(GunReports.com) — Steyr Arms is now chambering its long-range tactical rifle, the SSG 08, in .338 Lapua Magnum. A prototype of the new rifle made its public debut at the 2010 NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits.
Introduced to the American long-range shooting market in 2009, the SSG 08 was designed to the specifications of Austria’s EKO COBRA anti-terrorism unit. The SSG 08 is based on Steyr’s Safe Bolt System (SBS) action, which is bedded in an aluminum stock.
The skeletonized stock includes a UIT rail along the length of the fore end, a built-in bipod post, multiple mounting points for Picatinny rail combinations and a fully enclosed detachable-box magazine. The butt of the stock folds for transport and features an adjustable cheek piece, an adjustable butt plate, and an integrated, finely adjustable rear-elevation pod.
The cold-hammer-forged barrel measures 27.17 inches and has a 1:9 twist rate, which will stabilize bullets up to and including the 300-gr. HPBT Secnar projectile. The action, magazines and stock were lengthened to accommodate the dimensions of the .338 Lapua Magnum cartridge. Due to the.338 Lapua’s ability to maintain supersonic speeds at distances in excess of 1,500 meters, the SSG 08 incorporates a 20-MOA declination scope base and a newly designed heavy-duty bipod.
The new Steyr .338 Lapua Magnum version of the SSG O8 will be
