Any thoughts on the SSG69 308 rifles?

Kells81

Slacker
Supporter
Full Member
Minuteman
  • Nov 15, 2006
    1,867
    56
    Granbury TX
    I know they have been around a while and aren't really that pretty... Anyhow for some reason I have been drawn to them for a while and am thinking about adding one to the stable. Any first hand knowledge of them as far as accuracy, function, etc? I have never even seen one in person so I have nothing but net pics to go off of.

    Plan would be is get the rifle then drop it into a McM stock.
     
    Re: Any thoughts on the SSG69 308 rifles?

    Double set triggers are pretty cool. I shot a friend's SSG69 in this configuration. It was very accurate. There were some stock issues with them if I recall, but that won't be an issue for you.

    Don Fong liked his and killed alot of bad guys in Patriots....

    Hope that helps
     
    Re: Any thoughts on the SSG69 308 rifles?

    I've had quite a few. It was and still is a pretty revolutionary piece of equipment. It was developed way back in '69 - the first synthetic stocked firearm I do believe. It was probably one of the first with a cool bolt knob (this came a bit later in development), rotary magazine with a clear window, detachable magazines, hammer forged barrel, multiple locking lugs (short bolt throw) and more.

    They are known to be very accurate out of the box as well as quite durable - many barrels remaining accurate well past 5K.

    Let me know if you want to pull the trigger.
     
    Re: Any thoughts on the SSG69 308 rifles?

    I had one for awhile and liked it. The rifle shot well and it was something different than what I was accustomed to. I didn’t like all the plastic but it held up while I was using it.
     
    Re: Any thoughts on the SSG69 308 rifles?

    I had one and was never terribly impressed with it.

    The barrel is pressed into the receiver, meaning typical gunsmiths can't work with it.

    The bolt itself is either MIM or an investment casting, which I thought was lame.

    The bolt locks into the REAR ring of the receiver, rather than the front ring as most typical rifles. Not necessarily bad, just a little different.

    The action was smooth as glass.

    The rotary mags are delicate, and expensive.

    The double set trigger on mine was set LIGHT. I mean LIGHT LIGHT! I could literally set it off with an unfolded post-it note.

    I never really "developed" a load for it. I tried several loads that I had worked up for other rifles, and it didn't seem to like them much. It ran best with FGMM 168, and was good for ~1 MOA. HOWEVER, it would do 1/2 MOA with ALL cold bore shots.
     
    Re: Any thoughts on the SSG69 308 rifles?

    I have the PIIK right now and I love it. McMillan A-3 stock and Badger muzzle brake with the barrel cut back to 18.5 inches and it looks more like a club than a rifle due to the thick barrel. Shoots like a dream, though, no problem getting close to half MOA if I do my part. The rotary mags are nifty if you don't mind a five-round capacity. Got a lot of different to it, with the lugs on the bolt rear and the unfamiliar thumb safety but I wouldn't hesitate to buy another. You won't be disappointed if you get one.
     
    Re: Any thoughts on the SSG69 308 rifles?

    I had JFComforts rifle and realy liked it. I liked the action and trigger so much I was going to send the barreled action to Scott Mcree and have him make me one of his stocks for it using the AICS mag system, but he was so busy at that time he didnt have time for a "side project". Before he was able to get around to it my gun ADD kicked in and I sold it. I just wich someone would come out with a bottom metal for them using a better mag system I would buy one tomorrow and build off it. The other down side is the barrels are pressed in on all but the PIV (I think) and some smiths shy away from barrel jobs. I think the action and trigger is right up there with the AW and TRG, its way better than a tumned up Remington as far as feel and function IMO. So I like them even though they have some short comings. Get one and see for yourself.
     
    Re: Any thoughts on the SSG69 308 rifles?

    I had a PII recently that had a suppressor built by Bruce Bixler of SCRC back in the late 80's. The suppressor was very quiet and the rifle was accurate and nice to shoot. The scope wasn't really all that great but was the original 6X42 that came with it. Nice scope but not much good for long range shooting at targets and prairie dogs. Other scopes are available now that weren't then. My only complaint with the rifle was the plastic mags. I had one that broke and wouldn't lock in and they are not cheap. I found a couple 10rd mags for a reasonable price and they seemed to hold up better. The set trigger was wonderful. You can use the normal trigger for field work but off the bench or on the bipod the set trigger allowed you to touch them off without moving anything. All in all a great rifle but dated. For the money they bring you can probably get a nice 700 built and be ahead.

    Frank
     
    Re: Any thoughts on the SSG69 308 rifles?

    I understand and know for the money I can do a $700 and be ahead but I already have a nice stable of those. Was looking into something different.

    Thanks for the reply's will see what I can shake down
     
    Re: Any thoughts on the SSG69 308 rifles?

    Poke I recently purchased a very rare Steyr SSG Model Match with wood stock, rear walther diopeter sight and front globe sight. Using the provided sights the rifle was scary accurate with Fed Gold 168 and 175. I liked the rifle so much and wanted to put a scope on it but did not want to take off the open sights on that rifle, I purchased a NIB Ster SSG 69 PIIK. The PIIK has a factory 20" barrel and badger type bolt knob. Mine came with the available Pic scope rail and is very nice. I took the rifle to the range last weekend for the first time and using a Weaver Grand Slam Tactical 3-10x40 and Black Hill 168 Match, I punched out several 1/2 MOA groups at 100yards. The rifle easily is a MOA gun with most groups being 3/4 MOA or better. The rifle feels very solid and I would not sweat what some have said about the mag issues and plastic. I have been in communication with a man who will be building me a alluminum replacement bottom metal and hopefully that will solve the issue of the plastic bottom metal. The new bottom will still use the original mags, they are a nice design and keep the bottom nice and flush as intended. I know mag capacity is all the rage, but for my needs 5rds is plenty, with spare mag changes readily available I dont have an issue. The trigger on the SSG is very nice and very crisp and can be adjusted by the user. The action is very smooth and seems to lock up tight. The exctrector is a M16 style and seems to work very well and ejection is positive. I have found the barrel to clean easily with little copper fouling. I really like the SSG alot and I think it will stay in my stable a long time, and for me that is a compliment.

    I say get one, as you stated they are different, but that is the point.
     
    Any thoughts on the SSG 69 308 rifles ?

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bugaboo</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I am seeing them on competitions and guys are doing good with them. I must say I always liked it a lot - simple, lightweight. </div></div>

    Yeah, that's it ! I concur with you : simple and LIGHTWEIGHT ! With nothing protruding under the rifle - if you use only original Steyr Mannlicher SSG 69 rifle 5 rounds magazines.

    ogonzalez13 is right : "5 rds is plenty".
     
    Re: Any thoughts on the SSG 69 308 rifles ?

    I had one and after getting a custom stick built afterwards I tried everything under the sun trying to get it to shoot as good as my new custom but it never could. The factory stocks are cheap so I replaced with a McMillan, developed loads and it was a 1/2 moa rifle in the end but it still couldn't hold the light for a well built custom. Thing is after all the money you're about to spend I'd just go the custom route and be done with it.
     
    Re: Any thoughts on the SSG 69 308 rifles ?

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Duck Diggler</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I had one and after getting a custom stick built afterwards I tried everything under the sun trying to get it to shoot as good as my new custom but it never could. The factory stocks are cheap so I replaced with a McMillan, developed loads and it was a 1/2 moa rifle in the end but it still couldn't hold the light for a well built custom. Thing is after all the money you're about to spend I'd just go the custom route and be done with it. </div></div>

    I have traveled far down the custom route....

    KAT 300WM
    IMG_5497.JPG


    McM TAC-300
    Photo0030.jpg


    GAP 300wm
    IMG_5487.JPG


    280AI's built by Triple G
    IMG_5356.JPG


    Also have some Rem 308's and a GAP 308 like the 300wm, I would say I have the customs and semi customs locked down and as I said, looking for something different..... Tried to sell the 300wm's but ended up keeping them.
     
    Re: Any thoughts on the SSG 69 308 rifles ?

    Woof! With your collection, and looking for something different, buy the Steyr. And if you run out of space in your closet, call me!
     
    Re: Any thoughts on the SSG 69 308 rifles ?

    Poke,

    I am just the opposite of you. I bought a SSG first then AW,then went the custom route. My set trigger is 3oz. I have no clue what the weight is unset, never used it that way. I still enjopy shooting my SSG. I bought it back when it was the flavor of the day in LE circles(1995-1996).
     
    Re: Any thoughts on the SSG 69 308 rifles ?

    Ended up picking up the Elite scout off the PX here. Looks like it will also fit in a McM Stock but not 100% on that. I see McM has the SBS stocks ready to ship so may pony up the cash to try it out. Definitely going to do some research first as they are over $800/per stock. Not a SSG 69 but a start still gonna try to get hands on the SSG69 for a fair price.
     
    Re: Any thoughts on the SSG 69 308 rifles ?

    I learned to shoot on my friends SS69 .308 back in the day. I seem to remember the mags were delicate as we broke a couple and it was a pampered range rifle. Groups were similar to a standard R700 Police.
     
    Re: Any thoughts on the SSG 69 308 rifles ?

    Anyone know if the SBS rifles and the Scout Tactical Elite share the same footprint? Looks the same in some ways and I have found some pics of another steyr rifle that comes with the SBS stock but has the same upper looks as the Tactical Elite scout. McM has several stocks on the specials page and would love to see if one would fit this stick.