Barrett M82
The Barrett M82 takes first place in the ranking of the best sniper weapons. This rifle was developed by an American amateur photographer and became widely known throughout the world.
Today, the Barrett M82 (one of the latest modifications of this weapon) is used in the armies of many countries around the globe. The Barrett M82 is a large bore 12 gauge semi-automatic rifle. The peculiarity of this weapon is that the rifle is capable of hitting both lightly armored enemy vehicles and its radar installations, and is also perfect for eliminating unexploded shells. This is what makes the Barrett M82 so popular in the armies of many countries.
TAR-21
The 5th place in the ranking of the best assault rifles in the world is occupied by the Israeli TAR-21 . It was developed in 1993 as part of a replacement for the obsolete Galil. The Tavor is made using a bullpup layout with a linear design, which ensures high shooting accuracy. This forced the designers to place the sighting bars much higher. Also, the engineers implemented the ability to remake the bolt, so that the cartridges will begin to fly out from the opposite side, which allows left-handed people to use the machine gun effectively.
In general, TAR is a whole complex of universal weapons that can be adapted to perform any task.
Accuracy International AW50
The British Accuracy International AW50 sniper rifle has the same caliber as the Barrett M82. The geography of distribution of the former is slightly more limited than that of Barrett, but it is still in service with many countries, including predominantly European states.
The firing range is the same as the Barrett M82 - 2000 meters. Five-round magazine. Excellent shooting accuracy, high accuracy, coupled with the ability to destroy lightly armored vehicles makes this rifle a desirable weapon for a sniper and makes enemies tremble. But, like many rifles in its class, it is quite massive and heavy.
AMP Technical Services DSR-1
This German rifle can be called the most accurate, although only under ideal conditions - in the absence of wind and using special cartridges. It belongs to the police and anti-terrorist weapons, used by European formations such as GSG-9. This rifle is not particularly liked by professional military personnel due to its excessive susceptibility to sand and dirt. Often in real combat conditions, when there is an explosion nearby, or the rifle is dropped on the ground, it misfires.
ORSIS T-5000
Now is the time to pay attention to Russian developments. ORSIS T-5000 was developed by a private company at the dawn of this decade. The rifle has one of the best accuracy rates in the world.
ORSIS T-5000 is available in two calibers: 8.6 and 7.62 millimeters. The weight of 6.5 kilograms makes this weapon more convenient compared to its counterparts.
ORSIS T-5000 is capable of withstanding temperature changes over a wide range (from severe frost to hot heat), high humidity and serious pollution, while maintaining the original shooting accuracy.
CheyTac M200
Another of the best American sniper rifles is the CheyTac M200, which was released at the beginning of this century. It represents all the advanced and weapons design achievements of the United States at that time.
It has manual reloading, which is a little strange for a weapon of this level, because this modification can be equipped with a computer to which it is possible to connect various sensors: reading wind direction and speed, humidity level, temperature readings.
The firing range of the CheyTac M200 is 2 kilometers, the weight of the weapon is 12 kilograms. Also, this rifle has a fairly high cost, which can reach 50,000 US dollars.
Top best sniper rifles in the world
Top best sniper rifles in the world
A modern sniper rifle is a complex high-precision system, and it is very difficult to find the most advanced one.
However, today we will try to remember the most outstanding examples of sniper weapons.
CheyTac Intervention (USA)
When it comes to creating sniper weapons, the recognized leaders are the United States. In any case, their products are the most advanced. A kind of quintessence of achievements in the field of creating high-precision rifles was the CheyTac M200 “Intervention”. Before us is a large-caliber sniper rifle, designed for special cartridges .408 CheyTac and .375 CheyTac. The main purpose of this weapon is to combat manpower at long distances. Like many sniper rifles, the M200 is manually loaded and bolt-action. Such rifles are traditionally considered more accurate than automatic and semi-automatic rifles.
A distinctive feature of the M200 is that it is part of the CheyTac LRRS complex. It also includes a ballistics computer to which you can connect wind sensors, temperature sensors and barometric pressure sensors. All this allows you to effectively hit a target comparable to a human figure at a distance of up to 2 thousand meters. True, the price of the complex cannot be called low: the rifle will cost the buyer 50 thousand euros. Perhaps this is why it is used by a limited number of countries, including Argentina, Jordan, Turkey and Poland. The complex is also quite heavy - without an optical sight, the rifle weighs more than 12 kg. This is slightly less than the weight of the Barrett M82 large-caliber rifle (we'll talk about it later).
CheyTac Intervention
M2010 (USA)
No less technologically advanced is the newest M2010 rifle intended for the US military. In fact, it is the result of a deep modernization of the legendary M24, which has faithfully served the American army since the late 80s. The rifle inherited the sliding bolt from its ancestor, but switched to the new .300 Winchester Magnum cartridge (M24, among other things, used the usual 7.62).
Compared to the old cartridge, the new one should provide a 50% increase in firing range. The basic M24, by the way, also has good accuracy: the effective firing range of 7.62x51 mm cartridges is 800 m. So with the new rifle, an ordinary US Army sniper will feel even more confident in the mountains or desert. True, there was a price to pay for increasing the range. The recoil has increased slightly compared to the standard M24, and in addition, the ammunition began to weigh more. Other innovations include a folding stock and improved ergonomics. Let us add that the rifle has a modern Leupold Mark 4 6.5-20?50mm ER/T M5 optical sight. So the potential of the modernized M24 is very high.
The advantages of the M2010 are obvious: it is relatively light (5.5 kg), high accuracy, and accuracy of fire at distances up to 1200 m, as well as mobility and advanced optics. The standard M24 is used by more than a dozen different countries, but the M2010 is currently used only by the US Army. In total, in 2011–2015, the military was supposed to receive more than 3.5 thousand new complexes. The contract amount was 28 million US dollars.
M2010
SVD (USSR/Russia)
The legendary Dragunov sniper rifle is not the most accurate, not the most powerful and not the most convenient. However, thanks to its low cost and reliability, it has become one of the most popular sniper rifles in the world (if not the most popular in general). An experienced sniper will never choose the SVD as his weapon, but for an inexperienced fighter it remains the best “Marksman” rifle. A clarification needs to be made here: in the West, this term is used in relation to high-precision rifles that are used by infantry snipers, operating not separately, but as part of an infantry unit. Such rifles are often not considered as full-fledged sniper weapons, but their rate of fire allows them to effectively hit targets at medium and relatively long distances. Thus, we are talking about a kind of “long” arm of the infantry on the battlefield. Like all kinds of modern analogues, the SVD is self-loading.
The SVD PSO-1 optical sight, which has a recognizable sighting reticle, assumes firing at a range of up to 1300 meters, but at such a distance the accuracy of hitting a single target will be low. So in this case, you can only shoot at a group of soldiers or just fire suppression. The effective firing range of the SVD is 800 m. At the same time, the rate of fire (in combat conditions) is 30 rounds per minute. This is a good indicator, although in terms of its characteristics, the Dragunov rifle is already noticeably inferior to analogues such as the M110. Much more expensive and difficult to master.
SVD
L96A1 (UK)
The Accuracy International L96A1 rifle has become a symbol of a sniper weapon. It is distinguished by high accuracy and accuracy of fire, excellent ergonomics and high reliability. It was from this weapon that the longest combat sniper shot in history was fired: the target was hit at a distance of 2475 m.
The rifle has a bolt action and can use 6.2, 7.62 and 8.6 mm cartridges. Such a wide range is made possible thanks to a replaceable barrel made of stainless steel by cold forging. The effective firing range is 1.5 km. Some cartridges allow, using the basic model, to place five shots from a hundred meters in a circle from 11.6 to 20.3 mm. I must say that this is a very good indicator. In total, the magazine can hold five or ten rounds.
With all this, the rifle has a very reasonable price: it can be purchased for 10–12 thousand dollars. Thanks to this (as well as its high characteristics), it was purchased by dozens of countries, including the UK, where it, in fact, was developed. The lack of worthy domestic samples of sniper weapons also prompted Russia to purchase a batch of L96 for special forces. True, in recent years the situation with Russian sniper weapons has become better: for example, the high-precision ORSIS T-5000 appeared, which was quite warmly received by experts.
L96A1
Barrett M82
This large-caliber sniper rifle is a true legend of our time. It has appeared in countless films and computer games, but the uninitiated might have the wrong idea about the rifle. In popular culture it is used as a regular sniper weapon, but this is not entirely true, or rather, not true at all. The fact is that the M82 is intended not so much for combating manpower, but for destroying unexploded shells, damaging light equipment and disabling various enemy equipment. As for shooting at living targets, other types of sniper weapons are much better suited for this.
The M82 uses the powerful 12.7mm NATO cartridge. The rifle is self-loading, the magazine holds ten rounds. There are several modifications, one of which was the very original M82A2, created according to the bullpup design, designed to destroy helicopters in the air. The M82 design also formed the basis for the Objective Sniper Weapon grenade launcher.
The Barrett M82 rifle was purchased by dozens of countries around the world. A small batch also went to the Ukrainian Armed Forces: some sources say that it was used during the war in the east of the country.
M82
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Accuracy International L96A1
A rifle made in Great Britain, the Accuracy International L96A1, can be called a unique embodiment of a sniper weapon in the world. It is noteworthy that this weapon has been in service with the British armed forces since 1982 (the year of its development).
The Accuracy International L96A1 holds the world record for the longest shot range among sniper rifles (2,475 km). Variability of rifle calibers: 6.2/7.62/8.6 millimeters. The distance at which the Accuracy International L96A1 is capable of firing effectively is 1500 meters. This weapon is also characterized by a very reasonable price for its class - 10-12 thousand dollars.
Steyr AUG A3
A small machine gun, recognized by the military as a universal and convenient weapon. Initially intended to arm Austrian soldiers, but later it began to be mass produced and exported to European countries and America. During the production of the Steyr AUG A3, a new “Bull-Pap” layout system was used, which ensures effective shooting in two modes - single and automatic.
Other weapon characteristics:
- Weight – 3300 g;
- Caliber - 5.56;
- 4 types of magazine – for 25, 30, 42 and 9 rounds;
- Shot range (sighting) – 650 meters;
- The speed of the bullet upon departure is 1 km per second;
- Rate of fire – up to 750 per minute.
The difference between the Steyr AUG A3 and the classic design is the presence of a universal Weaver rail, which allows you to attach NATO standard sights to the weapon, and a folding front handle.
SVD
Known not only in Russia and the entire post-Soviet space, but throughout the world is the Dragunov Sniper Rifle (SVD), developed back in the days of the Soviet Union. This weapon has been in service with the Russian army since 1963 to this day.
Sighting range - 1300 m, caliber - 7.62 mm. The main task and area of application of this sniper rifle is firing at short and medium distances. The SVD is armed with snipers who operate together with the unit on the battlefield. This rifle is somewhat of a "golden mean" between simple small arms and high-precision sniper rifles.
"Three-line" Mosin
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In 1931, the Mosin rifle became the first Soviet sniper rifle, having received the “sighting tube” from the Podolsk Optical Plant. The design subsequently underwent certain changes. The “Three Line” performed well at short and medium distances during World War II. Thus, in the Battle of Stalingrad, 98 snipers of the 13th Guards Rifle Division destroyed 3,879 German soldiers and officers.
M2010
The top 10 best sniper rifles included a special development for the United States Army - M2010. This modification became the embodiment of the experience of the American army in combat operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.
The M2010 is a thoroughly redesigned version of the equally famous American M24 rifle. In the M2010, the designers took into account past “mistakes” and improved the ergonomics of the weapon, equipped it with a muzzle brake with a silencer, and also increased the caliber. In addition, this rifle has better shooting accuracy.
Among the disadvantages of the M2010 (relative to the M24) it is worth highlighting stronger recoil when firing (this is typical as the caliber increases) and a brighter flash when firing.
6S8 "Kord"
Just a few years ago, a new 6S8 Kord sniper complex appeared in service with the Russian army. The 12.7 mm sniper rifle is designed to defeat both enemy personnel and lightly armored vehicles.
The firing range of the 6S8 Kord is slightly lower than that of the first two large-caliber rifles on this list: 1 kilometer for vehicles, and 1.5 kilometers for enemy infantry. It is worth noting that this rifle has several modifications, including a night complex.
M16
An automatic rifle produced by the American Colt's Manufacturing Company. The weapon is powered by a gas engine and is equipped with an improved bolt carrier and a dioptic sight. The M16 manufacturing process uses steel, durable plastic and aluminum.
Machine characteristics:
- The weight of the structure without belt and magazine is 2880 grams;
- Compatible with 5.56x45 NATO and .338 Spectrum calibers;
- Magazine capacity – 20 or 30 rounds;
- Firing range (sighting) – 450 m;
- Initial bullet speed per second – 990 m;
- Rate of fire – up to 750 per minute.
HK PSG1
The German HK PSG1 sniper rifle was developed after terrorists took hostages during the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich. Then the special forces were unable to save the lives of the hostages due to the fact that they were unable to neutralize the attackers in a short time. Thus, after the efforts of the designers, the German army received one of the most accurate sniper rifles in the world with a caliber of 7.62 millimeters and the ability to attach magazines with a capacity of 5 or 20 rounds.
The self-loading system allows you to fire quickly and efficiently. Based on this, we can say that the German side drew the right conclusions from that unfortunate incident and created a truly excellent weapon.
10. Vintorez
Another interesting domestic development in the ranking of the best sniper rifles is the Vintorez. It was created to conduct silent tactical operations.
The first modification of this weapon was released in the late 1980s. Having undergone various modifications, Vintorez remains in service with the Russian army, special forces and law enforcement officers to this day.
Special 9x39 mm cartridges have been created for this rifle. It is very light, equipped with an excellent silencer, which makes shooting almost silent, but has a low target firing range (up to 0.5 km).
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AK 12
A model of the Kalashnikov assault rifle, which went into production at the beginning of 2012. The production of weapons is carried out by the Machine-Building Plant in the city of Izhevsk (Russia). It is considered the best modern Russian assault rifle with a lightweight design and an improved firing mechanism. Over the past 5 years, the popularity of the AK 12 has increased greatly. This cool machine gun is added to computer games and new types of weapons are created based on it.
Weapon characteristics:
- Weight – 3200 grams;
- Caliber - 5.45;
- Magazine capacity – 30 or 60 rounds;
- Sighting range of the shot – 1 km;
- Initial bullet speed – 0.9 km;
- The number of rounds per minute is up to 700.
In 2016, a new version of the AK 12 appeared, the feature of which was a permanent gas tube and a mount for installing a bayonet or an under-barrel grenade launcher.
