Large caliber sniper
Over the last 20 years, large-caliber sniper rifles have become increasingly popular in armies and special forces around the world. About them today.
The modern Western doctrine of warfare is based on increasing the firepower of units. For infantry, this is expressed in producing as many shots as possible from an individual weapons by enemy per unit of time. In the XX century. This task was solved by equipping the troops with a semi-automatic and automatic weapon instead of a shop weapon. Light machine guns were widely used as a means of infantry support. However, the fighting showed that an almost ninefold increase in the rate of firing of an individual soldier’s weapon practically did not increase the effectiveness of the fire. In this situation, the best way to increase it is to use a small amount, in percentage terms, of shooters, snipers, who work directly to defeat enemy personnel. The experience of military operations has shown that effective sniper fire inflicts enormous damage on the enemy.
To solve the problems of sniper fire, foreign armies are equipped with sniper rifles chambered for 7,62x51 mm, 7,5x54 mm, 7,5x55 mm, .300, .222, .223, .243, .308, 6,5X55 mm.
However, combat experience shows that existing sniper rifles cannot provide solutions to a number of specific tasks, such as destroying long-term firing points, artillery and missile systems, radar stations, reconnaissance and command and control equipment, low-flying air targets, etc. 12,7 mm (.50) and higher.
Today, a number of large-caliber sniper rifles have been created, manufactured and put into service, among which the following are best known:
• М82А1, М82А mod.2, М82А2 bullpup, М90, М95 chambered for 12,7X99 mm (.50) by Barrett Firearms Manufacturing Inc. (USA);
• M87, M87R, M87ELR, M93 chambered for 12,7x99 mm (.50) from McMillan Brothers (USA)
• RC90 chambered for 12,7x99 mm (.50) by Robar Company (USA);
• 50 / 12 TSW, 50 / 12TS. 50 / 12TSW mod.2 chambered for 12,7x107 mm (RF) from Peregrine Industries (USA);
• model RA 500 chambered for 12,7x99 mm (.50) manufactured by Research Armament Industries (USA);
• Stopson / Erma Anthis II model chambered for 12,7x99 mm (.50) by Heckler & Koch and Mauser (Germany);
• Gepard M1 model chambered for mm 12,7x99 (.50) from Technik (Hungary).
Tactical and technical characteristics of these and some other large-caliber sniper rifles are presented in Table. 1.
Large-caliber sniper weapons can be divided into self-loading, magazine and single-shot.
Self-loading rifles
The M82А1 sniper rifle is developed by Barrett Firearms Manufacturing Inc. (Murfieboro, Ten-Nesi) in 1982 and adopted by the US Army, Marine Corps, special forces units and anti-terrorism units.
Automatic rifle operates due to the short stroke of the barrel. The barrel has longitudinal stiffeners, providing an additional surface for cooling. The weapon has a dual-chamber muzzle brake - a flame arrester, which reduces the recoil force by about 30%. Locking by turning the shutter. The recoil momentum is transmitted from the gate to the receiver through the original bolt carrier. The recoil spring and recoil absorber are located in the butt.
The rifle uses borrowed from .50 Browning М2НВ heavy machine gun magazine with a capacity of 10 cartridges and bipods.
For sniper shooting, experts recommend the use of 12,7x99 mm (.50) cartridges from Raufoss A / S (Norway), although it is possible to use cartridges intended for the 50 Browning М2НВ machine gun. The cost of one cartridge - 2 dollar.
The rifle can be used with a 10x telescopic sight of the MZ model from Leopold & Stevens or the M11 model from Swarovski, providing an effective firing range of up to 2000 m.
The M82А1 mod.2 sniper rifle (USA) was developed on the basis of the M82А1 rifle and is its lightweight version. The main difference between М82А1 mod.2 and М82А1 is the design of the silencer manufactured by AWC System Techologies (Phoenix, Arizona) with 8 internal deflectors. The length of the muffler is 380 mm, width is 50 mm. The silencer allows you to reduce the energy of the shock wave by 60-70% and reduce the sound of the shot to the level of the sound when firing a pistol of the 5,6 caliber mm (.22).
The M82А2 Bullpup sniper rifle is designed for use in combat operations in cities and mountains. The main difference of the M82А2 rifle from the М82А1 is the presence of the front handle and the handle for transportation, the chrome finish of the bolt carrier and the anti-corrosion coating of the inside surface of the magazine. When firing, the rifle box rests partly on the shooter’s shoulder - this, according to the company's experts, makes it easier to hold when firing from a rifle without bipods or at high elevation angles, but this increases the tilting moment from the recoil force.
The M87 and M87R sniper rifles were developed by McMillan Brothers (USA). Their automation operates due to the short stroke of the barrel. They are equipped with a muzzle brake-flame arrester and a sliding bolt and are used with a Leopold 10x or 16x optical sight.
The sniper rifle model .50 / 12 TSW was developed jointly by Barrett Firearms Manufacturing Inc. and Peregrine Industries (USA) and is designed to equip light infantry units of the US Armed Forces.
Automatic rifle works by the energy of powder gases. The weapon has a replaceable barrel with longitudinal ribs and a muzzle brake. Butt type bullpup equipped with a rubber butt pad. Replaceable magazine on 10 ammo mounted on the left side.
In the future, Peregrine Industries independently developed a version of the .50 / 12 TSW rifle for the Russian cartridge 12,7x107 mm. The new model differs from the basic version of the rifle only in the shape and size of the chamber. According to the company's specialists, the potential customers of this sample may be the states of the former social camp, where 12,7x107 cartridges are manufactured.
Shop rifles
The M500 sniper rifle was developed by Haskins and RAI (USA) under the 12,7x99 mm (.50) cartridge and is designed to equip a Marine corps.
The weapon is equipped with a sliding bolt and has a manual reload. It has a long heavy barrel with longitudinal ribs of rigidity and a two-chamber muzzle brake. To improve the accuracy of shooting the barrel is made floating. The rifle has a bipod.
The M90 Bullpup sniper rifle is developed by Barrett Firearms Manufacturing Inc. (USA) chambered for 12,7x99 mm (.50) based on the М82А1 rifle. It is equipped with a rotary bolt and a removable magazine with a capacity of five rounds. The use of the bullpup scheme made it possible to obtain a weapon with a total length of 990 mm and a barrel length 740 mm. For training snipers are used sports cartridges caliber 12,7 mm firms Dabco, Hornady, Thunderbird Cartridge Company.
The M88ELR sniper rifle was developed by McMillan Brothers (USA) on the basis of the M87 rifle and adopted by the Marine Corps in 1988.
The main difference between M88ELR and M87 is the presence of a folding stock.
The M88ELR rifle is the first large-caliber rifle that has successfully passed certification in the US Armed Forces and fire tests for survivability with a series of 500 shots. The dispersion cross section when firing a M88ELR rifle ensures successful defeat at a range of 915 and combat compartment of a BMP, floating anti-ship mines, or any target with dimensions corresponding to the air intake of a jet engine.
The M93 sniper rifle was developed by McMillan Brothers (USA) on the basis of a M87R rifle.
The special feature of the M93 rifle is the presence of a folding stock and a magazine Barrett borrowed from the M82А1 rifle with a capacity for 10 cartridges. The design of the store allows in the process of shooting to change the type of cartridge used.
The RC90 sniper rifle was developed by the Robar Company (USA) by order of the Turkish Armed Forces and is designed to equip the gendarmerie corps.
The rifle is equipped with a rotatable sliding gate with two lugs and a patented extractor from Sako. It has a muzzle brake with five deflectors. In the muzzle brake there are no two lower rows of holes, which made it possible to reduce the unmasking factors when firing.
The disadvantage of this design is the occurrence of the impulse acting on the rifle down when firing, while the rifle butt hits the arrow in the cheek.
In the process of testing the rifle RC90 provided the specified accuracy of fire.
The Stopson / Erma Anthis II sniper rifle was developed by Heckler & Koch and Mauser (Germany) and is designed to arm Bundeswehr snipers.
The rifle is equipped with a sliding bolt, butt with an adjustable crest, a magazine for six rounds and a bipod attached to the forearm. The barrel is equipped with a thermal jacket and a silencer. The rifle is used with an optical sight.
A certain contribution to the creation of sniper rifles chambered for 12,7x99 mm (.50) was made by Australian gunsmiths. In 1998, Precision Rifle Systems (Australia) announced the development of an ATWS .50BG rifle, designed to destroy material objects and enemy manpower.
ATWS .50BG - is a weapon with a sliding bolt and box magazine chambered for 12,7x99 mm NATO (.50) and a firing range of 1500-2000 m.
The barrel of the rifle and receiver are made of chrome-molybdenum steel; When used in a humid climate, these parts are made of stainless steel. When reloading the valve provides a smooth flow of ammunition into the chamber. Butt made of aluminum alloy. The rifle handle and butt can be made stationary or folding.
These features design rifle allow you to get four versions of the weapon. Unified for these options are mechanisms such as a muzzle brake and adjustable bipods that allow firing in the normal position, "bottom" and "side". It is possible to rearrange the shutter for "left-handed" and "right-handed." The weapon is equipped with an 2,5-10x12 optical sight, which also provides corrections for wind and elevation of the target. The universal mount for the optical sight is installed on the receiver. The rifle passes comprehensive tests in the Australian Army, for which 15 samples are ordered.
1 table. TTX large-caliber sniper rifles
Interesting sniper rifles caliber 12,7 mm made gunsmiths of the Republic of Slovakia. At the end of XX century. The company Technopol International (Bratislava) developed the Falcon sniper rifle in two versions: OP96 for the cartridge 12,7x107 mm and OP99 for the cartridge 12,7x99 mm (.50 Browning).
The rifle is made according to the design scheme of bullpup. Samples are completely unified, with the exception of the chamber.
Rifle adopted by the army of Slovakia.
At the beginning of the 1990's The Belgian company FN Herstal SA has developed a HECATE II sniper rifle chambered for .50 (12,7x99 mm) Browning M2 machine gun, adopted by the army of Belgium. On the basis of this model, sniper rifles chambered for the 7,62x51 NATO - Ultima Ratio Commando I and Ultima Ratio Commando II were created.
The HECATE II rifle is made according to the classical scheme, equipped with height-adjustable bipods and additional support on the butt. There is a front handle.
Rifle production deployed at FN Herstal SA
Single shot rifles
Sniper rifle mod. 5100 was developed by AMAS (USA) for the US military.
The rifle has a piston slide, the barrel is equipped with axial ribs for cooling and a muzzle brake. There is a mod. 500 height-adjustable bipod, pistol grip and butt with adjustable shoulder rest. At the top of the receiver is a swivel lever guard. There is no open sight, the sample is designed for firing only with optics or a night vision device.
The Gepard M1 sniper rifle was developed by Technika (Hungary) and is designed to destroy lightly armored and unarmored vehicles, helicopters and manpower.
Rifle Gepard М1 - single-shot weapon with manual reloading when moving the longitudinal sliding gate. Locking by turning the shutter. The muzzle brake absorbs 55% recoil energy. The butt is equipped with a soft "cheek" and a shock absorber. Folding bipod placed in the center of gravity of the weapon.
The rifle is equipped with an 20x optical sight with a 40 field of view.
When firing at a range of 1200 m rifle strikes helicopters and open manpower, at a range of 600 m - helicopters and manpower behind an embankment or thin wall.
In the stowed position, the Gepard M1 rifle is transferred in the pack and transferred to the combat position in 30 seconds.
Rifle production
Along with the intensive development by foreign firms of sniper rifles for existing 12,7X99 mm cartridges, their production was organized and, accordingly, their adoption by armies. The dominant position in the development and production of high-precision small arms are US firms. Leading should be considered such companies as Barrett Firearms Manufacturing Inc., McMillan Brothers, Robar Company, Peregrine Industries, Research Armament Industries, etc.
In the manufacture of sniper rifles in the United States widespread cooperation. In this case, the most critical parts, such as trunks that determine the weapon performance characteristics, are manufactured by specialized enterprises with high-precision equipment and appropriate technology.
In the United States, among such internationally recognized manufacturers of high-precision weapon trunks, both combat and sporting, are Shilen, Krieger and Bartlein. The main supplier of barrels for sniper rifles of caliber 12,7 mm and above is Bartlein.
Data on the production of sniper rifles caliber 12,7 mm are presented in Table. 2.
2 table. Data on the production of large-caliber rifles in the United States
Combat use of 12,7-mm sniper rifles
The combat use of 12,7-mm sniper rifles was preceded by extensive testing in potential combat use areas: in the Middle East and in Western Europe.
The M82X1 rifle was tested in Western Europe, which showed that dispersion at a distance of 1005 m was 350 mm, on 2000 m - 510 mm. Bro-impenetrability at a distance of 500 m was 30 mm, and at a distance of 1200 m - 19 mm.
Similar tests passed rifle mod.5100 company AMAC and when shooting provided dispersion values, which are presented in Table. 3.
The results of the use in combat operations (Operation Desert Storm in the Persian Gulf against the Republic of Iraq, 1990-1991) of the M82-1 rifle by the Marine Corps are currently known. In order to solve combat missions, reconnaissance and sniper groups were created in the Marine Corps.
The targets are artillery batteries, light combat vehicles, mines and live force. The positions of the artillery batteries were fired from a range of 1500 m, and the retractable devices and mechanisms for pointing guns were hit. The shooting was carried out with sniper cartridges .50 (12,7x99 mm) from Raufoss (Norway).
In the area of the oil complex El Burgan of this rifle at a distance of 1600 m, the strength and technique of the mechanized brigade (BMP-1 type vehicles) was successfully amazed.
Snipers also used the M82А1 rifle to solve such unusual tasks as the destruction (detonation) of mines laid in the ground.
For their part, the Iranian servicemen successfully spotted the positions of a shooter armed with an M82A1 rifle at the muzzle flame. And only the destruction of the Iranian observer by a sniper allowed him to avoid being hit by artillery and tank guns.
It should be noted that the use of large-caliber rifles by the US Army in this operation was not a secret for the army of Iraq.
The modern Western doctrine of warfare is based on increasing the firepower of units. For infantry, this is expressed in producing as many shots as possible from an individual weapons by enemy per unit of time. In the XX century. This task was solved by equipping the troops with a semi-automatic and automatic weapon instead of a shop weapon. Light machine guns were widely used as a means of infantry support. However, the fighting showed that an almost ninefold increase in the rate of firing of an individual soldier’s weapon practically did not increase the effectiveness of the fire. In this situation, the best way to increase it is to use a small amount, in percentage terms, of shooters, snipers, who work directly to defeat enemy personnel. The experience of military operations has shown that effective sniper fire inflicts enormous damage on the enemy.
To solve the problems of sniper fire, foreign armies are equipped with sniper rifles chambered for 7,62x51 mm, 7,5x54 mm, 7,5x55 mm, .300, .222, .223, .243, .308, 6,5X55 mm.
Hecate II large-caliber sniper rifle shooting
However, combat experience shows that existing sniper rifles cannot provide solutions to a number of specific tasks, such as destroying long-term firing points, artillery and missile systems, radar stations, reconnaissance and command and control equipment, low-flying air targets, etc. 12,7 mm (.50) and higher.
Today, a number of large-caliber sniper rifles have been created, manufactured and put into service, among which the following are best known:
• М82А1, М82А mod.2, М82А2 bullpup, М90, М95 chambered for 12,7X99 mm (.50) by Barrett Firearms Manufacturing Inc. (USA);
• M87, M87R, M87ELR, M93 chambered for 12,7x99 mm (.50) from McMillan Brothers (USA)
• RC90 chambered for 12,7x99 mm (.50) by Robar Company (USA);
• 50 / 12 TSW, 50 / 12TS. 50 / 12TSW mod.2 chambered for 12,7x107 mm (RF) from Peregrine Industries (USA);
• model RA 500 chambered for 12,7x99 mm (.50) manufactured by Research Armament Industries (USA);
• Stopson / Erma Anthis II model chambered for 12,7x99 mm (.50) by Heckler & Koch and Mauser (Germany);
• Gepard M1 model chambered for mm 12,7x99 (.50) from Technik (Hungary).
Tactical and technical characteristics of these and some other large-caliber sniper rifles are presented in Table. 1.
Large-caliber sniper weapons can be divided into self-loading, magazine and single-shot.
Sniper rifle Hecate II caliber 12.7x99 mm (.50 Browning)
Self-loading rifles
The M82А1 sniper rifle is developed by Barrett Firearms Manufacturing Inc. (Murfieboro, Ten-Nesi) in 1982 and adopted by the US Army, Marine Corps, special forces units and anti-terrorism units.
Barrett M82A1
Automatic rifle operates due to the short stroke of the barrel. The barrel has longitudinal stiffeners, providing an additional surface for cooling. The weapon has a dual-chamber muzzle brake - a flame arrester, which reduces the recoil force by about 30%. Locking by turning the shutter. The recoil momentum is transmitted from the gate to the receiver through the original bolt carrier. The recoil spring and recoil absorber are located in the butt.
The rifle uses borrowed from .50 Browning М2НВ heavy machine gun magazine with a capacity of 10 cartridges and bipods.
For sniper shooting, experts recommend the use of 12,7x99 mm (.50) cartridges from Raufoss A / S (Norway), although it is possible to use cartridges intended for the 50 Browning М2НВ machine gun. The cost of one cartridge - 2 dollar.
The rifle can be used with a 10x telescopic sight of the MZ model from Leopold & Stevens or the M11 model from Swarovski, providing an effective firing range of up to 2000 m.
Barrett sniper rifle model M95 caliber 12.7x99 mm (.50 Browning)
The M82А1 mod.2 sniper rifle (USA) was developed on the basis of the M82А1 rifle and is its lightweight version. The main difference between М82А1 mod.2 and М82А1 is the design of the silencer manufactured by AWC System Techologies (Phoenix, Arizona) with 8 internal deflectors. The length of the muffler is 380 mm, width is 50 mm. The silencer allows you to reduce the energy of the shock wave by 60-70% and reduce the sound of the shot to the level of the sound when firing a pistol of the 5,6 caliber mm (.22).
The M82А2 Bullpup sniper rifle is designed for use in combat operations in cities and mountains. The main difference of the M82А2 rifle from the М82А1 is the presence of the front handle and the handle for transportation, the chrome finish of the bolt carrier and the anti-corrosion coating of the inside surface of the magazine. When firing, the rifle box rests partly on the shooter’s shoulder - this, according to the company's experts, makes it easier to hold when firing from a rifle without bipods or at high elevation angles, but this increases the tilting moment from the recoil force.
The M87 and M87R sniper rifles were developed by McMillan Brothers (USA). Their automation operates due to the short stroke of the barrel. They are equipped with a muzzle brake-flame arrester and a sliding bolt and are used with a Leopold 10x or 16x optical sight.
The sniper rifle model .50 / 12 TSW was developed jointly by Barrett Firearms Manufacturing Inc. and Peregrine Industries (USA) and is designed to equip light infantry units of the US Armed Forces.
Automatic rifle works by the energy of powder gases. The weapon has a replaceable barrel with longitudinal ribs and a muzzle brake. Butt type bullpup equipped with a rubber butt pad. Replaceable magazine on 10 ammo mounted on the left side.
In the future, Peregrine Industries independently developed a version of the .50 / 12 TSW rifle for the Russian cartridge 12,7x107 mm. The new model differs from the basic version of the rifle only in the shape and size of the chamber. According to the company's specialists, the potential customers of this sample may be the states of the former social camp, where 12,7x107 cartridges are manufactured.
Shop rifles
The M500 sniper rifle was developed by Haskins and RAI (USA) under the 12,7x99 mm (.50) cartridge and is designed to equip a Marine corps.
The weapon is equipped with a sliding bolt and has a manual reload. It has a long heavy barrel with longitudinal ribs of rigidity and a two-chamber muzzle brake. To improve the accuracy of shooting the barrel is made floating. The rifle has a bipod.
The M90 Bullpup sniper rifle is developed by Barrett Firearms Manufacturing Inc. (USA) chambered for 12,7x99 mm (.50) based on the М82А1 rifle. It is equipped with a rotary bolt and a removable magazine with a capacity of five rounds. The use of the bullpup scheme made it possible to obtain a weapon with a total length of 990 mm and a barrel length 740 mm. For training snipers are used sports cartridges caliber 12,7 mm firms Dabco, Hornady, Thunderbird Cartridge Company.
The M88ELR sniper rifle was developed by McMillan Brothers (USA) on the basis of the M87 rifle and adopted by the Marine Corps in 1988.
The main difference between M88ELR and M87 is the presence of a folding stock.
The M88ELR rifle is the first large-caliber rifle that has successfully passed certification in the US Armed Forces and fire tests for survivability with a series of 500 shots. The dispersion cross section when firing a M88ELR rifle ensures successful defeat at a range of 915 and combat compartment of a BMP, floating anti-ship mines, or any target with dimensions corresponding to the air intake of a jet engine.
The M93 sniper rifle was developed by McMillan Brothers (USA) on the basis of a M87R rifle.
The special feature of the M93 rifle is the presence of a folding stock and a magazine Barrett borrowed from the M82А1 rifle with a capacity for 10 cartridges. The design of the store allows in the process of shooting to change the type of cartridge used.
The RC90 sniper rifle was developed by the Robar Company (USA) by order of the Turkish Armed Forces and is designed to equip the gendarmerie corps.
The rifle is equipped with a rotatable sliding gate with two lugs and a patented extractor from Sako. It has a muzzle brake with five deflectors. In the muzzle brake there are no two lower rows of holes, which made it possible to reduce the unmasking factors when firing.
The disadvantage of this design is the occurrence of the impulse acting on the rifle down when firing, while the rifle butt hits the arrow in the cheek.
In the process of testing the rifle RC90 provided the specified accuracy of fire.
The Stopson / Erma Anthis II sniper rifle was developed by Heckler & Koch and Mauser (Germany) and is designed to arm Bundeswehr snipers.
The rifle is equipped with a sliding bolt, butt with an adjustable crest, a magazine for six rounds and a bipod attached to the forearm. The barrel is equipped with a thermal jacket and a silencer. The rifle is used with an optical sight.
A certain contribution to the creation of sniper rifles chambered for 12,7x99 mm (.50) was made by Australian gunsmiths. In 1998, Precision Rifle Systems (Australia) announced the development of an ATWS .50BG rifle, designed to destroy material objects and enemy manpower.
ATWS .50BG - is a weapon with a sliding bolt and box magazine chambered for 12,7x99 mm NATO (.50) and a firing range of 1500-2000 m.
The barrel of the rifle and receiver are made of chrome-molybdenum steel; When used in a humid climate, these parts are made of stainless steel. When reloading the valve provides a smooth flow of ammunition into the chamber. Butt made of aluminum alloy. The rifle handle and butt can be made stationary or folding.
These features design rifle allow you to get four versions of the weapon. Unified for these options are mechanisms such as a muzzle brake and adjustable bipods that allow firing in the normal position, "bottom" and "side". It is possible to rearrange the shutter for "left-handed" and "right-handed." The weapon is equipped with an 2,5-10x12 optical sight, which also provides corrections for wind and elevation of the target. The universal mount for the optical sight is installed on the receiver. The rifle passes comprehensive tests in the Australian Army, for which 15 samples are ordered.
1 table. TTX large-caliber sniper rifles
Country | USA | USA | USA | USA | USA | USA | USA | USA |
Sample index | М82А1 | M82A1 mod.2 | M82A2 Bullpup | M95 Bullpup | M90 Bullpup | M87 | M87R | M88ELR |
Features | ||||||||
Cartridge | 12,7x99 mm (-50) | 12,7x99 mm (50) | 12,7x99 mm (50) | 12,7x99 mm (.50) | 12,7x99 mm (50) | 12,7x99 mm (.50) | 12,7x99 mm (50) | 12,7x99 mm (-50) |
Firing range m | 2000 | 2000 | 2000 | 2000 | 2000 | 2000 | 2000 | 2000 |
Initial speed, m / s | 850 | 850 | 850 | 850 | 850 | 850 | 850 | 850 |
Range of dispersion at a distance, mm -1005 m - 2000 m | 350 510 | 350 510 | 350 510 | — | — | 37x50 (100 m) 280-300 (915 m) | 165-550 | 910 (915 m) |
Range armor ability, mm -500 m -1200 m |
30 19 |
30 19 |
30 19 | — | — | — | — | — |
Mass of weapons, kg | 16,1 | 14,7 | 12,24 | 9,93 | — | 10,8 | 9,5 | 9,5 |
Length, mm - rifles - trunk |
1575 839 |
1549 839 |
1409 763 |
1143 763 |
990 740 | 736 | — |
1295 965 |
Store capacity, patr. | 10 | 11 | 11 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Year of adopting | 1982 | 1984 | 1989 | — | — | 1987 | 1988 | 1988 |
Country | USA | USA | USA | USA | USA | USA | Germany | Hungary |
Sample index | M93 | RC 90 | .50 / 12 TSW | .50 / 12TSW mod.2 | RA500 | Maud. Xnumx | Stopson / Erma Anthis II | Gepard M1 |
Features | ||||||||
Cartridge | 12,7x99 mm (.50) | 12,7x99 mm (.50) | 12,7x99 mm (.50) | 12,7x99 mm (.50) | 12,7x99 mm (.50) | 12,7x99 mm (.50) | 12,7x99 mm (50) | 12,7x99 mm (50) |
Firing range, m | 2000 | 2000 | 2000 | 2000 | 2000 | 2000 | 2000 | 2000 |
Initial speed, m / s | 850 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Range of dispersion at a distance, mm -1005 m - 2000 m | — | — | — | — | — |
145,4 290,9 | — | — |
Armor penetration range, mm -500 m -1200 m | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 20 |
Mass of weapons, kg | — | 11.8 | 16,35 | 16,35 | 13,6 | 16,35 | — | 16 |
Length, mm - rifles - trunk | 1346 | 740 |
1410 737 |
1410 737 | 840 |
1308 737 | — |
1540 1100 |
Store capacity, patr. | 10 | 5 | 10 | 10 | 5 | Single shot | 6 | Single shot |
Year of adopting | 1988 | 1989 | 1989 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1996 | — |
Country | Australia | Slovakia | Slovakia | Belgium |
Sample index | ATWS | Falcon 0Р 99 | Falcon OP 96 | HECATE II |
Features | ||||
Cartridge | 12,7x99 mm (.50) | 12,7x99 mm (.50) | 12,7x99 mm (50) | 12,7x99 mm (.50) |
Firing range, m | 1500-2000 | 1600 | 1600 | 2000 |
Initial speed, m / s | — | 825-925 | — | — |
Range of dispersion at a distance, mm -1005 m -2000 m | — |
Xnumx on 100 m | — | — |
Armor penetration range, mm - 500 m -1200 m | — | — | — | — |
Mass of weapons, kg | 15,3:13,5 | 12,9 | 13,4 | 13,5 |
Length, mm - rifles - trunk |
1450 800 |
1260 839 |
1380 927 |
1380 700 |
Store capacity, patr. | 6 | 2 | 2 | 7 |
Year of adopting | 1998 | — | — | — |
Interesting sniper rifles caliber 12,7 mm made gunsmiths of the Republic of Slovakia. At the end of XX century. The company Technopol International (Bratislava) developed the Falcon sniper rifle in two versions: OP96 for the cartridge 12,7x107 mm and OP99 for the cartridge 12,7x99 mm (.50 Browning).
The rifle is made according to the design scheme of bullpup. Samples are completely unified, with the exception of the chamber.
Rifle adopted by the army of Slovakia.
Falcon OP99
At the beginning of the 1990's The Belgian company FN Herstal SA has developed a HECATE II sniper rifle chambered for .50 (12,7x99 mm) Browning M2 machine gun, adopted by the army of Belgium. On the basis of this model, sniper rifles chambered for the 7,62x51 NATO - Ultima Ratio Commando I and Ultima Ratio Commando II were created.
The HECATE II rifle is made according to the classical scheme, equipped with height-adjustable bipods and additional support on the butt. There is a front handle.
Rifle production deployed at FN Herstal SA
Single shot rifles
Sniper rifle mod. 5100 was developed by AMAS (USA) for the US military.
The rifle has a piston slide, the barrel is equipped with axial ribs for cooling and a muzzle brake. There is a mod. 500 height-adjustable bipod, pistol grip and butt with adjustable shoulder rest. At the top of the receiver is a swivel lever guard. There is no open sight, the sample is designed for firing only with optics or a night vision device.
Gepard M1
The Gepard M1 sniper rifle was developed by Technika (Hungary) and is designed to destroy lightly armored and unarmored vehicles, helicopters and manpower.
Rifle Gepard М1 - single-shot weapon with manual reloading when moving the longitudinal sliding gate. Locking by turning the shutter. The muzzle brake absorbs 55% recoil energy. The butt is equipped with a soft "cheek" and a shock absorber. Folding bipod placed in the center of gravity of the weapon.
The rifle is equipped with an 20x optical sight with a 40 field of view.
When firing at a range of 1200 m rifle strikes helicopters and open manpower, at a range of 600 m - helicopters and manpower behind an embankment or thin wall.
In the stowed position, the Gepard M1 rifle is transferred in the pack and transferred to the combat position in 30 seconds.
Rifle production
Along with the intensive development by foreign firms of sniper rifles for existing 12,7X99 mm cartridges, their production was organized and, accordingly, their adoption by armies. The dominant position in the development and production of high-precision small arms are US firms. Leading should be considered such companies as Barrett Firearms Manufacturing Inc., McMillan Brothers, Robar Company, Peregrine Industries, Research Armament Industries, etc.
Calculation of a large-caliber rifle! Barrett model M95 in firing position
In the manufacture of sniper rifles in the United States widespread cooperation. In this case, the most critical parts, such as trunks that determine the weapon performance characteristics, are manufactured by specialized enterprises with high-precision equipment and appropriate technology.
In the United States, among such internationally recognized manufacturers of high-precision weapon trunks, both combat and sporting, are Shilen, Krieger and Bartlein. The main supplier of barrels for sniper rifles of caliber 12,7 mm and above is Bartlein.
Data on the production of sniper rifles caliber 12,7 mm are presented in Table. 2.
2 table. Data on the production of large-caliber rifles in the United States
Country | USA | USA | USA | USA | USA | USA | USA | USA | Germany |
Sample index | М82А1 mod.1 | M82A1 mod.2 | М82А2 | M87 | M88 ELR | M95 | RC90 | RA500 | Stopson / Erma Anthis 11 |
Features | |||||||||
Start of production, year | 1982 | 1983 | 1989 | 1987 | 1988 | 1995 | 1989 | 1983 | 1996 |
Monthly production, units | 50 | 50 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Number of samples made, units | 3900-4000 (1997) | 250 (1997) | 1400 (1997) | 650 | — | 1000 | 350 | — | |
Provision for production, mln. | 30,828 | — | 6,620 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Number of staff employed, pers. | 260 | — | 60 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Sample price, USD | 7000 | 6000:7000 | 3100 4300 ... | — | 4700 | — | — | 10000 | |
Customer, country | USA, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, France | USA Sweden | USA France, Turkey | USA | USA | Turkey, Saudi Arabia | USA | Germany | |
The combat use of 12,7-mm sniper rifles was preceded by extensive testing in potential combat use areas: in the Middle East and in Western Europe.
The M82X1 rifle was tested in Western Europe, which showed that dispersion at a distance of 1005 m was 350 mm, on 2000 m - 510 mm. Bro-impenetrability at a distance of 500 m was 30 mm, and at a distance of 1200 m - 19 mm.
Similar tests passed rifle mod.5100 company AMAC and when shooting provided dispersion values, which are presented in Table. 3.
The results of the use in combat operations (Operation Desert Storm in the Persian Gulf against the Republic of Iraq, 1990-1991) of the M82-1 rifle by the Marine Corps are currently known. In order to solve combat missions, reconnaissance and sniper groups were created in the Marine Corps.
The targets are artillery batteries, light combat vehicles, mines and live force. The positions of the artillery batteries were fired from a range of 1500 m, and the retractable devices and mechanisms for pointing guns were hit. The shooting was carried out with sniper cartridges .50 (12,7x99 mm) from Raufoss (Norway).
In the area of the oil complex El Burgan of this rifle at a distance of 1600 m, the strength and technique of the mechanized brigade (BMP-1 type vehicles) was successfully amazed.
Snipers also used the M82А1 rifle to solve such unusual tasks as the destruction (detonation) of mines laid in the ground.
For their part, the Iranian servicemen successfully spotted the positions of a shooter armed with an M82A1 rifle at the muzzle flame. And only the destruction of the Iranian observer by a sniper allowed him to avoid being hit by artillery and tank guns.
It should be noted that the use of large-caliber rifles by the US Army in this operation was not a secret for the army of Iraq.
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