The Remington M24 Sniper Weapon System (SWS), a rifle steeped in military history since its adoption by the US Army in 1988, recently received an initial assessment from a civilian precision shooter. This early look offers insights into the M24's foundational design and its perceived performance in modern hands, distinct from a military context.
Built upon a Remington 700 long action, the M24 was designed with future caliber upgrades in mind, notably to rounds such as the .300 Winchester Magnum, despite being initially chambered for 7.62 NATO (effectively .308 Winchester). This contrasts with the Marine Corps M40 series, which also utilizes a Remington 700 action but was traditionally hand-built by military armorers. The M24, by comparison, was mass-produced by Remington.
The M24 comes equipped with a 24-inch stainless steel barrel featuring a 1:11.25-inch twist rate. Its profile is reportedly identical to those found on the M40A3/A5/A6 rifles, though the M40 series typically employs 25-inch barrels. Unique among many contemporary precision rifles, the M24 was issued with a fixed 10X Leupold scope and a backup iron sight system, though the latter was not installed for this initial review.
The rifle feeds from an internal box magazine, accessible via a hinged floor plate. Its barreled action is bedded into a Kevlar/Fiberglass HS Precision stock, which incorporates an aluminum bedding block and an adjustable butt plate. While this stock design was prevalent at the time, and similar to many varmint stocks, the reviewer noted that McMillan A2/A3/A5 series stocks are often regarded as ergonomically superior options in today's landscape. Nonetheless, the M24's issued stock was deemed sufficient for most shooters and applications.
The initial assessment was conducted with a used M24 of unknown round count, bearing the marks of prior use and several repaintings, lending it a character reminiscent of a well-used service rifle. During a cold, wet autumn day at the range, the reviewer detailed an experience that evoked memories of earlier Remington 700 Police models. The rifle's fit was noted as good, requiring no length of pull adjustment, and its zero was close to previous settings, according to the rifle's former owner.
Firing Federal Gold Medal 175-grain factory ammunition, the reviewer reported a five-round group measuring .725 MOA at 100 yards. It was noted that a cold bore shot contributed to a wider dispersion for the first round, with the subsequent four rounds grouping significantly tighter, under .5 MOA. The M24's trigger was observed to break at just over five pounds. The reviewer also commented on the rifle's perceived recoil, noting it felt more pronounced than many modern .308 Winchester precision rifles, which was attributed to advancements in firearms technology over the decades.
The M24's design was described as possessing an elegance of simplicity, providing everything necessary in a precision rifle without unnecessary complexity. This straightforward approach led the reviewer to reflect on the significant technological evolution in long-range shooting since the late 1980s, particularly the prevalence of modern chassis systems, higher magnification optics, and night vision integration. The rifle's enduring legacy and the countless stories of its service were also acknowledged as profoundly humbling.
Upgrading an M24 can be challenging due to its long action requiring specialized parts, unlike the more common short-action Remington 700 parts. However, the consistent demand from military users, including foreign militaries, has driven innovation in M24 upgrade paths, with the IDF Modernization program cited as a notable example. The reviewer expressed an intention to follow up this initial assessment with further analyses, including detailed accuracy testing, load development insights, and a closer look at the MDT chassis utilized in the IDF Modernization program for the M24.
