At the range and especially in the mountains, keeping your pack-out simple is huge. Opportunities to fill your tag can come quickly, but advanced ballistic solutions often require a lot of scrambling between pieces of gear.

Vortex has solved this problem for Western hunters, long-range, and competition shooters by taking its top-tier laser rangefinder and building in an on-board GeoBallistics solver. The ballistic app made popular by serious long-range shooters, GeoBallistics lets you create custom rifle profiles and more.

Heads-up display. Ballistic references charts. Interactive mapping features and a Comp tab to build and save range cards. This highly advanced solver inside the Razor HD 4000 GB lets you create accurate shooting solutions with ease. Combine all this with the Razor HD 4000 GB’s superior optical quality, plus Bluetooth connection capability with Kestrel devices (via the GeoBallisticsApp), and you get an unparalleled level of shot-calling precision in a device that can fit in your pocket.

Weighing just 10.1 oz., the rugged and fully loaded Razor HD 4000 GB delivers the same four target modes (Normal, First, Last, and ELR) and two range modes — Horizontal Component Distance (HCD) and Ballistics Mode (BAL) —high-level shooters and hunters have come to rely on. Built-in environmental sensors (temp, pressure, humidity) in conjunction with the GeoBallistics solver, two wind modes, patented Vortex Wind Bearing Capture Mode, and Full Crosswind Mode make solving ballistic problems fast and easy in any environment or shooting scenario.

Tripod adaptable. Water, fog, and shockproof. Intuitive, easy-to-use menus feature a simple, red, illuminated display that delivers the data you need without a single, unnecessary click. The Razor HD 4000 GB (MSRP: $1199.99 / MAP: $799.99) also comes with a premium carry case, utility clip, and CR2 battery.

To learn more about the Razor HD 4000 GB and the growing family of Vortex laser rangefinders, click here. To learn more about GeoBallistics visit the website.

Bellator is designed with the modularity of the AR platform. It uses drop in AR trigger, selector, take-down pin, grip and magazine release. It has a user changeable barrel system, bolt and magazine well. The bolt is designed with a forward located left hand handle and right hand eject. To convert from 338 Lapua Mag to 300 Norma Mag is simply done by changing out the barrel. These 2 calibers use same bolt and 10 rd box magazine. Conversion from 338 Lapua Mag size to .308 size is done by changing out the barrel, bolt and magazine well. When converted to .308/6.5Creedmoor it uses standard AR10 metal or Magpul Pmags. Rifle comes with a folding fully adjustable stock or non-folding fully adjustable Magpul PRS stock.

Available in Hard Coat Anodized Black or FDE finish, all versions come in custom cut high density foam hard-case with wheels. Button rifled barrels are made from 416SS and come in the following lengths: 338 Lapua Mag and .308 in 24-inch length, 300 Norma Mag and 6.5 Creedmoor in 26-inch length. MSRP: $5000 for non-folding stock and $5600 for folding stock models.

Rifles are in full production at the time of this announcement and in-stock ready to ship.

About 21st-Tec

21st-Tec has been designing and manufacturing patented weapon systems for other companies for 20 years in US commercial market and export contracts. 21st-Tec uses only US raw material to manufacture our rifles in our modern CNC factory. All our products are 100% made in the USA. At 21st-Tec we have a passion for designing new products with outside the box thinking.

Learn more at: 21st-tec.com

Dealer/Distributor inquiries email: sales@21st-tec.com

International inquiries email: export@21st-tec.com

The .338 Lapua Magnum (LM) has been the next greatest “mainstream” sniper caliber for the last 30-plus years. It was designed to be the ideal “in-between” round. That is, in between 7.62×51 and .50 caliber. It was supposed to be a versatile sniper caliber or a lightweight machine gun back in the 1980s. It has had its successes and favor in certain communities around the world for almost 40 years. Some might say that it has had more success overseas than in the United States.

However, the recent adaptation of the .338 Norma Magnum by the U.S. Army for the new Precision Sniper Rifle program (PSR) and SOCOM/USMC with the Multi-Role Adaptive Design Rifle (MRAD) as Mk22 Mod 0 ASR Advanced Precision Rifle is a true paradigm shift for the industry. The change means the .338 LM is no longer up and coming; it is perceived as old and outdated. The punches keep coming with the upcoming SOCOM .338 Norma Magnum for the Lightweight Medium Machine Gun (LWMMG) program. The use in a machine gun will dramatically increase the amount of ammunition being built, and it will reduce the cost of the ammunition for all takers. All of these combined factors seem to be the final nail in the coffin for .338 LM.

The .338 LM will not now or ever be adopted by the U.S. Army or SOCOM—period. It will never be the clear winner as the sniper or precision long-range caliber of choice. It came close to being the “great caliber” many times. Its ship has now officially sailed. After the U.S. Army and SOCOM have used the .338 Norma Magnum for a while, then other countries will follow suit. The commercial market also will shift away from .338 LM and towards the .338 Norma Magnum. This will mean more bullet offerings, more custom weapons, more machine guns and the like in .338 Norma Magnum. The popularity of the .338 Norma Magnum is pretty intense, as it has come a very long way since its introduction around 2008.

These new “systems” (ASR, MRAD, PSR, LWMMG) come on the heels of a major systems failure. The Modular Sniper Rifle (MSR) was awarded to Remington in 2013 after the original Precision Sniper Rifle (PSR) competitions. This nearly $80 million contract for over 5,000 rifles and over 4.6 million rounds of ammo seems to have died. There were numerous issues, and it is not clear what happened. The MSR was chambered in 7.62×51 NATO, .300 Winchester Magnum and .338 Lapua Magnum. The program has not been officially canceled, though it appears to be dead for all intent and purposes. Some are saying the MSR (Remington) has been completely swapped for the ASR (Barrett’s MRAD) and the .338 LM for the .338 Norma Magnum.

History

Ironically, Lapua is a Finnish company making the round with U.S. origins. The .338 LM caliber owes its origin to the U.S. Army. Back in the 1980s, the Army awarded a contract to Research Armaments Industries (RAI)  to develop a new sniper weapon and caliber. RAI Enterprises got the contract. They were working with barrel legend Boots Obermeyer (Obermeyer Rifled Barrels) and Jim Bell (Brass Extrusion Labs Ltd.). These two characters created the .338×416, based on the .416 Rigby cartridge case. My father, Jim, fondly describes why they did what they did on a bar napkin at a Wisconsin restaurant/tavern:

• That .580 base diameter cartridge would fit in standard large actions.
• The large base diameter would allow all the powder you would need for any ballistic solution.
• The heavy taper would be ideal for future potential machine gun use and easy extraction.
• .338 diameter was the largest caliber with a wide range of projectile types and enough payload for armor-piercing applications.

Bell says they based the original prototype cases on the .416 Rigby low-pressure African caliber. There was no science behind the choice of this base diameter. It was a common diameter, and it was on the shelf. Back in that day, new calibers were not being developed and released a couple of times a year. This caliber was originally designed in 1911 by John Rigby & Company. Since it was for an African caliber, it was not designed for high pressure. Therefore, the original samples were too soft in the case head and were difficult to extract from when shot for a high-performance load. The cases needed to be headed with more force and/or with slight tooling changes to get the diamond point hardness (DPH) in the head so they would still easily extract from the rifle. Since time was of the essence and Bell Labs was not able to move fast enough on these changes, the circus moved on, and the RAI program did not go anywhere; however, the .338×416 lived on.

The .338×416 was later picked up by Lapua in Finland, adjusted slightly and renamed the .338 Lapua Magnum. It has had better success in Europe than in the U.S. Lapua and Nammo have offered up to a dozen different bullet loads to include multiple armor-piercing varieties. The most current version (2018) of the Nammo Handbook has six different flavored categories for a total of 10 types:

• Lock Base: 250-grain FMJ
• Scenar: 250- and 300-grain OTM
• Solid: 231-grain
• Armor Piercing: 248- and 300-grain tungsten carbide core
• Armor Piercing Incendiary: 253-grain
• Proof, Drill & Blank

In the late 1990s, the U.S. manufacture of chambers in .338 was a common trend. I can fondly remember the SHOT Show in the early 2000s when Savage finally chambered in it. I was sure the price under $1,500 would be a rocket seller and quickly make .338 LM mainstream. It did not. Today at least a dozen U.S. manufacturers offer a standard, off-the-shelf version of .338 Lapua Magnum.

In a recent conversation with a long-time industry expert, we joked about how a typical 5-million round RFQ (request for quotation) for .338 Lapua Magnum really means 5,000 rounds will be procured. My days as a brass manufacturer of .338 Lapua Magnum caliber involved many multi-million-round RFQs that ended in an order of maybe 30,000 rounds, at best. This number has been echoed by other producers as the typical “large” run for .338 LM brass here in the U.S. The typical assumption was that the XYZ government was considering the expanded use of the caliber and wanted to know what the ammo would cost in volume. This seems to make sense as there were many RFQs, and no one was ever awarded numbers in those quantities.

The caliber has had considerable notoriety over the last decades. Of the current top 20 sniper kill shots, the .338 LM currently holds 3rd at 2,475m from 2009. It also holds positions at 10 and 11. The .50 BMG is the record holder at 3,540m and holds 10 of the top 20 spots. It is impressive that the .338 can go toe to toe with the .50 BMG when the .50 weapons weigh 26 to 30 pounds and the .338 rifles weigh +/-14 pounds. I’m not sure that the .300 or .338 Norma Magnum will ever have records of this magnitude; beating out the .50 BMG is unlikely. However, if the U.S. government is right, the future of warfare is in urban areas, not the Middle East desert, which will provide less opportunity for extreme long-range shots.

Norma vs. Lapua

Reasons why the .338 Norma Magnum has won out over the .338 Lapua Magnum:

• Current propellants can accomplish all the velocity needed with less powder capacity; therefore the extra volume of .338 LM is overkill.
• The shorter length of the Norma calibers is easier to manipulate in standard rifle actions and machine guns.
• The “short magnum” craze of the early 2000s has popularized the use of and familiarity with short magnum calibers.
• There is better powder burn uniformity to give better accuracy in shorter cases.
• The .338 Norma Magnum has less weight—the U.S. Army is always on the hunt to save a few pounds.

Of course, the only thing for sure with the U.S. government is … nothing. They could change their minds before this article goes to print. The ASR ammo contract was recently awarded to UDC USA; however, it is not in production yet. It does have the makings of success. The ASR is a “Program of Record.” Barrett was awarded $50 million in rifles chambered in the .338 Norma Magnum for the ASR.

It appears that General Dynamics and SIG Sauer are the early favorites for the LWMMG contract. The GD design on the LWMMG is 10 years old or more. It’s so old that they took it out of their trade show booth because they thought it was a dead program. Then all of a sudden, the LWMMG became all the rage, and it was back in the booth. These are exciting times in the gun and ammunition world. Things are changing quickly—faster than the U.S. government can support. In the meantime, enjoy the show.

(Editor’s Note: Robert Bruce’s extensive profile of Marine Scout Snipers (SAR May 2005, Vol. 8 No. 8) sparked requests for a similar look at precision shooters of the Army and other services. Unlike the Corps, which is publicly proud of its snipers, the Army is a bit squeamish about the subject. However, the Army’s apparent PC prejudice on the subject was pretty much limited to the Pentagon. The closer SAR’s inquiries got to the front lines the more enthusiastic the responses were, enabling a more complete picture of the essential and escalating contributions of snipers, sharpshooters and other precision marksmen in Central Command’s area of operations. What follows is mostly about the Army’s unsung heroes plus an update on what some Marines have been up to. – Robert G. Segel)

“Snipers are the most sophisticated and reliable source of human intelligence in my AO (area of operations) that I have at my disposal as an infantry commander. Their ability to depict complex situations accurately and to articulate them sensibly in a timely manner makes it a whole lot easier for me to finish off the bad guys and enable the good guys. Having competent sniper teams is an incredible overall combat force multiplier. Especially when you throw in a thousand meter surgical shot. That creates nightmares for our current enemy threat.” US Army Captain Keith J. Haviland, Commander, A Co. (Killer Company) 1st Bn., 184th Inf. Regt., 4th BCT, 3rd ID. May 2005, Iraq

Nightmares, indeed, and plenty of them as the US military and its allies operating against the insurgency in Iraq and Afghanistan urgently field more and more snipers, sharpshooters and other precision markspersons.

The nature of the conflict in these and other countries in Central Command’s AO has evolved into a struggle to eliminate the small percentage of extremist elements while minimizing casualties among the general population where they hide. Despite the increasing precision of various “smart” weapons including bombs, artillery and mortar munitions, collateral damage is still too often unacceptably high.

This challenge has been met in many instances by sharply increasing the number and frequency of heavily armed patrols as well as targeted house-to-house searches and raids. They are guided by intelligence supplied in part by sympathetic locals and tactical assets like the little Dragon Eye and Raven surveillance UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles).

But, as Captain Haviland so clearly stated, many infantry company and battalion commanders have come to rely most heavily on the real-time observations and deadly accuracy of their own specially trained hunter-shooter teams.

Hide, Observe, Report, Shoot

In addition to fieldcraft and high precision riflery, a significant amount of time is devoted to surveillance and intelligence reporting skills in the formal sniper schools run by the Army and Marine Corps. This training emphasizes the importance of careful observation of enemy activity and frequent radio transmission of clear and concise facts back to the chain-of-command.

Thus, the sniper team – shooter, spotter and often a team leader as well – becomes the commander’s eyes and ears well forward of his unit. In urban warfare this usually means the team moves out covertly into the upper part of a building then remains hidden while scanning a specific sector for an extended period of time. Mission taskings may include reporting of suspicious activity such as placement of IEDs (improvised explosive devices), movement and gatherings of likely insurgents, and spotting mortar positions.

While strict rules of engagement will vary according to the situation and location, most often the team must request and receive higher level permission before taking a shot. Also, when appropriate, the team may be called upon to call for and adjust artillery or air strikes.

Not to be overlooked is the force-multiplier and morale contribution of sniper teams providing security overwatch for friendly patrols as well as static guard posts. Many a GI has been spared as overly eager terrorist insurgents get dispatched with surgical precision when they raise a rifle or RPG (rocket propelled grenade) to fire from a window or alley.

Not All Are Snipers

While all precision shooters are valuable to the tactical situation, not all are genuine “snipers.” This distinguished name is best reserved for those who have successfully completed formal schooling by their respective services, resulting in award of the sniper MOS (military occupational specialty) 8541 to Marines or ASI (additional identifier) B4 in the Army.

For the most part these men are assigned in the role of sniper and armed with top-of-the-line bolt action Remington 7.62mm rifles like the Army’s M24 and Marine Corps’ M40, or semiauto .50 caliber Barretts.

Army Honors Barrett M107

The Vice Chief of Staff of the Army has recognized the Barrett M107 Cal. .50 Long Range Sniper Rifle as one of the Top Ten Greatest Inventions of 2004.

“Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom after action reports have identified the M107 as a top performer and one of the most useful pieces of equipment for the urban fight – particularly for our light fighters. Soldiers and their leaders had nothing but praise for the accuracy, target effect and tactical advantage provided by this weapon.”

Ronnie Barrett’s remarkable .50 caliber sniper rifles have rapidly made their way from Special Operations Command into widespread issue throughout the US Armed Forces and those of many allied nations.

The Army recently gave the M107 “full materiel release” status, signifying that rigorous testing and evaluation has determined that it is completely safe, operationally suitable and logistically supportable.

The M107, developed and made by Barrett Firearms Manufacturing, Inc. of Murfreesboro, Tennessee as the M82, was procured as a Soldier Enhancement Program to meet urgent operational needs in the Global War on Terror.

It is also known to the Marine Corps as the M82 series Special Application Scoped Rifle (SASR).

Corporal Torres and the Barrett .50 cal. 1,200 Meter Shot

3rd Brigade Reconnaissance Troop plays major role in Fallujah Offensive. 1st Infantry Division News, Fallujah, Iraq, December 2004.

Once in position and looking west down into the city, the scouts used their Long Range Advanced Scout Surveillance System (LRAS3) – a device that uses thermal imaging to register heat signatures – to call for fire on targets deep into the city in preparation for the main push.

Later in the day (8 Nov.) the troops began receiving sniper fire. As Spc. James Taylor scanned the city through the LRASS, he spotted another sniper in a window about 1,200 meters out.

Corporal Omar Torres, an infantryman and sniper from the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Scout Platoon, joined the men on the road, bringing with him his .50 caliber M107 sniper rifle. With Taylor acting as his spotter, he sent several rounds into the building.

“Oh man, you nailed him,” shouted Taylor who was still watching through the LRASS. “That was so cool, he just exploded!”

Sharpshooters and Designated Marksmen

Because the demand far outstrips the supply of these “real” snipers, worthy shooters with somewhat lesser degrees of schooling and proficiency are also deserving of membership in the precision riflery fraternity. Depending on variables including the marksman’s branch of service, duty assignment and specific weapon, there is much latitude in what they are called. Hair splitters are invited to weigh in but SAR finds it convenient to use two broad categories.

We’ll call the first category of semi-snipers “Sharpshooters/Designated Marksmen,” who are expert shooters given some advanced instruction and then assigned the role as an additional duty. They are usually identified by the distinctive scoped 7.62mm rifle with its protruding box magazine they proudly carry.

The M14 Rides Again

GI’s armed with accurized M14 rifles are taking a greater role in combat action in Iraq and Afghanistan. There are a number of reasons for dusting off these 1950’s era semiautomatic battle rifles but it’s fair to say this is mostly because they’re available and they do the job.

Replaced in the mid-1960s by the little M16, plenty of these 7.62mm NATO caliber warhorses remain in storage at Anniston Army Depot and, with a bit of tweaking, “Fourteens” way out range and out punch any version of the 5.56mm M16 family.

The Marine Corps has long embraced this rework – carefully done at its famous facility on Quantico – as the Designated Marksman Rifle. Specially trained shooters in FAST (Fleet Anti Terrorism Security) companies get most of these and praise their effectiveness against multiple and moving targets out to 600 meters and sometimes more.

Although modified Fourteens served with distinction in the Vietnam War as the M21 Sniper Rifle, the Army has only recently rediscovered it for this role. In the last couple of years hundreds have been pulled out of cosmoline, tuned up, and rushed out to the field in an admirable but apparently less than fully official manner. Despite Department of Defense news photos and stories featuring the Fourteen in Southwest Asia, the Army is strangely quiet about its very cost-effective recycling of a proven battle rifle. What’s up with this?

On the M14

SAR believes somebody ought to get a medal for responding to urgent requests from the field to overcome the Sixteen’s sniping deficiencies by quickly fielding surplus Fourteens. Inexplicably, we can’t find evidence of any such recognition.

Our requests for information on issue of modified M14 rifles started at the Pentagon and got routed in all manner of directions with no luck. Continued polite pressing through supplementary channels finally yielded a response from a knowledgeable source in the Infantry Center at Fort Benning. Some relevant excerpts:

SAR: Is the proper nomenclature Designated Marksman Rifle?

Army: There is no nomenclature for a modified M14 as this is not a formal Army program, but rather a unit-specific effort.

SAR: What is the basis of issue; how many per unit and who gets them?

Army: Zero. Some units have received depot surplus M14s to augment their authorized weapons but there is no formalized or standardized basis of issue, nor are all units authorized to have M14s – it is a capability provided for a limited time on a case-by-case basis.

SAR: What is the rationale for fielding these vs. the M24?

Army: All units authorized the M24 have their allocated quantity. Those units in receipt of M14s have not received them in lieu of M24 sniper rifles.

SAR: Where are the Designated Marksmen being trained and to what standards?

Army: Designated Marksmen are trained as part of marksmanship sustainment training at the individual unit level, according to standards established in Chapter 7 of FM3-22.9, Rifle Marksmanship.

Squad Designated Marksman

Not to be confused with those in the previous category, Squad Designated Marksmen are members of Army and Marine rifle squads who carry specially modified 5.56mm M16A4 rifles or M4A1 carbines. Telescopic sights and bipods are the most obvious indicators of this special status but the luckiest ones carry weapons with match grade trigger groups and heavy barrels.

They usually get extra training to go along with this high-speed gun gear and are expected to put this to good use in two very important ways. First, the day scopes – usually 4 power ACOGs – enable better identification of threats among friendlies. Then, when the need arises to apply 5.56mm persuasion, the accuracy package plus well honed shooting skills equals higher likelihood of finishing the job without collateral damage.

The Marine Corps has two versions of what they call the SAM-R (Squad Advanced Marksman Rifle), one made at Quantico’s Precision Weapons Section to match standards and the other less formally assembled by deploying Expeditionary Units. The essentials are the same for both, M16A4 with 4 power scope and bipod, and are said to easily do the job out to 400 meters and more.

USAMU Supports Squad Designated Marksmen

“It’s the same rifle, just fitted and better adjusted. Almost like NASCAR, all the improvements are under the hood.” Lieutenant Colonel David Ludwig, USAMU Commander

An excellent feature on the United States Army Marksmanship Unit in the Spring 2005 issue of Infantry Bugler magazine (National Infantry Assn.) detailed some extraordinary assistance at the request of the 3rd Infantry Division as it prepared for deployment to Iraq.

AMU’s expert in-house armorers, with skills honed in support of the Army’s finest competition shooters, took 240 of the division’s M16A4 rifles and fine tuned them for high performance shooting. Sporting a free-floated barrel, competition trigger group, bipod and optical sight, the resulting weapons were capable of putting 20 rounds of special M262 ammo in rapid fire inside the 10 ring at 600 yards.

3rd ID Squad Designated Marksmen also got an AMU tune up, learning from some of the world’s best shooters how to get the most out of their new rifles. The program of instruction for SDMs may be found in FM 3-22.9.

Stryker Brigade Snipers in Iraq

Troubled by the lack of recognition in news releases and other elements on the Army’s official website www.army.mil, SAR sent a request through Pentagon channels to the 25th Infantry Division, deployed in Northern Iraq. The response was immediate and enthusiastic. Some excerpts:

• Major Mark Bieger is the Battalion Operations Officer for 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment deployed in the 1st Brigade (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), 25th Infantry Division in Northern Iraq. “Snipers have been critical to successful operations in fighting the insurgency in Mosul, Iraq. The sniper provides two critical advantages: precision, long-range direct fires and covert surveillance. In an urban environment, the sniper’s unique capabilities cannot be matched with other, lesser-trained soldiers, technology or alternate tactic, technique or procedure. The snipers of this battalion are absolutely necessary and an invaluable piece of the organization.”
• Captain Chris Bachl is a Stryker Infantry Company Commander of A Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment deployed in Northern Iraq.
  
  On Sniper Effectiveness in Iraq: “The seven man sniper squad (2 x three man sniper teams + 1 Squad leader) are used in a full array of operations in support of company and battalion targeting operations. Common operational uses include covert stay behind ambushes, cache/terrain of interest observation, counter IED, Iraqi Army patrol overwatch, and counter mortar/counter rocket and COP/Hard site security. They truly operate over a full spectrum of operations to include both lethal and non-lethal roles. One critical role they play involves the gathering of information and intel as they conduct observation and surveillance. My company snipers were very adept at pinpointing enemy actions at a distance using their advanced optics. Their spot reports translated into critical real time information (sensor to shooter link) that platoon’s were able to act on instantly using their digital capabilities.”

• One example: “While providing observation and counter reconnaissance in support of a platoon maneuvering forward from a COP the sniper team spotted ‘suspicious activity.’ After developing the situation and further observation, they observed military aged males gathering at a house at a distance of 600 meters from the combat outpost. The sniper team was able to then vector the maneuver platoon to the house while the spotter and sniper continued to maintain eyes on the situation. Once the platoon was in sight, the gathering began to disperse, some picked up RPGs and AK 47’s and started firing at the approaching platoon. The sniper team was able to isolate them with precision fires allowing the platoon to maneuver closer to the building.”
  
• Captain Kevin Saatkamp is an Infantry Stryker company commander in the 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment deployed to Northern Iraq.
  
  “Snipers fulfill a critical role in the urban insurgency. The benefits of the organic company sniper, unique to the Stryker Brigade, add a tremendous precision fire asset to those who need it most: the infantryman on the ground. Consisting of a 3-man element; the sniper team provides not only the ability to “reach out and touch someone,” but also the ability to observe targets covertly without a large signature. The largest challenge to the sniper in Mosul is the difficult and varied terrain. One mission the team may be placed in a 3-story building, the next in an open field. Leaving behind a sniper team in an area that just received contact has proved especially effective to US forces. Although not always employed, the sniper can provide an insight into the neighborhood that a normal dismounted patrol can’t. In short, the company sniper team is a tremendous combat multiplier to the Stryker company and battalions.”

Marine Sniper Receives Silver Star By Lance Corporal Ray Lewis

“Under fire for twelve hours at a time with rounds landing inches from his head, sniper Sergeant John E. Place volleyed with such lethal response that insurgents wouldn’t poke their head out their windows.”

His exploits in Operation Iraqi Freedom II as a sniper team leader with Company E, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, earned Place a Silver Star, awarded at Camp Pendleton, California, on June 23rd 2005. He is currently assigned to 1st Marine Division’s Marksmanship Training Unit.

Sniping for Allah

While it is authoritatively said that most “sniper fire” reported by US and allied forces comes from conventional small arms in the hands of marksmen of average skill, it would be naïve to think that there aren’t real snipers among the diverse ranks of the insurgencies in Afghanistan and Iraq.

An undisguised propaganda piece filed by Baghdad correspondent Hala Jabar appeared in the 20 February 2005 issue of Britain’s Sunday Times, fawningly profiling an insurgent sniper who we are led to believe must be an Islamic version of legendary Marine sniper Carlos Hathcock. “Abu Othman” – not his real name – is said to be a star among the embittered Sunni Muslims who were the biggest losers when their benefactor Saddam Hussein was deposed.

Supposedly self-taught from internet research, computer shooting games, Hollywood sniper movies, and hours of Dragunov rifle shooting out in the desert, Abu is credited with killing over forty Americans – including some GI snipers – along with numerous Iraqi “collaborators.”

Under the heading of “Know Your Enemy,” here’s one from SAR that provides a sobering look into the bizarre internet world of insurgents and their many sympathizers plus a link directly to the Sunday Times’ story: http://abutamam.blogspot.com/2005/02/snipers-and-there-are-many-on-both.html

Future Sniping

Army snipers – and maybe their Marine brothers – can look forward to receiving a fast shooting new 7.62mm sniper rifle in the next year or so. Program Manager Soldier Weapons is expected to soon announce the results of an extensive competition for the XM110 Semi Automatic Sniper System, essentially a beefed-up and tuned up M16 along the lines of the Navy SEAL’s MK11 Mod 0 (Knight’s SR-25).

Also, Ronnie Barrett hasn’t rested on his M107 .50 caliber laurels. Joint Services Small Arms Program is well along with developmental work and safety testing of his 25mm high velocity version called the XM 109 Anti-Materiel Payload Rifle. Insiders report this awesome weapon has already seen “operational evaluation” overseas.

Adopt a Sniper

Despite the best efforts of many on Uncle Sam’s team to get the latest and best guns and gear to his warfighters, bureaucrats who control purse strings and supply lines too often consider golf courses and day care centers to be more important.

This unconscionable situation – made worse by the rapid increase in the numbers of precision marksmen of all types – means that too many shooters must do without and others having to operate with obsolete, damaged or worn out equipment.

Brian Sain and a bunch of other law enforcement precision shooting professionals have organized a direct support effort for their GI counterparts in the Global War on Terror. For more information on how you can help with this noble and necessary work, visit them on the web at www.americansnipers.org

Websites

The internet has most everything Abu Othman and the rest of us need to know about precision shooting in GWOT. SAR recommends “The number one starting place for tactical marksmen” that starts right off with six full pages of direct links in three columns each. Visit this site at: www.sniperworld.com

M24 Technical Specifications

Caliber: 7.62x51mm NATO (ammo is special M118 Long Range)
Overall Length: 43 inches
Barrel: 24 inches, twist is 1 turn in 11.2 inches
Weight: 12.1 pounds
Operation: Manual, bolt action
Feed: Internal 5-round magazine
Sights: Standard day optic is 10 power Leupold M3A Ultra

The Army’s Unofficial Designated Marksman Rifle (M14)

Caliber: 7.62x51mm NATO
Overall Length: 44.14 inches
Barrel: 22 inches
Weight: 10.8 pounds combat ready
System of operation: Gas, semiautomatic
Feed: Detachable 20-round box magazine
Sights: Usually Leupold variable power day optics

M16A4 SAM-R Technical Specifications

Caliber: 5.56×45 mm (NATO SS109 and US M262)
Overall Length: 39.6 inches
Barrel: 20 inches, twist is 1 turn in 7 inches
Weight: 7.5 pounds
Operation: Direct gas, semiautomatic
Feed: Detachable 20- and 30- round box magazines
Sights: Trijicon ACOG 4x and Leupold TS-30A2 3 to 9x

In these politically correct times, terms such as “Sporter”, “Match”, and “Target” inappropriately find their names attached to rifles which, in more innocent days, would have been given titles containing letters and numbers designating a military heritage. For a rifle to be called a “Sniper” these days, it had better be up to par! Enter the SIG SG 550-1 Sniper. Manufactured in Switzerland by Schweizerische Industrie Gesellschaft (SIG), this semi-automatic rifle chambered in .223 Remington caliber (5.56 X 45mm) more than lives up to its name. Introduced into the company’s lineup around 1989, it’s always been somewhat of a limited issue item. Its design is based on the SIG 550 series of military assault rifles known in Switzerland as the Sturmgewehr 90 (Stgw 90). But this hybrid rifle is manufactured with sniper specific features totally unique from the main issue battle rifle of the Swiss Army. This article will detail those features and evaluate the overall design.

Market Share

The SIG SG-550-1 Sniper was developed in close co-operation with the special units of police forces. As such, its design concept foregoes many of the requirements a military sniper might need. Of these, both the caliber and operating system are different than most military sniper rifles, i.e., .308 Winchester chambering in a bolt-action, fixed magazine design. The 550 series rifles are .223 Remington, semi-automatic detachable magazine weapons. When looked at in terms of a police issue sniper, this combination is highly appropriate. The military sniper operates on the principles of tracking, concealment, observation, and long range engagement. Generally, one quick shot is all that is needed, with a hasty retreat to follow. On the other hand, a police sniper usually operates from a fixed location at a known distance typically under 100 meters. The accuracy requirements are the same as for the military engagement, but under different circumstances. The ability to deliver multiple follow-up shots quickly, if necessary, is at the officer’s discretion. He has this option with the semi-automatic design. The military sniper in the field usually doesn’t. Reliability is another issue. Neither can afford to have a malfunctioning weapon. Most military desire the simplicity of design that a bolt action offers. While I am sure there are many people more qualified than myself to compare the military-vs-police debate, let me just state that SIG has only made large sales of the SG 550-1 Sniper to the Swiss Policy forces and the Jordanian Palace Guard. There are no national military forces that have gone on record as purchasers. While many semi-auto/full-auto sniper rifles have entered military service worldwide, (Dragunov SVD, M14/M21, G3-SG1, etc) those choices could very well have been based on political as well as economical decisions.

Optimum Adjusting Possibilities

The SIG SG 550-1 Sniper is by far one of the most user adjustable rifles ever made. A list of the 11 features which can be individually adjusted to suite the person firing the rifle are as follows:

Buttplate-up/down
Buttplate-rotation (cant)
Buttplate-in/out (length of pull)
Check piece-up/down
Pistol grip-front/rear (rake)
Pistol grip-hand rest up/down
Scope mount-left/right (axiel orientation)
Scope mount-front/rear (eye relief)
Bipod-leg height up/down
Bipod-left/right (cant)
Bipod-(angle of inclination)

With this many adjustments available, the rifle can be adapted to the shooter’s individual anatomy and firing position. All in all, the rifle proved to be extremely comfortable to operate. The earlier manufactured buttstocks had a recess underneath which magnetically secured an Allen wrench to perform these adjustments. Later variants deleted this feature. Additionally, the entire buttstock assembly can be folded over to the right hand side, allowing the rifle to be placed into its transit case for storage.

The trigger mechanism is, quite simply, an experience to behold. I have personally fired many rifles and handguns with custom trigger work, and many military designs as well. However, I have never manipulated a more precise trigger in my life! All competitive benchrest applications aside (which typically break at 2 oz.) the two-stage trigger pull and feel of the SG 550-1 Sniper is exquisite. The specifications are as follows:

Take-up weight – (800 grams) 1.75 lbs.
Pull weight – (1500 grams) 3.3 lbs.
Take-up length – 3.5mm
Trigger pull length – 4.1mm

Externally, all that is visible is a large plastic trigger shoe. The trigger guard itself is designed to rotate left or right out of the way of a gloved trigger finger. Internally, a comparison between the SG 550-1 Sniper and a standard 550 trigger mechanism will show the elimination of the heavy 3-coil trigger spring, and the addition of a much lighter and relocated return spring which extends down into the pistol grip.

Likewise, a unique trigger and sear assembly contribute to the refined let-off of the sniper version. The owners manual states: “The two-stage trigger action is set optimally at our works. To ensure functional safety, the shooter should not alter any trigger settings.” No adjustments to the trigger should be necessary as it comes pre-set out of the box. Precise trigger break and pull are necessary requirements for any type of shooting accuracy. The SIG SG 550-1 Sniper definitely surpasses the standard. An ambidexterous safety lever is also included.

The gas assisted operation of the action is of the rotating bolt design. In comparison, the SIG 550 series rifles are direct copies of the AK-47 operating system. The bolt rotates and locks into battery using the same design as the Kalishnikov. The only significant difference is the location of the return spring. It is wrapped around the gas piston rod instead of being a separate spring assembly that pushes from the rear of the receiver. While this location of the return spring could subject it to the extreme operating temperatures of the gas piston and barrel, thereby ruining the temper of the spring’s steel, the Swiss Army adopted the rifle for its own use. Obviously it is suitable enough for their purposes, including fully automatic fire. On the SG 550-1 Sniper, limited only to semi-automatic, this is not at all an issue. A two-position gas valve setting is featured. One position is for regular service. The other setting is for cold or icy conditions which require more energy to cycle the action. However, recoil is increased in the latter setting thereby affecting accuracy.

Unique to the SG 550-1 Sniper, the barrel is 25.6 inches long and has a right-hand twist rate of 1-in 10 inches, with 6 grooves. It has an extra heavy barrel contour of .750” with a recessed and crowned muzzle. The metallurgical properties of the barrel are not published, but it is hammer forged and screws into the receiver. Its finish is a matte-black non-reflective coating. A black elastic anti-mirage band is fitted above the handguards to avoid heatwaves from rising off the warm barrel and distorting the view through the scope. All of the plastic furniture is colored black as opposed to the green which is usually found on the 550 Series rifles. All of the remaining metal parts and the two receiver halves are finished in a gray powder coat.

A Parker-Hale bipod is located beneath the handguards. Made of steel, this well known design has two legs which fold up underneath the handguard for storage. As mentioned earlier, it is adjustable for height and both angle of cant and inclination. Each leg has a swiveling rubber padded base.

Magazines made for the 550 rifles are produced from a transparent plastic which allows a good view of the ammunition remaining inside. A unique system of interlocking lugs and studs allow up to three magazines to be attached together side by side while inserted into the receiver. The usefulness of this feature has questionable status on a sniper rifle. If you need sixty rounds of ammunition for the situation at hand, you need another rifle! Standard magazine capacity is twenty rounds, with a five round magazine also being supplied. The low profile obtainable with the five rounder may be a worthwhile consideration. Thirty round capacity magazines are also offered by SIG. All magazines have a bolt hold-open feature which causes the bolt to lock back after the last round is ejected.

Fixed sights are not provided with the SG 550-1 Sniper. Instead, a spring loaded scope mount is attached to the top of the receiver with Allen head screws locking it rigidly into place. A detachable upper rail is interchangeable with other styles of mounting rails to accept a variety of scope platforms. NATO STANAG 2324 mounting, European rail mount, night vision devices, and various sized rings can all be adapted to fit the rifle. The scope mount pictured in this article has a set of one inch rings fitted for use with a Kahles ZFM 10X rangefinding reticle scope with a built-in bullet drop compensator. The mount has been serial numbered to match the rifle. Other scopes offered for the SIG rifles have been Zeiss, Hensoldt, and Kern optics in both fixed and variable powers. The Carl Zeiss offerings, when available, were in the 1.6 x 6, or more recently in 2.5 x 10 magnification Diavari-Z rail-mounted configuration. The Hensoldt optics would be the fixed 10X power with a tritium rangefinding reticle pattern and bullet-drop compensator , or a 1.5 x 6 x 42 variable with beta light (tritium) illumination. Some night vision may not work too well due to the lack of a flash hider on the barrel possibly causing the unit to “bloom out”. Also, as detailed previously, the mount has the ability to be moved from side to side as well as front to rear. This helps to compensate for proper eye relief as well as preventing the scope from hitting your face. These are invaluable features that I can’t recall being offered on any other scope mount.

Accessories provided include a locking storage case custom fitted specifically for the SG 550-1 Sniper. A roll-up cleaning tool kit comes with every item needed to keep the rifle in service. Sling, magazine loading tool, and Allen wrenches are also supplied. Fully illustrated owners manuals in English, German and French are provided, along with a detailed parts schematic inside, listing all items by name. Sixty-eight pages in length, other firearms manufacturers could learn a lesson from SIG in describing their weapons performance.

Accuracy Testing

For the sake of simplicity, all testing for this article was done at 100 yds. Unfortunately, a longer distance firing range was not available at the time of testing. In keeping with the idea of how a police sniper rifle would be used, this was acceptable. Furthermore, all groups were kept to 5 rounds each to obtain a more reliable average. The military ammunition used was Lake city SS109 (M855) green tip with a 62 grain steel core bullet. Also tested was Hirtenberger SS92 (M193) with a 55 grain bullet and Canadian IVI manufactured XM-287 using a 68 grain bullet. The hand-loaded ammunition consisted of two different loads. These were the Hornady 53 grain BTHP Match with a Federal 205 Match primer and Winchester 748 powder producing 3,150 f.p.s., and a Hornady 68 grrain BTHP Match, Federal 205 Match primer and Winchester 748 powder at 2,800 f.p.s. The purpose of this was to see if the SG550-1 Sniper barrel with its 1-in 10 inch twist rate favored the lighter or heavier weight bullets. A bullet that weighs 62 grains is stabilized with a 1-in 7 inch twist, while a 55 grain bullet is stabilized using a 1-in 12 inch twist. SIG’s own specifications call for the use of Switzerland’s GP90 ammunition, which is a 63 grain steel cored projectile. It is designed with a much more pronounced ogive than the SS109 bullet. Not having any GP90 ammo available, the two different hand-loads helped in obtaining a good combination of bullet weights.

As could be expected, the military issued ball ammunition produced flyer’s, stringing shots, and erratic performance. Both of the hand-loaded rounds used in the testing showed greatly improved performance. While the results do not show that a heavier bullet will always perform better in the SG550-1 Sniper rifle, they do show that it groups better using hand-loaded ammunition. While not always an absolute rule for all firearms, in my experiance custom loaded ammo usually groups tighter than military issued ball. It would appear that the SIG rifle does shoot best using the long, heavy Hornady 68gr. BTHP Match. The Hornady Loading Manual states that this bullet must be used with a twist rate of 1 in 10” or faster. The loading suits the SG550-1 Sniper fine, allowing it to achieve the under one minute of angle accuracy necessary for sniper work.

Final Thoughts

With the most recent Presidential Executive Order banning the further importation of the SIG SG550-1 Sniper rifle, it is now relegated to the status of a collector firearm. Only military and law enforcement agencies will be allowed to import any future quantities. The rifle evaluated for this article was one of the last brought into the United States available for civilian ownership. The importer, Capital City Firearms, can obtain no more. This is an unfortunate situation. The rifle’s high price (around $10,000 with optics) already prevented it from being a commonly encountered weapon. Target shooters and collectors of fine firearms will no longer have the opportunity to obtain one. But for a police department needing the tactical superiority that the SG550-1 Sniper provides, it would be available directly from SIG. The decision to choose this sniper rifle over others is easy to make. If the situation demands possible multiple shots, the limitless ability of adapting to the shooters anatomy, and under minute of angle accuracy, then the SIG SG550-1 Sniper is the answer. If the need arose for a .223 caliber sniper rifle, such as for issues of over-penetration and ricochet, this rifle is an obvious choice. While not a total replacement for tried and true .308 sniper systems, whether in bolt-action or semi-auto, the .223 SIG Sniper will always have its place in the law enforcement arsenal.

S.I.G., Swiss Industrial Co.
Neuhausen an Rheinfalls
CH-8212, Switzerland
02-053/21 61/11

C.C.F. Capital City Firearms
PO Box 29009
Richmond, VA 23242
1-804-740-4926

Suppressed rifles can be very useful tools for solving a variety of tactical problems. When used for law-enforcement applications, suppressed rifles offer the added benefit of reducing the likelihood of collateral public-relations and media-relations problems generated by the use of lethal force. Suppressed rifles are also valuable for discrete animal control, whether dealing with feral dogs attacking livestock or troublesome deer endangering aircraft at an airport. Not every department or agency can afford approximately $7,000 for an Accuracy International AW Sniper Rifle with AWC Thundertrap suppressor and Schmidt and Bender telescopic sight, or about $4,000 for a Gemtech Sniper Rifle with SPEC-OP 3 suppressor and Leupold Mark 4 scope. It turns out that the Savage Model 110FP “Tactical Rifle” with Sound Technology’s Dark Star sound suppressor and Choate’s Ultimate Sniper Stock together form a suppressed rifle system that provides excellent performance at a budget price of about $1,000 without optics. That’s about the cost of an AWC Thundertrap suppressor alone. The following discussion will evaluate the Savage rifle, Sound Technology suppressor, and Choate stock.

The Savage Model 110FP Tactical Rifle is based on the same action used for the company’s M110 long action sporting rifle, which has been in production for decades. The bolt features a somewhat flexible attachment between the locking lug module and the rest of the bolt. This allows the lugs to transfer an identical amount of pressure to the receiver upon firing, while more traditional locking lug designs such as seen on the Remington M700 action can allow each lug to push against the action with different pressure, causing the action to twist in an asymmetric fashion. This adversely affects accuracy. While this phenomenon may not be critical for typical law-enforcement applications, the effect can be real and measurable. This problem with fixed Mauser-type locking lugs can be cured by having a competent smithy turn and lap the lugs for optimum fit and smoothness, but the Savage does not require this costly custom operation for optimum accuracy.

Another advantage of the Savage Tactical Rifle is that a cold shot strikes at the same place as the second and third shots. At a recent sniper training class, an instructor armed with a Savage 110FP competed against a student whose department invested in a very high dollar Teutonic sniper rifle with hammer forged barrel. The expensive weapon’s cold shot was unacceptably far from subsequent shots. While the second and third shots walked closer to the center of subsequent warm shots, shot placement of the first few rounds was still unacceptable. Since accurate placement of the first round is critical and the spendy weapon was not up to the task, the law-enforcement sniper with the Teutonic Wundergewehr washed out of the course. The instructor proved that the Savage Tactical Rifle provides excellent accuracy including the first shot out of a cold barrel.

My own experience with the 7.62x51mm (.308 Winchester) variant of Savage 110FP is that the Tactical Rifle tends to produce approximately 1.5 MOA five-round groups (measured as maximum center to center distance, as opposed to maximum outer edge to outer edge of the group) with Federal 308M ammunition using the factory stock and 1.2 MOA groups using a Choate stock.

Measuring Groups for the Record

Two factors can introduce significant bias when trying to determine the intrinsic (as opposed to practical) accuracy of a rifle: (1) using enough scope, and (2) using a reproducible method for determining group size. Since the following discussion on the performance of the suppressed Savage Tactical Rifle will be discussing some improbably small groups, it is essential to establish the procedures used to generate these numbers. The casual reader might well go ballistic, if you’ll pardon the pun, when I claim a group size that is smaller than the diameter of the projectile. “Did that fool use a squeeze bore or is he simply full of BS?” they might ask. Here’s the methodology I used and why I used it.

Using enough scope is important to really determine the intrinsic accuracy of a system, so we used a Tasco 6-24x44mm World Class TS Target telescopic sight for accuracy testing. While 24 power is about minimum magnification needed to really push the edge of the envelope in terms of assessing maximum intrinsic accuracy of a very accurate rifle, many authorities prefer a 10-power scope for tactical applications.

More than 12x for a tactical scope exaggerates mirage and provides a narrow field of view, while less than 8x adversely affects shot placement. Some snipers like a variable-power scope so they can adjust the scope to low power for defensive shooting at short range, while others prefer a fixed-power scope for its superior durability. U.S. Army and Marine Corps snipers currently use fixed-power 10x scopes on their latest rifles.

Then there is the matter of how to accurately and precisely measure group size (accurately and precisely mean very different things to a statistician). The accepted convention is to measure a group by determining the distance between the centers of the two bullet holes that are the most widely separated shots of a group. This method is much more attractive than measuring from the outermost edges of the holes (or even the innermost edges of the holes) since the center-to-center method is not biased by the diameter of the projectile. The method works equally well for .17 caliber and .50 caliber projectiles.

The problem is that the center of the hole is actually missing, so the precise center must be estimated. This means that the accurate (i.e., reproducible) measurement of an inferred point in space can be a challenge. I used an inferior method for years, a method that is still widely used today. I employed a caliper to measure the outermost edges of the two most widely separated holes, and then I subtracted the bullet diameter. This technique is commonly used by many benchrest shooters, some benchrest competitions, and some gunwriters. It’s a logical method. But it is flawed, as colleague Bill Beatty pointed out to me (to my eternal gratitude). While my old method does not introduce a significant bias in the data when reporting accuracy to the nearest whole minute of angle, the procedure is not satisfactory when reporting group size to the nearest thousandth of an inch.

I’ve subsequently learned that this traditional technique has two fundamental liabilities. (1) One cannot determine exactly where the location of the outer edge of a bullet hole lies. And (2) the paper stretches as the bullet pushes through the target, so the hole in the paper does not have the same diameter as the projectile. Several individuals have designed and marketed target-measuring fixtures based on the principal that people have a remarkable ability to determine when two circles of different diameter are concentric. Dan Hackett has written outstanding articles for Precision Shooting magazine on both the problem of how to measure groups and various commercially available target-measuring fixtures. Far and away the handiest device is a modified vernier caliper designed and marketed by Orrin Hunt (Hunt’s Bullets of Jacksonville, FL; 800-645-3140 code 73).

Hunt machines a hole through the closed jaws of a caliper that is slightly larger than the nominal caliber, so that precisely half of the hole is in each jaw. He also adds a chamfer to the top of the hole, which is critical for the proper optical effect. To measure a group, simply center the pair of bullet holes in the pair of semicircular notches in the caliper jaws and read the group size on the caliper dial. Testing by Hackett on 50 targets with a Jones testing fixture and the Hunt calipers suggests that Hunt’s solution varies by no more than 0.003 inch from using the Jones fixture. Hackett also makes the interesting point that 0.003 inch is less than the difference one normally sees when two different people measure the same group with the same instrument.

This has several interesting implications. (1) The same person should always be responsible for measuring group size, whether the results will be used for publication or determining the rankings at a tournament. And (2) while group sizes are commonly reported to the nearest 0.001 inch, the inherent variability of such measurements means that last decimal place is not truly a “significant figure” in a statistical sense. Just because the caliper reads to the nearest 0.001 inch doesn’t mean that number is meaningful in this application. Therefore, I shall shy away from reporting group size beyond the nearest 0.01 inch when discussing the accuracy of a firearm. Frequently, however, simpler numbers will more readily convey important trends. Comparing the effects of the factory and Choate stocks, for example, merely requires reporting to the nearest 0.1 MOA.

The observed difference in accuracy using the factory versus Choate stock on the Savage 110FP rifle is probably due to two factors: (1) the barrel is free floating in the Choate stock but not the factory polymer stock, and (2) the aluminum bedding block in the Choate stock provides superior rigidity and durability. Adding a Dark Star suppressor generally reduces group size to about 0.4 MOA with a 20 inch barrel, because the weight of the suppressor reduces barrel harmonics, as does shortening the barrel. The sound suppressor also reduces apparent recoil by about 50 percent.

The Federal 308M load features a 168 grain (10.9 gram) Sierra MatchKing HPBT projectile. The Savage .308 caliber barrel features six-groove rifling with a right-hand twist of 1 turn in 10 This is a very good design feature even if the result is not cosmetically appealing. The rifles evaluated in this study had barrels shortened to 18.5 inches (47.0 cm) for urban applications, although suppressor designer Mark White of Sound Technology and I both prefer a barrel length of 20-21 inches (50.8-53.3 cm) whether or not a suppressor is added.

While a Kahles ZF69 6×42 telescopic sight was fitted to the rifles for sound testing and photographs, a Tasco 3.5-10x50mm World Class Plus variable scope with .30 caliber reticle and matte finish would be an appropriate economy tactical scope for this rifle (the Tasco 10×42 and 10x42M Tactical/Sniper Scopes with 30mm tube cost roughly three times more than the World Class Plus scopes). System weight of the rifle with 18.5 inch barrel, Choate stock, Sound Technology Dark Star Mk2 suppressor, and Kahles scope is 17.0 pounds (7.7 kg) with an overall length of 53.0 inches (135 cm).

The Model 110FP’s bolt features an enclosed bolt face for strength and safety; both the bolt and trigger are finished in a black titanium nitride that provides a smooth hard surface. The barrel and action are blasted with steel shot and receive a hot-blued finished, while other parts are blasted with glass beads and then also receive a hot-blued finished. The ambidextrous three-position safety is located just behind the bolt. Push rearward to engage the safety and lock the bolt closed; move to the middle position to cycle the bolt while preventing the weapon from firing; or push forward to fire. This is a nice bit of engineering. A dual-function lever on the right side of the receiver just forward of the bolt handle is not only the bolt-release catch but also serves as the cocking and sear-trip indicator. The lever assumes an elevated position when the striker is cocked. Lock time, which is the time between sear release and primer detonation, is very fast. While the Savage bolt is superior in some respects to a Remington M700 bolt, the Savage trigger is vastly inferior to the Remington’s.

The Savage 110FP comes from the factory with a grizzly trigger that has at least a 6 pound (2.7 kg) sear release, while the trigger pull for a sniper rifle should fall between 2.5 and 3.5 pounds (1.1 and 1.6 kg), with 2.5 pounds being ideal. The sear release on the Savage trigger can be adjusted that low by a smithy, but reducing the sear release below 3.5 pounds may deactivate the safety. Therefore, optimum trigger pull on the Savage based on the design of the trigger and safety—rather than on the operator’s wishes—is probably 4.0 pounds (1.8 kg). Anything more will adversely affect accuracy. Anything less will adversely affect safety. While Sound Technology can provide a trigger job for $55, Mark White would prefer to install an aftermarket trigger by Timney, Bold, or Arnold W. Jewell if and when models become available for the Savage rifle.

The other weak link in the Savage Tactical rifle is the black polymer stock that comes from the factory. The front of the Savage stock bears against the barrel, which significantly degrades accuracy. Since the Savage stock lacks pillars for the action screws, tightening the screws can cause the bolt heads to dig into the stock and the bolts to protrude into the bolt path, where they will interfere with operating the rifle. Furthermore, the overall stock design is more suitable for a sporting arm than a sniper rifle. This is a particular liability when a suppressor is added to the system. Choate’s Ultimate Sniper Stock provides a very cost effective replacement for the mediocre Savage stock.

Ultimate Sniper Stock

Designed by Maj. John Plaster, who is a highly regarded authority on sniping and sniping equipment, the Ultimate Sniper Stock is built from 6 pounds (2.7 kg) of DuPont Rynite SST-35 polymer. The Rynite is injection-molded around a precision machined aluminum bedding block that provides drop-in installation for the Savage Model 110FP. Developed and fabricated by Choate Machine & Tool, Inc. (P.O. Box 218, Bald Knob, AR 72010; phone 800-972-6390, fax 501-724-5873), other variants of the stock are available for Remington short or long actions, and the currently produced Winchester Model 70.

Plaster incorporated a number of desirable features into this design. While the action is rigidly held by the aluminum bedding block, the barrel floats freely, even with the installation of a suppressor. When a Dark Star suppressor is installed on an 18.5 or 20 inch barrel, the system balances naturally at a hollow in the forestock that features molded stippling for a positive grip. This sharp stippling is also found on the stock’s pistol grip. Finished in a matte O.D. green color, the stock features a thick rubber recoil pad that has five height adjustments. Removable spacers enable increasing the length of pull from 13.25 inches (33.7 cm) in 0.25 inch (6 mm) increments. A removable knob at the rear bottom of the stock can be used for fine elevation adjustments, and an angular ramp inside the cutout stock is superbly engineered for holding the stock into the shoulder with the nonfiring hand. The cheek piece adjusts forward and backward, and two cheek pieces are furnished to accommodate standard and high scope rings.

The top of the forestock has a 1.25 inch (3.2 cm) barrel channel and four tie-down slots for attaching camouflage. The 2.38 inch (6.0 cm ) wide bottom of the forestock is angled to enable easy height adjustment and contains an Anschutz-type accessory rail that will accept a bipod. Recessed Uncle Mike’s sling swivels are incorporated on both sides of the forestock and both sides of the butt stock which provide for a number of practical carry modes. Large serrations on the bottom of the butt stock and the forestock (just behind the accessory rail) help the rifle grip sandbags. The sloped bottom of the forestock makes elevation adjustments from a supported hand or sand bags easy by simply sliding the stock on the rest, and the arrangement also keeps a Harris bipod angled toward the barrel so it is less likely to snag on brush during a stalk.

The stock readily accepts camouflage paint of the sort used on duck boats. And, finally, a compartment in the grip can be used for adding a counterweight of lead shot or for storage.

It’s a lot of stock for $160. More importantly, Choate’s Ultimate Sniper Stock provides a very stable shooting platform that enhances both the intrinsic and the practical accuracy of the Savage Tactical Rifle, especially when a suppressor is installed. My only significant criticism of the stock is that the molded stippling is too sharp for my taste unless the operator is wearing gloves. If this is a problem for an operator, a few minutes of light sanding can soften the points to the individual’s satisfaction. Another potential problem of the Choate stock is weight. At 6 pounds (2.7 kg), the Ultimate Sniper Stock weighs 3 pounds (1.4 kg) more than the standard HS Precision Tactical Rifle Stock. Nevertheless, the added weight should not be a liability in the real world, especially for law-enforcement applications. While the Choate stock is butt ugly, handsome is as handsome does. The Ultimate Sniper Stock makes the silenced Savage Tactical Rifle a serious contender—especially when fired from sandbags or a Harris bipod (which can be fitted to the accessory rail using an optional accessory bar with thumb screw that comes with the stock).

Dark Star Suppressor

Sound Technology’s Dark Star suppressor was designed by Mark White, who has been making significant contributions to precision shooting and suppressor technology for more than a decade. His suppressed .22 rifles and pistols, for example, tend to be the most accurate silenced .22s in the marketplace in my experience. It will come as no surprise to suppressor cognoscenti that the new Dark Star suppressors provide outstanding sound reduction while actually enhancing rifle accuracy. Two variants of this suppressor are available, since different end users have somewhat different operational requirements. Both versions feature steel tubes with a diameter of 1.75 inches (4.4 cm), which telescope back over the barrel for 7.0 inches (17.8 cm) to reduce the overall length of the weapon. The two-point mounting system also maximizes rigidity and alignment between the barrel and suppressor, and features a unique conical configuration that gives Sound Technology suppressors two unusual characteristics. (1) When dismounted and then remounted onto the barrel, the weapon does not need to be re-zeroed. All other suppressors in my experience require re-zeroing the parent weapon every time a can is screwed onto the barrel, unless installed with a torque wrench to an optimum number of inch-pounds or the suppressor uses a quick-mount system that always mates the suppressor to the barrel in exactly the same way every time. And (2) the mount design is self correcting if and when the threads on the suppressor or barrel begin to wear. The suppressors are finished with a matte black baked-on molybdenum resin.

The Dark Star Mk1 is optimized for subsonic ammunition but provides world-class performance with supersonic ammunition as well. The Mk1 is 16.75 inches (42.5 cm) long, contains two symmetric and five asymmetric steel baffles, and weighs 3.3 pounds (1.5 kg). The Mk1 increases a rifle’s overall length by 9.75 inches (24.8 cm). The Dark Star Mk2 is optimized for supersonic ammunition but performs very well with subsonic ammunition as well. The Mk2 is 18.0 inches (45.7 cm) long, features two symmetric steel and 10 asymmetric aluminum baffles, and weighs 3.1 pounds (1.4 kg). The Mk2 increases a rifle’s overall length by 11.0 inches (27.9 cm).

I tested the performance of these suppressors using the specific equipment and testing protocol advocated at the end of Chapter 5 in the book Silencer History and Performance, Volume 1. The temperature during the testing was 52øF (11 øC).

The sound signatures, more properly called the Sound Pressure Levels (SPLs), are shown in Table 1. These data represent the mean (average) value of at least 10 shots. The Federal 308M produced an average velocity of 2,543 fps (775 mps) in the 18.5 inch Savage barrel, while the Sound Technology subsonic match produced an average velocity of 1,039 fps (317 mps). The unsuppressed Savage Tactical Rifle with 18.5 inch barrel had an unsuppressed sound signature of 166 decibels with Federal 308M ammunition and 153 dB with Sound Technology subsonic match ammunition, measured 1 meter to the left of the muzzle as per MIL-STD-1474C.

The Dark Star Mk1 and Mk2 suppressors both produced lower sound signatures than one of the best .30 caliber rifle suppressors of all time, the M89 from AWC Systems Technology (which parenthetically cost three times as much as the Dark Star). Comparing the Sound Technology and AWC suppressors using these numbers is a bit misleading, however, because the McMillan M89 rifle produced louder unsuppressed SPLs than the Savage 110FP. A more meaningful way to compare suppressors tested on different weapons or on different days is to compare the net sound reductions, as shown in Table 2. This comparison shows that the Dark Star Mk1 equals the performance of the M89 with both supersonic and subsonic ammunition, while the Dark Star Mk2 exceeds the performance of the M89 with supersonic ammunition but falls short of the M89 with subsonic ammunition. The Dark Star Mk2 is nevertheless remarkably quiet with subsonic match, providing a lower sound signature than some mainstream integrally suppressed .22 rimfire rifles. It is safe to say that the Dark Star suppressors from Sound Technology are world-class performers.

One interesting aspect of suppressor performance not revealed by the data in the accompanying tables is “first round pop.” This phenomenon occurs when secondary combustion gases and unburned powder residue combine with the oxygen in an unfired suppressor—especially one of large volume—to produce loud instantaneous combustion just beyond the muzzle of the barrel. The first round of 308M ammunition through the Mk1 is 3 dB louder than subsequent rounds, while the Mk2 does not exhibit any first-round pop. This is a significant technological achievement, since most .30 caliber rifle suppressors exhibit this phenomenon. Even the impressive AWC M89 suppressor produces a first-round pop of 3 dB. Since the bullet flight noise of a supersonic .30 caliber projectile is about 149 dB at 1 meter from the bullet flight path, this 3 dB first-round pop is not a significant problem in the real world. Neither Dark Star variant produces a first-round pop with Sound Technology subsonic ammunition, which produces a bullet flight noise of about 110 dB at 1 meter from the bullet flight path.

Conclusions

While there is no substitute for a crisp 2.5 pound sear release on a sniper rifle, the Savage Model 110FP with tuned 4.0 pound trigger pull and Choate Ultimate Sniper Stock delivered sub-half-MOA accuracy with a shortened barrel and Sound Technology Dark Star suppressor, a considerable improvement over the 1.5 MOA delivered by a factory original Savage Tactical Rifle with no suppressor. The suppressed rifle’s sound signature with supersonic ammunition is far below both bullet flight noise and the pain threshold, while the sound signature with subsonic ammunition is less than a currently manufactured integrally suppressed .22 rimfire rifle. The Dark Star was so quiet with subsonic fodder that I did not hear Mark White fire the weapon less than two car lengths away, while I was concentrating on setting up the sound test equipment used for this study. Only the warm rear of the suppressor, the smell of powder combustion gases, and the hole in the bulls eye 100 yards away proved that the rifle had been fired.

While the expensive Accuracy International and Gemtech suppressed sniper rifles are clearly superior tools (at least with supersonic ammunition), they cost four to seven times as much as the Savage Tactical Rifle with Choate stock, Tasco 3.5-10x50mm scope, and Sound Technology Dark Star suppressor. Yet the bottom line, in this case, is the bottom line. The Savage, Choate and Sound Technology components together form a rifle system of synergistic excellence at a package price that is comparable to just a top-of-the-line suppressor from another manufacturer. This system has the capability to solve any realistic tactical problem that is appropriate for a law-enforcement officer to address with a precision rifle of .308 caliber.

Choate Machine and Tool, Inc. P.O. Box 218 Bald Knob, AR 72010 800-972-6390 Catalog $2

Savage Arms, Inc. 100 Springdale Road Westfield, MA 01085 413-568-7001

Sound Technology P.O. Box 391 Pelham, AL 35124 205-664-5860 Catalog $5