Unveiled: The new supergun weapon against the Taliban can kill from over a mile away (1,100m+)

This Is London / The Evening Standard (U.K.) ^ | March 7, 2008

[Stoat]

Also see:

Ministry of Defence Fact Sheets L96 Sniper Rifle and L115A3 Long Range Rifle

 

Factsheet

L96 Sniper Rifle and L115A3 Long Range Rifle

The L96 sniper rifle and the L115A3 Long Range Rifle are used by military snipers across all three Services.

 

The L115A3 Long Range Rifle [Picture: MOD]

Designed to achieve first-round hit at 600m and harassing fire out to 1100m, the Accuracy International L96 sniper rifle has been upgraded with a new 3-12 x 50 sight and spotting scope.
 
The L115A3 Long Range Rifle fires an 8.59mm bullet, heavier than the 7.62mm round of the L96, and less likely to be deflected over extremely long ranges.

Sniper Rifle L96

Calibre: 7.62mm
Weight: 6.5kg
Length: (adjustable) 1124-1194mm
Muzzle velocity: 838m/s
Feed: 10-round box
Effective range: 900m, harassing fire 1100m

Long Range Rifle L115A3

Calibre: 8.59mm
Weight: 6.8kg
Length: 1300mm
Muzzle velocity: 936m/s
Feed: 5-round box
Effective range: 1100m plus

*********************************************************

Staring down the barrel of sniper's deadly new rifle that kills at 1,100m - Times Online

 

City firm's £4m rifle is delivered to Afghan front line - Portsmouth Today

The L115A3 rifle

 

Sniper rifle Kill from a mile away Issued to troops The Sun HomePageNews

 

New 23 000 Sniper Rifle Unveiled (from This Is Wiltshire)

[EarthBound]

sweeeeeet.

[Joe Brower]

[Stoat]

FYI

[Resolute Conservative]

At over about 15x you have to fight with wobble since the magnification actually works against you on smaller targets.

[crusty old prospector]

I want one for deer hunting.

[AD from SpringBay]

hubba hubba

[Titus Quinctius Cincinnatus]

Not to be nitpicky, but 1100 m would only be about .7 miles or so.

[Joe Boucher]

I sure would like to have one.
But the B.M.G. is a-ok too.

[Red_Devil 232]

Can it only be used against the Taliban?

[wastedyears]

What do you need one of those for deer hunting for?

(rhetorical question - see Nugent’s ‘Kiss My Glock’ video on You Tube)

[marron]

I wonder how it compares to the Barrett, and I wonder why they didn’t go to the .50 cal.

[jim_trent]

8.59mm? What is the cartridge based on. What is its capacity? What bullet weight?

[Wiseghy]

Anyone know how this compares to the .50 Cal Barett and other rifles being used by American Forces?

[Stoat]

Can it only be used against the Taliban?

Yes.  It uses newly-developed "muzzie sensing" technology and will only work against Taliban.

A Hamas model is due to be unveiled next month.   :-)

[Perdogg]

http://www.chuckhawks.com/super_338_Mags.htm

[Little Ray]

Main thing is that it weighs about 16 pounds vs. about 35 for the Barrett.
The ammo is lighter, too.

[Domandred]

Bah the Cheytac 408 Intervention still holds the world record: Three Shots,16-5/8 Inches: 2,321 Yards

[Tenacious 1]

I want one for deer hunting.

These rounds usually do not leave holes in soft targets. They tend to shred them. I shooting deer would need to be followed up by collecting peices to process later.

Still, it would be cool to shoot.

[jmq]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZIJH4wvVng