Steyr SSG 69 and Steyr Scout (Pictures)

ghostie

ghostie

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For those of you who are interested in such things, here are some pictures I have put together over the last few months regarding these two interesting rifles.

Through the date codes, I've been able to establish that the SSG 69 was made in March of 1989. The Scout in October of 2001.

I bought this off of the EE from a CGN'er in Ontario. It came with 1" rings, so I needed to find a scope to work with those rings, or get some 30mm rings. Neither finding Steyr SSG rings or a scope that is a good match for this rifle seems all that easy to do, so I did some research and opted to pick up the new Schmitt & Bender Summitt 2.5-10x42, which is the first S&B scope with a 1" tube. It is more of a hunting oriented scope, but it has 1/4 MOA click adjustable turrets, and I think it makes a good match with the classic green rifle! It is also easily the nicest brightest scope I have ever used. It is amazing what another $500 above the competition gets you. Now I have an opportunity to get a Kahles ZF84 (the original issue 6x42 scope), but now I am starting to wonder if there are indeed 1", 26mm and 30mm rings for these rifles, and if I do in fact have 1" (25mm) rings, or 26mm rings? The scope has not moved around at all, but I will have to investigate. The rifle as it is currently set up shoots very, very well.
SSG1.jpg


SSG2.jpg


SSG3.jpg


My CGN/range buddy (CGN name "Nemo") helping me sight in the rifle the first day I had it out.
SSG4.jpg


Some photos with a 10-round mag I was able to pick up off the EE.
SSG5.jpg


SSG6.jpg


SSG7.jpg


Some photos with a Steyr Scout (also .308WIN) for comparison:
SSG8.jpg


The 5 and 10-round SSG mags, and the Scout mag:
SSG9.jpg


SSG10.jpg


SSG11.jpg


I just have this tall bi-pod that the seller threw in. I think I need something smaller and more adjustable.
SSG12.jpg


This is what the S&B turrets look like. They are 1/4 MOA finger click adjustable. It works very well. Very precise.
SSG13.jpg


SSG14.jpg


SSG15.jpg


SSG16.jpg


SSG17.jpg


SSG18.jpg


Video:
SSG 69:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RUR2HMCPxc&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-WcXRBQwgA&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQ1UngsXEw8&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHY0HWigx5c&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnF7552IumU

Scout:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E33vooyA8n4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IfL7CpJGs8&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNCQbwthwhk&feature=related

If any body has any ideas of a good "correct"-type sling for the SSG 69, that would be appreciated. Something very "Austrian military" would be cool. I am thinking about something like the sling in the "as issued to the Austrian Military" photo on Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Steyr_SSG69.jpg
Any ideas of where to look? I'm also looking for the front sight hood, even though I doubt I would put it on. I would like to have the full package though.
 
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Great looking rifle! Nemo knows his stuff (too bad he's only got cheap rifles haha), I'm sure between the two of you once you get some handloads going this rifle will shoot great.
 
Yah, Nemo... he's a freak of nature with all his gear. But he is a good helpful guy to get to know. Him and "BCMarkie" (who is also in the background in that same photo) and so many other guys up there at Burke Mountain.

As for load data, what I had started loading for the Scout was Hornady 168gr. BTHP match bullets, 39.9gr. of Varget, Federal brass, Federal primers. I started using those in the SSG 69 as well, and that is what it is sighted in for right now. I just bought 500 more of those same bullets, but I might try and go a little faster this time around.

If anyone has any good load data for this rifle or anything similar, let me know. It is a 25.6" barrel, 1 in 12 twist (I believe, I have not tried to determine this myself yet).
 
Well, I really think your Steyr SSG 69 is a nice rifle and I will tell you why : I also happen to own a brand new SSG 69, caliber .308 Winchester, that I bought some six months ago. Yours is a P1 - "The Mean Green Gun" - and mine is a P11 (heavy barrel with sights - repeat with sights - and black stock). I also bought a spare trigger guard, just in case, and some magazines.

So, congratulations !

Now, I don't want to hijack your thread but I have something to add that could be useful to anybody who is dreaming about buying a new Steyr SSG 69 P11 rifle. The rifle is not the problem, nope ! The problem is elsewhere, I dare to say.

Here is my point : I had to buy my rifle in the U.S. because it was not "available" in Canada. The fact is that those rifles should be available in Canada because there is a Steyr importer in Canada. After waiting more than one year (four different dealers), I contacted Steyr Arms Inc., in Trussville, Alabama, quite literally in desperation. The upshot was that, thanks to Scott O'Brien, Chief Excutive Officer at Steyr Arms Inc., and with the irreplaceable help of Clay (Prophet River Firearms, Import Services and CGN sponsor), I was able to get my rifle from the U.S. - legally.
So, the Steyr importer in Canada did not want my money but the people at Steyr Arms Inc. were very willing to take it. What gives ?

Conclusion : If you want to buy a brand new Steyr SSG 69 P11 rifle in Canada, you will need to have the right connections or plenty of clout - which obviously I did not have - or do what I just did.

Voilà !
 
Nice Steyrs, the last one I sold from my collection was a Tactical Scout in 308, excellent shooter, but the bipod pins can be a problem if treated too rough. They are available in steel from a Steyr fan in the US, check him out online, and as mentioned all the lettered Steyr series with plastic trigger guard/base plate had a tendency to crack around the front screw if too much torque was applied. I used to fill the recess in the front of the trigger guard assembly with either Devcon steel or a suitable bedding compound, and this seemed to strengthen that area quite well. I have never owned a lettered ( SL,L,M,S,ST,SSG) Steyr that did not shoot extremely well, including the full stocked carbines, I now collect only Coopers, but miss my Steyrs. Finally, the Khales ZF-84 in 6x and 10x have 26mm tubes, and ballistic cams, but the reticle moves when adjusted, depending on your ring/base type adjusting can sometimes be tricky.
 
I owned the green rifle years ago came from Jeff Cooper but it had the set triggers and I found it a problem in cold weather.
I currently own the Black SSG 69 PII I like it because of the bolt handle, and the rail under the fore stock for bipod or sling swivel. The scope is great it is a Kahles ZFM 6 X 42 Z with clear optics, but I would like to try a 10X.
I have one complaint about the system that annoys me, the mags.

If someone had a replacement mag that would insert and lock into the rifle as easy as metal mags like the M14 or FN I would buy a half dozen.
I had a broken locking bar on one of my mags and thanks to Gord at Blue Mountain for giving me a damaged mag I was able to use the parts to repair it. Yes don't over tighten the bedding screws or you will crack the tripper guard assembly.
 
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I had a black SSG PM11 years ago too. Bought it off a DCRA member, when I was an East Coaster. Very accurate. Thought the polygonal barrel was cool at the time too. Loved the detachable rings too. Sold it to finance a divorce:( Thanks for the memories.
 
Here are a few more pics of this rifle. Since I last posted in this thread I have also learned that I need a much hotter load to really maximize the accuracy of a gun like this. The light loads (39.9 gr of Varget) was good for the Scout, and it works o.k. in the SSG as well, but a few guys (including "Nemo") were telling me that I need to be over 45 gr. for sure, somewhere from 45 to 46. I started loading the 168gr. match HPBT with 45.4gr of Varget, and it does make a huge difference. It is sighted in at 100 yards and it shoots right to point of aim, shot after shot, at that range. It is shooting well at 200 yards as well. Unfortunately my local range doesn't have any more distance than this.

I also got a proper (much shorter) Harris bi-pod now, and I've gotten some good pointers on technique from the bench, so my shooting with this rifle has gotten a lot better. I will have some targets up for you guys soon! Until then, a few new pics:

SSG1-1.jpg


SSG2-1.jpg


With a Mauser M98k (BYF44). So, a 1930s-era "carbine" for grunts, and a 1960s/70s-era sniper rifle are very similar in overall length. How times have changed. The Steyr does feel much heavier though. I'm not sure of the exact numbers off the top of my head, but one look at the barrel will give you an idea of the difference in weight.
SSG3-1.jpg


SSG4-1.jpg


SSG5-1.jpg
 
Snowy Owl said:
Conclusion : If you want to buy a brand new Steyr SSG 69 P11 rifle in Canada, you will need to have the right connections or plenty of clout - which obviously I did not have - or do what I just did.

Voilà !
Click to expand...

Correct me if Im wrong, there's one for sale at Badger arms. Brand new.

But maybe it's not the same thing?
 
Beautiful set-up. I've long admired the steyr's. I did notice on your rifle though that it appears to have been Magnaported? Please say its not true!?
 
marcoman said:
Beautiful set-up. I've long admired the steyr's. I did notice on your rifle though that it appears to have been Magnaported? Please say its not true!?
Click to expand...

It is true, and at first I was really on the fence about whether or not to buy this rifle because of it. But, the good news is that the workmanship in the porting is very well done, and the rifle shoots very, very well.

I wouldn't have done that myself, but there are just so few of these available to buy. In my time here at CGN (about 4 years) I have watched the EE as closely as anyone, and this is only the second one that I have seen come up for sale (that is, green SSG 69 with the iron sights), and the other one was much more expensive. The black ones with no sights come up much more regularly.

I'm not sure if the porting makes it shoot any softer or what, but it does not seem to have had any negative effect on accuracy, and I am very glad that I bought this rifle when I had the chance.
 
Snowy Owl,

Sorry you had the problems you did. We were listed on the old Steyr site for Canada since we did all their warranty work for quite a while and we usually stock spares for the SSGs and other Steyr products. We have 10 and 2 styles of 5 round mags in stock. You are right about trigger guards, the old polymer will NOT stand up to a lot of solvent but we have those in stock as well for all action lengths (S, M, L/SSG, and SL). The newest SSG/L trigger guards are now moulded in a more solvent resistant polymer but the others are still the old one which eventually breaks down. Of note, when we sell a new trigger guard we also include the two spacers. If you are getting a trigger guard elsewhere be sure to ask for them as not all places know they should be with the trigger guard. (They are separate parts from Steyr but that's the advantage of having the factory training.)

As of today, we still have some SSG rifles in stock including a couple complete with ZFM6x42 scopes.

Ghostie - You had a question about a sling and I have the OD and black versions of the original Steyr sling in stock. Message me if you would like more info.

Trust this helps.

PCO
 
ghostie said:
It is true, and at first I was really on the fence about whether or not to buy this rifle because of it. But, the good news is that the workmanship in the porting is very well done, and the rifle shoots very, very well.

I wouldn't have done that myself, but there are just so few of these available to buy. In my time here at CGN (about 4 years) I have watched the EE as closely as anyone, and this is only the second one that I have seen come up for sale (that is, green SSG 69 with the iron sights), and the other one was much more expensive. The black ones with no sights come up much more regularly.

I'm not sure if the porting makes it shoot any softer or what, but it does not seem to have had any negative effect on accuracy, and I am very glad that I bought this rifle when I had the chance.
Click to expand...

I hope it didn't come across as a slight. I just never understood why anyone would do this to a gun, let alone a .308 that weighs in around 10#(guess?)

However I agree that it would not have deterred me from buying the gun either. Again very nice package, Congrats.
 
[I owned the green rifle years ago came from Jeff Cooper but it had the set triggers and I found it a problem in cold weather./QUOTE]

Albayo - I remember seeing that very same rifle you have, It was over Jeff Cooper's desk in his office (tower) at the Sconce residence at Gunsite - If that is the same rifle than that is some collectible that you have there!!:eek:
Click to expand...
 
The 69 is a nice, accurate rifle. I used one for the first practical rifle course I ever went on, it worked very, very well. I've tried a few of their Scout rifles, but as I had built a couple of my own before Steyr ever got around to it (I bought into JC's advice early on) I didn't see enough of an improvement over what I already had to spend the money. I think they're too expensive for what you get, but as with a lot of things, you pay part of that cost for the name that stands behind the product. I'd still own a 69 in a heartbeat though, great guns. FWIW - dan
 
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