Accuracy International AWM
| Accuracy International AWM | |
|---|---|
| File:Ai sm.jpg | |
| Type | Sniper rifle |
| Place of origin | United Kingdom |
| Service history | |
| Used by | British Army, German Army |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Accuracy International |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 6.8 kg (15 lb) empty, without scope |
| Length | 1270 mm (50 in) |
| Barrel length |
|
| Cartridge | |
| Action | Bolt-action |
| Effective firing range | 1100 m |
| Feed system | 5-round detachable box magazine |
The AWM (Arctic Warfare Magnum) is a sniper rifle manufactured by Accuracy International.
Overview
The AWM is a variant of the British Accuracy International Arctic Warfare (AW). It has a longer barrel and larger chamber to accommodate the larger caliber ammunition such as .338 Lapua magnum and .300 Winchester Magnum.
This rifle is based on the AW with minimal changes to accommodate magnum-length cartridges. It features a detachable box magazine which holds 5 rounds. The normal cartridges for this rifle and the ones which have been accepted into NATO in AWM rifles, are .300 Winchester Magnum and .338 Lapua Magnum.
Muzzle brakes are fitted to reduce recoil, jump and flash and act as a base for optional iron sights and suppressors. Normally, the AWMs are outfitted with a Mk II telescopic sight with 10x fixed power of magnification. However, Mk II's with variables magnification of either 3–12x or 4–16x can be used for shorter ranges or when a wider field of view is required.
AWM rifles are normally supplied in a metal transit case together with scope, mount, butt spacers, bipod, spare magazines, sling, cleaning and tool kits.
Magnum calibers
.338 Lapua Magnum
The AWM in .338 Lapua Magnum caliber was designed as a dedicated long range sniper rifle combine the maneuverability of rifles chambered in 7.62 × 51 mm NATO (.308 Win) with the greater power and range and of the .50 caliber cartridge.
Compared to most .50 caliber rifles, the AWM offers considerably less rifle weight, recoil, muzzle flash, smoke and report. Although the .338 Lapua delivers less energy to the target compared with the .50 BMG, both cartridges have similar trajectories, resistance to wind drift and penetration while the .338 Lapua unquestionably outperforms the 7.62 × 51 mm NATO (.308 Win), especially at ranges beyond 800 m.
The .338 Lapua Magnum is fitted with a stainless steel, fluted, 686mm (27") barrel which research has found to be the best compromise between velocity and precision on the one hand and weight and length on the other.
Ammunition types currently available for the .338 are FMJ, hollow point, Armour Piercing (AP) and Armour Piercing Incendiary (API).
.300 Winchester Magnum
The .300 Winchester Magnum offers similar advantages as the .338 Lapua Magnum. It too offers a significant increase in wind resistance, trajectory (flatter) and supersonic range over the normal 7.62 × 51 mm NATO (.308 Winchester) cartridge. Despite the cartridge's greatly increased muzzle velocity, it delivers greater precision than ordinary 7.62 × 51 mm NATO ammunition and is only slightly eclipsed by the best match-grade 7.62 × 51 mm NATO ammunition. This significantly enhanced range and precision ensures high first-shot-hit probability to well beyond 1,100m using standard .300 Win Mag Match grade ammunition. For precision shooting Federal Gold Medal Match is the most commonly used ammunition.
The AWM chambered for the .300 Winchester Magnum is fitted with a fluted, stainless steel barrel that is 660 mm (26") long for optimum velocity and nominal weight.
Service
The AW rifle on which the AWM is based is in service with many countries. The AWM specifically is in service with many police and military units throughout the world, most notably the British and German armies:
German Army
The Bundeswehr fields an AWM chambered in .300 Winchester Magnum, but with optics made by the German company Zeiss, under the designation of G22 (for Gewehr 22) or Scharfschützengewehr 22 (sharpshooting rifle 22).
British Army
The British Army adopted the AWM rifle chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum as the L115A1. They also employ sniper rifles chambered in the standard 7.62 × 51 mm NATO round like the early PM rifle designated as the L96A1. The L96A1's replacement, the AW version (designated as the L118A1), has seen service in recent conflicts such as Operation Granby and Operation Telic.
