Page 422 - (DK) Smithsinian - Military History: The Definitive Visual Guide to the Objects of Warfare

420 SNIPER RIFLES Cheek pad

GE 1945–PRESENT Military sniper rifles traditionally derived from two

sources: first, the improved military rifle, fitted with a
telescopic sight and firing match-grade ammunition; and
secondly, the hunting rifle, which although highly accurate was
often insufficiently robust for field conditions. During the late
1960s, small-arms designers finally began to produce rifles
specifically designed for sniping. The M40 and the SS69 led the

firearms, such as the L96A1. Recent developments include
detachable box
sharpshooter platoon-support
the introduction of the 50-caliber heavy sniper rifle, and the
Date 1963
A way, and were followed by a succession of superbly accurate ▲ DRAGUNOV SVD The SVD came to be used as a Ten-round
magazine
weapon by Warsaw Pact armies
THE NUCLEAR Bolt Barrel 24in (61cm) limited infrared capability.
.300 Winchester and .338 Lapua Magnum rounds, which are
Origin Soviet Union
in the 1960s. Its four-power
Weight 9 ⁄2lb (4.3kg)
1
PSO-1 telescopic sight has
increasingly replacing the standard 7.62mm NATO cartridge.
Caliber 7.62 × 54R
Free-floating
heavy barrel
Elevation
adjustment
▲ M40 SNIPER RIFLE A military version of the
Date 1966 Remington 700 sporting rifle,
the M40 was first used by the
Origin US
Wooden US Marine Corps in Vietnam.
3
stock Weight 6 ⁄4lb (3.1kg) Subsequent models were
Barrel 24in (61cm) equipped with a fiberglass stock
and a Unertl ten-power scope.
Caliber 7.62 × 51mm

Bolt
handle
Ten-power
telescopic sight

Five-round removable
▼ STEYR SSG69
box magazine
Date 1969
Origin Austria
Weight 8 ⁄2lb (3.9kg)
1
Barrel 25 ⁄2in (65cm)
1
Caliber 7.62 × 51mm Six-power Kahles
ZF69 telescopic sight
Developed for the Austrian army, the
SSG also proved popular with police
organizations. The SSG69 was unusual
in its use of a five-round rotating spool
magazine housed within the rifle body.

Port for spool Synthetic stock
magazine