Utilizing a similar design scheme, Ritter & Stark has produced a slightly scaled down model of its flagship SX-1, meant to handle lighter loads.
Ritter & Stark is a relatively new player in the firearms market, hitting the stage around a year ago. But in that short time, the Austrian gunmaker has firmly laid its crosshairs on one particular firearms niche — precision bolt actions.
The company has been fast to follow up on the release of its flagship SX-1 Modular Tactical Rifle that made a splash at the 2016 SHOT Show. Utilizing the same design scheme, Ritter & Stark has produced a rifle identical in features and purpose, but slightly scaled down and meant to handle lighter loads.
The short-action SLX series was introduced at the IWA Outdoor Classic 2017 in Nuremberg, Germany with the SLX-308 MTR taking center stage. As can be guessed, the rifle is chambered for .308 Win./7.62×51 NATO, but Ritter & Stark plans to follow up with .260 Rem. and 6.5 Creedmoor models at a later date.
The gun comes in right around 2 pounds lighter and nearly 11 inches shorter than the .300 Win. Mag. and .338 Lupua Mag. versions of the SX-1. The new .308 Win., is available with a 20-, 22- or 24-inch barrel, whereas the SX-1 starts out with a 24.5-inch barrel for its smallest caliber. Note, there is a .308 SX-1 that plays a bit of a Mama Bear role in the two series, though is still heftier than the SLX model of the same caliber.
Given the more utilized calibers and lighter overall platform, the company appears to be shooting at a more mainstream audience — hunters and target shooters— with the rifle.
It's no surprise that the new SLX is being offered in multiple calibers, as the previous SX-1 modular design facilitates lightning fast caliber changes, taking only minutes to switch out barrels. The same is true for the SLX.
The system is well thought out, especially for those who can afford to maximize either platform to their full potential. In particular, a barrel-mounted MIL-STD 1913 Picatinny rail gives shooters the advantage of swapping calibers without losing their zero — if, that is, a scope dedicated to each barrel is within budget.
A few of the other notable features of the SLX line include a fully adjustable folding buttstock, Picatinny rails and M-Lok mounting systems, detachable AR-15 pistol grip and adjustable two-stage Remington 700 standard compatible trigger. Also, Ritter & Stark guarantees .5 MOA from its barrels, with match ammo, up to 5,000 rounds. At time of writing, there was no MSRP available.
SLX-308 MTR Specs:
Caliber: .308 Win.
Barrel length: 508 mm (20″)/558 mm (22″)/ 609 mm (24″)
Overall length: 1000 mm (39.4″)
Length with folded stock: 760 mm (30″)
Overall width: 81 mm (3.2″)
Width with folded stock: 103 mm (4″)
Rifling – # of grooves: 6
Twist Rate: 280 mm (1:11″) right
Total weight: 3.73…5.18 kg (8.2…11.4 lbs.)
Magazine capacity: 10 rounds
Min. barrel life: 5000 rounds (compliance to NATO AC-225 D.14)
Stock length adjustment: 60mm (2.4″)
Cheek piece height adjustment: 27mm (1.1″)
Butt plate height adjustment: ±23mm (±0.9″)
Trigger adjustability: slack, preliminary pull, pull, drag
Trigger weight: Adjustable between 600 g…1500 g (1.3lbs….3.3lbs.)
Safety system: 3-position safety: F…fire, S…safe (firing pin locked), L…lock (locks the bolt for transport)
Optical interface: MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny Rail with 12, 20 or 40 MOA forward inclination.
Accessory interface: M-LOK Allows the installation of MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny Rails via M-LOK or M5-Screws. The octagonal cross section enables the handguard to accept accessories in 45° steps.
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