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A sniper rifle is a somewhat vague class of rifle used for sniping. It can be defined as a rifle used for selective destruction of targets from a concealed position over distances that exceed the capabilities of other types of rifles. There is usually very little distinction between rifles used for sniping, and rifles used for any other activity that requires a significant degree of durability and accuracy. Most civilian bolt action rifles of reasonable quality, including obsolete antiques, can be used for sniping with little or no modification. This article will focus on aspects of rifles that are well-suited for sniping, with specific information on important models of sniper rifles.

History

The military role of sniper dates back hundreds of years, but the sniper rifle is a much more recent development. Advances in technology, specifically that of telescopic sights and more accurate manufacturing allowed armies to equip specially trained soldiers with rifles that would enable them to deliver precise shots over greater distances than regular infantry. The rifle itself could be a standard (at first typically a bolt-action rifle), but fitted with a telescopic sight it would become a sniper rifle.

Only since the beginning of the First World War have specially adapted sniper rifles come to the fore and during the Second World War armies on all sides had specially trained snipers equipped with special sniper rifles.

Examples of rifles fitted with telescopic sights to serve as sniper rifles in Second World War:

Features

Sniper rifles can vary widely in their design, because they include purpose designed weapons as well as adaptations of regular battle rifles or assault rifles. They can be based on different actions, including gas-operated semi-automatic and bolt-action, different calibers and different configurations (conventional or bullpup). What almost all have in common though, is the fitment of a telescopic sight. The most important distinguishing features of a sniper rifle are as follows:

Telescopic sight

A telescopic sight allows a person to see farther by virtue of the magnified image it offers and therefore aim the rifle more accurately. Most telescopic lenses employed in military or police roles have special markings to aid the shot with the judgement of distance which is an important factor in accurate shot placement (due the curved trajectory of a bullet's path).

Caliber

Due to logistical concerns, sniper rifles are usually limited to suitable rifle cartridges commonly used by the respective armies.

Before the introduction of the 7.62 × 51 mm NATO in the 1950s, standard military calibers utilized were the .30-06 Springfield (US), .303 British (Britain) and 7,92 x 57 mm (8mm Mauser) (Germany). The .30-06 Springfield in fact continued in service with US Marine Corps snipers during the Vietnam War well after general adoption of the slightly weaker 7.62 × 51 mm. One such Marine sniper, Carlos Hathcock, is one of the most famous modern snipers.

In the West and NATO the current choice is almost exclusively for 7.62 × 51 mm NATO (.308 Winchester) over the weaker 5.56 x 45 mm NATO. Other standard military calibers also employed by some armies include the much more powerful .50 calibre (12.7 mm)).

For Russia and subsequently the Soviet block the most suitable military cartridge in widespread use has been the 7.62 x 54 mm R which is of similar performance to the 7.62 × 51 mm NATO. This cartridge was introduced in 1891 and both Russian sniper rifles of the modern era, the Mosin-Nagant and the Dragunov (SVD), are chambered for it.

Certain commercial cartridges designed without the logistical constraints of most armies and only performance in mind have also gained popularity in the 1990s, these include the .338 Lapua and .300 Winchester Magnum. These cartridges outperform 7.62 × 51 mm NATO in terms of effective range and ballistic performance. Though they are not as powerful as the .50 calibre, they also don't suffer any weight penalty as is the case for rifles chambered for the .50 calibre and as such they offer a significant improvement over rifles chambered for the 7.62 × 51 mm NATO.

Action

The choice between bolt-action and gas-operated semi-automatic is usually determined by specific requirements of the sniper's role as envisioned in a particular organization with each design having advantages and disadvantages.

For a given cartridge, a bolt-action rifle delivers slightly better ballistic performance (no gas is utilized in operating the rifles action) and accuracy (large more stable action) while a semi-automatic action allows for a greater volume of fire or quick follow-up shots.

The choice depends on whether ultimate performance or volume of fire is more important. A Soviet sniper or the modern role of designated marksman is less specialized than a sniper and would be better served by a semi-automatic weapon capable of a greater number of highly accurate shots up to 800 m than a bolt-action rifle accurate to 1,500 m.

When standard rifles are adapted for use as a sniper rifle common improvements on the action or internals include:

  • Polishing the trigger sear to improve the feel of the trigger pull and therefore the shooter's trigger control.
  • A low-mass (often titanium) hammer and firing pin reduce the time between the trigger pull and the primer ignition (called lock time). By reducing this time between the trigger being pulled and the bullet release, it reduces the distance that a human being's irreducible quiver can move the point of aim.

Barrel

Military sniper rifles tend to have longer barrels of around 23.5 inches (600 mm) to allow the cartridge propellant to fully burn and get the highest bullet velocity. This also reduces muzzle-flash, helping to keep the sniper concealed. Some police sniper rifles have shorter barrels to make them easier to handle. The shorter ranges at which police operate permit lower bullet velocities. The effect of barrel length on accuracy is negligible.

In the case of rifles designed specifically for sniping the same procedures or techniques applied to any rifle to achieve long range accuracy is used. Some of these techniques are described in the article on accurizing a firearm and could include the following:

  • A "free-floating barrel" where the barrel is attached to the rifle at a single point, screwed into the action without touching the stock.
  • Heavier barrels to increase the resonant frequency (again) and slow the rate of heating, which reduces thermal distortion of the barrel as more rounds are shot. This also increases the weight of the rifle, thus reducing the felt recoil.
  • Fluting on heavier barrels help maintain the desired characteristics of a heavy barrel, but reduces the weight of the barrel.
  • The end of the barrel may be counter-sunk a few millimetres to protect the critical exit-end of the rifling from damage.

Stock

The most common special feature of a sniper rifle stock is the adjustable cheek piece where the shooter's cheek meets the rear of the stock. For most rifles equipped with a telescopic sight it is necessary to have this area raised slightly, because the telescope is higher than iron sights and a rifle shooter should steady his cheek against a rifle while aiming. A cheek piece is simply a section of the stock that can be adjusted up or down to the correct height to suit the individual shooter. To further aid this individual fitment, the stock can sometimes also be adjust for length, often by varying the number of butt pad inserts at the rear of the stock where it meets the shooter's shoulder.

A permanently fixed or removable bipod attached to the rifle's front stock (forend) is another non-standard, but critical piece of equipment. It acts as a steady and level object on which to rest the rifle which aids in accuracy.

Categories

Bolt-action

This is usually what is thought of when referred to a purpose designed sniper rifle where a foremost goal is long range accuracy (1000–1500 m) as opposed to volume of fire. This is usually the type of sniper rifle employed by true snipers as well as police snipers.

Typical examples of modern bolt-action sniper rifles:

Semi-automatic

These rifles enables a higher volume of fire, but sacrifices some long range accuracy and are therefore and are most often adaptations of existing selective fire battle rifles or assault rifles.

Examples include:

Anti-materiel rifles

These rifles also tend to be semi-automatic, but are distinct enough to be classified as a different. These rifles are of a larger caliber like .50 calibre (12.7 mm)) or even 20 mm and designed to be used against materiel targets such as vehicles or building, but can obviously also be used against personnel. Most designs are not portable by a single person, or if they are, they heavily restrict the amount of equipment such a person can carry. Therefore they are seldom deployed by a single person but more often by 2- or 3-member teams.

Typical examples include:

See also

External links

Sniper rifles | Sniper warfare

Снайперова пушка | Scharfschützengewehr | Fusil de précision | רובה צלפים | Scherpschuttersgeweer | 狙撃銃 | 저격총 | Karabin wyborowy | Снайперская винтовка | Ostrostrelna puška | Снајперска пушка | Prickskyttegevär | 狙击步枪

 

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the "Sniper rifle".

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