Steyr Rifle question

[dwenslen]

I just purchased a used Steyr MIII Professional in 270. I am having trouble finding any info on this rifle-I know it was imported through GSI, so I'd guess it was late 90's or later...I realize the rifle is discontinued, but am wondering if it was due to a problem with the rifle or ???
any idea what this model was replaced with? closest thing I can find is the ProHunter model.
any info on this rifle would be appreciated. hope i didn't jump to quick at buying it (I am new to rifles)
cheers,
Derek

 

[B27]

I always thought the Professional was just an SBS Pro Hunter with a different stock but maybe I'm wrong.
Does your rifle's action look like this?-



It's an SBS HBC Tactical.

 

[Kestrel]

The Professional was prior to the Pro Hunter and was a different design. I had one in .30-06, with a Kahles 8x56 scope. It had a green synthetic stock and parkerized finish. The barrel had the Steyr swirl around the exterior. Imported by GSI.

The action was as smooth as butter. Mine had the single trigger. Quiet safety. Some had double set triggers. They use to be advertised as 1-inch shooters. Very accurate. I don't know, as I didn't have mine long. Sold it. This was about 15 years ago. I don't see many of them.

I wasn't crazy about the stock. It was loud and hollow sounding. Seemed a bit cheap for a relatively expensive rifle at the time.

Personally, I liked the design better than the current Steyrs. I don't know why they went away.

Steve