Intro:

I have been shooting different models of Steyr SBS rifles for over 10 years and have enjoyed each one. They have smooth and robust actions, good triggers, reliable magazines, and a well-designed safety/bolt release.  On top of all that they have all shot very well. I attribute that fact in large part to their cold hammer forged barrels. (Check out this article to learn more about the process). I mention all of this to explain my interest whenever Steyr comes out with a new offering. I still hold the belief that one of the coolest rifles of SHOT 2019 was the Steyr Monobloc.  Also displayed at the 2019 SHOT Show, albeit to much less fanfare, was the THB precision rifle in the Manners Composite Stock.

The author’s Steyr Collection.

Lately, Steyr has been slowly getting into the “sporting” precision rifle market.  It was only in 2018 they started chambering the 6.5 Creedmoor. It should be noted Steyr has been producing top quality precision sniper rifles since the late 1960s, but aside from these sniper rifles, Steyr hasn’t really offered any turn-key solutions for shooting PRS or NRL style matches, until now.

New Release:

Steyr is releasing what they call the THB Manners.  Here is what they have to say about it:

The Steyr THB Manners will be available in .308 Win. and 6.5 Creedmoor. The rifle is built on Steyr’s proven Safe Bolt System (SBS) bolt-action receiver with its 2+1 safety system. The SBS action is perfectly married to a heavy-profile, cold-hammer-forged barrel. In the .308 version, it will be available with either a 16-, 20- or 26-inch barrel, while the 6.5 Creedmoor barrel will be 26 inches in length. The muzzles of each barrel are threaded with a 5/8-24 RH thread pitch to accept muzzle brakes or suppressors, and a thread protector will be included. With it’s match-quality single-stage trigger system, the THB barreled-action is virtually identical to that of Steyr’s high-end, long-range tactical rifles.

A Steyr exclusive, the new Manners tactical stock for the THB is built around the CNC-machined aluminum MCS Mini Chassis System that is perfectly fitted to the SBS action for maximum repeatability. The chassis incorporates a trigger guard as well as the Maxwell that accepts standard Steyr four-round magazines or 10-round magazines with the optional Steyr adapter kit. The outer shell is constructed of 35-percent carbon fiber and 65-percent fiberglass, hand-laid in multiple layers with high-temperature epoxy resins and then heat cured in a vacuum for the ideal resin-to-fabric ratio.

The stock features an adjustable comb and a length of pull that can be easily adjusted by adding or removing spacers. The stock has two flush QD sling-swivel cups on the right side as well as a Picatinny rail on the bottom/front of the wide, flat foreend for attaching a bipod or tripod. The Steyr THB Manners comes with a standard camouflage finish that is molded into the field-grade gel coat; however, additional colors can be special ordered at no charge. Select camouflage patterns can be ordered for an additional cost.

The THB Manners rifle measures 47 inches overall, and it weighs 10.5 pounds, empty. The rifle has a 20 MOA Picatinny rail mounted on the receiver, and it comes standard with a round tactical bolt handle.

The rifle has a suggested retail price of $2,395, and as with all Steyr center-fire bolt-action rifles, the SteyrTHB Manners is part of the Steyr Elite Experience that provides the purchaser an unconditional 1 MOA guarantee, a limited lifetime warranty and a free world-class training course at the Steyr Academy ($650 value). The Steyr-exclusive Manners stock is also available separately from Steyr Arms and will fit any standard-length SBS action.

Key points I like for competition:

• Steyr did away with the butterknife bolt handle in favor of the ball style.
• Manners Mini Chassis (no bedding required)
• 5/8 x24 tpi verses some random metric threads
• 20 moa rail included
• The ability to use Steyr’s 10 round magazines, which can accommodate a COAL up to 3.15” and have a slick single feed feature.
• The ability to get professional training with the purchase of the rifle. (Check out this link for more info on their training side of the house)

Ball bolt handle vs Butterknife style

Full Specs:

Steyr Arms Rifle Specifications

Photo courtesy of Steyr Arms.

While this rifle won’t take the PRS or NRL by storm, it is certainly offering everything a shooter would need to get started in the competition world.  I will be excited to finally see a Steyr on the firing line.