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Growing Popularity of 8.6mm Sniper Round
Strategy Page ^ | 10-09-07

Posted on 10/09/2007 4:37:41 AM PDT by Renfield

October 9, 2007: The British Army is replacing most of its 3,000 7.62mm L96A1 sniper rifles with one modified to use the .338 (8.6mm) Lapua Magnum caliber round. The Accuracy International "Super Magnum" rifle is basically a L96A1 "Arctic Warfare" rifle modified to handle the larger, 8.6mm Lapua Magnum round. The new rifle (the L118A1) weighs 15 pounds (without a scope), is fifty inches long and has a 27 inch barrel and a five round magazine.

Snipers in Iraq, and especially Afghanistan, have been calling for a longer range round, but find the 12.7mm (.50 caliber) weapons too heavy. The .338 (8.6mm) Lapua Magnum round has an effective range (about 1,500 meters) about 50 percent greater than the 7.62mm standard NATO round. The 8.6mm round entered use in the early 1990s, and became increasingly popular with police and military snipers. Dutch snipers have used this round in Afghanistan with much success, and have a decade of experience with these larger caliber rifles. British snipers in Afghanistan are also using the new round.

Recognizing the popularity of the 8.6mm round, Barrett, the pioneer in 12.7mm sniper rifles, came out with a 15.5 pound version of its rifle, chambered for the 8.6mm.


TOPICS: Military/Veterans
KEYWORDS: 2ndamendment; 338; banglist; rifles; rkba; secondamendment; snipers
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To: RightWhale
Could snap into Ice Age conditions any day no warning

Considering how fast ice ages actually come on is not really known, beyond *fast* geologically speaking, you might be more correct than you know. Based on the record of the last several cycles of glaciation, we're overdue as it is.

61 posted on 10/09/2007 4:59:24 PM PDT by El Gato ("The Second Amendment is the RESET button of the United States Constitution." -- Doug McKay)
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To: archy

LOL.....Wow that’d create a steely a cat couldn’t scratch !!

Used to be we’d get cases of raufoss to play with .....now it’s sign out and account for “each” round used. Takes weeks to save up enough rounds for keg shoots !

I knew 2 guys that worked the Accuracy International shop near Oak Ridge and aaaaaaaaaaaaaalmost dropped the then 12k on their 50 flavor. I shot their 300 win mag and 308 versions yet just felt that the gun was something Uncle Sugar should buy me vs dropping that much coin for sod poodles in states or afar.

I was in love w/ H&S or McBros phenolic furniture so passed on it. I think that was just around the time I’d bought a M82A1 that was a demo (had 100 rnds thru it ;o) at Ronnie’s factory. It was a sale / steal at 3k back then. It still is accurate as the day I snagged it.


62 posted on 10/09/2007 6:19:30 PM PDT by Squantos (Be polite. Be professional. But, have a plan to kill everyone you meet. ©)
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To: 300magnum

Agree..... I have a 460 weatherby that is cheaper too feed at times.....:o)

BTW.......The knives are still serving day to day duty in country w/ DSS and a couple of EOD contractors. Again I thank you !

Stay safe !!


63 posted on 10/09/2007 6:22:39 PM PDT by Squantos (Be polite. Be professional. But, have a plan to kill everyone you meet. ©)
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To: TEXASPROUD

Well pogue mahone YOUR ALIVE !!!!

I thought the IRA had got ya !!!!

I need to research that round went and snagged a TV show on that round that is more wannabe than facts. Got to research it. More !!

Stay safe


64 posted on 10/09/2007 6:28:58 PM PDT by Squantos (Be polite. Be professional. But, have a plan to kill everyone you meet. ©)
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To: glock rocks

ping.......up !


65 posted on 10/09/2007 7:20:54 PM PDT by Squantos (Be polite. Be professional. But, have a plan to kill everyone you meet. ©)
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To: Squantos

Sure and that was sweet of you to use the Gaelic. All is well in Dallas, and the hospital is keeping me busy. Working on getting another NFA item. Will contact you when I have it in hand.


66 posted on 10/09/2007 8:15:31 PM PDT by TEXASPROUD
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To: Squantos

Thanks fer the ping. Being sorta left handed and dyslexic, it just seemed natural to read gun porn from the bottom up.

Now I gotta go study up on rounds I’m not so familiar with. Within an hour or so, I might make it up to the article, cept yours and Archie’s posts that slow me way down researchwise... good stuff.


67 posted on 10/09/2007 8:25:27 PM PDT by glock rocks (Shoot fast. Shoot straight. Shoot safe. Practice. Carry.)
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To: archy
"The .300 WM is nothing to sneeze at. US Navy rifle match competitors have used it for decades for Wimbledon Cup shoots and other long range work, and the Germans chose to have their AW snipers rifles, designated Scharfschützengewehr 22, SSG22, equipped with a folding stock and Zeiss scope and chambered for the .300 WM cartridge."

To say nothing of that slick little .300 WinMag package the boys at Walther cobbled together...


68 posted on 10/09/2007 8:31:36 PM PDT by Joe 6-pack (Que me amat, amet et canem meum)
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To: TEXASPROUD

I get is less trouble when I swear like an irishman !

Stay safe !


69 posted on 10/09/2007 8:37:33 PM PDT by Squantos (Be polite. Be professional. But, have a plan to kill everyone you meet. ©)
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To: glock rocks

Indeed.......fun to read !


70 posted on 10/09/2007 8:38:47 PM PDT by Squantos (Be polite. Be professional. But, have a plan to kill everyone you meet. ©)
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To: Squantos

By the way, trying to find .416 Barrett ammo ain’t easy. When you do find it, be prepared for sticker shock.


71 posted on 10/09/2007 8:44:01 PM PDT by TEXASPROUD
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To: TEXASPROUD

I suspected as much..... I have been using the 6.5 grendel more for long range attacks on yoyes & sod poodles from a flat top heavy barrel.....very very impressed with that round for our states landscape tests. IMHO it is perfect all round for everything from pest control to whitetails etc .....


72 posted on 10/09/2007 8:47:33 PM PDT by Squantos (Be polite. Be professional. But, have a plan to kill everyone you meet. ©)
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To: caver
"I always wanted a .338, but couldn't really justify getting one (there being no moose or Taliban here in Calvert County)...."

Speaking of the .338 I owned a Reminton 700 chambered for the .338 win magnum. If you worked up good handloads for that puppy if was a flat shooter. The recoil was a little stiff but you get used to it. I sold the rifle a few years back and regret it.

73 posted on 10/09/2007 9:36:43 PM PDT by blackbart.223 (I live in Northern Nevada. Reid doesn't represent me.)
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To: Squantos

Damn. I want one of those.


74 posted on 10/09/2007 9:46:06 PM PDT by blackbart.223 (I live in Northern Nevada. Reid doesn't represent me.)
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To: blackbart.223

It’s a good rig to get.......and keep ! Mine has taken some serious abuse over time. Well made tool.

BTW a close cousin is a Rem 700 Sendero in 300 RUM ! That is a very flat shooting rig as well for a “cheaper than” regarding the longbow. Your Rem 700 in 338 Win Mag or Lapua Mag ? I have to go see the data difference on those two loads . Will check back in tomorrow nite......

I’m off the net......Stay safe !


75 posted on 10/09/2007 10:48:28 PM PDT by Squantos (Be polite. Be professional. But, have a plan to kill everyone you meet. ©)
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To: El Gato

I have a Ljungmann. One of the most reliable firearms ever built. I’m considering selling mine, though, as I never use it.


76 posted on 10/10/2007 3:48:30 AM PDT by Renfield (Turning apples into venison since 1999!)
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To: 300winmag; Squantos
Agree..... I have a 460 weatherby that is cheaper too feed at times.....:o)

BTW.......The knives are still serving day to day duty in country w/ DSS and a couple of EOD contractors. Again I thank you !

Stay safe !!

I believe the part of Squantos's post about the knives was meant for you instead of me. :-)

77 posted on 10/10/2007 7:35:23 AM PDT by 300magnum (God grants liberty only to those who love it, and are always ready to guard and defend it. D.Webster)
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To: 300magnum

My bad........:o)


78 posted on 10/10/2007 7:49:51 AM PDT by Squantos (Be polite. Be professional. But, have a plan to kill everyone you meet. ©)
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To: Squantos

No problem. I just didn’t want to let a “thank you” go to the wrong person.


79 posted on 10/10/2007 8:00:49 AM PDT by 300magnum (God grants liberty only to those who love it, and are always ready to guard and defend it. D.Webster)
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To: papertyger

Remington did contract some barrels with Mike Rock for the PSS and Varmit series. So, yeah, you may be covered.

Mike


80 posted on 10/10/2007 10:36:31 AM PDT by BCR #226 (Abortion is the pagan sacrifice of an innocent virgin child for the sins of the mother and father.)
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