The most advanced sniper rifles in the world are always been a great addition to any special operations forces team. They also have been my weapon of choice. In modern warfare, they are unavoidable subject in every infantry or special operations forces mission. Usually, snipers are our eyes and our advantage at the moment when the battle begins. From short-range to long-range sniper rifles, the outcome is the same.
In the world of firearms, these sniper rifles mean something and they are considered as the top sniper rifles in the world at this moment.
M110 SASS
The M110 SASS (Semi-Automatic Sniper System) is an American semi-automatic sniper rifle/designated marksman rifle. The sniper rifle is developed by Knight’s Armament Company in a 7.62x51mm NATO round.
It has been introduced to the U.S. SOF community in April 2008, when U.S. Army soldiers from Task Force Fury in Afghanistan used them in a combat zone. The troops rated the weapon very highly, noting the quality of the weapon and its semi-automatic capabilities compared to the bolt-action M24. It is considered as one of the most advanced sniper rifles in the world.
Designed: 2007 Cartridge: 7.62×51mm NATO Action: Gas-operated, rotating bolt Rate of fire: Semi-automatic Muzzle velocity: 783 m/s (2,570 ft/s) with 175 gr. M118LR Effective firing range: 800 meters (875 yds) Feed system: 10 or 20-round detachable box magazine
M40
The M40 rifle is a standard-issue sniper rifle in the USMC (United States Marine Corps). It is a bolt-action sniper rifle introduced into service in 1966. So far, it has had four variants—the M40, M40A1, M40A3, and M40A5. The changeover to the A1 model was completed in the 1970s, the A3 in the 2000s, and the A5 in 2009.
Each M40 is built from a Remington 700 bolt-action rifle and is modified by USMC armorers at Marine Corps Base Quantico, using components from a number of suppliers. New M40A5s are being built, and A1s are upgraded to A3s and A5s as they rotate into the armory for service and repair.
Designed: 1966 Cartridge: 7.62×51mm NATO Action: Bolt action Rate of fire: 6 RPM Muzzle velocity: 777 m/s (2,550 ft/s) (w/175 gr. M118LR) Effective firing range: 800 meters Feed system: 5-round integral box magazine (M40, M40A1, M40A3) 10-round removable box magazine (M40A5) Sights: Scout Sniper Day Scope (SSDS)—Schmidt and Bender PM II 3-12×50
AS50
The AS50 sniper rifle was primarily designed for the British Armed Forces and the United States Navy SEALs. It was employed due to its high rate of fire (five rounds in 1.6 seconds).
The AS50 was manufactured by British firearms producer Accuracy International and chambered in a .50 BMG caliber.This sniper rifle enables operators to engage targets at very long range with high accuracy using explosive or incendiary ammunition. The AS50 employs a gas-operated semi-automatic action and muzzle brake, allowing for lower recoil than the AW50 bolt-action rifle and faster target acquisition.
Designed: 2007 Cartridge: .50 BMG Action: The gas operation, direct impingement Rate of fire: semi-automatic, estimated at 5 rounds/1.6 seconds Effective firing range: 1,800 m Feed system: 5 or 10-round detachable box magazine
McMillan Tac-50
The McMillan Tac-50 sniper rifle was produced as a military and law enforcement weapon, which, designated as the C15. The rifle is also a standard Long Range Sniper Weapon (LRSW) of the Canadian Forces since 2000. Rifles of the Tac-50 family are capable of outstanding accuracy and guaranteed to provide 0.5 MOA groups with match grade ammunition.
The Tac-50 sniper rifle is produced in Phoenix, Arizona in the United States by McMillan Firearms Manufacturing. This long-range anti-material/anti-personnel weapon is based on previous designs from the same company, which first appeared during the late 1980s. McMillan makes several versions of .50 caliber rifles, based on the same proprietary action, for the military, law enforcement, and civilian use.
Designed: 1980s Cartridge: .50 BMG (12.7 x 99 mm) Action: manually operated rotary bolt action Muzzle velocity: 805 m/s (2,641 ft/s) Effective firing range: 1,800 m (1,970 yd) Feed system: 5 round detachable box magazine Sights: Customizable; 5-25x telescopic sight standard in Canadian Forces
Accuracy International AWM (Arctic Warfare Magnum)
The Accuracy International AWM (Arctic Warfare Magnum) is one of the most recognized sniper rifles among the special forces community. The rifle is a bolt-action styled manufactured by Accuracy International and designed for magnum rifle cartridge chamberings. The Accuracy International AWM is also unofficially known as the AWSM (Arctic Warfare Super Magnum), which typically denotes AWM rifles chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum.
On 25 September 2012 Accuracy International announced on their company website that the AWM .338 Lapua Magnum rifle is being phased out and replaced by the Accuracy International AX338 rifle.
Designed: 1996 Cartridge: .300 Winchester Magnum .338 Lapua Magnum Action: Bolt-action Effective firing range: 1,100 m (1,203 yd) (.300 Winchester Magnum) 1,500 m (1,640 yd) (.338 Lapua Magnum) Feed system: 5-round detachable box magazine Sights: detachable aperture type iron sights day or night optics
CheyTac Intervention
The CheyTac Intervention is considered as a star among sniper rifles. An American-made bolt-action sniper rifle manufactured by CheyTac LLC is one of the most favorited on the market. It is fed by a 7-round detachable single-stack magazine. It is chambered for .408 Chey Tac or .375 Chey Tac ammunition. The manufacturer states that the system is capable of delivering sub-MOA accuracy at ranges of up to 2,500 yards (2,300 m), one of the longest ranges of all modern-day sniper rifles.
It is based on the EDM Arms Windrunner and it can be found in various variants: M-200, M-200 Carbine, M-200 CIV (Civilian), M-200 RK, M-310 SS (Single Shot), and M-310 R (Repeater).
Designed: 2001 Cartridge: .408 Chey Tac or .375 Chey Tac Action: Bolt action Effective firing range: 2000+ m – M-200 2000+ m – M-200 Carbine 1500+ m – M-200 CIV (Civilian) 1800+ m – M-310 SS (Single Shot) 1800+ m – M-310 R (Repeater) Feed system: 7-round detachable box magazine Sights: Day or night optics
Barrett M107
The Barrett M107 is a .50 caliber, shoulder-fired, semi-automatic sniper rifle. Like its predecessors (Barrett M82), the rifle is said to have manageable recoil for a weapon of its size owing to the barrel assembly that itself absorbs a force, moving inward toward the receiver against large springs with every shot.
Various changes were made to the original M82A1 to create the M107, with new features such as a lengthened accessory rail, rear grip, and monopod socket.
The Barrett M107, like previous members of the M82 line, is also referred to as the Barrett “Light Fifty”. The designation has in many instances supplanted earlier ones, with the M107 being voted one of 2005’s top 10 military inventions by the U.S. Army and it is one of the most advanced sniper rifles today.
Designed: 1980 Cartridge: .50 BMG (12.7×99mm) Action: Bolt action Effective firing range: 1,829 m (6,001 ft) Feed system: 11-round detachable box magazine Sights: Day or night optics
