Accuracy International L96A1 / Arctic Warfare sniper rifle (UK)

British Army L96A1 sniper rifle

Accuracy International Arctic Warfare (AI AW 7,62) 7.62x51 sniper rifle

Accuracy International Arctic Warfare Folding (AI AWF 7,62) 7.62x51 sniper rifle, with buttstock folded

Accuracy International Arctic Warfare Magnum Folding (AI AWM F 300WM) .300 Winchester Magnum / 7.62x63 sniper rifle

Accuracy International Arctic Warfare Police (AI AWP 7,62) 7.62x51 sniper rifle photo: Zack Smith Caliber: L96, AW, AW Police, AW Folding: 7.62x51mm NATO (.308 win); Super Magnum: .338 Lapua (8.60x70mm), .300 Win Mag, 7mm Rem Mag Operation: Bolt Action Length: 1270mm Barrel lenght: 686mm (.338 Lapua), 660mm (.300 and 7mm) Weight: 6.8kg empty without telescope Magazine Capacity: 5 round box magazine Maximum Effective Range: ca. 800 meters for 7.62mm NATO variants, 1100+ meters for Magnum variants In early 1980's British Army started the search for the replacement of the aging L42 Enfield sniper rifles. Main compettitors were british companies Parker-Hale with their Model 82 bolt action rifle, and Accuracy International, with their PM rifle. Eventually, PM rifle won the competition and was accepted by British Army under the designation of L96. One of the most notorious features of the PM rifle was design of the stock. Instead of the solid polymer or wooden stock, PM / L96 rifle used hollow polymer stock, made from two halves and assembled around aluminium bedding block, that extends through entire stock lenght. L96 also was equipped with backup iron sights. In mid-1980s Swedish armed forces began their own quest for the new sniper rifle, which could survive cold and harsh nordic environments. The AI again become the winner in this race with improved L96 design, named "Arctic Warfare". In 1988 Swedish forces adopted AW rifle in 7.62mm NATO chambering under the designation of PSG 90. British Army, in its turn, also adopted this improved design under the designation of L96A1, as well as many other militaries and Law Enforcement agencies around the world. In 1998, the Bundeswehr (Germany Army) also adopted the AW Super Magnum rifle chambered in .300 Winchester magnum (German caliber designation is 7.62x67mm) as Scharfschutzengewehre (sniper rifle - german) G22. Built by Accuracy International of Portsmuth, England, this line of rifles is among the best in the World of sniper rifles today. This rifle can shot less than 2" (51mm) groups at the distances of 600 yards (550m), using boat-tail match ammunition. Arctic Warfare is a line of 5 rifles. Original Arctc Warfare was designed for the British military. It gained its designation by special anti-icing features, allowing sniping operations to be carried out under Arctic

conditions as low as -40C (-104F)! Other models are Police (AWP), Suppressed (AWS), Folding (AWF) and Super Magnum (AW SM). Three first rifles designed for 7.62mm NATO ammunition, while Super Magnum can be chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum, .300 Winchester Magnum and 7mm Remington Magnum. AW has a 26" (660mm) barrel, AWP has 24" (609mm). AW SM barrels available in lentths from 24" (609mm) to 27" (686mm). The standart scopes supplied by Accuracy International are Smidt&Bender 3-12X variable or the Leupold Mark 4 fixed 10X scope.

Dragunov SVD Sniper Rifle (USSR/Russia)

Original SVD rifle with wooden furniture, right side

Original SVD rifle with wooden furniture, left side

SVD rifle, major parts and assemblies

SVD-S rifle with folding butt and polymer furniture

Russian-made hunting version of the SVD, the 7,62x54R Tigr (Tiger) rifle with new-style plastic SVD furniture. Note that there's no bayonet lug on the barrel

Foreign SVD clones and look-alikes: top to bottom Al Kadesih rifle (Iraq), Type 85 rifle (China) and FPK rifle (Romania). Note that only two former rifles are true clones of SVD; the latter one, FPK in fact is a modified Kalashnikov AK rifle restyled to look like SVD and chambered for 7,62x54R. Caliber: 7.62x54R Operation: gas operated, short stroke, rotating bolt; semi-automatic Weight: 4.31kg empty with telescope Length: 1225 mm Barrel Length: 620 mm Capacity: 10 round detachable box magazine Dragunov SVD was designed not as a "standard" sniper rifle in its Western meaning of the term. In fact, main role of the SVD in Soviet / Russian Army is to extend effective range of fire of every infantry squad up to about 600

meters and to provide special fire support. SVD is a lightweight and quite accurate (for it's class) rifle, cabable of semi-auto fire. First request for new sniper rifle was issued in 1958. In 1963 SVD (Snaiperskaya Vintovka Dragunova, or Dragunov Sniper Rifle) was accepted by Soviet Military. SVD can use any kind of standard 7.62x54R ammo, but primary round is specially developed for SVD sniper-grade cartridge with steel-core bullet. Every infantry squad in the Russian (Soviet) army had one man with SVD. SVD rifle is extremely reliable in all conditions, and designed for heavy use. It has backup adjustable iron sights as a standard option, as well as a bayonet mount (standard AK-47 bayonet type). Latest modernization incorporate rugged polymer stock. Also, for mounted and airborne troops a special variant was developed with folding buttsock and shortened barrel (590 mm). New flash hider/muzzle brake also installed. It must be noted that several countries produced SVD copies or look-alikes. Of those, the "true" clones (rifles that have similar internal design) are Iraqui Al Kadesih rifle and Chinese Type 85 (in 7,62x54R) and NDM-86 (in 7,62x51 NATO). Others, such as Romanian Romak FPK or Yugoslavian Zastava M76, are only look-alikes as their internal design is different and usually based on Kalsshnikov AK assault rifle. Russia also produces a civilan version of the SVD, known as "Tigr" (Tiger), in 7,62x54R and 7,62x51 (.308 Win). This usually has shorter barrel, although it is available in several different versions. Older hunting version of the SVD, the "Medved" (Bear) is no longer produced and is quite scarce. Dragunov SVD is gas-operated, semi-automatic rifle. It uses short-stroke gas piston, and gas chamber has a twoposition manual gas regulator. Barrel is locked by rotating bolt with three lugs. Receiver is machined from steel block. The safety is somewhat reminiscent in its appearance to that of Kalashnikov AK assault rifle, although internal design of the trigger unit is different, and there's no provisions for full automatic fire. Trigger unit is assembled on a separate removable base that also incorporates a trigger guard. The second, smaller lever, located on the right side of receiver behind the safety, is a receiver cover catch, and is sued to disassemble the gun. Standard furniture includes a skeletonized wooden butt and a removable wooden handguard. Late production models may feature polymer handguards and, sometimes, polymer skeletonized butt. The short SVDS rifle is fitted with separate pistol grip, made of plastic, and a side-folding metallic butt. All SVD rifles are fitted with adjustable open sights, as well as proprietary side rail mount, which will accept telescopic or IR sights on quick-detachable mounts. Standard telescope sight is the 4X fixed magnification PSO-1 with range-finding reticle. SVD rifles also are issued with carrying sling, cleaning kit and other accessories. A standard AK-type bayonet can be installed on the barrel. __________________________________________________________________________________________ SIG STR970 & SHR970 (Switzerland)

SIG STR 970 Tactical Rifle

SIG SHR 970 Tactical Rifle

Data: SIG LTR 970 Caliber(s): 7.62mm NATO (.308Win) ant .300 Win magnum Operation: Bolt action, rotating bolt Barrel: 609 mm Weight: 4.43 kg empty without scope Length: 1143 mm Feed Mechanism: 4 (.308 win) or 3 (.300 win mag) rounds detachable box mag. Both STR and SHR 970 models are based on SHR (Swiss Hunting Rifle) actions and manufactured by SIGarms, Switzerland. The SHR model is marketed as "Lightweight Tacticla Rifle", while STR is addresed as "Long range Tactical Rifle". The STR model, has McMillan stock, while SHR model has (unknown) stock. Both stocks made from polymer. SIG 970 action is designed with quick interchangeable barrels/calibers, with bolt locking directly into barrel. The barrel itself has heavy contours and id fluted to reduce weight and improve heat dissipation. Both .308 and . 300 win mag barrels has integral muzzle brakes. Rifle has 3 positions safety mechanism ("Fire", "Safe, Bolt locked", "Safe, Bolt unlocked"). Cocking indicator is located on the rear of the bolt. Receiver is drilled and taped to accept scope mounts. Exact accuracy is unknown, but one could expect it to be 1MOA or less with proper ammunition.

Sig 550 sniper (Switzerland)

Caliber: 5.56mm NATO (.223 Rem) Action: Gas, semi-auto Barrel lenght: 650 mm Weight: 7,02 kg loaded with scope Lenght: 1130 mm Magazine: 5, 20 or 30 rounds detachable box. SIG 550 Sniper is a "sniperized" variand of the famous Sig 550/Stg.90 assault rifle, manufactured by SAN Swiss Arms (former Sig Arms, now - a member of the SIGARMS group). 550 Sniper is a good short to medium military marksman rifle or police/antiterror rifle, capable of quick and accurate follow-up shots. __________________________________________________________________________________________ PGM Ultima Ratio 'Intervention' (France)

Ultima Ratio 'Intervention' rifle

Ultima Ratio 'Commando II' rifle (with folding stock) Caliber(s): 7.62mm NATO (.308Win) Operation: bolt action Barrel lenght: 600 mm (470 mm for 'Commando' versions) Weight: 6 kg (5 kg for 'Commando') Length: 1120 mm (1020 mm / 740 mm for 'Commando II' with retracted / folded butt) Feed Mechanism: 10 rounds detachable box mag. Ultima Ratio rifles are made by PGM Precision company in France. Some UR 'Intervention' and 'Commando' (shortened variants) of these rifles are known to be adopted by French Military as a replacement for FR F1 and FR F2. UR rifles utilise 'metallic skeleton' design with solid machined receiver and free floating precision made barrel, fitted with huge muzzle brake/compensator. Bolt locks into receiver with three forward-located lugs, and has overpressure vents to secure the shooter from powder gases in the case of the cartridge case rupture. Barrels are quickly detachable/intergangeable, and may be fitted with silencer to be used with subsonic ammunition. UR rifles feature ajustable stock (also with folding buttstock in Commando II version), with folding bipod and retractable rear leg. The UR series rifles are known as a top-quality performers. As an interesting point, these rifles are marketed in the USA by FN Manufacturing, and withouth any mentions of PGM Precision. probably, FN Herstal simply bought PGM to extent its product range (but it's my own speculation, nothing more!).

PGM Ultima Ratio 'Hecate II' (France)

Ultima Ratio 'Hecate II' rifle Caliber(s): .50BMG (12.7x99 mm) Operation: bolt action Barrel lenght: 700 mm Weight: 13.8 kg Length: 1380 mm Feed Mechanism: 7 rounds detachable box mag. Ultima Ratio rifles are made by PGM Precision company in France. Hecate II is the largest of the whole UR family rifles. Hecate II rifle utilise 'metallic skeleton' design similar to other UR rifles (scaled up, of cause) with solid machined receiver and free floating precision made fluted barrel, fitted with huge muzzle brake/compensator. Bolt locks into receiver with three forward-located lugs, and has overpressure vents to secure the shooter from powder gases in the case of the cartridge case rupture. Hecate II rifles feature ajustable stock, with folding bipod and retractable rear leg.

Falcon (Czhech Respublic)

OP 96 Caliber(s) Operation bolt action

OP 99 bolt action

.50BMG (12.7x99mm) 12.7x108 mm

Barrel Lenght Weight Length

927 mm 13.4 kg 1380 mm

839 mm 12.9 kg 1260 mm 2 rounds built-in

Feed Mechanism 2 rounds built-in

The Falcon rifle is manufactured by ZVI in Czech Respublic. The rifle is manufactured in two variants - OP 96 for NATO-standart .50BMG cartridge, and OP 99 for ex-Esatern block standart Russian 12.7x108mm cartridge. Falcon is made in bull-pup configuration. It has mauser-type, three lugs bolt. Built-in 2 round magazine may be blocked by special cover to convert rifle to single-shot mode. Falcon has mounts for various telescopic sights, as well as back-up iron sights. To reduce felt recoil, Falcon is equipped with muzzle brake and spring-powered recoil pad in buttstock. _________________________________________________________________________________________ JS 7.62mm sniper rifle (PR China)

Caliber(s): 7.62x54R Operation: bolt action Barrel: 600 mm / 23.6" Weight: 5.5 kg / 12.1 lbs Length: 1030 mm / 40.5" Feed Mechanism: 5 rounds detachable box magazine The 7.62mm JS sniper rifle was developed in China by Jianshe Group, possibly for export sales, and is currently in limited use by Bangladesh military and Indian police special forces. Exact accuracy for this rifle is unknown, but manufacturer quotes maximum practical range for this weapon as 800 meters. The 7.62mm JS sniper rifle is manually operated weapon with conventional rotary bolt action. Bolt has dual radial locking lugs at the front. Heavy fluted barrel is free-floated and fitted with massive muzzle brake. Rifle is fitted with fixed buttstock with adjustable cheek rest and recoil pad; folding adjustable bipod is attached at the front of the ribbed, beavertail-shaped forend. Feed is from detachable box magazines, holding 5 rounds of 7.62x54R ammunition. Rifle has no open (iron) sights by default; instead, a Picatinny-type rail on the top of receiver is provided for installation of the telescopic or night sights. __________________________________________________________________________________________ PGM Mini-Hecate .338 (France)

PGM Mini-Hecate .338 Lapua (shown with US Optics X1.7-22 variable MilSpec scope)

PGM Mini-Hecate .338 - view on the receiver

PGM Mini-Hecate .338 - view on the bolt and feed

PGM Mini-Hecate .338 - view on the folding butt with rear folding support Caliber(s): .338 lapua Magnum (8.6x70 mm) Operation: rotating bolt action, manually operated Barrel: 700 mm Weight: 6.6 kg w/o scope Length: 1290 mm (1010 mm with folded butt) Feed Mechanism: 10 rounds detachable box mag. The PGM Mini-Hecate rifle is intended for long range anti-personell sniping work, and fills the gap between the 7.62mm (.308) sniper rifles and heavy and large .50 BMG rifles. This rifle was designed by the Chris Movigliatti of the ASMP company (Swiss) and is made by the PGM Precision of France. Rifle is sold worldwide through the famous Belgian company FN Herstal and its subsidiaries. Mini-Hecate .338 features a modern design with metallic "skeleton" on which all components are mounted. The receiver is made from high grade aluminium alloy, the steel bolt has three lugs that lock into the barrel extension. Barrel is made by Lothar Walther, cold hammer forged and externally fluted to save the weight and improve heat dissipation. Barrel equipped with high efficiency muzzle brake. Furniture (pistol grip and forearm) is made from polymer and is mounted to the frame. The buttstock is made from metall and has a recol pad. Buttstock is ajustable for lenght of pull and height, and can be folded to the left side of the gun. Special ajustable folding support ("third leg") is provided under the buttstock to help to maintain rifle in stable position for longer periods of time. Mini-Hecate is intended for sniper work at the distances from about 500 to 1200 meters. At the shorter distances the .338 Lapua is too powerful, and unless you need a deep penetration, the Mini Hecate wold be an overklill choice. At the distances beyond 1200 meters the standard .338 Lapua bullet will become subsonic and accuracy and effectivness will be decreased. But within its envelope this rifle can show accuracy of about 0.5 MOA, which is quite good. Of cause, this requires sniper-grade ammunition and highly trained operator. Anyway, the PGM . 338 Mini-Hecate is a first class sniper rifle, and there's a rumour that Swiss Army is looking for purchasing some PGM .338's.

Barrett Model M99 and M99-1 (USA)

Barrett M99 rifle image from Barrett Firearms website - www.barrettrifles.com

Barrett M99-1 rifle image from Barrett Firearms website - www.barrettrifles.com Buy Barrett rifles at Impact Guns online store Caliber Operation Overall Length Barrel Length Feed Weight Expected accuracy The Barrett Model 99 "Big Shot" rifle was first introduced in 1999 and is a latest development of the Barrett Firearms Co (USA), known worldwide by its earlier .50 caliber rifles - semi-automatic M82A1 and bolt-action M95. The M99 is positioned on the market as a inexpensive yet extremely accurate .50 caliber sniper / special 11.36 kg M99 .50 BMG (12.7x99mm) manually operated, rotating bolt action 1280 mm 838 mm (33") single shot 9.53 kg 1179 mm 737 mm (29") M99-1

1 MOA or better with match grade ammunition

applications rifle. The M99 is available in two basically similar modifications, M99 and M99-1, latter being fitted with shorter barrel. M99 is intended as a long range target or sniper rifle for applications where rate of fire is of less value than the accuracy. M99-1 is better suited for urban operations (like counter-sniper operations or explosive ordnance disposal) where ranges are relatively shorter but powerful .50 caliber bullet still required to do the job. Barrett M99 is also used for long range competition, and it was used in 2001 to set a world record in 1000 yards .50BMG competition, with smallest recorded group of 5 shots being only 4.09 inch (104 mm) small. Being externally similar to earlier Barrett M95 rifle (less magazine), the M99 in fact differs from it in many aspects. First, it is a single shot weapon, and after each shot a fresh cartridge must be manually loaded into the receiver opening (spent case is ejected automatically when bolt is opened). Second, the bolt has multiple lugs instead of three lugs on M95 bolt. Third, the one piece receiver is made from aluminum alloy, instead of the two-part stamped steel receivers on M82 and M95. The heavy fluted barrels are equipped with large and effective muzzle brakes. M99 rifles have no open sights installed by default, and a M1913 Picatinny (modified Weaver) rail is formed as an integral part of the receiver, allowing for wide variety of sighting devices to be easily installed. M99 rifles are equipped with the detachable folding bipod with adjustable legs. The trigger group along with the pistol handle is attached to the receiver by the simple push-pins and could be quickly detached for cleaning and maintenance. Barrett XM500 long range sniper rifle (USA)

Barrett XM500 long range sniper / anti-material rifle Buy Barrett rifles at Impact Guns online store Caliber: .50BMG (12.7x99mm) Operation: gas operated, semi-automatic Barrel: n/a Weight: 11.8 kg Length: 1168 mm (46") Feed Mechanism: 10 rounds detachable box magazine XM500 rifle is the most recent creation of famous American Barrett Firearms co. This rifle, first shown in 2006, is intended to provide lighter and more compact alternative to popular Barrett M82 "Light fifty" rifle, which is widely used by military and law enforcement forces around the world. The new weapon will provide better accuracy (because of stationary, non-recoiling barrel) and same range as Light Fifty, while being lighter and significantly shorter, thanks to its bullpup layout. According to available information, this rifle is developed primarily for US Armed forces, and is still in development / prototype stage.

Barrett XM500 long range sniper / anti-material rifle is a gas operated, semiautomatic rifle. Gas chamber and piston are located above the barrel. Barrel is locked using rotary bolt. Stock is of bullpup layout and made of metal, with rubber buttplate. Rifle is fitted with detachable lightweight bipods, adjustable for height. There are no open sights as of now, but rifle is fitted with integral Picatinny rail on the top of the receiver, so any type of sights can be installed using appropriate mounting interfaces.

AMSD OM 50 Nemesis sniper rifle (Switzerland)

OM 50 Nemesis rifle, prototype image: AMSD, Switzerland

OM 50 Nemesis Mk III rifle (production version) with replacement barrels and silencer

(shown next to the rifle) image: AMSD, Switzerland

OM 50 Nemesis Mk I Caliber Operation: bolt action, single shot OM 50 Nemesis Mk II .50 BMG (12,7x99) bolt action, magazine-fed repeater OM 50 Nemesis Mk III

Overall length

buttstock fully extended: from 1029 mm (with 381mm from 1029 mm (with 381mm barrel) to barrel) to 1562 mm (with 838mm barrel) 1562 mm (with 838mm barrel) buttstock folded: from 774 mm (with 381mm barrel) to 1232 mm (with 838mm barrel) 381 to 838 mm (15" to 33"), changeable 10 to 15 kg, depending on installed barrel single shot 5-round detachable box magazine

Barrel length Weight, empty Feed syste

The concept, for what later became the "Nemesis" large caliber sniper rifle, was devised in 2001 by two former military, the retired US Marine Corps officer, James Owens and the Swiss Chris Movigliatti. First prototype was tested only 3 months after the design inception. In 2003, first production batch of rifles was made by AMSD, a Swiss company, highly specialized in the design of precision military light armament. The new weapon was officially christened as the OM 50 Nemesis (OM standing for names of the designers, 50 for caliber and Nemesis for the ancient Greek goddess of justice and vengeance). The prime niche for this new weapon is precision anti-material shooting for military and police applications. The weapon can be configured as well for urban warfare as for long range target operations. A civilian version exists also for long range precision shooting. For this reason, the OM 50 Nemesis rifle features a fully modular design with three basic versions, known as Mk I, MK II and Mk III respectively. Each of these versions can be fitted with a variety of quick-change barrels, of different profiles and lengths, as well as with different add-ons (high efficiency muzzle brakes or detachable silencers / sound moderators). Barrel lengths vary from 381 mm / 15 inches for short range (urban) shooting against hardened targets and up to 838 mm / 33 inches for accurate long-range shooting. Barrel change can be accomplished in the field in less than 2 minutes, using a DIN screwdriver. All OM 50 Nemesis rifles are built around the same aviation grade aluminum-alloy receiver and (steel) bolt group with a manually operated, rotary bolt. Bolt heads lock directly into the barrel extension with three radial lugs, relieving receiver from most of the stress and providing constant headspace, needing no adjustment. Barrels are free-floated, and are held in the receiver by a set of cross-screws. Trigger is of two-stage type, fully adjustable. The forend is attached to the receiver. Top of receiver is provided with one or more Picatinny type rails which can accept a variety of telescope and other accessories (laser; Night Sight; light). The top rail can be delivered with a 20 MOA to 40 MOA angle. The OM 50 Nemesis Mk I has a manual feeding block, and features an adjustable fixed buttstock. It can be upgraded to the OM 50 Mk II configuration by taking out the manual feeding block and replacing/adding (1) the 5round detachable box magazine, (2) the side-folding adjustable buttstock, (3) the folding bipod (attached to forend) and (4) the rear folding monopod (attached to the buttstock). Further upgrade, which includes extended forend with additional Picatinny rails, constitutes the OM 50 Mk III configuration. Depending on the mission, a particular version of the OM 50 Nemesis can be easily converted by the operator to another (up and down), with installation or deinstallation of necessary parts and modules. Accuracy of the OM 50 rifles in field (real-life) conditions is described as 0,5 MOA at 300 meters and sub 1 MOA at 1000 meters; in testing, while fired by an experienced USMC sniper, OM 50 rifle shot 6x5 cm (about 2 1/2 inch) groups at 1000 yards (911 meters), which accounts for sub 0,25 MOA accuracy. The gun has already been commissioned with various police and military special operation forces.

Brugger & Thomet APR 308 Advanced Precision (Sniper) Rifle (Switzerland)

Brugger & Thomet (B+T) APR 308 sniper rifle in standard configuration, with B+T scope and mirage band above

the barrel photo: Brugger & Thomet

Brugger & Thomet (B+T) APR 308 sniper rifle with optional front Picatinny rail block, image-intensifying add-on night sight and detachable silencer photo: Brugger & Thomet

Brugger & Thomet (B+T) APR 308 sniper rifle in integrally silenced configuration, with silencer removed for maintenance or transportation photo: Brugger & Thomet Caliber(s): 7.62x51mm NATO (.308Win) Operation: manually operated rotary bolt action Length: 1139 mm (906mm with buttstock folded) Barrel: 610 mm Weight: 7.01 kg (less telescope sight and other accessories) Feed Mechanism: 10 rounds detachable box mag. Brugger & Thomet (B+T) APR 308 sniper rifle was born in 2003 as a further evolution of the French PGM rifle. Brugger & Thomet company was a long-time distributor of PGM rifles, and in 2003 competed in a tender to sell the French Made but Swiss modified rifle to Singaporean army, which at the time sought a new 7.62x51 precision weapon. After some confusing communication over who had the rights to sell the rifle, Brugger & Thomet company decided to improve and to produce the rifle in fully Switzerland. The Brugger & Thomet (B+T) APR 308 sniper rifle was first presented to the public at 2005 MILIPOL exhibition, and is now adopted as a standard sniper rifle by the Army of Singapore.. Brugger & Thomet (B+T) APR 308 sniper rifle is a modular weapon, built upon a metallic lower receiver (main frame or chassis), which houses upper receiver with bolt group and barrel, as well as fire control group, folding buttstock and other furniture. Gun action utilizes traditional manually operated rotary bolt with three radial locking lugs at the front. Opening and closing rotation of the bolt requires only 60o of radial movement of bolt handle. Free-floating precision-made barrel is equipped with special muzzle brake which also serves as a mounting point for quick-detachable silencer and hosts folding front sight. Trigger group, manual safety and pistol grip are assembled into single detachable module. Trigger is of two-stage type and fully adjustable (trigger adjustments do not require disassembly of the unit).Ambidextrous manual safety is conveniently located above the pistol grip. Ammunition is fed from a detachable 10-round box magazine, which provides last round bolt hold-open feature.

Brugger & Thomet (B+T) APR 308 sniper rifle is equipped with side-folding buttstock which is adjustable for length of pull, with adjustable cheek-piece. Polymer forend is attached to the lower receiver, and a folding bipod of adjustable height is provided for firing from prone position. Additional folding monopod (also of adjustable height) is attached to the rear of the buttstock. By default each Brugger & Thomet (B+T) APR 308 sniper rifle is equipped with Picatinny rail at the top of receiver, with three more optional rails available on special forend. Standard sighting equipment include folding iron sight (with aperture-type rear; not available on integrally silenced models), and a proprietary Brugger & Thomet TRS (Tactical Rifle Scope) telescope sight. B+T TRS telescope is manufactured exclusively for Brugger & Thomet by Schmidt & Bender, and it provided variable 3-12X magnification and proprietary aiming reticle with range-finding scale. With recommended ammunition, accuracy of Brugger & Thomet (B+T) APR 308 sniper rifle is less than 1 MOA at any practical range. As per specification, rifle provides 99% or better first hit probability against head-sized target at 400 meters and against body-sized target at 800 meters. Maximum effective range with proper ammunition (7.62x51 Norma Diamond Line 190 grs Sierra Matchking HPBT) is 1,000 meters. Being well-known for high-quality and high-efficiency firearm sound moderators (silencers), B+T provides standard APR 308 rifles with quick-detachable silencers, and also offers and integrally silenced version of the same rifle, optimized for subsonic ammunition. Brugger & Thomet APR 338 Advanced Precision (Sniper) Rifle (Switzerland)

Brugger & Thomet (B+T) APR 338 sniper rifle in standard configuration, with B+T scope, mirage band above the barrel and quick-detachable B+T silencer photo: Brugger & Thomet Caliber(s): 8.6x70 (.338 Lapua Magnum) Operation: manually operated rotary bolt action Length: 1236 mm (1002mm with buttstock folded) Barrel: 690 mm Weight: 8.02 kg (less telescope sight and other accessories) Feed Mechanism: 10 rounds detachable box mag. Brugger & Thomet (B+T) APR 338 long-range sniper rifle is a further evolution of the Brugger & Thomet (B+T) APR 308 sniper rifle. B+T APR 338 is designed to provide accurate long-range fire against enemy personnel and unarmored 'material' targets, with effective range being at least 1 500 meters. At the time of this writing (November 2007) the B+T APR 338 is at the final stages of developmen, with production scheduled to early 2008. Brugger & Thomet (B+T) APR 338 sniper rifle is a modular weapon, built upon a metallic lower receiver (main frame or chassis), which houses upper receiver with bolt group and barrel, as well as fire control group, folding buttstock and other furniture. Gun action utilizes traditional manually operated rotary bolt with three radial locking lugs at the front. Opening and closing rotation of the bolt requires only 60o of radial movement of bolt handle.

Free-floating precision-made barrel is equipped with special muzzle brake which also serves as a mounting point for quick-detachable silencer and hosts folding front sight. Trigger group, manual safety and pistol grip are assembled into single detachable module. Trigger is of two-stage type and fully adjustable (trigger adjustments do not require disassembly of the unit).Ambidextrous manual safety is conveniently located above the pistol grip. Ammunition is fed from a detachable 10-round box magazine, which provides last round bolt hold-open feature. Brugger & Thomet (B+T) APR 338 sniper rifle is equipped with side-folding buttstock which is adjustable for length of pull, with adjustable cheek-piece. Polymer forend is attached to the chassis, and a folding bipod of adjustable height is provided for firing from prone position. Additional folding monopod (also of adjustable height) is attached to the rear of the buttstock. By default each Brugger & Thomet (B+T) APR 338 sniper rifle is equipped with Picatinny rail at the top of receiver, with three more optional rails available on special forend. Standard sighting equipment include folding iron sight (with aperture-type rear; not available on integrally silenced models), and a proprietary Brugger & Thomet TRS (Tactical Rifle Scope) telescope sight. B+T TRS telescope is manufactured exclusively for Brugger & Thomet by Schmidt & Bender, and it provided variable 3-12X magnification and proprietary aiming reticle with range-finding scale. With recommended ammunition, accuracy of Brugger & Thomet (B+T) APR 338 sniper rifle is less than 1 MOA at any practical range. As per specification, rifle provides 99% or better first hit probability against head-sized target at 600 meters and against human torso-sized target at 1300 meters. Maximum effective range with recommended ammunition (.338 LM Lapua Scenar 250 grs) is 1,500 meters. Being well-known for high-quality and high-efficiency firearm sound moderators (silencers), B+T provides standard APR 338 rifles with quick-detachable silencers.

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PGW Timberwolf C14 MRSWS Medium Range Snipers Weapon System (Canada)

Caliber(s): .338 Lapua Magnum (8.6x70mm), also .408 Cheytac Operation: bolt action Barrel: 660 mm / 26" Weight: 7.1 kg / 15.6 lbsLength: ~1200 mm / ~ 47" Feed Mechanism: 5 rounds detachable box magazine The Timberwolf rifle was developed by Canadian company Prairie Gun Works, now PGW Defence Technologies Ltd. In 2005, a modified version of the Timberwolf rifle, chambered for .338 Lapua Magnum ammunition, was adopted by Canadian Armed Forces as C14 MRSWS (Medium Range Snipers Weapon System), to fill the gap between 7.62x51 sniper and .50MBG / 12.7x99 anti-materiel / long range sniper rifles. PGW Timberwolf rifle is also available as a commercial long range hunting / target rifle. In .338 LM version, maximum effective range for C14 is listed as 1 500 meters.

C14 Timberwolf sniper rifle is a manually operated bolt action rifle. It uses rotary bolt with dual front locking lugs and additional locking lug at the rear of the bolt. Receiver is manufactured from stainless steel and bedded into the polymer stock made by McMillan (McMillan A-5 adjustable stock in C14 version). The trigger is fuly adjustable. Feed is from detachable box magazines, containing 5 rounds each. Heavy, free-floating barrel is partially fluted and equipped with muzzle brake. Rifle also can accept proprietary silencer, made by PGW. There are no iron sights by default; instead, rifle is fitted with integral Picatinny type rail on the receiver. Two additional short accessory rails are provided above the forend. __________________________________________________________________________________________ Steyr-Mannlicher SSG 04 sniper rifle (Austria)

Steyr-Mannlicher SSG 04 sniper rifle

SSG 04 Caliber(s) Operation Barrel Length Weight Feed Mechanism 7.62x51mm NATO (.308Win) or 7.62x63B (.300 Win Mag) Bolt Action, Rotating bolt 600 mm (23.6") 1175 mm (46.3") 4.9 kg (10.8 lbs) 508 mm (20") 1083 mm (42.6") 4.7 kg (10.7 lbs) SSG 04 Compact 7.62x51mm NATO (.308Win)

box magazine, 10 (7.62 NATO) or 8 (.300WinMag) rounds

Click here to buy Steyr tactical, sniper and sporting rifles at Impact Guns online store The world's famous Austrian arms-making company Steyr-Mannlicher AG in 2004 complemented its long-popular, but somehow 'old-style' SSG-69 sniper rifle with completely new offering, the SSG 04 (ScharfSchtzen-Gewehr 04 - precision-shooting rifle, model of [20]04). Unlike the SSG-69, new SSG 04 rifle is based on much more modern SBS bolt action, developed by Steyr in mid-1990s for their current line of hunting and target rifles. The SBS system is often advertised as "safest", and it is certainly is very safe against such dangers as fractured cartridge case or obstructed barrel. Combined with Steyr's famous cold hammer-forged barrels and new, single stage trigger the SSG 04 action is capable of excellent (sub-MOA) accuracy. The Steyr SSG 04 rifles are believed to be in use with some law enforcement organizations around the world. Steyr-Mannlicher SSG 04 sniper rifles are based on Steyr SBS rotary bolt action with four frontal locking lugs, arranged in pairs. Cold hammer-forged barrels are available in standard or compact lengths (compact only in 7.62 NATO), in either case fitted with muzzle brake. Feed is from detachable box magazines, holding eight .300WM or ten 7.62mm NATO rounds. Single-stage triggers are factory set for optimum performance, but can be adjusted by operator if desired. Stocks are made from polymer and feature adjustable cheek rest and length of pull (by using removable rubber spacers). Steyr SSG 04 rifles are offered without any iron sights; telescope or night sights can be easily installed using standard Picatinny-type rail, attached to the receiver.

Steyr-Mannlicher SSG 08 sniper rifle (Austria)

Steyr-Mannlicher SSG 08 sniper rifle in ready to use position

Steyr-Mannlicher SSG 08 sniper rifle with stock folded

SSG 08 Caliber(s) Operation Barrel Length Weight, empty, w/o scope Feed Mechanism 7.62x51mm NATO (.308Win) or 7.62x63B (.300 Win Mag) SSG 08 Compact 7.62x51mm NATO (.308Win)

Bolt Action, Rotating bolt 600 mm (23.6") 1182 mm (46.5") / 960 mm (36.8") folded 508 mm (20") 1090 mm (43") / 868 mm (34.2") folded 5.5 kg (12.1 lbs)

5.7 kg (12.5 lbs)

box magazine, 10 (7.62 NATO) or 8 (.300WinMag) rounds

Steyr-Mannlicher SSG 08 (ScharfSchtzen-Gewehr 08 - precision-shooting rifle, model of [20]08) sniper rifle is a further evolution of the SSG 04 sniper rifle, produced by same famous Austrian company, Steyr-Mannlicher AG. Introduced in 2008, the SSG 08 rifle was developed to combat modern terrorism and organized crime; It is believed that elite COBRA unit of the Austrian police had its hand in development of this weapon. The SSG 08 shares same SBS action, cold hammer-forged barrels, trigger units and magazines as its parent, SSG 04 sniper rifle, but features aluminum alloy stock with side-folding fully adjustable butt and additional Picatinny rails on the forend. The SSG 08 is advertised as capable of sub-MOA accuracy with proper ammunition. Steyr-Mannlicher SSG 08 sniper rifles are based on Steyr SBS rotary bolt action with four frontal locking lugs, arranged in pairs. Cold hammer-forged barrels are available in standard or compact lengths (compact only in 7.62 NATO), in either case fitted with screw-on muzzle brake which can be replaced with optional silencer (sound suppressor). Feed is from detachable box magazines, holding eight .300WM or ten 7.62mm NATO rounds.

Single-stage triggers are factory set for optimum performance, but can be adjusted by operator if desired. Stock is made from aluminum alloy, with fully adjustable side-folding butt. Rifle is normally fitted with folding bipod and an integral rear monopod in the buttstock, adjustable for height. Steyr SSG 08 rifles are offered without any iron sights; telescope or night sights can be easily installed using standard Picatinny-type rail, attached to the receiver.

RPA "Rangemaster" 7.62 mm and .338 LM sniper rifles (Great Britain)

RPA "Rangemaster" 7.62mm sniper rifle Image: RPA International Ltd

RPA "Rangemaster Standby" 7.62mm compact (urban) sniper rifle Image: RPA International Ltd

RPA "Rangemaster" .338 Lapua Magnum sniper rifle Image: RPA International Ltd

Rangemaster 7.62 Caliber Operation Barrel Length (ready / folded) Weight, w. bipod and scope Feed Mechanism 660 mm (26") 1230 / 960 mm (48.5" / 37.75") 7.35 kg (16.2 lbs)

Rangemaster 7.62 Standby

Rangemaster 338 8.6x71 (.338 Lapua Magnum)

7.62x51 NATO (.308 Win)

manually operated bolt action 406 mm (16") 940 / 710 mm (37" / 28") 711 mm (28") 1310 / 1050 mm (51.5 / 41.5")

6.6 kg (14.5 lbs)

8.6 kg (18.9 lbs) 5 rounds detachable box magazine

10 rounds detachable box magazine

British rifle-making company RPA Precision Ltd (now RPA International Ltd) originally built indigenous target rifles, and entered "tactical rifle" market in 2001 with new 7.62mm "Rangemaster" sniper rifle, based on proprietary RPA Quadlock action, used in their match rifles. The 7.62mm "Rangemaster" rifle was supplemented with long range .338 Lapua version in 2004 and short-range (urban combat) 7.62mm "Standby" version in 2005. According to the manufacturer, RPA "Rangemaster" rifles are in active use with a significant number of police and security organizations across the world. With proper ammunition, all RPA "Rangemaster" rifles are capable of constant sub-MOA accuracy. RPA "Rangemaster" sniper rifles are built around proprietary Quadlock action, which features manually operated rotary bolt with four frontal radial lugs. Barrels are fluted for better heat dissdipation, and threaded to accept a muzzle brake or silencer. Triggers are of two-stage type, fully adjustable, with ambidextrous manual safety conveniently located just above the trigger. Rifles are fed using detachable box magazines holding ten 7.62mm or five .338 rounds. Stock is of composite (aluminum + polymer) design, with side-folding butt which is adjustable for lerngth of pull. Unusual features of the RPA stock design are bolt channel, which also serves as the stock comb / cheek rest, and the fact that in emerghency situations rifle can be fired with butt folded. RPA "Rangemaster" sniper rifles are sold without any iron sights, and equipped with standard Picatinny rail on the receiver which can accept a wide variety of day or night sighting equipment. Two additional lenghts of Picatinny rail are installed on the forend. Other acessories include folding adjustable bipod and adjustable monopod, built into the buttstock.

Bor / Alex sniper rifle (Poland)

Caliber(s): 7.62x51mm NATO Operation: manually operated rotary bolt action Barrel: 660 or 560 mm Weight: ~ 6.5 kg empty, less telescope sight Length: 1038 or 938 mm Feed Mechanism: 10 rounds detachable box magazine Alex sniper rifle was developed at Polish factory Zakady Mechaniczne TARNW S.A. (ZMT) in 2005. Its design was based on the earlier WKW Wilk / Tor large caliber sniper rifle, developed by same organization. According to available information, first production rifles were delivered to Polish army in 2008, and its factory designation "Alex" was changed to military designation "Bor". In the same year 2008, ZMT also presented a .338 Lapua Magnum prototype long-range sniper weapon, based on "Alex" rifle design. Alex / Bor sniper rifle ia a manually operated rotary bolt action weapon of bullpup layout. It is fed from detachable box magazines, and is fitted with folding adjustable bipod and adjustable rear monopod. Shoulder stock is adjustable for position, length of pull and height of the cheek rest. Standard sighting equipment is a Schmidt & Bender telescope sight, installed on Picatinny rail above the receiver.

Bora JNG-90 sniper rifle (Turkey)

Caliber(s): 7.62x51 NATO (.308Win) Operation: manually operated rotary bolt action Barrel: 660 mm Weight: 6.4 kg empty

Length: 1165 mm Feed Mechanism: 10 rounds detachable box magazine Bora JNG-90 sniper rifle was developed by Turkish state-owned arms making company MKEK. Its development was started in 2004, and nowapparently it is fielded by Turkish army and is offered for export. Manufacturer claims that this rifle outperforms most Western rivals in terms of accuracy, shooting 0.3 MOA groups at 100 meters range, but we still have no firm proof on that. Bora JNG-90 sniper rifle is a manually operated weapon with rotary bolt action and detachable box magazine. It is mounted onto aluminum chassis, with polymer pistol grip and fully adjustable butt. Barrel is free-floated and equipped with massive muzzle brake. Top of receiver is provided with integral Picatinny rail for quick installation and replacement of various telescope sights and night vision equipment. Additional accessory rails are provided on the forend. __________________________________________________________________________________________ Lobaev SVL sniper rifle (Russia)

Lobaev SVL single shot long range sniper rifle in .408 Chey-tac image: Tsar-Cannon Ltd

Lobaev SVL single shot long range sniper rifle in .408 Chey-tac image: Tsar-Cannon Ltd

Lobaev SVL single shot long range sniper rifle in .408 Chey-tac image: Tsar-Cannon Ltd

Lobaev SVL single shot long range sniper rifle in .408 Chey-tac image: Tsar-Cannon Ltd Caliber(s): .408 Chey-tac most popular; others available on request Operation: bolt action Barrel: varies upon customer's specification Weight: varies upon customer's specification Length: varies upon customer's specification Feed Mechanism: single shot or 5 rounds detachable box magazine (optional) The SVL sniper rifle ( - , Lobaev Sniper Rifle) is one of most unusual weapons that recently emerged in Russia. While most other sniper and match rifles in Russia are built by huge, government-owned factories, this one is a product of a small, private company named "Tsar-Cannon Ltd" ( -). This company is led by Vladislav Lobaev, a well-known benchrest and long-range shooter, who gradually evolved into benchrest rifle gunsmith and then into full-scale manufacturer of custom precision rifles. The SVL is more of a design rather than a specific rifle, as each and every SVL weapon is custom-built to detailed user specifications. Lobaev offers a wide variety of chamberings (both factory and wildcat), and uses percicion barels of his own manufacture. The basic bolt action design is also original and completely made in-house, and is based on extremely accurate single shot benchrest design. The stocks, also of proprietary design, are manufactured from Kevlar-Carbon (Tsar-Cannon exclusive) or Carbon-fiber plastics, and provide full range of adjustments for a most demanding shooter. Barrels are manufactured from high quality stainless steel and can be made in a variety of lengths. The SVL has a quick barel change feature, and it takes only about 2 minutes to chamge the barrel in the field. Trigger unit is also fully adjustable to user's preferences. The top of receiver is provided with integral Picatinny rail, which is used to install optical sights depending on user's preferences. No iron sights are provided. As manufactured, OVL rifles are capable of outstanding accuracy, with 0.3 - 0.2 MOA being norm. In fact, SVL rifles are factory guaranteed to shoot 0.3 MOA with specific ammunition "out of the box". The maximum effective range for such rifles can be up to 2 200 meters when firing properly selected .408 CT ammunition. More than few sniper competitions were recently won with SVL rifles, and at least few of these rifles are in service with elite Russian law enforcement units, such as FSO (Federal Protection Service that provides security for Russian President and top government executives).

Remington MSR - Modular Sniper Rifle (USA)

Remington MSR - Modular Sniper Rifle, with butt folded image: Remington Military

Remington MSR - Modular Sniper Rifle, ready to fire image: Remington Military Caliber(s): .338 Lapua, .338 Norma, .300 Win Mag, 7.62x51 NATO (.308Win) Operation: manually operated bolt action Barrel: 508mm / 20", 559mm / 22", 610mm / 24" or 686mm / 27" in every caliber Weight: 5.9 kg / 13 lbs with 22" barrel and loaded 5-round magazine Length: 1168mm / 46" ready to fire, 914mm / 36" folded, with 22" barrel Feed Mechanism: 5, 7 or 10 rounds detachable box magazine The Remington MSR - Modular Sniper Rifle was recently developed by the Military products division of the famous US arms-making company, Remington Arms, to meet the requirements of the US SOCOM Precision Sniper Rifle (PSR) solicitation, first issued in early 2009. The trials of actual contenders for the US SOCOM PSR contract are scheduled to March 2010. Requirements for the PSR include effective range up to 1500 meters with accuracy not worse than 1 MOA in 10shot groups at all ranges up to the maximum, minimum magazine capacity of 5 rounds, maximu 'combat ready' weight of 18 lbs / 8.2 kg, barrels that can be changed by operator, folding or detachable stock and a number of other desirable features. It appears that Remington MSR rifle can fullfil all these requirements, but only actual trials will show, which weapon is the best. Regardless of the SOCOM PSR results, the Remington MSR appears to be a serious tool for long-range military or LE sniper work. The Remington MSR - Modular Sniper Rifle is a manually operated bolt action weapon with rotary bolt locking. To facilitate caliber change, bolt is equipped with removable bolt heads, with bolt faces matched for appropriate calibers. Bolt heads have three radial locking lugs. The MSR rifle is built upon an aluminum alloy "chassis", which hosts a compact receiver, adjustable trigger unit, pistol grip, side-folding and fully adjustable buttstock. The quickchange barrels are free-floated inside the tubular handguard which is provided with a number of user-installable Picatinny type acessory rails. The top of receiver also is fitted with monolitic Picatinny rail which is used to install

sighting equipment (telescope sights or night vision sights). Additional equipment includes detachable folding bipod and a quick-detachable silencer, which installs over the specially designed muzzle brake.