Sniper atau penembak jitu menjadi salah satu bagian penting dalam pasukan darat. Para sniper ini juga memiliki senjata khusus yang mampu membidik target dengan akurasi tinggi dalam jarak yang sangat jauh. Dan berikut 10 senjata sniper terbaik sepanjang sejarah versi Washington Times
1. M24 SNIPER WEAPONS SYSTEM
M24 SNIPER WEAPONS SYSTEM (U.S.A.) – The M24 (SWS) is the military and police version of the Remington 700 rifle, M24 being the model name assigned by the U.S. Army after adoption as their standard sniper rifle in 1988. The M24 is referred to as a “weapons system” because it consists of not only a rifle, but also a detachable telescopic sight and other accessories. The M24 SWS has the “long-action” bolt version of the Remington 700 receiver but is chambered for the 7.62×51mm NATO “short-action” cartridge. The “long-action” allows the rifle to be re-configured for a dimensionally larger cartridge.
2. KNIGHT’S ARMAMENT COMPANY SR-25
KNIGHT’S ARMAMENT COMPANY SR-25 (U.S.A.) – The SR-25 (Stoner Rifle-25) is a semi-automatic special application sniper rifle designed by Eugene Stoner and manufactured by Knight’s Armament Company. The SR-25 uses a rotating bolt and a direct impingement gas system. It is loosely based on Stoner’s AR-10, rebuilt in its original 7.62×51mm NATO caliber. Up to 60% of parts of the SR-25 are interchangeable with the AR-15 and M16—everything but the upper and lower receivers, the hammer, the barrel assembly and the bolt carrier group.[1] SR-25 barrels were originally manufactured by Remington Arms with its 5R (5 grooves, rounded) rifling, with twist 1:11.25 (1 complete turn in 11.25 inches or 286 millimetres). The heavy 20 in (510 mm) barrel is free-floating, so handguards are attached to the front of the receiver and do not touch the barrel. The SR-25 enhanced match rifle utilizes the newer URX II Picatinny-Weaver rail system, rather than the older Mk 11 free-floating RAS, on the top of the receiver to accept different scope mounts or a carrying handle with iron sights (front sight mounted on the rail located on the forward end of the non-modular handguard). The match version is designed to shoot at a precision of 0.5 minutes of angle, which corresponds to 0.5-inch groups at 100 yards.
3. L42A1 ENFIELD (U.K.)
L42A1 ENFIELD (U.K.) – The L42A1 was a British Army sniper rifle chambered for the 7.62mm NATO cartridge which entered service in 1970. It served until replacement by the Accuracy International L96 in 1985. It was the last model in a long and famous line of Lee bolt action rifles using the rear-locking action designed by James Paris Lee to serve the British Army, which had first entered service in the Lee-Metford rifle of 1888. During its British Army service, the L42A1 saw active service during several conflicts including the Dhofar Rebellion in Oman, The Troubles in Northern Ireland, the Falklands War and Gulf War. The L42A1 was a 7.62×51mm NATO conversion of the .303 British chambered Lee-Enfield No. 4 Mk1 and No. 4 Mk1 WWII-era British sniper rifles, which had remained in service for some time after the L1A1 variant of the 7.62mm FN FAL replaced the No.4 Lee Enfield as the standard service rifle in 1957.
4. M21
M21 (U.S.A.) – The M21 Sniper Weapon System (SWS) is the semi-automatic sniper rifle adaptation of the M14 rifle. It is chambered for the 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge. The United States Army wanted an accurate sniper rifle during the Vietnam War. The M14 was selected because of its accuracy, reliability, and the ability for a quick follow up shot. As a result, in 1969, the Rock Island Arsenal converted 1,435 National Match (target grade) M14s by adding a Leatherwood 3-9× Adjustable Ranging Telescope and providing National Match grade ammunition. This version, called the XM21, had a specially selected walnut stock and was first fielded in the second half of 1969. An improved version with a fiberglass stock was designated the M21 in 1975. The M21 remained the Army’s primary sniper rifle until 1988, when it was replaced by the M24 Sniper Weapon System; some M21s were later re-issued and used in the Iraq War. Vietnam War era sniper rifles, US Army XM21 (top) and USMC M40 (bottom) In standard military use, the M21 uses a 20 round box magazine as the other members of the M14 family and weighs 11 pounds (5.27 kg) without the scope. The U.S. military never officially authorized or purchased magazines in any other capacity, although 5- and 10-round magazines are available. The M21A5 version is built by Smith Enterprise Inc. and is known commercially as the Crazy Horse rifle. The M21A5’s metal components are cryogenically treated prior to assembly, which eliminates the need for bedding the stock with fiberglass. Additional upgrades include a completely adjustable trigger system (from 2.5 to 5 lbs) and an extended bolt handle for use in extreme cold environment. Vietnam War era sniper rifles, US Army XM21 (top) and USMC M40 (bottom)
5. HECKLER & KOCH PSG1 (GERMANY)
HECKLER & KOCH PSG1 (GERMANY) – The PSG1 (“precision shooter rifle”) is a semi-automatic sniper rifle. The PSG1 is mechanically based on the G3 rifle and features a low-noise bolt closing device (similar to the forward assist on many M16 rifles). Its shot-to-shot variation is expected to be better than 1 minute of angle (MOA) with match ammunition. Although this level of accuracy is unremarkable in modern semi-automatic rifles, it was claimed that the PSG1 was “one of the most accurate semi-automatic sniper rifles in the world.” PSG1s are not supplied with iron sights but come equipped with the Hensoldt ZF6x42PSG1 scope with an illuminated reticle. The scope has a built-in range adjustment feature which can be adjusted from 100 to 600 m. It has a heavy free-floating barrel with polygonal rifling and an adjustable stock. The stock is of high impact matte black plastic and has a high degree of adjustment. It is adjustable for length, and includes a pivoting butt cap and a vertically-adjustable cheekpiece. The forend is fitted with a T-way rail for sling swivel or tripod. The rifle also features a removable and adjustable trigger unit, for further individual fitting of the rifle. The trigger pull can be modified and the whole assembly is removable from the pistol grip. The pistol grip is of a target-style with an adjustable palm shelf. MSG90 (Above) and PSG1 (Below)
6. DRAGUNOV SVD (Soviet Union)
DRAGUNOV SVD (Soviet Union) – The Dragunov sniper rifle (“Sniper Rifle, System of Dragunov, Model of the Year 1963”) is a semi-automatic sniper/designated marksman rifle chambered in 7.62×54mmR and developed in the Soviet Union. The Dragunov was designed as a squad support weapon since, according to Soviet and Soviet-derived military doctrines, the long-range engagement ability was lost to ordinary troops when submachine guns and assault rifles (which are optimized for close-range and medium-range, rapid-fire combat) were adopted. For that reason, it was originally named “Self-Loading Rifle, System of Dragunov, Model of the Year 1963.” It was selected as the winner of a contest that included three competing designs: by Sergei Simonov, Aleksandr Konstantinov and Yevgeny Dragunov. Extensive field testing of the rifles conducted in a wide range of environmental conditions resulted in Dragunov’s proposal being accepted into service in 1963. An initial pre-production batch consisting of 200 rifles was assembled for evaluation purposes, and from 1964 serial production was carried out by Izhmash.
7. ACCURACY INTERNATIONAL AS50 (U.K.)
ACCURACY INTERNATIONAL AS50 (U.K.) -The AS50 is a .50 BMG sniper/anti-materiel rifle manufactured by British firearms producer Accuracy International. The AS50 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. The rifle is highly transportable, ergonomic and lightweight. It can be disassembled in less than three minutes and serviced without tools. The AS50 is designed for the British Armed Forces and United States Navy SEALs, the rifle is employed due to its high rate of fire (five rounds in 1.6 seconds). This high rate of fire is due mostly to the floating barrel and the lightweight titanium frame. The rifle has an accuracy of 1.5 MOA. The barrel is free-floating. The two-part machined steel receiver features an integral accessory rail for mounting optical sights. Two additional rails are mounted on the sides of the short barrel shroud. An adjustable bipod and rear support leg/hand grip allow for stable shooting. This weapon can accurately engage targets at a range of 1,500 meters (1,600Â yd). The AS50 weighs 14.1 kilograms (31Â lb.) empty and holds five rounds of .50 BMG in a single-stack, removable box magazine.
8. CHEYTAC INTERVENTION .408 (U.S.A.)
CHEYTAC INTERVENTION .408 (U.S.A.) – an American bolt action sniper rifle manufactured by CheyTac LLC. It is fed by a 7-round detachable single stack magazine. It fires .408 Chey Tac or .375 Chey Tac ammunition. CheyTac LLC 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. The Intervention holds the world record for best group at a distance, landing 3 bullets within 16â… inches at 2,321 yards near Arco in Idaho. On the Discovery Channel TV show Future Weapons April 9, 2007, episode “Massive Attack’ the host Richard Machowicz, a former United States Navy SEAL, made 3 out of 6 shots, hitting a human-sized sheet of metal at a distance of 2,530 yards at Arco Pass in Idaho. CheyTac states that “the CheyTac LRRS is a solid anti-personnel system to 2,000 yards.” The primary intent of the .408 is as an extreme range anti-personnel system. Groups of 7-9Â inches at 1,000 yards, 10Â inches at 1500 yards and 15Â inches at 2,000 yards have been consistently obtained. Groups of 19Â inches at 2,100 yards and 29Â inches at 2,400 yards have also been obtained. All groups that are up to 3,000 yards are less than 1 minute of angle for vertical dispersion.
9. ACCURACY INTERNATIONAL AWM (U.K.)
ACCURACY INTERNATIONAL AWM (U.K.) -Designated L115A3 AWM (Arctic Warfare Magnum) is a bolt-action sniper rifle manufactured by Accuracy International 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. In November 2009, British Army sniper Corporal of Horse (CoH) Craig Harrison, a member of the Household Cavalry, set the current record for longest recorded sniper kill by killing two Taliban machine gunners consecutively south of Musa Qala in Helmand Province in Afghanistan at a range of 2,707Â yd using a L115A3 Long Range Rifle. In the reports CoH Harrison mentions the environmental conditions were perfect for long range shooting: no wind, mild weather, clear visibility.
10. BARRETT M82 (U.S.A.)
BARRETT M82 (U.S.A.) -The M82, standardized by the US Military as the M107, is a recoil-operated, semi-automatic anti-materiel rifle developed by the American Barrett Firearms Manufacturing company. Designated as a heavy SASR (Special Application Scoped Rifle), it is used by many units and armies around the world. It is also called the “Light Fifty” for its .50 BMG (12.7×99mm NATO) chambering. The weapon is found in two variants, the original M82A1 (and A3) and the bullpup M82A2. The M82A2 is no longer manufactured, though the XM500 can be seen as its successor. The M82 is a short recoil semi-automatic firearm. When the gun is fired, the barrel initially recoils for a short distance, before being securely locked by the rotating bolt. After the short travel, a post on the bolt engaged in the curved cam track in the receiver turns the bolt to unlock it from the barrel. As soon as the bolt unlocks, the accelerator arm strikes it back, transferring part of the recoil energy of the barrel to the bolt to achieve reliable cycling. Then the barrel is stopped and the bolt continues back, to extract and eject a spent case. On its return stroke, the bolt strips the fresh cartridge from the box magazine and feeds it into the chamber and finally locks itself to the barrel. The striker is also cocked on the return stroke of the bolt.