The Remington M24 Sniper Weapon System (SWS), a fixture in US Army service since 1988, has long been a benchmark in military precision rifles. While the Marine Corps' M40 series relied on hand-built craftsmanship from Quantico, the M24 was mass-produced by Remington, yet shares its foundation in the robust Remington 700 action. According to a recent initial review from rifleshooter.com, the M24 notably utilizes a long action, despite being chambered in 7.62 NATO (effectively .308 Winchester), a cartridge typically associated with short actions. This design choice, the author notes, strategically positioned the M24 for future caliber upgrades, such as to .300 Winchester Magnum.
Key specifications of the M24 SWS include a 24-inch stainless steel barrel with a 1:11.25-inch twist rate, a profile identical to the M40A3/A5/A6 series, though those barrels are 25 inches. Uniquely, for its era, the M24 was issued with a fixed 10X Leupold scope alongside a backup iron sight system, whose mounting points are present on the barrel and receiver. The rifle feeds from an internal box magazine, accessible via a hinged floor plate. It is bedded into a Kevlar/Fiberglass HS Precision stock featuring an aluminum bedding block and an adjustable butt plate, a design which, while reminiscent of contemporary varmint stocks, provided sufficient ergonomics for most applications.
Taking a used M24 to the range on a cold, wet Northeast autumn day, the rifleshooter.com contributor utilized factory Federal Gold Medal 175 grain ammunition. Despite a trigger pull measured at over five pounds, the rifle delivered a five-round group of .725 MOA at 100 yards. The first shot, identified as a cold bore, landed low, with the subsequent four rounds tightening to under .5 MOA. The author noted a surprisingly high perceived recoil for a .308, attributing this to the M24’s design predating many modern recoil mitigation advancements.
Reflecting on the M24, the assessment underscored its enduring simplicity and the stark contrast between late-1980s long-range technology and today's chassis systems, high-magnification optics, and night vision integration. Upgrading the M24, particularly on its long action, presents unique challenges requiring specialized parts. However, military procurement, especially from entities like the US Army and foreign users, has historically driven innovation, leading to modernization programs such as the IDF's M24 upgrade, which incorporates an MDT Chassis. The article concludes with anticipation for future reviews covering accuracy, load development, and a closer look at these modernization efforts, underscoring the M24's significant legacy in precision shooting history, as first reported by rifleshooter.com.
