Mauser 18 LR Chassis: a brand new German bolt-action precision rifle!
Brand new from Mauser for 2021, the 18 LR Chassis bolt-action rifle is the precision shooting version of the Mauser 18 hunting rifle, built on an MDT Oryx aluminum alloy chassis and available in four popular long-range shooting calibers
Mauser introduces the 18 LR Chassis bolt-action precision rifle, built on an MDT Oryx chassis and available in four calibers!
First announced in late 2020 and now finally available on the commercial markets, the Mauser 18 LR Chassis bolt-action rifle is Mauser's answer to the increasing public request for bolt-action high-accuracy rifles that are modern in design, highly portable, reliable, and offering viable levels of performance for long-range shooting sports – particularly PRS (Precision Rifle Series) shooting competitions.
To meet such demand, Mauser mated the action and receiver of the popular Mauser 18 line of bolt-action hunting rifles with a Canadian-made MDT Oryx chassis – a single-piece machined lightweight aluminum alloy stock system with some polymer components that enjoys significant popularity among gunsmiths and PRS shooters in north America due to its light weight, ease of installation, and modularity.
The Mauser 18 LR Chassis features the same three-locking lugs bolt and action of the Mauser 18 line of hunting rifles, hosted in a solid blued steel receiver which also sports a top MIL-STD 1913 Picatinny rail for optics.
Mauser 18 LR Chassis bolt-action rifle – right side
The rifle feeds through the same proprietary polymer magazine used by all the Mauser 18 hunting rifles as well as by the Sauer 100, Sauer 101 and Mauser M12 series rifles. The magazines offer a capacity of five rounds in all available calibers: 7.62x51mm / .308 Winchester, .243 Winchester, 6.5 Creedmoor, and 6XC..
Mauser 18 LR Chassis bolt-action rifle – left side
The 65 cm / 24" cold-hammer forged, blued barrel features a 22 mm diameter at the muzzle and a M18x1 (European pattern) muzzle thread under a removable thread protector, allowing the installation of accessory muzzle devices such as flash hiders, muzzle brakes, or silencers where legally available.
The MDT Oryx chassis leaves the barrel completely free to float, further improving the already excellent inherent accuracy of the Mauser 18 system.
The controls configuration of the Mauser 18 LR Chassis bolt-action rifle is extremely simple: accompanying the standard trigger is a paddle-style magazine release catch located in front of the magazine well, and a three-position safety switch is located just behind the cocking handle – with the central position blocking the trigger while allowing the bolt to be manually cycled to clear the chamber in complete safety.
A simple bolt removal block lever is located on the left side of the receiver. The cocking handle features a sturdy, well-sized rubberized conic-shaped bolt knob.
The MDT Oryx chassis comes from factory with a vertical pistol grip that can easily be replaced with any aftermarket, AR-15 compatible grip. The fixed buttstock features a fully adjustable cheek riser and a bottom Picatinny rail for an optional trail spade; length of pull can be adjusted via the use of a set of synthetic stock spacers.
Both the stock and the handguard stand out over the hard anodized black finish of the rest of the chassis with their olive drab green color; the handguard is ribbed on both sides for a firm grip in all conditions. A set of QD sling swivel cups is located on both sides, in front of the handguard and on the buttstock. A bottom M-LOK interface on the handguard allows the installation of a Picatinny rail portion for bipods.
The Mauser 18 LR Chassis bolt-action rifle is 110 cm / 43.3" long, weighs in at 4,5 kg / 9.92 lbs when empty, and is already available on the civilian market in native Germany at a retail price of approximately 2300 Euro (approx. $2,700.00).
Distribution hasn't started in the rest of Europe and in north America yet, but has already been announced; it shouldn't take long before the glorious Mauser brand – already a household name among historic rifle connoisseurs and among the most demanding and avid hunters – becomes popular within the long-range competition shooting community with a factory option that can take highly regarded custom rifles head-on at the range.