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. Many armies of the world have special units using this type of weapon. According to experts, SVD is by no means the only instance used by Russian specialists.
There are also new sniper rifles in Russia. They have a high firing range, accuracy and increased damaging effect. The description and performance characteristics of modern sniper rifles in Russia are contained in the article.
A little 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 party. Such a rifle unit was then equipped with an optical sight. Later, the base for sniper rifles in Russia became full-time models, which underwent minor structural changes. The weapon was characterized by increased accuracy. Especially for such a rifle, an optical sight was designed. Today, sniper weapons are a special complex that combines ammunition, a small firearm and an aiming device. The best sniper rifles in Russia due to the availability of optical sights and the use of special cartridges have improved ergonomics, which positively affected the accuracy of the battle.
What tasks do army snipers perform?
Employees of special units using high-precision weapons from a distance of 600 m hit small targets. Large ones are destroyed from 800 m. Targeted fire is conducted on command personnel, observers, liaison officers, enemy snipers, crews and tank crews, as well as on surveillance and communications equipment. In addition, in an effort to demoralize the enemy, restrict movement and impede his activities, many snipers are harassing from a distance of more than 1 km. Large-caliber sniper rifles of Russia belong to a special category of precision weapons. The calibres of these rifle units vary between 9-20 mm. Unlike conventional sniper rifles, the large-caliber is characterized by a high effective range. In addition, such models have increased dimensions, weight and impact.
Unarmored or lightly armored enemy equipment, low-flying or standing on the ground helicopters and airplanes, protected firing points and points responsible for control and satellite communications are incapacitated by an accurate shot from a large-caliber sniper rifle. In Russia, both state 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, the basis for the design of which was an automatic machine gun or 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 should be used not only as a special target weapon, but also have a high rate of fire, be maneuverable, reliable and effective in hand-to-hand combat. This type includes self-loading units. One of these models is considered SVD. Judging by the reviews of experts, in such a parameter as accuracy, magazine rifles are slightly superior to self-loading. In addition, specimens of the first type “work” noisily, too heavy and bulky.
As for the second approach, in this case, rifles are created as highly specialized weapons. For such models, a storefront scheme is predominantly provided. Structurally, they are very similar to sports target rifles. These specimens should have high accuracy and accuracy of the battle, the ability to use at long distances, and also provide a sufficiently penetrative effect of the projectile. It is with these requirements in mind that new sniper rifles are being designed by Russian designers. For products, it is possible to adjust the butt and stop for the cheek. With the increase in the number of local conflicts and counter-terrorism operations, the need for professional snipers, who work both alone or in pairs, and as part of special units, has increased.
OSV-96
This model is one of the most powerful sniper rifles in Russia. This is the first Russian model of high-precision large-caliber weapons used to destroy not only manpower, but also various enemy equipment from a long distance. A rifle was developed in 1990 by employees of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union under the leadership of designer A. G. Shipunov in the city of Tula. In service with the Russian army since 2000. Using this shooting model, you can hit unarmored and lightly armored targets at a distance of up to 1800 m. Among professionals, the OSV-96 is also called the “Burglar”. In addition, with the help of this rifle it is possible to 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.
Since shooting from the Burglar is quite loud, experts recommend using special headphones. OSV-96 is a self-loading large-caliber sniper rifle. The automation uses powder gases. Weapons of this class are characterized by large dimensions. However, the design of the "Burglar" provides the ability to fold the rifle. To do this, you need the barrel and the gas system must be thrown back and to the right. You can prevent clogging of the breech barrel cut by placing the weapon in a special case. A folded rifle will not take up much space in a vehicle and military armored vehicles. It takes a few seconds to lay down a weapon. Judging by the reviews of experts, a high rate of fire is characteristic of the “Burglar”. 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, so the rifle can be used at any time of the day. Since shooting with this model is effective from long distances, the sniper himself is unattainable for enemy shooters using conventional calibers.
About specifications
- 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 an empty ammunition and without optics, the Burglar weighs 13 kg.
- The rifle is effective at a distance of not more than 1800 m.
- The weapon works in single player mode.
- Ammunition is held in stores with a capacity of 5 ammunition.
- Shooting is carried out by special sniper TWS-12.7 mm.
About VSK “Exhaust”
In 1999, under the leadership of designer Vladimir Zlobin, work began on the creation of a new high-precision sniper weapon. This model is listed in the technical documentation as VSSK “Exhaust”. Unlike other small arms of this class, this rifle has a reduced range. Sighting fire from the “Exhaust” is possible only at a distance of no more than 600 m. However, due to the used ammunition of 12.7 x 55 mm caliber SC-130, equipped with a projectile weighing 76 g, a silent defeat of virtually any targets is possible. In addition, the weight of this sniper system is almost three times less than other “high-profile” models of the same caliber.
The customer of this weapon was the Special Forces Center of the Russian FSB. Since 2004, “Exhaust” is produced in the Tula TsKIB SOO. For the sniper system developed a special ammunition SC-130. With such a cartridge, it is possible to pierce a 15 mm steel plate from 200 m. From 100 m the bullet flashes individual protective equipment of the 5th grade. The purpose of the sniper system is to hit targets that are in shelter or are dressed in class 6 bulletproof vests. Also with the “Exhaust” it is possible to disable the enemy’s automotive, unarmored or lightly armored combat vehicles. Since powerful ammunition is equipped with shells 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. During transportation, the nozzles for silent shooting are removed.
VSK "Exhaust" is a non-automatic weapon. The system design provides for manual reloading. For the assembly of parts, the bullpup system was used.
About TTX
- The dimensions of the sniper system that does not use an optical sight are 112.5 x 22 x 22 cm.
- For weapons provided cartridge TWS-130 caliber 12.7 x 55 mm.
- The rifle works in single mode.
- ICS "Exhaust", not equipped with a telescopic sight and without ammunition, weighs 650 g.
- Cartridges are kept in the store for 5 pieces.
- Effective shooting is possible at a distance of no more than 600 m.
About 6C8
In 1997, employees of the Degtyarev plant created a 6S8 sniper rifle of 12.7 mm caliber. This model is an army sniper large-caliber rifle (ASVK).
Its serial production was launched only in 2013. With the help of 6С8, Russian specialists from a distance of 1, 500 m solve special fire tasks: they hit the enemy’s equipment and manpower. Shooting is carried out by a special sniper cartridge 7N34. Also suitable for rifles are conventional ammunition of 12.7 x 108 mm caliber. In the design of weapons, the developers used the bullpup scheme. For her characteristic is the location of the trigger in front of the trigger mechanism. As a result, this design feature positively affected the dimensions and weight of the rifle. Judging by the reviews of experts, 6C8 is quite compact, maneuverable, reliable and easy to operate.
About specifications
- For rifles are special ammunition 7N34 12.7 x 108 mm.
- The aiming range is 1500 m.
- The rifle, not equipped with an optical sight and without ammunition, weighs 12.5 kg.
- The sniper system is equipped with a barrel 100 cm long. The total length of the weapon is 142 cm.
- Ammunition is contained in special stores, designed for 5 cartridges.
- The weapon allows you to fire in single player mode.
About the new sniper rifle of Russia "Twilight"
In 2005, the Russian company Tsar-Pushka, Vladislav Lobaev, created a shooting model, which in September 2017 became the record holder for long-range shooting. The farthest shot from a Russian sniper rifle SVLK-14C "Twilight" fired Andrei Ryabinsky. The distance to the target was 4210 m. The target scale was 1 x 2 m. The 408.CheyTac cartridge was used as ammunition. The firing range was a training ground in the Tula region in Russia. The “Twilight” sniper rifle was developed as an ultra-long-range one. For this reason, the model is characterized by the most rigid design. Store food is not provided. "Dusk" is a single-shot rifle. The shutter box contains a minimum number of grooves. The “14” index indicates that the weapon was created in 2014.
Lobaev Sniper Rifle (SVL) is Lobaev Arms own brand. The letter "K" indicates that the design of the model used shutter group King v.3. It is represented by an aluminum case with a receiver and a fixed steel insert. Triggers in these rifles are very sensitive. If necessary, the shooter can independently adjust the descent forces. According to experts, 2 thousand meters is considered a prohibitive distance for sniper weapons. Nevertheless, there were cases when the arrow from such a distance managed to hit the target. However, experts are convinced that 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 also requires a specialized high-precision small arms system. "Dusk" was originally designed for effective shooting at very large distances. Today it is the most powerful sniper rifle in Russia.
About the performance characteristics
- SVLK-14C belongs to the type of sniper rifles.
- Country of origin - Russia.
- The manufacturer is the Tsar-Cannon weapons company and design bureaus of integrated systems.
- The rifle was created under the guidance of designer V. Lobaev.
- Shooting is carried out by 408 CheyTac, 338LM and 300WM cartridges.
- Weighs a rifle 960 g.
- Size 143 x 9.6 x 17.5 cm.
- It works in single mode.
- There is no ammunition store.
- The rifle is equipped with a longitudinally sliding rotary bolt.
- For the shooter, it is possible to reload manually.
- The indicator of technical accuracy is 0.3 MO / 9mm.
- The weapon is effective at a distance of 2300 m.
