I got to have a short play with my new Steyr Pro Hunter last night (busy busy) and I'm loving it! The big issue of stock forend flex is there, but other than the forend, this rifle is very well built.
It's very light in my hands, and feels very well balanced. It feels quite right when brought up to my cheek, I don't have to adjust my position to look down the top of the barrel. The barrel has an ugly but unique external twist along its entire length. I hope it grows on me
The bore is immaculate as you'd expect from a factory new rifle. The action looks very well manufactured and fits very nicely into the stock.
It was a bit difficult figuring out how to assemble the bolt as I had it apart immediately after unwrapping it lol. But once I figured out the orientation of the shroud to the bolt it was smooth as butter. As new the bolt is quite stiff to lock the lugs, I guess with time it will smooth up. I may oil it and just sit and work it for a while to see if it changes at all. The bolt handle is different to what I'm used to, as all my rifles ave the round bolt handle that pivots quite nicely around the webbing of my hand when working it with the wrist only. It will definitely take some time to get used to having my thumb on top, effectively forcing my elbow to do the work. We'll see, I may end up making up a new handle...
Now I just want to emphasize the quality of the machining of this rifle. Here's a close up of the bolt, check out the lugs, not a single burr can be felt anywhere on the corners or edges. All the chamfering is even with a nice finish. In my personal experience, I have handled a new marlin lever action .44 of my brother in-law's, and the first thing I noticed was burrs and machine marks in the bolt (not badgering marlins though). Not so with this rifle.
Even though the stock has the flex issue, I'm extremely happy to own one of these steyr pro hunters. A great price for one of these at the moment I think.
I'm no professional shooter, and this is just my humble opinion at first sight. I will take it out to the range to fire it in 3 weeks time and let you know how it goes