Vlad Lobayev's rifle: the farthest shot in the world

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This story It began almost three years ago when Russian shooter and high-precision long-range rifle manufacturer Vlad Lobaev saw a video on YouTube where peppy old people from Texas rifled at a target at a distance of 3600 yards (3292 m). Vlad decided to accept the challenge and compete with the Americans. Fortunately, he had at hand his own armory Lobaev Arms factory.

The Americans fired from a custom-made (custom) ultra-long-rifle of a rare .375 CheyTac caliber. By that time, Lobayeva Company had already commercially produced the SVLC-14 “Dusk” super-long-range rifle in an even rarer and more powerful .408 CheyTac caliber, which allows sniper shooting at distances over 2 km. For the record, they took a special custom “Dusk” with a titanium chassis and a drummer, with a barrel length of 720 mm and a weight over 9 kg. In April, the 2015 year on the field in the Kaluga region (many kilometers of shooting ranges in Russia is not there) from this rifle Lobaeva team after sighting shots hit the target at a distance of 3400 m. The video with a record was posted on YouTube. The Americans reacted calmly: they say, okay, let's continue the correspondence duel.




Record rifle SVLC-14 "Dusk"

Preset sound

Not only the Americans reacted: after a long training session, the French sniper from the Foreign Legion hit the target at a distance of 3600 m, but, apart from an article in a small specialized journal, there was no information about this record, no one posted it. The Americans, too, overcame the mark first 3600, and then 4000 yards (3657 m). This video was studied in the company of Lobayev almost under a microscope: some parameters of the shot did not coincide, the approach time did not dock with the initial speed and angle of inclination of the bar. In ballistics, nothing has changed, and a few hundred meters increased. This does not happen, but since the competition was originally conceived as a contest of gentlemen, the Lobayevts decided to continue to shoot with the Americans honestly. And win by knockout - to get from four kilometers.

Shooting at shooters is considered to be ultra-long distance shooting, where at the end of the trajectory the bullet goes deep on the dialup, because with supersound everything is clear - there ballistics are considered easy, by simple mathematical methods. A subsonic ballistics and is considered more difficult, and, most unpleasantly, in this mode, there are some physical processes that make it difficult to shoot at very long distances. First, there is the effect of re-stabilization. Linear speed slows down by 1000 m, say, three times - from 900 m / s to 300 m / s. And the bullet rotational speed is just 5 − 10%. On dialing, the speed is even lower, and the rotational speed is still the same. This leads to the fact that all structural and manufacturing defects of the bullet begin to emerge, which greatly influences dispersion. In addition, at low speeds, errors in evaluating wind and meteorological conditions become noticeable. The second factor is the turbulence in the bottom part in deep dialing. At speeds slightly less than 300 m / s, this is not critical, but at distances of more than 2 km it greatly affects accuracy. It is possible to fight with these phenomena in only one way - to develop a design of bullets with a different design of the bottom part.




Classic problems for firing at very long distances require an increase in bullet weight and more advanced aerodynamics. Lobaev set his first record as a standard D27 bullet, an analogue of the widely known Lost River in the West. These are elongated, one-piece bullets for firing at long distances, which are also called Ultra VLD. For new records, they were no longer suitable. If you go along the path of increasing the mass of the bullet, you will need to change the entire cartridge - either increase the chamber or use new progressively burning gunpowder, or even switch to a different caliber. Another caliber (Browning .50 or domestic 12,7 x 108 mm) is a transition to another class and a completely different weapon with all the ensuing consequences: other barrels, bolts, barrels, dimensions, weight and a significant increase in return, which gives you pleasure from firing speech is no longer at all.

Lobayev decided not to retreat from the old liner and caliber .408 CheyTac, not to change either the size or weight of the weapon. He was able to develop a heavier D30 XNUM gram while remaining within the standard cartridge. This was also done because the cartridge is quite accessible and anyone can try to repeat the achievement. The design of the bullet was also modified: it began to resemble a long, elongated spindle with two pointed ends, which made it possible to achieve an almost perfect ballistic coefficient of one. This required a change in the design of the rifle, a faster rifling pitch, in order to stabilize a longer and heavier bullet. If the classic rifling pitch in the 30 caliber is thirteen, then at the record rifle Lobaev decided to use the top ten. Despite the fact that the initial speed of the new bullet was lower (408 m / s in D875 versus 30 m / s in D935), it had a more flat trajectory on 27 km.



Lateral support

One of the main problems with record shooting is that you can not endlessly raise the bar of an optical sight. When firing at such distances, the rifle has large elevation angles, like when shooting a canopy, almost like a howitzer. At the top of the trajectory the bullet goes at a height of several hundred meters. No sights allow you to make such corrections for aiming, therefore for record shooting use special slats for the sight. However, it is impossible to raise the bar endlessly: the muzzle device begins to block the line of sight. This just confused Lobayeva in the last record of the Americans: the angle of inclination of the bar did not correspond to the amendment necessary for such a distance. The solution to this problem Lobaev spied on the artillery, where the scope has long been rendered to the left of the barrel. The solution is simple, but no one in the world before Lobaev has been applied. If you look closely at the photo, you can see that the sight on Lobaev's record rifles passes to the left of the barrel. What turned out to be more convenient for shooting: you do not need to throw your head and you can take the optimal position.


Know-how Lobaeva - side mount sight for ultra-long range shooting. A year ago, it was even forbidden to photograph him. This system can also be used in the army: when firing over long distances, it helps to manage with affordable Russian sights.

The second attempt

They were going to break the record last summer in the fields near Krasnodar. For this, a giant target with a size of 10 x 10 m was manufactured to at least aim. How a bullet behaves at such distances, no one knew, and indeed no exact mathematical models existed. It was only clear that the bullets would enter the ground near the target almost vertically, so the target was at a large angle. The difficulty was that the soil was wet during firing, so it was necessary to hit the target exactly: the traces of falling into the ground at such low speeds and almost vertical angles are not visible. Unfortunately for the whole team, from the first time the record did not succumb: it was not possible to hit even such a large target. While preparing for the next round, the Americans posted a video with a record for 4 km. It became clear that you need to shoot even further.

Over the past year, Lobaev and his team conjured a rifle and new bullets, almost without giving out information about the project, fearing to jinx the world record, constantly approaching the cherished milestone, first taking 4170 m, then 4200. And in October of this year, they managed to do something incredible: the well-known shooter and promoter Andrei Ryabinsky hit a target the size of 1 x 1 m from a distance of 4210 m. For such a shot it was necessary to take into account a huge number of factors, including the rotation of the Earth, the 13 with ! As the record holder himself said, he walked to this shot for eight years. So now the ball is on American territory. Or rather, a bullet.
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41 comment
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  1. +1
    20 January 2018 06: 21
    Well, let it be better, they shoot at such targets!
    1. +3
      20 January 2018 09: 04
      If you think about what practical application it can find in a real combat situation. Who can feel safe?
      1. +5
        20 January 2018 09: 51
        Only one who stands motionless for 13 seconds.
        Quote: seti
        . Who can feel safe?
        1. +2
          20 January 2018 10: 06
          At one time, we had anti-sniper behavior ... By the way, according to the manuals of the Second World War ...
          1. +2
            20 January 2018 13: 46
            Quote: Vard
            one who stands motionless for 13 seconds.

            Half an hour to shoot.

            With practical t.zr. nonsense, of course. Circus number.
            1. 0
              26 January 2018 21: 31
              Quote: Cherry Nine
              Half an hour to shoot.
              With practical t.zr. nonsense, of course. Circus number.

              Why so weak - wait, they’ll shoot themselves — take the bricks with you, they smell for 3 km laughing
              Don’t bother with everything, WES !!
              “- If you don’t understand something, you can refuse, express your opinion — without understanding the essence — show your ignorance.” Caesar.
  2. +10
    20 January 2018 07: 52
    “Andrei Ryabinsky hit a 1 x 1 m target from a distance of 4210 m. For such a shot, a huge number of factors had to be taken into account, including the Earth’s rotation - the bullet spent 13 seconds in the air! As the record holder himself said, he went to this shot for eight years . So now the ball is on American territory. Or, more correctly, a bullet. "... then I discovered the characteristics of the old time-tested machine gun Maxim ...
    Initial bullet speed - 865 m / s;
    Aim range - 3200 steps (2270 m);
    The longest firing range - 3900 m;
    The maximum range of the bullet - 5000 m;
    I understand this is not a sniper rifle ... but the price of the matter ... thinking from a tape of 250 rounds he will definitely fall into a 1m x 1m shield ... the most important thing is checked by time and wars. I understand ambition, we can do the same.
    1. 0
      20 January 2018 11: 41
      Sighting range - 3200 steps (2270 m)

      Only in theory.
      1. +3
        20 January 2018 13: 54
        In ancient times, Maxim ... and, in fact, Mosin rifles had the ability to shoot at mounted over long distances, naturally from the rifles by the division of the areas.
        1. +3
          20 January 2018 14: 01
          There is a book by Roger Ford, “The Infernal Mower”, the history of the development of machine guns, the military should reread it.
          1. +3
            20 January 2018 15: 54
            Great book. There I was struck by two ways of using a machine gun: from one place thousands of damages to the enemy in the trenches, a machine gun with a canister and hoses in the casing. (On the cover). And the second - shooting from a machine gun from closed positions with a spotter!
            1. +2
              20 January 2018 16: 12
              Especially in World War I, machine guns were worse than shrapnel ... when mounted. There, in preparation for the offensive, the shooting went for hundreds of thousands on a machine gun everything that was compared above ground level.
    2. +5
      20 January 2018 12: 55
      This is a laboratory. And it was precisely after the implementation of such projects that the rifles of the sv-98 type and the t-5000 dashboard appeared in droves in the masses. Compare the working range of snipers in WWII and now.
      1. +1
        27 January 2018 06: 10
        Yes, they remained the same ... if you think that all the snipers are stationary with an overview of the terrain at 3 kEMA and further, having shot the terrain ... then I strongly doubt it. As soon as there is a sign of the appearance of such a unique, measures will be taken for the appearance and elimination and not a sniper ... perhaps easier, like in Sarajevo, there anti-sniper groups were given armored cars with small-caliber automatic guns in support.
    3. 0
      26 January 2018 21: 40
      Quote: Strashila
      I understand this is not a sniper rifle ... but the price of the matter ... thinking from a tape of 250 rounds he will definitely fall into a 1m x 1m shield ... the most important thing is checked by time and wars. I understand ambition, we can do the same

      It will not hit, the maxim has a very large dispersion - the trunk is then mobile !! And Lobaev even made a drummer with titanium, saved only 1 gram !! But even this is enough to "scatter a bunch"
      It's already like cutting a violin = they all creak, but Stradivarius creaks especially beautifully !!
      and then there is varnish and wood and THAN WOOD CUT TO = this affects the concentration of stresses and, therefore, the overall harmony of the sound!
      This is a matter of general culture, it is clear that a sniper will not hide in the shooting range and will not shoot his miracle — a rifle, he will come and take a maximum of a couple of shots — after assembling the weapon, the second will be valid ... feel
  3. +5
    20 January 2018 09: 04
    Well, as always, the author during an in absentia competition with gentlemen about trust between gentlemen. But neither the British nor the Americans have ever been seen in gentlemanhood, which they themselves advertise. Cheating there at the state level and nothing. Even cars are made with large * tolerances * from advertising.
  4. 0
    20 January 2018 09: 40
    canopy shooting, almost like a howitzer. At the top of the trajectory, the bullet goes at a height of several hundred meters

    probably a blot
    it's not a mortar
    1. +1
      20 January 2018 10: 07
      A hundred other meters is quite possible.
      Only the army is not necessary. The one who glows 13 seconds is easier to disassemble from a mortar.
  5. +8
    20 January 2018 10: 09
    Lobaev spied the solution to this problem at the artillery, where the sight was long ago left to the left of the barrel. The solution is simple, but no one in the world before Lobaev applied. If you look closely at the photo, you can see that the sight on Lobaev’s record rifles passes to the left of the barrel.

    Yeah, only Lobaev ...
    1. +8
      20 January 2018 11: 51
      So this is a rifle with a permanent magazine, charged using plate clips. Their sight was carried out to the side so as not to lose the possibility of charging in the infantry.
      1. 0
        20 January 2018 14: 03
        A dovetail for example on SVD?
        1. +2
          20 January 2018 20: 22
          The sight itself is not biased, and the mount is made such to unify the mounting of sights.
          In the past, gunsighted sights were encountered on the weapon and this was due to various reasons: the top location of the store, the ability to bring the optical axis of the sight to the axis of the barrel channel while maintaining the open sight, the ability to charge a magazine rifle from the clip, and now the ability to lift the barrel " in the sky "for shooting at extra long distances.
          The solution is not new, the reason for this decision is not new, but the scope (in the arrow), here is the "know-how".
    2. +1
      24 January 2018 11: 36
      So far, only Lobaev.
      Side bracket adjustable to 400 MOA (400 arcminutes). 1 MOA = 2,659 cm.
      In centimeters 400 MOA * 2,659 = 1063.6 CM
      The trajectory is not mortar.
      Before writing, you need to at least hold the SVD in your hands. And get there where you shoot, at least 300 meters.
      Sniper edrent. Couch.
  6. +4
    20 January 2018 10: 13
    the famous shooter and promoter Andrei Ryabinsky hit a 1 x 1 m target from a distance of 4210 m. For such a shot it was necessary to take into account a huge number of factors, including the rotation of the Earth, - the bullet spent 13 seconds in the air!
    Or just make a thousand attempts hi
    1. +2
      20 January 2018 10: 32
      Directly removed from the language, nobody canceled the theory of probability hi
      PS give AKM, ammo more ammo and I will also get, someday laughing
      1. +2
        20 January 2018 20: 04
        You may not get hit with AKM (a bullet just won’t fly so much), but, with PKM or NSV, it could even be
        1. 0
          20 January 2018 23: 33
          You are absolutely right
  7. +2
    20 January 2018 11: 00
    An interesting article, but there is no practical sense in such weapons, pure sport.
  8. +4
    20 January 2018 11: 04
    Popmeh is an American publication. After the "special custom" read got sick. Illiterate advertising.
  9. +1
    20 January 2018 11: 28
    Artillery Mounted Shooting - Congratulations to Lobaev on Production Diversification laughing
    1. +1
      20 January 2018 17: 17
      at such a distance from a rifle in another way
  10. +1
    20 January 2018 17: 30
    nice, coddled here comrade chanting bourgeois rifles
    1. +1
      21 January 2018 13: 23
      Quote: poquello
      nice, coddled here comrade chanting bourgeois rifles

      Why would we creep in? From Lobaev’s tricks, snipers more decent than SVD will not appear in the armed forces, and decent rounds even more so.
      Mentioned above "SV-98 and Orsis t-5000 in droves" - fantasies. Orsis, NYA, only gets jackets, SV-98 chambered for .338, too, do not give to the crooked hands.
      1. +2
        21 January 2018 13: 33
        Quote: Cherry Nine
        Quote: poquello
        nice, coddled here comrade chanting bourgeois rifles

        Why would we creep in? From Lobaev’s tricks, snipers more decent than SVD will not appear in the armed forces, and decent rounds even more so.
        Mentioned above "SV-98 and Orsis t-5000 in droves" - fantasies. Orsis, NYA, only gets jackets, SV-98 chambered for .338, too, do not give to the crooked hands.

        and where they give good rifles in crooked hands? ))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
        1. 0
          21 January 2018 15: 22
          Quote: poquello
          and where they give good rifles in crooked hands?

          Yes you, my friend, Russophobe.
  11. 0
    20 January 2018 18: 57
    Urgently adopt the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.
  12. 0
    21 January 2018 05: 09
    What a mess meter by meter. Did the Americans also shoot at this? It turns out we made a record shot but for this we made a special record mix.
  13. 0
    21 January 2018 21: 26
    Class! I enjoyed reading :))
  14. 0
    23 January 2018 12: 00
    The lateral installation of the sight is also relevant for an ordinary machine gun, especially for a gimbal for canopy shooting.
  15. 0
    24 January 2018 11: 39
    The main thing in the adjustment bracket.
    Side bracket adjustable to 400 MOA (400 arcminutes). 1 MOA = 2,659 cm.
    In centimeters 400 MOA * 2,659 = 1063.6 CM
    And Lobaev is the first.
    But friends and partners will copy through one famous place.
  16. 0
    25 January 2018 15: 55
    You won’t get anywhere from this distance.

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