Steyr SSG 69 Optics Question

DurangoAl · Jan 5, 2023

Howdy folks! I'm new to the forum. I joined because I've seen several discussions, mostly older, of the SSG 69. My Dad just handed a very lightly used one down to me. I'm adding it to the collection for a little fun at the range and deer/elk. I'm an inexperienced rifle shooter in general, was always pistol/shotgun, but I'm getting into it. I'm guessing most of the hunting will be within 400 yards.

So here's the question, the rifle has the original Kahles 6x, with original mount, which I think is kinda cool, but am pretty tempted to put a more modern and powerful scope on it. Anyone have a recommendation for a scope that matches well with the SSG 69?

Thanks in advance!

TorF · Jan 6, 2023

Just get a set of original 30mm rings and mount any quality scope depending on budget.
The rings on the Kahles scope is most probably 26mm and 1" scopes will not fit these.
The original QD mounts hold zero so keep the 6X as a zeroed backup scope. Do not sell it.
Steyr has also made 1" QD rings.

Buy a new scope with a lot of elevation adjustment range. Old SSG69s have 0moa tilt in the action scope rails, Newer rifles have 20moa tilt.

Some will say that you should add a picatinny rail but I think that looks clumpsy and adds too much weight and hight. The original QD scope rings work perfectly so if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

A spare bottom "metal" is nice to have as they quite easily break. Do not overtighten the action screws.
Magazines are also consumabels.
Do not buy original expensive plastic 10 round mags. They are POS and do not work in sub zero temperatures.
I have a steel Styria arms bottom metal for steel AICS magazines. Expensive, but works perfectly.

The SSG69s were all tested for accuracy before shipping from factory so they all shoot well. Especially with 150gr and 168gr bullets.

Spare parts can be "aquired" from cheap Steyr mod L huntingrifles..

DurangoAl · Jan 6, 2023

TorF said:
Just get a set of original 30mm rings and mount any quality scope depending on budget.
The rings on the Kahles scope is most probably 26mm and 1" scopes will not fit these.
The original QD mounts hold zero so keep the 6X as a zeroed backup scope. Do not sell it.
Steyr has also made 1" QD rings.

Buy a new scope with a lot of elevation adjustment range. Old SSG69s have 0moa tilt in the action scope rails, Newer rifles have 20moa tilt.

Some will say that you should add a picatinny rail but I think that looks clumpsy and adds too much weight and hight. The original QD scope rings work perfectly so if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

A spare bottom "metal" is nice to have as they quite easily break. Do not overtighten the action screws.
Magazines are also consumabels.
Do not buy original expensive plastic 10 round mags. They are POS and do not work in sub zero temperatures.
I have a steel Styria arms bottom metal for steel AICS magazines. Expensive, but works perfectly.

The SSG69s were all tested for accuracy before shipping from factory so they all shoot well. Especially with 150gr and 168gr bullets.

Spare parts can be "aquired" from cheap Steyr mod L huntingrifles..

thanks very much for the info. i already reached out to the member here that does the bottom metal, and figured I'd go with AICS to get away from the OEM mags altogether.
Thanks for the ammo info too, from searching around, seems like people like Federal Match for factory ammo, if you have other suggestions let me know. I shot some very old PMC 7.62 through it that my Dad had with it and was shocked how well it shot with the wrong ammo. He operated under that bad theory that .223/5.56 and .308/7.62 were all the same.

As part of my getting into rifles, I'm building out a 1976 Rem 700 BDL .223, I also got from my Dad that's hardly been shot, as a prairie dog gun to help a local rancher friend. I just put a Leupold VX3 6.5 x 20 on it, so I guess I'll shoot that and see how I like it before picking one for the SSG.

Why did they put such a low powered scope on a "sniper"?

6.5SH · Jan 6, 2023

Someone does make picatinny adapters that clamp onto the Steyr grooves. I don't recall who off top of my head, will update the post later if I can find that info again.

TorF · Jan 6, 2023

DurangoAl said:
Thanks for the ammo info too, from searching around, seems like people like Federal Match for factory ammo, if you have other suggestions let me know. I shot some very old PMC 7.62 through it that my Dad had with it and was shocked how well it shot with the wrong ammo. He operated under that bad theory that .223/5.56 and .308/7.62 were all the same.

Why did they put such a low powered scope on a "sniper"?

The barrels on the SSG69 is designed to shoot well with 7.62NATO ammo pulled from MG-belts in a SHTF scenario.
Barrels have a slight choke and "sizes" the bullets towards the muzzle. Increases accuracy with bad ammo and reduces gas blowby and thus increases barrellife. Expect 8-10000 rounds with good accuracy. The French FRF2 also have choked barrels for the same reason. See Forgotten weapons/FRF2 interview with the designer.

Low power scope are experiences from top ww2 Austrian snipers used as consultants in spec'ing the rifle. They preferred a bulletproof 6X scope after getting hundreds of kills on the eastern front. The Kahles 6x is much better than the contemporary 3-9x40 Redfield used in Vietnam.

Read this ( only book I've read that should be age restricted) One of the consultants:

meangreengunner · Jan 7, 2023

DurangoAl, I have a few SSG 69s in various calibers. I love these rifles. I too have the original ZF-69 scope on my P1. I agree with TorF; if you are planning on shooting past 500 yds just get a 30mm or larger maintube scope. Depending on your eyes you can only see so far with the 6x. I've shot so-so out to 600 but if I was shooting all day at that range I'd want a scope with variable power. To my knowledge the fixed power scopes that these rifles were issued with were designed for military age shooters with good eyesight, not graybeards like myself haha. The factory 30mm rings are best for the dovetailed receiver IMO. I've seen some others out there but if I didn't have the factory rings I'd mount the Steyr pic rail on it. Steyr doesn't make the SSG 69 rail anymore either so you'll have to look around. I found one for $250

- forget it. Down the road I may spend the coin for one so I can go all the way to 34mm tube. I put a Leupold Mk 4 on one of my P2's with the factory 30mm rings and it works great. Best target load I've made up for the P1 in .308 Win is 44gr Varget with a 168gr match bullet. But I've shot 168 and 175gr match ammo out of it and both Bullets work real well. 150 gr also, as you mentioned.

enichols · Jan 7, 2023

Here is an aftermarket picatinny rail option for the SSG. I had one on a PIIK and it worked nicely.

https://www.optics-trade.eu/us/mak-steel-picatinny-rail-steyr-ssg-69.html

DurangoAl · Jan 7, 2023

Man, thanks a ton you guys, you downloaded some serious knowledge on me there! I couldn't find any factory rings either, just "out of stock" listings with huge $$$. Anyone tried the Talley Manufacturing rings?
(https://www.talleymanufacturing.com...-for-dovetail-setup/?attribute_pa_size=30mm-3)

Just today, I had a set of Talley put on a Weatherby Mark XXII .22lr to hold a Leupold rimfire scope, they seem high quality, but I guess .22 and .308 are two different ballparks.

I got to mess around with the Leopold VX-3I 6.5-20 x 40 that I put on the Rem .223 prairie dog gun today, man, I had a hard time getting a good sight picture at high magnification, but, like I say, I'm a total novice, so maybe it just takes some more experience. Either way, I think it spells trouble for the prairie dogs! And, yes, I literally have a big gray beard, so I do need more than the 6x, but I don't plan of shooting out past 500 yards at present, but I guess if I keep hanging around this forum, I'll be building out a long range gun too.

Thanks again, y'all!

Random Guy · Jan 8, 2023

Fwiw, the SSG69s from the 1970s into 1990s used 6x scopes, but during the mid-90s some were upgraded to 10x scopes. I’ll be using this scope once I buy an SSg69. I’ll need to acquire the factory 26mm rings as well. Just an fyi option.

TorF · Jan 8, 2023

enichols said:
Here is an aftermarket picatinny rail option for the SSG. I had one on a PIIK and it worked nicely.

https://www.optics-trade.eu/us/mak-steel-picatinny-rail-steyr-ssg-69.html

The same shop has steel rings in 3 different hights in stock. These are good quality:

https://www.optics-trade.eu/int/rusan-roll-off-rings-steyr-ssg-69-30-mm.html

DurangoAl · Jan 8, 2023

TorF said:
The same shop has steel rings in 3 different hights in stock. These are good quality:

https://www.optics-trade.eu/int/rusan-roll-off-rings-steyr-ssg-69-30-mm.html

View attachment 8041823

You think those would hold zero as well as the OEM rings? I can't see why I'd bother with the rail if these would do the trick. Do you have a height recommendation? I wouldn't think I would need bigger than 44 mm scope for elk, mostly within 500 yards, but let me know if you think I should size up to have the flexibility for a 50 mm.

Thanks again for the help!

S12A · Jan 8, 2023

if your scope is the ZF69 scope, the 6X . Don't undersell it if you decide to part with it. They are the clone correct scope for the Parker Hale M82 sniper rifle among others.

MO12 · Jan 9, 2023

Put anything on you want. My buddy has a 25X variable Leupold on his P69, mine has iron sights.
Beware that some types of Steyr mounts for this rifle have to be in the correct position, forward or aft. That might only apply to the rings that mount to the Steyr rail.

This is my rifle with a M1A magazine mocked up .

TorF · Jan 10, 2023

DurangoAl said:
You think those would hold zero as well as the OEM rings? I can't see why I'd bother with the rail if these would do the trick. Do you have a height recommendation? I wouldn't think I would need bigger than 44 mm scope for elk, mostly within 500 yards, but let me know if you think I should size up to have the flexibility for a 50 mm.

Thanks again for the help!

They will hold zero as good as the originals but are a little more hazzle due to lack og qd "handles". (sorry for my bad english..)
Zero the Kahles with your huntingammo first and use it as a backup. Mount the new scope "permanently". If the new scope breaks you have a bomb proof backup.

You need the 19mm rings to mount a 50mm scope.

DurangoAl · Jan 11, 2023

I am definitely taking y'alls advice and keeping the original scope and mounts. Going to wait until I can really get out and put some rounds through the other rifle with the new Leupold 6.5-20 40mm before deciding on a scope for the SSG. I went with the VX3, but I'm thinking I should have gone to the VX5, some of those users say the eye relief / sight picture is better.

I reached out to Dr. Strangelove on the forum about his bottom metal a while ago, no word, anyone know if he's still making those?

Thanks!

sirhrmechanic · Jan 11, 2023

FYI, 400 yards is sort of a chip shot for one of these rifles. So your optics choices are pretty unlimited. A 6x or a 10X is good for longer range hunting. But can be a handicap in close.

If you do want to hunt with your rifle, you should consider options that give you the best chance of a fair and humane kill. And not handicap you in the field. If you are building a range rifle or clone... then 'authenticity' is a fun thing to pursue. And if you are looking to put tiny groups on paper at 1000... same thing. You can pick any optic. But if you are looking to hunt, pick a scope that makes the most of your limited opportunities at game... and ensures a clean harvest!

Congrats on a great rifle and welcome aboard! This area is the best part of SH, IMHO!

Cheers,

Sirhr

DurangoAl · Jan 11, 2023

That's super helpful, thanks. I live in deer/elk country and that's the main priority, as I'd like to start harvesting meat. The main place I will be hunting is a tight little valley where you rarely get more than a 500 yard view, some timber, some open. I was thinking I needed more magnification than I apparently do.

Do you think there's much difference between a 2-10 versus a 3-15 for that purpose?

sirhrmechanic · Jan 11, 2023

DurangoAl said:
That's super helpful, thanks. I live in deer/elk country and that's the main priority, as I'd like to start harvesting meat. The main place I will be hunting is a tight little valley where you rarely get more than a 500 yard view, some timber, some open. I was thinking I needed more magnification than I apparently do.

Do you think there's much difference between a 2-10 versus a 3-15 for that purpose?

There will be no difference between those optics in the field.

There is a Long Range Hunting Thread here... so may find some insights there. But keep in mind that shooting an elk at 500 yards across a valley is one thing. For most of us, not hard at all. The issue is finding it... packing it out... etc. Before it becomes Coyote bait. Game that far away is harder to find than hit.

So something to consider is how to get an optic that will work with you on good harvest ranges.

A 2 - 10 or a 3 - 15 are both scopes that will let you go from 50 yards to more than 1000 if you have good dope. Remember, that at longer ranges, your .308 is going to drop a lot. But both those scopes will give you a ton of flexibility.

Hey, you are asking the right questions. Which is most-appreciated around here!

Cheers,

Sirhr

DurangoAl · Mar 5, 2023

Well, the snow is finally starting to melt here in CO, so I'm heading to the range next week to finally get some more rounds through this SSG (and my new Bergara .17 HMR!).

I have yet to cough up the ~$500 for new bottom metal, mine's all original with no cracking yet. Anybody have a suggestion for how many in/lbs I should set my wrench to for the action screws?

Thanks!

DurangoAl · Mar 11, 2023

DurangoAl said:
Well, the snow is finally starting to melt here in CO, so I'm heading to the range next week to finally get some more rounds through this SSG (and my new Bergara .17 HMR!).

I have yet to cough up the ~$500 for new bottom metal, mine's all original with no cracking yet. Anybody have a suggestion for how many in/lbs I should set my wrench to for the action screws?

Thanks!

...and one more question. I went shooting, my order of .308 match hasn't arrived, was shooting some old PMC 7.62. When there was an expended round in the chamber, the bolt lift is really hard. Any clues as to why that is?

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