| Caliber: | Russian 7.62x54mm Rimmed |
| Operation: | gas, semi-automatic |
| Capacity: | 10 round detachable box magazine |
| Weight: | 9.5lb (4.31kg) empty with telescope |
| Length: | 48.2 in (122.5 cm) |
| Barrel Length: | 24 in (62 cm) |
| Rifling: | 4 grooves, 1:10 right hand twist |
| Max Rate of Fire: | 30 RPM |
| Aimed Rate of Fire: | 3-5 RPM |
| Scope Type: | PSO-1 with IR detection capability |
| Scope Data: | 24mm objective lens, 4x, 6 degree field of view |
| Exit Pupil Measurement: | 6mm |
| Compatible Passive Night Scopes: | NSP-3: 2.7x, 7 degree field of view range of approx 300 yds PGN-1: 3.4x, 5.7 degree field of view range of 400-500 yds |
The SVD (Snayperskaya Vintovka Dragunova)-Dragunov Sniping Rifle was the first rifle designed from scratch as a sniper rifle, and was introduced in the 1950's. It has very limited similarities to the Kalashnikov series of rifles. The SVD can be expected to shoot 2 MOA with quality ammo. I have some personal experience with an original SVD (circa late 1970's). While the weapon was a bit crude when it comes to workmanship, it still functioned flawlessly. We shot extensively out to 900 meters. The rifle is extremely deadly, even with cheap surplus ammo, out to about 600 meters. After that, your pressed to hit consistantly. We easily were maintaining sub 2 MOA. The SVD is not a true sniper rifle in todays terms, but it performs exceptionally well for what it was designed for, a weapon to extend the range of the average rifle squad.
Russian SV-98
Image courtesy of Valery Shilin's Gun Club
| Caliber | 7.62x54mmR or 7.62x51mm NATO (.308 Win) |
| Length | 50" (1270mm) |
| Weight | 13.64 lbs (6.2 kg) |
| Barrel Length | 25.6 inches (650mm) |
| Lands and Grooves | 4 RH |
| Twist, Right Hand | 1:12.6" (320mm) |
| Trigger Weight | 3.3 to 4.4 pounds |
| Magazine Capacity | Detachable 10 round magazine |
| Sight | PKS-07 7x |
| Stock | Laminated wood or molded fibreglass with adjustable cheek and Length of Pull. |
There has been a long standing request by Russian snipers to upgrade their standard sniper rifle from the SVD. There is nothing wrong with the SVD for what it was designed for. But when the snipers need a precision long range rifle, the SVD does not perform up to the modern sniper rifle standard. A formal request for a new bolt action sniper rifle was made, and in 1998 Vladimir Stronskiy designed and delivered to the Arms R&D center of the Izhmash OJSC the Snaiperskaya Vintovka (sniper rifle), model 1998. (SV-98). The new rifle uses a cold hammer forged heavy barrel and cold hammer forged action. The barrel is freefloating and there are three locking lugs on the bolt. There is a flash suppressor (AK style) and also SVD aux sites. An integral scope mount is on the reciever, and the standard optics sitting on top is the PKS-07, which is a 7x scope, slightly more then the PSO-1 on the SVD. The fibreglass stock is available as an option upon order. The barrels are threaded for a specially designed 23db suppressor that requires the use of subsonic ammunition. The magazine is plastic.
Shooting handloads, the rifle was able to achieve .85 MOA in 7.62x54R form, and .62 MOA in 7.62x51 NATO. There seems to be some minor extrator problems on the 7.62x54R because of the rim on that cartridge, though the 308 version doesn't suffer the same problems. The rifle was developed by IZHMASH (Izhevsk Machinebuilding Plant) and based on "proven" sporting rifle Record-CISM. The SV-98 in 7.62X54R has been "field rated" by the Russian Spez-Natz at 1.15 MOA @ 100 meters distance. The true limiting factor is the ammunition the Russian Military uses for there sniper weapons. The only sniper units that recieve quality ammunition are those of the Spetz Natz. Indipendant testing by Vladimir Gruzchev of the Spez Natz weaponry experimenting unit has stated that with high quality ammunition it can aquire .75 MOA at best. Because the performance is not as good as the military would like, there has been several complaints from the head of the military arms and evaluation center in the Russian Military that the rifle was adopted for political gain for a certain "un-known" person. As it is, the SV-98 is being used by various Russian law enforcement and counter-terrorist forces.
Mosin-Nagant 1891/30 Sniper  | |
| Caliber: | 7.62x54mm R |
| Barrel Length: | 28.7" (729 MM) |
| Barrel Details: | 4 Lands and Grooves, Right hand twist |
| Empty Weight: | 11.3 pounds (5.136 KG) empty less sling |
| Overall Length: | 48.5" (1232 MM) |
| Magazine: | 5 Round internal box |
| Stock: | Standard issue 1891/30 wood stock |
| Here is another installment for the classic sniper rifles. The model 1891/30 Sniper is based on the standard issue 1891/30 rifle from the former USSR. These rifles were used for much of the 20th century. To create the sniper version of these rifles, high quality examples of the 1891/30 were pulled off of the production line. They specifically looked for high quality barrels. They took these hand picked rifles and then turned the bolts down for operation while using a scope. They mounted a scope; both the PV (4x) and PU (3.5x) versions were used. The PU was preferred and used on most of the sniper versions. There was no bayonet issued and the foresight was raised 1mm, which allowed the open sites to be used out to 600 meters. The trigger was also lightened to 4.4-5.3 lbs (2-2.4 kg). The 1891/30 Sniper proved to be an exceptional sniper rifle, perhaps even the best of WWII. The rifles were mass-produced, with as many as 330,000 of the sniper variants being produced between 1941 and 1943. Of course, due to these types of production numbers, some problems arose. There were numerous complaints about the triggers, they were not adjustable, and so what came with the rifle was what you were stuck with, so hopefully it was adjusted nicely from the factory. Another complaint was with the stock, as some of the wood used during some of the high production times was not high quality and warped a lot during changes in weather. The rifles were also long and heavy which made them a bit awkward in the field. But, despite all that, these rifles were very accurate. Average accuracy was about 1.5 MOA with some examples shooting WELL below 1 MOA. This level of accuracy is amazing for a rifle produced during wartime conditions and in these numbers. It is believed that many German snipers in WWII would use captured 1891/30's as their personal sniper rifles, over their Mauser 98K's. The 1891/30 Sniper rifle was originally developed in the early 20's (on the Dragoon rifle) and used in the 30's (as the 1891/30). Like many countries did before and during the war, the USSR was switching over to semi-auto combat rifles, the SVT-40, and a sniper variant was produced of this rifle. But accuracy was not up to par and many complaints over the SVT-40 sniper rifle prompted the return of the 1891/30, which performed very well throughout the war. The rifle stayed in service until 1963 when it was replaced in the USSR military by the SVD. The 1891/30 Sniper's stayed in service until the 70's with many communist countries. It actually served with the NVA during the Vietnam Conflict as well. This rifle has an exceptional service history and performance history and deserves to be placed among the greatest of all service built sniper rifles. | |
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