In 1950, Soviet gunsmiths began design work on the legendary Dragunov sniper rifle. Eight years later, a test copy was ready. After successful testing, the model entered the Soviet Army. From 1963 to the present day, the SVD has been in service with Russia. Sniper rifles are designed to effectively hit targets at long range. In many armies of the world there are special units using this type of weapon. According to experts, the SVD is by no means the only copy used by Russian specialists.
There are also new sniper rifles in Russia. They have a high firing range, accuracy and an increased damaging effect. Description and performance characteristics of modern Russian sniper rifles are contained in the article.
A bit about the history of precision weapons
The creation of Russian sniper rifles was carried out in several stages. Initially, these were ordinary rifles, the battle of which had the highest accuracy of the entire batch. Suchthe rifle unit was then equipped with an optical sight. Later, standard models, which underwent minor design changes, became the basis for Russian sniper rifles. The weapon was characterized by increased accuracy. An optical sight was designed specifically for such a rifle. Today, a sniper weapon is a special complex that combines ammunition, a small firearm and an aiming device. The best sniper rifles in Russia, due to the presence of optical sights and the use of special cartridges, have improved ergonomics, which has a positive effect on the accuracy of the battle.
What are the tasks of army snipers?
Employees of special units with the help of high-precision weapons from a distance of 600 m hit small targets. Large ones are destroyed from 800 m. Aimed fire is carried out on command personnel, observers, liaison officers, enemy snipers, crews and tank crews, as well as on means providing observation and communication. In addition, in an effort to demoralize the enemy, restrict movement and interfere with his activities, many snipers conduct harassing fire from a distance of more than 1 km. Russian large-caliber sniper rifles belong to a special category of high-precision weapons. The calibers of these rifle units vary between 9-20 mm. Unlike conventional sniper rifles, large-caliber rifles are characterized by a high effective range of fire. In addition, such models have increased dimensions, weight and recoil.
Unarmored or lightly armored enemy vehicles, low-flying or standing on the ground helicopters and planes, protected firing points and points responsible for control and satellite communications, are disabled by an accurate shot from a large-caliber sniper rifle. In Russia, both public and private manufacturers are engaged in the design of such weapons.
About types of precision weapons
Russian sniper rifles can be divided into two types: weapons based on the design of an automatic or light machine gun, and high-precision rifle units. The first type is used by the best shooters, the second - exclusively by professionals. There are two approaches to weapon design. The essence of the first is that the rifle is used not only as a special target weapon, but also has a high rate of fire, is maneuverable, reliable and effective in hand-to-hand combat. This type includes self-loading units. One of these models is the SVD. Judging by the reviews of experts, in terms of accuracy, magazine rifles are slightly superior to self-loading ones. In addition, instances of the first type "work" noisy, too heavy and bulky.
As for the second approach, in this case, rifles are created as highly specialized weapons. For such models, a store scheme is mainly provided. Structurally, they are very similar to sporting target rifles. These specimens must have high accuracy and accuracy of combat, the ability to use them at long distances, and also providesufficient penetrating effect of the projectile. It is with these requirements in mind that Russian designers are designing new sniper rifles. For products, it is possible to adjust the butt and the cheek rest. With the increase in the number of local conflicts and counter-terrorism operations, the need for professional snipers has increased, who work either alone or in pairs, or as part of special units.
OSV-96
This model is one of the powerful Russian sniper rifles. This is the first Russian sample of high-precision large-caliber weapons used to destroy not only manpower, but also various enemy equipment from a long distance. The rifle was developed in 1990 by the staff of the KPB under the guidance of designer A. G. Shipunov in the city of Tula. It has been in service with the Russian army since 2000. Using this rifle model, you can hit unarmored and lightly armored targets at a distance of up to 1800 m. Among professionals, OSV-96 is also called the "Cracker". In addition, with the help of this rifle, you can eliminate the enemy personnel, located in a shelter and dressed in personal protective equipment. However, it will be possible from a distance of 1 km to the target.
Because Burglar is quite loud, experts recommend using special headphones. OSV-96 is a self-loading large-caliber sniper rifle. In the work of automation, powder gases are used. For weaponsThis class is characterized by large dimensions. However, the design of the "Cracker" provides for the ability to fold the rifle. To do this, you need the barrel and the gas exhaust system to be folded back and to the right. You can prevent clogging of the breech barrel by placing the weapon in a special case. The folded rifle will not take up much space in the vehicle and military armored vehicles. It will take a few seconds to unfold the weapon. Judging by the reviews of experts, the Burglar is characterized by a high rate of fire. Ease of use is possible due to the presence of height-adjustable bipods in the design. Various optical sights and night vision devices have been developed for the OSV-96, thanks to which the rifle can be used at any time of the day. Since shooting from long distances is effective with this model, the sniper himself is out of reach for enemy shooters using conventional calibers.
About Features
- The size of the unfolded rifle is 174.6 x 43.1 x 42.5 cm. When folded, the dimensions are 115.4 x 13.2 x 19 cm.
- With empty ammo and no optics, Burglar weighs 13 kg.
- The rifle is effective at a distance of no more than 1800 m.
- Weapon works in single player mode.
- Ammo is contained in magazines with a capacity of 5 ammo.
- Shooting is carried out by special sniper SPTs-12, 7 mm.
About VSK Exhaust
In 1999, under the guidance of designer Vladimir Zlobin, work began on the creation of a new high-precision sniper weapon. This model is technicallydocumentation is listed as VSSK "Exhaust". Unlike other types of small arms of this class, this rifle has a reduced firing range. Aimed fire from the "Exhaust" is possible only at a distance of no more than 600 m. However, due to the 12.7 x 55 mm STs-130 caliber ammunition used, equipped with a 76 g projectile, it is possible to silently hit almost any targets. In addition, the weight of this sniper system is almost three times less than that of other "loud" models of the same caliber.
The Russian FSB Special Forces Center became the customer for this weapon. Since 2004, "Exhaust" has been produced in the Tula TsKIB SOO. A special ammunition SC-130 has been developed for the sniper system. Such a cartridge can pierce a 15 mm steel plate from 200 m. From 100 m, the bullet pierces class 5 personal protective equipment. The purpose of the sniper system is to hit targets that are in cover or wearing class 6 bulletproof vests. Also, with the "Exhaust" you can disable enemy vehicles, unarmored or lightly armored military equipment. Since powerful ammunition is equipped with projectiles that are characterized by subsonic speed, it is possible to use integrated silencers in the shooting system. As a result, shooting at a distance of 600 m is completely silent and flameless. Silent firing attachments are removed during transport.
VSK "Exhaust" is a non-automatic weapon. In constructionsystem provides for manual reloading. A bullpup system was used for the layout of parts.
ABOUT TTX
- The dimensions of the sniper system that does not use an optical sight is 112.5 x 22 x 22cm.
- The weapon is equipped with a SPTs-130 cartridge of caliber 12.7 x 55 mm.
- The rifle works in single player mode.
- SVK "Vykhlop", not equipped with an optical sight and without ammunition, weighs 650 g.
- Ammo is contained in a magazine of 5 pieces.
- Efficient shooting is possible at a distance of no more than 600 m.
O 6S8
In 1997, the workers of the Degtyarev plant created a 6S8 sniper rifle of 12.7 mm caliber. This model is a large-caliber military sniper rifle (ASVK).
Its serial production was launched only in 2013. With the help of 6S8, Russian specialists from a distance of 1500 m solve special fire tasks: they hit the equipment and manpower of the enemy. Shooting is carried out with a special sniper cartridge 7N34. Also, conventional 12.7 x 108 mm ammunition is suitable for the rifle. In the design of weapons, the developers used the bullpup scheme. For her, the location of the trigger in front of the firing mechanism is considered characteristic. As a result, such a design feature had a positive effect on the dimensions and weight of the rifle. Judging by the reviews of experts, 6S8 is quite compact, maneuverable, reliable and easy to operate.
About Features
- Specialammunition 7Н34 12, 7 x 108 mm.
- The aiming range is 1500 m.
- A rifle without a scope and no ammunition weighs 12.5 kg.
- The sniper system is equipped with a 100 cm barrel. The total length of the weapon is 142 cm.
- Ammunition is contained in special stores designed for 5 rounds.
- The weapon allows you to shoot in single player mode.
About the new Russian sniper rifle "Twilight"
In 2005, the Russian company "Tsar Cannon" by Vladislav Lobaev created a shooting model, which in September 2017 became the record holder for long-range shooting. Andrey Ryabinsky fired the farthest shot from the Russian SVLK-14S "Dusk" sniper rifle. The distance to the target was 4210 m. The scale of the target was 1 x 2 m. The 408. CheyTac cartridge was used as ammunition. The shooting site was a training ground in the Tula region in Russia. The Twilight sniper rifle was developed as an ultra-long-range rifle. For this reason, the model is characterized by the most rigid design. Store food is not provided. "Twilight" - a single-shot rifle. The shutter box contains a minimum number of grooves. Index "14" indicates that the weapon was created in 2014.
The Lobaev Sniper Rifle (SVL) is Lobaev Arms' own brand. The letter "K" indicates that the design of the model uses the King v.3 bolt group. It is represented by an aluminum case with a receiver and a fixed steel insert. The triggers in these rifles are verysensitive. If necessary, the shooter can independently adjust the descent force. According to experts, 2,000 meters is considered an extreme distance for sniper weapons. Nevertheless, there were cases when the arrow from such a distance managed to hit the target. However, as experts are convinced, luck played a greater role here than the real capabilities of the rifle. Effective hitting a target from a very long distance is possible for a shooter with high skill. It is also necessary to have a specialized high-precision small arms system. "Twilight" was originally designed for effective shooting at very long distances. Today it is the most powerful sniper rifle in Russia.
About performance characteristics
- SVLK-14S belongs to the type of sniper rifles.
- Country of origin - Russia.
- Manufacturer - arms company "Tsar Cannon" and Design Bureau of Integrated Systems.
- The rifle was created under the guidance of designer V. Lobaev.
- Firing with 408 CheyTac, 338LM and 300WM cartridges.
- The rifle weighs 960g.
- Size 143 x 9.6 x 17.5 cm.
- Works in single mode.
- Ammo magazine missing.
- The rifle is fitted with a bolt action.
- The shooter has the ability to manually reload.
- The technical accuracy is 0.3 MO/9mm.
- The weapon is effective at a distance of 2300 m.
About IC "Precision"
Today, employees of the federal security service and the FSO, as well as servicemen of the National Guard, use the latest sniper rifle "Precision". This complex is produced in two versions, designed for ammunition of calibers 8.6 x 69 (NATO) and 7.62 x 51 mm. According to gunsmiths, the maximum firing range is affected by the size of the bolt mechanism and which cartridge is used. With NATO-style ammunition, shooting will be effective at a distance of up to 800 m. For the second cartridge, this figure is twice as high.
For the sniper complex, two types of magazines with a capacity of 5 and 10 rounds have been developed. Rifles are equipped with optical sights and laser rangefinders.