Accuracy International .338

[baboon]

The British Army has bought 80 AI rifles in .338 Magnum. These are to be issued at platoon level to certain units, not as a traditional sniper rifle, but more for fire support out of range of the SA80 or when minimum force is required i.e. you don't want to go shooting off rockets and mortars all over the place. It is designated L115A1. Info from latest online edition of Soldier magazine (www.army.mod.uk, link to it on front page). I also have some questions about AI weapons.
1)Is the L96A1 the PM or AW?
2) What is the difference between these two, or am I getting it completely wrong?
3) How powerful is the .338 round?

Thanks
baboon

[JY]

Hi baboon;

To answer your questions;
1)The L96A1 is the military PM
2)The AW is an improved L96A1 the bolt was improved with a special anti icing mechanism to allow operation down to -40 deg. C, even in sudden temp. changes. The barrel is now stainless with an improved rifling for the newer ammo types. A muzzle brake is now standard. All parts were evaluated and improved as needed resulting a rifle that required no maintainance ina test of over 10,000 rounds.
3)the .338 Lapua roughly falls 1/2 way between the 7.62X51mm and the .50 BMG. stats are;
Bullet weight;250 grs.
Muzzle velocity;914 m/sec(3000 fps)
Muzzle energy;6766J (5007 ftlbs)
Velocity at 300 meters; 763 m/sec (2503 fps)
Energy at 300 meters;4710J (3485 ft lbs)
The cartridge was based on the .416 Rigby shortened and knecked to .338, and at 2000 meters is still delivering 463 ft lbs of energy.

Take care...Jim

[Ken]

3) .338 Lapua Magnum trajectories:
www.lapua.com/law/law.htm (http://www.lapua.com/law/law.htm)

[reconsweden]

They way I´ve heard it the AW is the version developed for the Swedish Army to their requirements.
If this is so that means that the AW is adapted for the swedish soldier and gear ergonomicly. Besides the adjustements to the bolt for low temperatures they also requirered that the "one shot, one kill" would be fullfilled no matter what the rifle has been put trough.
What JY said about is exactly what I got from the Swedish Defence Material Administration about the tryout and adjustement of the L96A1 to the swedish sniper rifle(PSG90).



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Videre Non Videri

[JY]

Hi reconsweden;

I've owned a PSG90, since AI released a few, with the Hensoldt Sight 90 and the Swede issue iron sights. And have to say it's THE best sniper weapon system today, and sure am glad the Swedish military pushed for the system. I have used it in the Rocky mountains in all weather and it has never failed me, and is much easier to maintain than our issue M24 and has an edge in accuracy.

take care...Jim, Sine Pari

[reconsweden]

JY:

Gotta check, have you experienced any bolt swelling when firing rapidly?
I know its not the intended role of the rifle but I had to try(only trust stuff I checked myself) and the swelling was so severe that I could´nt even budge the bolt at all after a while.
One of our sharpshooters abused it for 6 months and it still didn´t affect accuracy or reliability at all. I´m very impressed by the rifle and the sight is outstanding, Zeiss/Hendsholdt have really outdone themselfes this time. Are there any other rifles that are delivered with that sight?

One thing that annoys me about the M24 is the lack of (folding) bipod, maybe because its a must in deep snow but it gives great stability otherwise aswell.

All in all I love the AW, its without equal and with the new undercaliber ammunition developed here it really has the edge.



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Videre Non Videri

[JY]

Hi reconsweden;

Never had any problems with the bolt at all. But have never really fired at high rate of fire. As far as I know the Hensoldt Sight90 has not been used on anyother rifle, a shame because it is one fine optic. I have a question about the front ButlerCreek cap, the small hole drilled at 6, is this used in bright snow conditions? I looked through the scope one day in such conditions, forgetting to flip the front cover up and got a fairly good sight picture free from glare. Just wondering if this was a design feature.

The M24 has a bipod issued with it made by Harris and it has folding legs, though not as refined as the Parker Hale it is fair in use. The down side is it's hard to track a target as there is no side travis at all.

I'm with you, I think the AW is the best SWS going today and wouldn't part with mine for anything.

Take care...Jim, Sine Pari

[RifleMaster]

Here is a comparison of the Lapua .338, 250gr. Lock Base bullet w/ 3,000 MV and a Berger 7mm, 180gr. VLD bullet w/ 3,000 MV.

.338 @ 1500 yards: Velocity 1,285.6 ft/sec.; 10 MPH Wind Drift 145 inches; Energy 917.3 ft-lbs.

7mm @ 1500 yards: Velocity 1,345.0 ft/sec.; 10 MPH Wind Drift 134.5 inches; Energy 722.9 ft-lbs.

Not a lot to write home about!

Carl/RifleMaster

[G.I.Joe]

Hi Jim,
nice to find you again on my way.....
How are you doing friend ?
As you already know I have one AWP since a couple of years ago and I'm still in love with it but lastly I also got one M24 SWS.
I find it more light,more "wearable" and easier to handle.
The AWP,outstanding hardware,is heavier,bulkier and,in many shooters'opinion,more difficult to use.
I wanna add I'm shooting better MOA with the M24 than with the AWP too.
What do you think ?
Just my 0.2,
take care,ciao,M.