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From: "Robert A. Hayden" <hayden@*******.MANKATO.MSUS.EDU>
Subject: .50 Cal Sniper Rifles
Date: Mon, 25 Oct 1993 21:44:39 -0500
According to the Compendium of Modern Firearms, the only .50 cal sniper
rifle I could find was the 'RAI Model 500'. Here's some stats.


Cartridge: 12.7x99mm
Operation: Manual Bolt Action
Type of Fire: Single Shot
Rate of Fire: (SS) 6 rpm
Muzzle Velocity: 888 m/s (2913 fps)
Muzzle Energy: 18137 J (13375 ft/lb)
Sights: Telescopic Sight Fitted (Leupold M8-24 Power)
Feed: Single Round
Weapon (empty) 15.153kg w/ scope and base
(loaded) 15.271kg

Overall Length 139cm
Barrel Length 84cm

Status: Limited Production
Service: U.S. Military
Cost: $9,000

----

This is a companion weapon for the RAI 300 and greatly follows it in
design. Chambered for the .50 Browning round, the RAI 500 has both a
rearward angled muzzle brake as well as a combination flash hider/muzzle
break mounted on its heavy, fluted barrel. The action is multilug bolt
that acts much like the breech plug on an artillery piece. THe bolt is
removed by rotating it, and a single cartrige is placed unter the
extractor. The bolt is reinserted to load the weapon. This unusual
system of loading results in a very short action and a slow, but very
accurated rate of fire. The Ranging Scope base described in the RAI 300
is also used in the 500 model, usually with a very powerful telescopic
sight, 24 power or greater. There is a harmonic balencer tuning fork
contained in the bipod support underneath the barrel. The RAI 500 has
reportedly been used by the U.S. Navy SEALS, but little information has
been released. The standard .50 caliber M2 and M33 ball will only give
an 18 or 24 inch group repectively at 600 yards and will not reach the
maximum accuracy available from the RAI 500. A specialized MATCH grade
of .50 caliber round is available and should be fired from the RAI 500
when fired in the field. Accuracy with the standard military ammunition
is acceptable in military sniping missions where the targets for a weapon
of this power would normally be vehicles or aircraft.

Probabilities at ranges:

Range Body Head Hand Bullseye
500 meters 98.5% 87.9% 65.2% 30.0%
1000 meters 87.9% 65.2% 41.0% 16.4%
1500 meters 75.5% 50.5% 29.7% 10.0%
2000 meters 65.2% 41.0% 23.2% 8.5%

Yes, that means you have around 70% chance of getting a body shot at one
mile.

____ Robert A. Hayden <=> hayden@*******.mankato.msus.edu
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