Mauser M18 LR Chassis

The new M18 long range chassis rifle from Mauser is an interesting change from this classic sporting rifle maker with a long-standing reputation. This 6.5 Creedmoor example has its heart set on the latest market trends of both dedicated longer-range shooting and somewhat towards PRS type competition. I was excited to get my hands on an early example.

When the M18 first arrived three years ago, I was impressed by the functional simplicity and excellent ergonomics of the action. Mauser has taken the simple steps of adding a heavier barrel, screw-cutting it for a moderator or brake, and slotting everything into a well-known MDT Oryx stock. They have also paired the three-lug, push feed bolt action with their own twin column, now longer, 10-round polymer magazine that has performed so well across the Mauser and Sauer ranges in shorter 5-shot format. Initial inspection when unboxing seemed quite positive and although I was waiting for a ‘but’ moment, nothing popped up to disappoint me!

Why change what already works?

The 22mm diameter, cold hammer forged, parallel profile barrel is 24” long with just a slight swell into the chamber reinforce. The threads and crown are impeccably finished with a supplied thread protector and Mauser offer a brake as an accessory, with a mirage band stud too. A polished finish contrasts with the matt black action under its 20 MOA Picatinny rail overhanging the barrel, ideal for large scopes, secured by four T10 Torx screws.

The receiver is 34.8mm in diameter, offering a recoil lug slot underneath, which is matched to the chassis inlet that shows a V-Block type bedding system. Twin studs on the action’s underside slot through the stock and are then secured with Allen nuts. There was zero action stress when tightened down.

No obvious adjustment is advertised on the trigger, which shows a curved blade with a single-stage break of 715-grams. Closer inspection shows an Allen key socket for weight adjustment, but I left it alone because no advertised range is suggested on the website and I found it crisp and consistent to shoot already. Another screw behind the blade adjusts sear engagement but this was threadlocked, which seems a common pointer to not tinkering. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!

Minimal disruption

An 80mm handle on the bolt, with a 20mm teardrop tip, stands out laterally from the receiver. It operates with a 60° lift to cock before cycling the action. This long handle allows the flick of the back of the fingers to open the action with ease, no heavy lift, plenty of primary extraction and when withdrawn along its 114mm stroke, flings the empties out with ease. The 20mm diameter bolt shows just one raceway interacting with the left side release catch, which also dictates full travel length and prevents rotation. A key design factor in the Mauser’s bolt speed and slick operation. Ejection is via a sprung plunger on the left of the bolt face with an extractor claw to the right.

The 3-position safety catch on the right-hand side locks the bolt when fully rearward, with bolt operation on safe in the centre and forwards for fire. The short catch is operable silently and nestles in close to the stock to prevent snagging on sleeves.

The action sports just a discreet Mauser logo, which I like. It’s very understated with a name that breathes old-world reputation on a very modern styling project. I liked the recessed magazine release catch on a unit that is guided smoothly in position without snagging and performs effortlessly, without cartridge or bullet damage, regardless of bolt operation speed.

Perfect pairing

The MDT Oryx chassis is a modular, functional aluminium build and it has been customised for the M18 with features like engraved markings for the safety catch. The stiff forend is 320mm long and fully free-floats the barrel. It includes an M-LOK underside rail for accessories as well as a conventional stud for a sling or Harristype bipod. Twin quick release sling anchor points sit on either side of the tip and light green/buff polymer inserts are used for a warmer feel, there’s a barricade stop ahead of the magazine well too. At 32mm tall and 44mm wide, the forend should slot through most competition barricades.

The magazine well shows a single release catch recessed in front, so there is no chance of it catching on support structures. There is plenty of space in the trigger guard for gloved fingertips and it shows 45° chamfered rear edges to avoid snagging. Reach to trigger blade from the throat of the raked, interchangeable, ambidextrous, firm rubber AR-15 type grip is 70mm.

There is a 40mm wide adjustable comb with a slotted nose for bolt operation on top of the stock extension beam, no sloppy buffer tubes here. There’s 30mm of vertical travel with twin columns using circular 19mm clamping screws that can be swapped to either side. The cheekpiece needs complete removal from the stock to remove the bolt and there are no position markers, so you might want to add your own.

Foundation stability

An 80mm long bag rider extends below the stock for fine elevation control, its polymer skin is slotted for grip as a butt hook and shows a short length of Picatinny rail for a monopod. Further bilateral QR stud anchor points are machined into the stock, with a third fixed, screw-in stud that can be swapped to either side.

The butt pad is flat with just slight ribbing for grip, no unnecessary sponginess for recoil absorption and a great feel under pressure when loading against the bipod’s feet. It’s 36mm wide and 127mm tall, with radiused edges to avoid fouling on clothing or digging into your shoulder from intentionally compromised shooting positions that are dictated upon you in competition. Length of pull spacers can be added and although not as fancy as those chassis systems with adjustability, goes the alternate route of well-designed core functionality.

I really liked the Oryx’s looks and found it well suited, as advertised, to long range shooting. From the bench and prone, the Mauser handles with notable stability. Recoil was minimal, especially with a moderator fitted, with good cheek weld behind the scope to maintain parallax-free aim and sight of the bullet in flight, all the way to target. Spotting shot impacts with little recoil disturbance was simple and the bolt operation, although slightly longer in stroke length than required for a short action cartridge, was fluid without undue aimpoint disruption.

Single rounds dropped into the ejection port would chamber without meplat damage and additional rounds could also be clipped down into the mag without having to take it out. If removed and re-inserted, the sprung front latch was quiet and secure. Trigger pulls were consistent at about 98% crisp, with a well-specified overtravel of 3mm at the blade’s tip. Mud everywhere in early spring proved the rifle was easy to wipe clean and it demonstrated resistance to corrosion.

Performance

Preliminary performance on paper was sub MOA using factory ammo, but I felt I was losing out to odd flyers spoiling the groups. After almost 300 rounds through the rifle, it bedded in and gained more consistency, with fewer flyers thrown. After a rare delve into handloads, to simulate a long-term user, they showed some sublime performance. This rifle wants to go to long range and I used most of my supplies on steel gongs as far out as 850m, where, given the choice of rifles at my disposal, I never felt undergunned or to be ‘working’. I enjoyed shooting the M18.

During the test, I shot other improvised seated and standing positions, with and without rest or bags, to get a feel for more dynamic PRS type use. I liked the heavy barrel’s mass stability and the defined barricade stop, allowing reassuring lean into the gun where appropriate. It was consistent for point of aim during 20 shot strings and Blaser group hammer forged barrels are usually trustworthy. The flat forend underside, solid barricade stop and long bolt handle all contributed to enabling action cycling at speed, without positional disruption. A 60° lift might need more force versus a 90° lift, but with the handle standing out clearly from the chassis, it offers sublime access at speed with any style, from fingertips to a full fist grab on the handle. I will give the M18’s bolt the rare compliment of being quite literally outstanding.

Conclusion

It’s often apparent when a manufacturer changes tack that they don’t quite understand the intended goal. I’m very impressed with the handling and overall package Mauser has offered in the M18 Long Range. They have built a whole new concept around a fundamentally sound action and magazine layout that was already one of my favourites, regardless of price.