The picture shows the CZ Bren 2 PPS precision shooter rifle. Data picture

  In recent years, some countries have successively launched the development of precision shooter rifles. For example, in the United States, a precise shooter rifle that is lighter in weight and shorter in length than the M110 sniper rifle. So, what is an exact shooter rifle?

  First of all, it is clear that the precision shooter rifle is not a new thing. For example, the G28 rifle used by the German Wehrmacht is an accurate shooter rifle.

  Going back to its source, the precision shooter rifle was born from a sniper rifle. Compared with sniper rifles, it has the characteristics of "two lows and two highs" - it is low in cost, slightly lower in accuracy, high environmental adaptability, and high battlefield efficiency. Compared with assault rifles, it has a longer range and higher accuracy, and compared with sniper rifles, it has a faster firing rate and is more flexible to use.

  The matching methods of precision shooter rifles and sniper rifles are different. Most sniper rifles are used to be equipped with independent sniper teams, and precision shooter rifles are usually equipped with combat squads. They are an extension and supplement to the infantry squad's firepower on the battlefield. They are designed to maintain mobility while providing infantry squads with accurate firepower support at medium and long distances to suppress enemy firepower points.

  As the name suggests, the exact shooter rifle is essential for accuracy. Therefore, it is equipped with a scope, such as the British L129A1 Precision Shooter Rifle, which is equipped with a standard scope as an Advanced Combat Optical Sight (ACOG), with an objective diameter of 48 mm. There are Picatinny guide rails above the scope, and a miniature red dot scope can be installed as needed to shoot targets that suddenly appear near.

  Some precision shooter rifles, such as the Czech CZ Bren 2 PPS, adopt a modular design to obtain the ability to replace barrels of different lengths, meeting the dual requirements of this type of rifle for firing accuracy and reaction speed.

  Since it usually adopts a modular and lightweight design, the precise shooter rifle looks different from the sniper rifle in appearance. For example, the Russian SVCh-308 precision shooter rifle has a hollowed-out design and uses new engineering plastic, so the gun is lighter. To facilitate shooter operation, the bolt receiver has safety on both sides, the stock can be folded to the right, retracted freely, and there are multiple fixed gears to choose from for shooter operation.

  Precision shooter rifles are often used in conjunction with some special ammunition. Taking the US M110A1 precision shooter rifle as an example, this gun can fire M80A1 enhanced performance ammunition and XM1158 armor-piercing projectiles to increase the threat to targets of medium and light armored vehicles.

  Compared with sniper rifles, the precision shooter rifle has a wide range of combat application scenarios and can adapt to various combat styles such as urban street combat, field offensive and defense, and counter-terrorism operations. Its "fast aiming and fast shooting" advantage can also play a role in anti-drone combat.

  As a single-soldier equipment that takes into account the requirements of accuracy, range and mobility, the precision shooter rifle is currently developing towards intelligence, networking and digitalization under the attention and promotion of many countries. (Liu Jianyuan, Su Dingkang)

[Editor in charge: Wang Jinzhi]