Rifle of precision

The rifle of precision (also called amongst other things or rifle rifle with telescopic sight of sniper) is a rifle intended to allow shootings more precise than a Fusil of traditional attack. It is about the weapon of the marksmen.

The term of rifle of precision is exclusively used for the military applications and of the police force, the rifles of hunting equipped with glasses not being regarded as rifles of precision.

Characteristics of rifles of precision

One can say that all rifles of precision comprise a telescopic glasses of aiming which by its Zoom makes it possible to better see its target (even if there are some rare exceptions like Standard Rifle 99 in 7,7 mm Japanese of 1939). Their characteristics are very different according to the type considered:

One distinguishes three main categories of rifles of precision, adapted to various uses:

the Rifle of attack modified, generally by the addition of glasses, a modified relaxation, possibly of a more ergonomic stick, a bipod and/or a heavy gun to see floating. Because of its filiation with the Rifle of attack of origin, it preserves its gauge and its mechanics, and from this fact draws into semi-automatic. Among the examples one can quote the derivatives of the M16 (SPR Mk.12, SAM-R, SDM-R, etc), the HK 33SG/1, SIG 550 Sniper, etc
the rifle of precision of average gauge (generally 7,62 mm), which can be:

derived from a rifle of attack but in a gauge different (Zastava M76 based on the mechanism of AK-47, or of derived from the AR-15 and M16 as Knight' S SR-25 which was adopted by the SEAL under the name of Mk.11 MOD 0)
derived from a military Fusil large gauge but not being a Fusil from attack (modified M21 and others M14, FR-F1 and FR-F2 derived from the FARMHOUSE 36, HK G-3SG/1, PSG-1 and MSG-90 derived from G-3), whose characteristics close to this one
are then derived from a shotgun (M24 and M40 based on Remington 700, FN SPR based on Winchester 70, Ferfrans TSR n°1 based on Savage 10)
to be of a model especially designed for this use (rifles of Accuracy International and PGM, the Steyr SSG-69 or the SVD dragunov, which, contrary to the generally accepted ideas, is not a derivative of the AK-47 Kalachnikov and the same mechanism besides nor the same gauge does not have).

the rifle of precision large gauge (12,7 mm and more) which appeared more recently (first uses in Vietnam). It makes it possible to reach extreme distances (more than 2000 m) and is especially used to destroy unfavourable material, like for against sniping . It is also employed for the neutralization of terrorists or takers of hostages; the first operational startup of French rifle PGM Hécate II by the GIGN was at the time of a diversion of plane of Air France by Algerian islamist terrorists: at the time of the attack, a terrorist was killed through the armor-plated windshield of the plane, which is a good demonstration of the power and precision of this type of weapon.

It should be noticed that all the variations are possible between these various types, in particular with the recent multiplicity of the gauges which fill the holes between the principal gauges: .338 Lapua intermediate Magnum between the 7,62 mm NATO and the 12,7 mm NATO, then .408 Cheyenne Tactical intermediate between the .338 Lapua Magnum and the 12,7 mm, etc

Utilities of rifles of precision

The army traditionally knows two types of use of the marksmen on the ground:

the gunner of precision (also called sharpshooter , marksman , or rifleman), present in small proportion in the groups of combat of infantry and belonging to the weapons of support of this group (as well as the light machine-guns and the grenade throwers, but avoiding the collateral damage). This category uses generally semi-automatic rifles of small or average gauge and, because it operates on the face in full combat and the car at average distances. For the same reason the gunners of precision do not seek to be camouflaged and do not use a Silencieux.
gunner embusqué (also called sniper - although this term is currently wrongly used to indicate all the marksmen -, or canardeur), which operates in solo or in group reduced of experts in this field (one or two others snipers or an observer which are used as protection) and does not operate according to the frontlines. It is dissimulated with sophisticated behaviors of camouflage (Ghillie follows) and has as a task in the beginning to kill unfavourable officers and other important soldiers (sappers, transmissions, etc). This category of marksmen prefers rifles of means or large gauge with manual repetition because they draw little and at long distance.

the snipers are also used in certain conflicts (as in Bosnia at the time of the head office of Sarajevo in particular, a street was called “ sniper alley ”) as arms with terror against civil populations. In these cases it can even be a question soldiers without formation and using rifles of traditional attack. With these main categories one can add:

the mine clearance : used rifles of precision can be of standard type (used for the other tasks) or specific (generally of weak precision compared to the rifles used by the gunners, for example the M14 SMUD). They are employed for the destruction of mines (terrestrial or marine) or of not-exploded explosive loads, employment which requires especially special ammunition.
the antimateriel shooting , allowed since the Nineties by the arrival of rifles large gauge, which makes it possible to destroy light equipment (not armor-plated vehicles, planes on the ground, helicopters on the ground or even in slow flight at low altitude, antennas Radar, etc).
the against sniping , which consists in neutralizing the unfavourable embusqués gunners, to ensure the safety of the soldiers and/or the civilians. In this employment rifles large gauge are appreciated because they make it possible to engage of the unfavourable gunners embusqués while remaining out of their range (if the latter have weapons of lower category), and to neutralize them even if they shelter in buildings thanks to the power of the ammunition large gauge.
the shooting since helicopters, rather recent phenomenon, this speciality being mainly taught within the Special forces.

The units of intervention of the police force use rifles of precision for interventions against armed people (exaggerated, arrests of criminals, etc), for the releases of Otage S, and to cover a zone where is a personality to protect (in complement of the bodyguards brought closer). They are useful at the same time of observer for the chief of the operation and of action group to engage the adversaries by surprise, or in support of groups of attack.

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