High-Tech Tactical Rifle from Austria’s Ritter & Stark
There’s a new long-range precision tactical rifle from Ritter & Stark (R&S) of Austria. The new SX-1 Modular Tactical Rifle (MTR) is designed to allow rapid barrel changes for three chamberings: .308 Winchester, .300 Winchester Magnum, and .338 Lapua Magnum.
Notably, the scope rail is mounted on the barrel itself, and the bolt locks directly into the barrel. This patented system allows scope, rail, and barrel to be swapped out as one integrated assembly, which should definitely help maintain zero when barrels are exchanged.
Ritter & Stark explains: “The MIL-STD 1913 Picatinny rail is installed directly on the barrel, allowing barrel interchangeability with pre-set scopes for no shift of impact when changing calibers. Easily and quickly done in the field, the patented caliber conversion system allows the barrel to be precisely positioned in the machined aluminum receiver with a greater area of contact allowing for more stability. The bolt is locked directly into the barrel breech[.]”
Video Shows Barrel Swap System, and Bolt Locking in Barrel Breech:
CNC-Controlled Rifling Process
Ritter & Stark states: “The rifling is processed in a CNC-controlled electrochemical machine. This avoids the transmission of thermal effects and mechanical stress to the material. Furthermore, this process allows us to produce barrels with unique uniformity and within tolerance zones that were not possible in a serial production before.” This is very interesting technology, and we’d like to learn more about it.
Accuracy Guarantee and Barrel Life Guarantee
Apparently the CNC-controlled rifling process works well as Ritter & Stark guarantees that its barrels maintain accuracy for a long time. The Austrian company states: “Our barrels are guaranteed to at least 5,000 rounds for .308 Win and .338 LM, and 2,000 rounds for .300 WM before noticing any degradation in accuracy.” That kind of claim certainly invites a long-term test. Who’s got enough ammo? Ritter & Stark also claims that “every rifle we manufacture can achieve 0.5 MOA 3-round groups or better with factory match-grade ammunition.”
The Ritter & Stark SX-1 MTR is designed for adaptability. It will accept third-party Rem 700-compatible triggers as well as a variety of AR-type grips. In addition, the SX-1, in standard configuration, will accept other manufacturers’ AI, SR25, or AR10 magazines. The rifle can also accept other buttstock assemblies compatible with Ritter & Stark’s folding mechanism which, interestingly, can be set to fold to either side.
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Tags: .300 WM, .338 Lapua Magnum, 300 Win Mag, AR16, Army, Austria, CNC Barrel, Modular Rifle, Ritter & Stark, SX-1, Tactical Rifle
Carrying two extra barrels, each extended in length with a picatinny rail protruding six inches rearward of the tenon along with a high powered scope mounted on the rail of each one, does not seem to promote convenience. That’s three large scopes as I understand it on three barrels, and three bolts, since none of those calibers have the same head diameter. Three sets of ammunition, too. That is a lot of gear carried and money expent just to avoid shooting a .338 round at a target that might be dispatched with the smaller .308.
Never heard of these guys but like just about all rifles coming out of Europe, it looks well engineered and thought out. I suspect it will leave a bit of a hole in one’s bank balance too.
What the heck does it cost to replace one of these barrels?
“Ritter & Stark also claims that “every rifle we manufacture can achieve 0.5 MOA 3-round groups or better with factory match-grade ammunition.” As do a bunch of shops in the US, some even claiming 1/4″ MOA.
“…just to avoid shooting a .338 round at a target that might be dispatched with the smaller .308.” Why would you change a barrel if the current barrel would get the job done?
Don’t be so literal guys. The field change comment is marketing speak to compete with AI and Sako. It doesn’t really happen like that after the customer buys the set up!
Looks to be a quality rifle, but just way too much going on with it for average use. Can’t even imagine what full-package cost would be with optics (pl) for each barrel.
I’m betting fishing for gov. contracts.
Remember who launch the request for a multi calibre platform that Remington got the contract for. An advantage of the easy barrel change , is that when the rifle arrive brand new into a unit , by the time the unit has trained with the rifle and became proficient with it, it is already time to change the barrel, specially in 300 win mag and 338 lapua. But those rifles are fetching such a high price that which ever army or police get them, they would be better with one basic good rifle in each of the three calibre.