BespokeGun Raptor series sniper rifles
Raptor Tactical .338 LM rifle and ammo case
Russian snipers participating in the Special Operation to protect Donbass are armed with high-precision weapons of various types of domestic production. Some units are equipped with BespokeGun Raptor series sniper rifles from Moscow armory company." The first samples of this family appeared, went into production and entered the army last year. Another modification of the Raptor was presented just the other day.
Rifles for the army
The Moscow Arms Company began developing and producing its own models of high-precision weapons in 2019. Over the past years, it has created several models of elite-class sports and hunting weapons, as well as their modifications for different cartridges, in various designs, etc. The products are produced under the BespokeGun brand - “Weapons to order”. At the same time, the company did not deal with military weapons in the early years.
According to some reports, in 2022, BespokeGun rifles ended up in the Special Operations area, where they were used as high-precision sniper weapons. In the wake of these events, the IOC decided to develop, based on the accumulated experience, a full-fledged sniper complex, initially designed for operation and use in the army.
"Raptor Tactical" in a standard transport case
The presence of appropriate developments and production capacity helped the company solve this problem in a limited time. In addition, the Russian company CNC GC was involved in the design. She had to develop a new stock that would meet all the features and characteristics of the future rifle.
The result of the joint work was presented in February 2023; the new rifle was called Raptor or Raptor Tactical. It was a long-barreled bolt-action weapon chambered for .338 Lapua Magnum (8,6x70 mm), capable of accurate shooting at ranges of at least 1800-2000 m. Later it was reported that rifles of this type are supplied to the army and used by our snipers in during the demilitarization of Ukrainian formations.
By the end of February, the second model of the family was presented - the Raptor Sport rifle. This product was developed with the participation of the Russian Special Forces University. It almost completely repeats the design of the base sample, but uses the 6.5 PRC cartridge (6,5x51 mm). Such ammunition provides high ballistic characteristics, but significantly reduces the load on the structure and reduces wear. The new model rifle was seen as a sporting and/or training counterpart to the original Raptor .338 LM.
Raptor Sport rifle
On January 15, 2024, the IOC spoke for the first time about the next rifle in the family. The Raptor Tactical sniper system chambered for .300 Norma Magnum has been brought into production. As in the case of the sports modification, the main components and solutions are retained, and the new cartridge provides optimal combat and operational characteristics.
Thus, in just a year, the Moscow Arms Company presented three new high-precision rifle systems intended for use in the army and in other areas. According to published data, Raptor Tactical rifles have been supplied to sniper units for quite a long time and are used at the front. We are already talking about at least dozens of complexes. It is likely that over time the number of such weapons in the armed forces will only increase.
General solutions
The three rifles in the BespokeGun Raptor series have a similar appearance and differ minimally from each other in terms of design. Projects are based on common solutions and components. In this case, different ammunition is used, and the designs are adapted to them. As a result, the customer gets the opportunity to choose a product that best suits his requirements and needs.
Demonstration of the accuracy and accuracy of a sports rifle
In the manufacture of these weapons, modern materials and technologies are used, due to which high production precision and increased accuracy characteristics are achieved. It is important that the IOC itself produces all the key parts of the weapon. In addition, there is an integrated approach - along with the rifle, the customer is given a set of necessary additional devices and accessories.
In addition, the customer is offered cartridges of compatible models in the required design - with the required cartridge case and bullet, the required weight, etc. The use of such cartridges allows you to make maximum use of the technical potential of the rifle.
The Raptor series rifles are built according to the traditional design. A steel tubular receiver of limited length is used in which the barrel is secured and the bolt moves. Together, these parts are mounted on a specially designed aluminum stock with an integrated stock and control handle, as well as mounting spaces for additional devices. The length of such a weapon in the firing position, depending on the barrel used, can exceed 1 m. Weight - 7,165 kg.
Three products are equipped with barrels ranging from 26 to 28 inches (660-711) mm long. There are pronounced valleys on the outer surface of the trunks. The muzzle has a thread for installing compensator brakes or low-noise shooting devices. The 8.6 mm (.338 LM) barrel has rifling pitches of 9, 9,5 or 10 inches (228, 241 or 254 mm). The 6,5 mm barrel is rifled with a 7,5 inch (190,5 mm) twist. There are three chamber options for working with different ammunition.
The latest Raptor Tactical rifle chambered for .300 Norma Magnum
The rifles have a sliding bolt for manual reloading. Locking is carried out by turning three locking stops. In this case, the shutter rotates 60° relative to the longitudinal axis. This is less than other rifles and somewhat speeds up the reloading process. Due to the use of a fairly powerful Lapua Magnum cartridge, the locking unit has an increased safety margin. In modifications for other ammunition, similar bolts with the appropriate geometry are used, which also maintain a safety margin.
All Raptor Tactical variants use a detachable 5-round box magazine. Shops made of conventional plastic and carbon fiber are offered. A carbon magazine is lighter than a plastic one, and also has poor thermal conductivity and protects ammunition from changes in external temperatures.
Top Picatinny rails are provided on the receiver and forend for mounting compatible sights. The bipod of the desired model is placed under the forend. KeyMod interfaces for corresponding devices are provided on the sides of the handguard. The stock rifle stock also provides some adaptation to the shooter's needs. It is foldable and equipped with an adjustable butt plate and cheek piece.
Raptor Tactical .338 LM in the Special Operations area
BespokeGun Raptor rifles have high firing performance. The most powerful model of the series, using the 8,5x70 mm cartridge, has an effective firing range of up to 2 km. The range of the new Raptor Tactical .300 NM is slightly less, and the Raptor Sport hits at 1700 m. High accuracy and accuracy of fire are declared at all calculated distances. The firing performance of all three presented rifles meets the requirements for sporting and combat use. Thus, over the entire range of firing ranges, the bullet retains energy sufficient to destroy manpower and unprotected materiel.
Manufacturing quality and combat performance come at a price. Thus, on the official website of the BespokeGun brand, the cost of the Raptor Tactical and Raptor Sport complexes is indicated as “from 1 rubles.” The final price depends on the composition of the complex and the included components.
Needs and opportunities
The army needs small arms of various classes, from mass-produced machine guns and machine guns to high-precision sniper systems produced in limited series. Our arms industry produces a variety of products of all classes and meets the needs of the armed forces. At the same time, the production of the most complex samples from the field of precision weapons was mastered only in recent years.
The Moscow Arms Company made a significant contribution to the re-equipment of snipers and the introduction of weapons with improved characteristics. It has already developed a whole range of sporting and hunting rifles with special parameters, and has recently been working on military systems. Apparently, the IOC will continue to work in this direction, as a result of which the BespokeGun Raptor line will be replenished with new interesting models.
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