Initial impressions of a Remington M24 Sniper Weapon System (SWS) have recently been reported, offering a contemporary perspective on this enduring platform. Adopted by the US Army in 1988, the M24, like the Marine Corps M40 series, is built on a Remington 700 action. However, unlike the hand-built M40s, the M24 was mass-produced by Remington, a key distinction in its service history.
Chambered in 7.62 NATO, effectively .308 Winchester, the M24 uniquely retained a long action, anticipating future upgrades to larger cartridges such as the .300 Winchester Magnum. Its barreled action features a 24-inch stainless steel barrel with a 1:11.25-inch twist, a profile noted to be identical to the M40A3/A5/A6 rifles. The system came issued with a fixed 10X Leupold scope, complemented by a back-up iron sight system, a feature less common on modern sniper rifles.
The rifle feeds from an internal box magazine with a hinged floor plate and is set into a Kevlar/Fiberglass HS Precision stock. This stock, featuring an aluminum bedding block and an adjustable butt plate, is described as similar to varmint stocks prevalent at the time of its design, though McMillian A2/3/5 series-stocks are "widely considered the superior option" in many regards.
During a recent shooting session on a cold, wet day, the rifle, a used example with an unknown round count, was reportedly fed Federal Gold Medal 175 grain factory ammunition. The trigger was noted to be heavy, breaking at just over five pounds. An initial five-round group at 100 yards measured .725 MOA. After accounting for a cold bore shot, the remaining four rounds were observed to group well under .5 MOA. The perceived recoil from the .308 Winchester chambering was described as significant, attributed in part to the thin rubber butt plate and contrasting with advancements in modern rifle designs.
This experience highlighted the M24's inherent simplicity, juxtaposing its late-1980s technology with today's common use of chassis systems, higher magnification optics, and night vision integration. Despite its age, the M24's design choices, particularly its long action, have allowed for extensive modernization. The IDF Modernization program for the M24, for instance, incorporates chassis systems like those from MDT, showcasing the platform's enduring adaptability, even if upgrading specific long-action parts can be challenging. Future discussions are anticipated to delve deeper into its accuracy, load development, and the specifics of the MDT Chassis employed in its modernization.
