions. I have mine topped with a Kahles 3x12x56. However for a synthetic, it weighs almost 10lbs. with this scope.

19 March 2008, 01:07

MJines

I have a Steyr Mannlicher in .458 Win Mag. Very accurate rifle, but also very light. Very Light = Pounds The Crap Out of You. It would be great to carry, it reliably feeds, looks nice and shooting in the field would not be a problem. But shooting at the range can be tiring.

19 March 2008, 04:52

Dave Moore

JP577 - I have 3, one in .222, one in .25/06, and one in .30/06. As everyone has mentioned above all are extremely accurate and high quality firearms and I am sure you would be served well by the .300 you are looking at.

However, as MJines indicated, as they go up in caliber they will have a they do come back smartly...probably stock design IMO.

19 March 2008, 05:17

Michael Robinson

The SBS 96 action on the new Steyr-Mannlichers is well designed and well made. I love my Forester in 9.3x62mm.

19 March 2008, 06:41

390ish

I have a pro-hunter in 6.5x55. Bought and installed a forester stock. Outstanding rifle.

19 March 2008, 13:25

Colin Castelli

I've got a Model S in .308 Norma Mag and love it, I'd like to find one in .375 for a good price and buy it....

I don't think you can go wrong with one.

Colin

19 March 2008, 15:31

Ahmed Sultan

I have two steyr Mannlicher, one in .308 Win (mountain version) and the other in 7MM Rem mag (Luxus). I have taken .308 Win on numerous mountain hunting trip around Asia and the 7MM on four safaris in Africa without any problem. Both of them are very accurate and a treat to shoot.

19 March 2008, 19:48

peterdk

one of the best rifle makers ever, my current one is a .223 SL

best regards

peter

20 March 2008, 06:43

Russ Gould

quote:
I'd like to find one in .375 for a good price and buy it

We are offering an 8 shot 375 H&H (or 458 WM or Lott) on the Steyr action with the Steyr syn stock. This has to be the ultimate in DG firepower.

20 March 2008, 10:42

Safari-Hunt

Years ago I shot with 300 win mag Steyr on the range and with factory or reloaded rounds the accuracy was superb.

20 March 2008, 13:18

Stephen Palos

The rifle should be a superb PLAINS GAME option. They are accurate and that calibre is fine.

If it has their lousy, plastic detachable magazine that some models have, prepare for headaches there. Buy a couple of spare mags, or I believe someone is making metal versions of it?

As a dangerous game weapon I'd think twice about a Steyr Mannlicher. A simpler, but more robust Mauser type, with a bit of play is much better suited.

20 March 2008, 14:25

JP577

quote:
Originally posted by Stephen Palos:
If it has their lousy, plastic detachable magazine

Plastic?? I did not check the magazine that close indeed! Are the magazines in this model plastic? Why?

Such a disappointment...

20 March 2008, 14:45

Stephen Palos

Check for sure, but it probably has a plastic, rotary mag. This was common on Steyr M rifles.

You ask why! Probably to test a hunters patience? Really sad on an otherwise great rifle.

As I say, I've heard someone is making steel versions, but I have not tracked them down. I need to, for a mate that's just bought a 7x64 with a bust plastic mag.

20 March 2008, 19:07

kayaker

They used to make the M in .300h&h as well...that would be superb...or 8x68S (saw one the other day, great rifle)

When I worked in a JHB gun store years ago we had verious SM mags in stock as replacements...its really unfortunate as they are crap.

I wonder if you took one to a light machine engineering works as a model, they could make one out of sheet metal and use the same spring etc?
Might run you some $ though!

20 March 2008, 19:54

mr rigby

There was some one rifle models that had steel magazine and bottom metal, whereas most of them had the plastic magazine and bottom "metal" be careful wit oil in the rifle ,a aquaintaint of mine has changed out his bottom twice due to mineral oil had gotten the plastic on his SSG 69.

But they are fine rifles, and many of them is up here. 8x68 i have seen for sale, 7mm Rem Mag and many else, in both standard cartridges and magnum ones, but the Africanm model of the SM edition i have never encountered up here unfortunately .

When the subject of Mannlicher is mentioned, i might add i was offered a Mannlicher Schonauer in .458 some years ago at the price of 5000 dollars. Needless to say that rifdle is unfortunately not in my safe .....

20 March 2008, 20:31

yukon delta

quote:
Originally posted by mr rigby:
When the subject of Mannlicher is mentioned, i might add i was offered a Mannlicher Schonauer in .458 some years ago at the price of 5000 dollars. Needless to say that rifdle is unfortunately not in my safe .....

I have never seen one in the many gun shows and personal collections I have looked through. It's a tough one to find and they are never cheap.

20 March 2008, 22:17

shootaway

I owned and hunted with a Steyr Mannlicher for years.It was my first rifle.I know the rifle really well. I would not buy one again because of the various issues it has.Many of you don't know this rifle very well.

20 March 2008, 22:59

JP577

quote:
Originally posted by shootaway:
I owned and hunted with a Steyr Mannlicher for years.It was my first rifle.I know the rifle really well. I would not buy one again because of the various issues it has.Many of you don't know this rifle very well.

Would you be kind enough to share those issues in detail with us?

Thank you.

21 March 2008, 00:56

shootaway

quote:
Originally posted by JP577:
quote:
Originally posted by shootaway:
I owned and hunted with a Steyr Mannlicher for years.It was my first rifle.I know the rifle really well. I would not buy one again because of the various issues it has.Many of you don't know this rifle very well.

Would you be kind enough to share those issues in detail with us?

Thank you.

SURE will,you know me! Here I was on my first caribou hunting trip and after driving thousands of miles the first shooting oppurtunity presented itself.I shouldered the rifle,looked through the metal sights and squeezed the trigger while a driver of an 18 wheeler stopped to witness the spectacle.The rifle did not fire and the bou were leaving.This scenario would repeat itself again and again before I discovered the problem.If the sleeve of you jacket gets under the bolt and lifts it a bit as you squeeze the trigger the rifle will not fire.This was one big problem.Another issue is the plastic internal parts of the trigger mechanism which break down over time.Also the cast extractor is extremely fragile and can not withstand any force needed to extract a stuck case.It usually breaks in two.There is no recoil lug to prevent damage to the bedding area.Scope rings cost 400 dollars and have screws with heads that strip easily.The trigger guard assembly would not hold the magazine in place under recoil.The plastic trigger guard cracks often and groups go bad until it is replaced.If the hair trigger is set,the rifle must be fired-you cannot go back because the bolt will not open.Rotary magazine is difficult to clean and is unreliable.But,it still remains my most loved rifle.

21 March 2008, 02:01

JP577

quote:
Originally posted by shootaway:

SURE will,you know me! Here I was on my first caribou hunting trip and after driving thousands of miles the first shooting oppurtunity presented itself.I shouldered the rifle,looked through the metal sights and squeezed the trigger while a driver of an 18 wheeler stopped to witness the spectacle.The rifle did not fire and the bou were leaving.This scenario would repeat itself again and again before I discovered the problem.If the sleeve of you jacket gets under the bolt and lifts it a bit as you squeeze the trigger the rifle will not fire.This was one big problem.Another issue is the plastic internal parts of the trigger mechanism which break down over time.Also the cast extractor is extremely fragile and can not withstand any force needed to extract a stuck case.It usually breaks in two.There is no recoil lug to prevent damage to the bedding area.Scope rings cost 400 dollars and have screws with heads that strip easily.The trigger guard assembly would not hold the magazine in place under recoil.The plastic trigger guard cracks often and groups go bad until it is replaced.If the hair trigger is set,the rifle must be fired-you cannot go back because the bolt will not open.Rotary magazine is difficult to clean and is unreliable.But,it still remains my most loved rifle.

Looks like I was going to flush my money down the toilet!! Thanks for this. Much appreciated.

21 March 2008, 02:21

390ish

I also have a SM mdle. 1956 in 30-06. It is my favorite rifle, but I somehow managed to break the set trigger and for the life of me cannot find a fix that is not terribly expensive. It kicks worse than and 30-06 I have ever shouldered but is a fine hunting rifle. From what I gather folks have fewer issues with the pro-hunters and foresters than the high end offerings with the contemporary steyr products.

I would feel comfortable taking my pro-hunter anywhere.

21 March 2008, 06:30

Michael Robinson

quote:
Originally posted by shootaway:
quote:
Originally posted by JP577:
quote:
Originally posted by shootaway:
I owned and hunted with a Steyr Mannlicher for years.It was my first rifle.I know the rifle really well. I would not buy one again because of the various issues it has.Many of you don't know this rifle very well.

Would you be kind enough to share those issues in detail with us?

Thank you.
SURE will,you know me! Here I was on my first caribou hunting trip and after driving thousands of miles the first shooting oppurtunity presented itself.I shouldered the rifle,looked through the metal sights and squeezed the trigger while a driver of an 18 wheeler stopped to witness the spectacle.The rifle did not fire and the bou were leaving.This scenario would repeat itself again and again before I discovered the problem.If the sleeve of you jacket gets under the bolt and lifts it a bit as you squeeze the trigger the rifle will not fire.This was one big problem.Another issue is the plastic internal parts of the trigger mechanism which break down over time.Also the cast extractor is extremely fragile and can not withstand any force needed to extract a stuck case.It usually breaks in two.There is no recoil lug to prevent damage to the bedding area.Scope rings cost 400 dollars and have screws with heads that strip easily.The trigger guard assembly would not hold the magazine in place under recoil.The plastic trigger guard cracks often and groups go bad until it is replaced.If the hair trigger is set,the rifle must be fired-you cannot go back because the bolt will not open.Rotary magazine is difficult to clean and is unreliable.But,it still remains my most loved rifle.

shotaway, I'm gonna hafta go ahead and respectfully disagree with you on this.

21 March 2008, 08:09

yukon delta

This is the softer side of MR I guess?

21 March 2008, 08:35

Charles_Helm

quote:
Originally posted by yukon delta:
This is the softer side of MR I guess?

quote:
Originally posted by mrlexma:
Hey, Will, don't you know how to tell someone he's a dumbass without offending him?

Just say: "I respectfully disagree."

21 March 2008, 09:33

yukon delta

JP577, stick around and get some different advice. That flowing from Shootaway is just bull cookies. Don't get reloading advice from him either. In fact, I wouldn't even ask him for directions to the men's room.

21 March 2008, 10:09

Ahmed Sultan

quote:
If the sleeve of you jacket gets under the bolt and lifts it a bit as you squeeze the trigger the rifle will not fire.This was one big problem.

How do you manage to do that?

21 March 2008, 11:15

shootaway

That should read bolt handle.Try it with a thick jacket or coat.Shoulder your rifle and do as you are going to pull the trigger.If your wrist is not already pressing upward against the bolt handle,move the bolt upward a little and squueze the trigger.The firing pin will not fall.

21 March 2008, 14:07

JAL

I wouldn't want a partially unlocked rifle to fire anyway.

21 March 2008, 16:07

shootaway

quote:
Originally posted by JAL:
I wouldn't want a partially unlocked rifle to fire anyway.

Same here.The problem is that it should not unlock with with the slightest upward lift.All other rifles I owned do not unlock before the bolt handles is lifted to a greater degree.I can't believe no one here has fired there Steyr enough to know that it does this.I think the problem comes from the many small locking lugs set in the rear of the action,in that they do not require alot of travel to disengage.

21 March 2008, 22:26

sierra2

How about a little tutorial on Mannlicher magazines?
1. The original Mannlicher-Schoenauer magazine is a fixed rotary job in the action, never fails.
2. The Steyr-Mannlicher Sporter 1968-1996 is the detachable plastic rotary magazine so many people despise. I've used them since 1970 with never a failure.
3. The SBS-96 version, 1996 to present, detachable, back to metal.
4, There is also a hermaphrodite Mannlicher called the M-72 (1972-76) with an internal rotary magazine, half plastic and half metal.

My two .300 H&H S-Ms have all been tack drivers, where a half inch 100 yard group was the norm, and a friend using a 9.3x62mm ProHunter claims "boring" one inch groups day in and day out.

LLS
Mannlicher Collector

21 March 2008, 22:30

Ahmed Sultan

quote:
I can't believe no one here has fired there Steyr enough to know that it does this.

I would say that I have fired my Steyr enough, just not been stupid enough to experience that problem.

22 March 2008, 01:14

JP577

quote:
Originally posted by sierra2:
How about a little tutorial on Mannlicher magazines?
1. The original Mannlicher-Schoenauer magazine is a fixed rotary job in the action, never fails.
2. The Steyr-Mannlicher Sporter 1968-1996 is the detachable plastic rotary magazine so many people despise. I've used them since 1970 with never a failure.
3. The SBS-96 version, 1996 to present, detachable, back to metal.
4, There is also a hermaphrodite Mannlicher called the M-72 (1972-76) with an internal rotary magazine, half plastic and half metal.

My two .300 H&H S-Ms have all been tack drivers, where a half inch 100 yard group was the norm, and a friend using a 9.3x62mm ProHunter claims "boring" one inch groups day in and day out.

LLS
Mannlicher Collector

Thanks x 100

22 March 2008, 04:07

ALF

22 March 2008, 04:25

shootaway

quote:
Originally posted by ALF:
Damn !

I just went to my safe, opened it to look at my 9.3x64 Heavy barrel M72 Mannlicher and I noticed that the blade, magazine plate on the rotary magazine was derotated .... a closer look revealed that there was a broken piece of clear plastic lying on the bottom metal...... i shook the gun and 3 pieces fell out.

Now I'm pissed I take off the bottom metal and remove the alloy housing for the rotary magazine and I'm sitting with a now very broken piece of shit plastic magazine in my hands !

It renders the rifle useless and as this gun is no longer in production...... well i'm going to have to find soomeone who will be prepared to mill me a metal look alike!

At least you know you have an authentic Steyr! The guy who sold me the 12 or so replacement trigger guard assemblies loved the rifle so much,he took it in consignment and sold it for me.

22 March 2008, 07:27

kayaker

I wonder what cleaning solvents do ot that plastic?
Even if you are careful, perhaps just fumes and presence of solvents (like in the safe) is bad.

Sun light would bereally bad, as with all plastics...

I really like the older SM's but the plastic mag did seem like bad idea for longevity..

I am sure there must be metal after markets somewhere in the world?

22 March 2008, 12:23

jetdrvr

quote:
Originally posted by JAL:
I wouldn't want a partially unlocked rifle to fire anyway.

I'll say.

Buddy of mine has the SSG .308, which is one of the most accurate rifles I've ever seen. It shoots one hole groups with the cheapest crap you can put in it.

23 March 2008, 06:56

Russ Gould

I have a half dozen of the Prohunters in stock with plastic detachable mags. These are double stack box mags, not rotary mags. Do the problems referred to above apply to the newer detachable mags? The plastic on these mags doesn't seem to be brittle.

I note that there are plastic box mags available for the prohunter with steel bottoms. It's not an all-steel mag but the bottom plate is metal.

Also, for the guys who need new rotary mags for the older guns, I can supply them for the L, M, S & SL series guns in various calibers. Also the SSG rotary 308 mag.

Finally, someone lamented the cost of rings. The prohunter series will take the browning A bolt rings made by Nikon and others.

23 March 2008, 15:43

Cohannon

Hi JP ... I've a fine old Mannlicher Luxus in .30-06 with a single set trigger and single stack all metal magazine. Not a bit of plasyic anywhere on this babe. Bought from a wise old Scottish stalker/RFD secondhand about twelve years ago for big woodland red stags. It has never missed a beat, shoots everything from 125g to 190g factory really well, and is the only fullbore rifle I own that hasn't been traded for something else in the intervening years. The Luxus Mannlichers reappear for sale quite often and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend one ....