Test report: new Rössler Signature Stutzen bolt-action rifle – A modern interpretation of a classic Alpine hunting rifle with an innovative stock design

With the Rössler Signature Stutzen version, the Kufstein-based gun manufacturer RÖWA aims to bridge the gap between modern manufacturing techniques and Alpine stock-making tradition. As a compact variant of the Signature family, "the Stutzen" is consistently designed for hunting in extensive or mountainous terrain. Thanks to the standard muzzle thread and a simple barrel change option, the manufacturer also wants this rifle to fulfil the requirements of a contemporary firearm that can be used universally for all types of European hunting. Before we clarify whether the Austrian family-run company has succeeded in doing all this, let's first take another look at the Signature series and, in particular, the special features of the Stutzen variant. You can also find more information about the rifle in our first presentation of the Rössler Signature on all4hunters.com.

Proven and special features of the Rössler Signature Stutzen

The six-lug bolt has a 60° throw angle and locks directly in the barrel. Three pairs of lugs arranged one behind the other grip the corresponding barrel recesses. RÖWA uses the proven locking system of the Rössler TITAN 6 and,  As with all Signature models, the safety concept of the Stutzen version is also based on a manual cocking system. Although at first glance this is reminiscent of the Mauser M03, it is an in-house development by RÖWA.

The manual cocking lever sits on the rear of the bolt and offers three positions (basic position with activated chamber lock, right-hand position for cocking and a left-hand position for deactivating the chamber lock when loading/unloading). With a little practice, the mechanism can be operated almost silently both when cocking using the thumb lever and when decocking using the push-button and lever – actually a basic hunting requirement to prevent close game from jumping off, but not all cocking or safety systems used in hunting rifles are as well implemented as in the Signature. The Rössler designers have obviously done everything right here. Incidentally, this also applies to the fine trigger on the test gun, which consistently and crisply releases between 850 and 900 g. The trigger also impressed with its very short travel and smooth characteristics.

A single-stack 3-round magazine made of robust stainless steel sheet is responsible for the ammo feeding in the Signature Stutzen. Optional 5-round magazines are also available, although this is likely to spoil the classic appearance of the Stutzen in the eyes of traditionalists.

For the stock of the Stutzen model, the manufacturer has traditionally favoured oil-finished walnut with an Alpine design: hog's back buttstock, Bavarian cheekpiece with double fold, and a non-slip checkering on the contact surfaces of the pistol grip and stock. A special design feature is the stock split at about half the barrel length. The front short stock section is attached directly to the barrel so that even if the stock wood were to warp due to heat or moisture, for example, the barrel can still float freely in order to avoid any negative effects on accuracy.

The Signature Stutzen comes in a rugged RÖWA case made of impact-resistant polymer with a protective foam insert and combination locks for legally secure transport. The case also contains easy-to-understand operating instructions and a sturdy Allen key with T-handle for changing the barrel. Thanks to the pre-mounted, steel Picatinny rail on the action shroud, it is easy to fit an optical sight with corresponding ring mounts. If you do not want to use the factory-fitted steel rail, you can also use the existing 6-48 UNS threaded holes to attach other common mounting bases instead.

Calibers available for the Rössler Signature Stutzen

The standard calibers for the full-stock Stutzen model are the same as the previous Signature series: .308 Winchester, 8×57 IS, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5×55 SE, 7×64, .30-06 Springfield and 9.3×62. Barrel length including muzzle thread measures 51 cm. As RÖWA boss Walter Rössler has already told us, the range of standard calibers in the Rössler Signature series is currently being expanded to include the trendy 7mm PRC. The first 7mm PRC barrels have already been ordered from the German barrel manufacturer Lothar Walter and are expected to be available from February 2026, but can already be pre-ordered from specialist retailers. These barrels have a barrel diameter of 17 mm as standard, an M15x1 muzzle thread and are available in lengths of 560 mm and 610 mm. Anyone wanting a Signature Stutzen in 7mm PRC will be pleased to hear that RÖWA will shorten the new barrels to the "Stutzen length" of 51 cm on request, making them available for the full-stock model as well.

The manufacturer's recommended retail price for the Signature Stutzen rifle is currently €2,885. Left-hand versions are available at no extra charge.

RÖWA Rössler Signature Stutzen technical specifications and price

Accuracy test with the Rössler Signature Stutzen at 100 m

For this test report, RÖWA sent us the Signature stock in .308 Winchester and also supplied the rifle with a Night Pearl Manul M6 2-12x42i scope (MSRP: €899) and an SK156M2 on-barrel silencer from Hausken (MSRP: €366) and a quick-change adapter system consisting of an i-swift Quicklock barrel adapter with M17x1 female thread (MSRP: €51.90) and the matching counterpart (MSRP: €64.90) for the M18x1 thread of the Hausken silencer. After we had placed the scope on the Picatinny rail of the Signature with medium-high 30-mm steel rings and roughly zeroed it, we made our way to the shooting range together with five factory loads to first break in the rifle and then subject it to the obligatory accuracy test on the 100-m course, both with and without the silencer.

Included in the test were the lead-free Hornady 150-gr (9.7 g) ECX, Nosler 168-gr (10.9 g) Expansion Tip, RWS 150-gr HIT Short Rifle and the lead-containing GECO 170-gr (11.0 g) Soft Point ammunition with which the manufacturer had achieved the supplied factory targer group and, as a reference cartridge, the RWS 168-gr Target Elite Plus match ammo known for its high inherent accuracy. To emphasise this right away, there were no feeding, ejection or ignition problems with any of these cartridges during the test – the test rifle coped with all the types mentioned without any problems in this respect. As in previous tests with other guns from the Signature series, there were no complaints about the action. The same applies to the trigger characteristics mentioned above and the manual cocking system, which we also checked for function on the shooting range after a dry firing cycle.

Shooting performance: groups of five shots were fired, initially without a silencer. The RWS Target Elite Plus was used as a pure match cartridge in order to obtain a reference value. This group then had a diameter (center-to-center) of 25 mm. The GECO Softpoint and the Hornady ECX achieved exactly the same value. The RWS HIT Short Rifle with a 41-mm group did not perform quite as well, but was still in the green zone. At 104 mm, the grouping of the Nosler Expansion Tip was no longer inside the infamous beer mat. In the second round with silencer, the RWS Target Elite Plus was left out as a pure match cartridge – it had already fulfilled its duty as a reference cartridge. The Hornady ECX was able to maintain its result of 25 mm and the RWS HIT Short Rifle was only just above this with 28 mm, closely followed by the GECO Softpoint, which delivered a 31-mm group. The Nosler Expansion Tip, with which our Signature Stutzen somehow didn't get on at all in the test, also brought up the rear here; the group opened up even further and was therefore outside of what is acceptable for hunting – but experience has shown that this can also look completely different with another gun.

Test summary of the new Rössler Signature Stutzen

RÖWA has clearly succeeded in bridging the gap between tradition and modern firearms technology. The Rössler Signature Stutzen is a well thought-out, high-quality and precise hunting rifle with practical features for the modern hunter: sturdy finish, modular construction and a stock design that elegantly avoids the typical weak points of classic Stutzen stocks. The price is quite reasonable for the features on offer. All in all, the Rössler Signature Stutzen is a real recommendation for hunters who appreciate accuracy, modularity and traditional hunting rifles with a classic wooden full stock and Alpine flair.

Further information on the new Rössler Signature Stutzen and other models from the manufacturer can also be found on the RÖWA homepage.