Sgt. Gunner
In this overview we’ll cover the M24 SWS, or Sniper Weapon System. The M24 is the United States sniper rifle variant of the Remington 700 rifle. M24 is simply the model name designated to the 700 since 1988. The M24 is also not just a rifle but a weapon system, as it also come with a telescope sight that is easily detachable and other accessories.
The M24 is still in service today, although the last rifles were purchased from Remington back in 2010 and were last updated in 2014. Since then, the military has been updating to the M110 semi-automatic SWS from Knights Armanent. That being said, the M24 remains the primary bolt action SWS in use by the military today.
The M24 SWS is essentially the long action version of the Remington 700. That being said, it is still chambered for the 7.62x51mm NATO (essentially the military version of the .308) even though the 7.62x51mm is usually a short action cartridge. This way, the M24 can also be chambered for longer calibers, such as the .338 Lapua magnum that is also in extensive use. The longer action is also theoretically more reliable and
Originally, the M24 came with the Leupold Ultra M3A 10x42mm scope, which was later replaced by the Leupold Mark IV 10x40mm scope. Each M24 rifle all comes with backup iron sights, which are attached to iron sight bases that ace even screwed into the barrel and the back of the receiver. These iron sights provide the shooter with an alternative sighting option in the event that anything happens to the scope. These iron sights are made by OK Weber, having previously been build by Refield-Palma International, which unfortunately went out of business by 2001.
The barrel of the M24 is built out of 416R stainless steel with a 1:285.75mm twist rate. The rifling has five radial lands and grooves with a RH, or right hand, twist. This design is beneficial because it results in significantly less bullet deformation, in order to ensure greater point of impact when the projectile is fired down the barrel.
It also results in less barrel fouling in comparison to more conventional rifling systems like you see on hunting rifles and therefore necessitates less cleaning. The trade off, of course, is the rifle is significantly more expensive than the standard Remington 700 rifles like are commonly sold to civilians. The barrel is also free floating, which greatly improves accuracy.
The stock to the M24 is called the HS Precision PST-024, It is built out of a polymer foam with reinforced carbon fiber and fiberglass, which improves durability and also reduces weight. It also comes with a fixed cheek piece and adjustable floor plates. The stock is securely held to the action via an aluminum bedding on the inside, which is very durable.
The effective range of the M24 is 875 yards, or 800 meters. That being said shots have commonly been taken out to over 1,100 yards as well. Take note that these are record shots, and the 875 yard limit is considered acceptable for military uses. Snipers and designated marksmen who train with the M24 are required to make three accurate shots with the M24 in under a minute.
Remington M24 rifles are available for sale for American civilians, but take note that they cost a lot more money than standard Remington 700 rifles. Whereas the Remington 700 may cost you around $600 to $800 on average, the M24 will cost you between $2,000 to $3,000 depending on the price that you can find.
Of course, the M24 is built to be more rugged, lightweight, and accurate than standard 700 rifles with military features, so it’s perfectly understandable as to why they are sold at a much higher price.
As you see in the image below, the complete M24 SWS comes with numerous components: the rifle itself, a Leupold scope, spotting scope, and two sets of bipods.
All in all, the M24 is a solid sniper rifle and has proven itself out on the battlefields time and time again. It would be a great rifle to use for hunting, competition use, or long distance shooting, but keep in mind that drastically less expensive rifles can also be used for the same purposes as well.
