Lithuania To Acquire Sniper Rifles From UK's Accuracy International

[Zarvan]

Lithuania To Acquire Sniper Rifles From UK's Accuracy International
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Lithuania has acquired sniper rifles worth Euro 1.3 million from an UK based firm, Accuracy International Ltd that are capable of using munitions of two different calibres by only changing the barrel.

The AXMC sniper rifles can use munitions of two different calibres, 338 Lapua Magnum or 308 Win, by only changing the barrel and the barrel, a several minutes-long that can be completed in field conditions, , Lithuanian Ministry of Defense said in a statement Friday.

AXMC sniper rifles have been brought to Lithuania in early November. By the end of the year the rifles well approved by other NATO allies’ militaries will be distributed among battalions and training facilities of the Lithuanian Land Forces

Until now the Lithuanian Land Force did not have sniper rifles and used FN SCAR-H PR semi-automatic precision rifles instead. AXMC sniper rifles have more than a double effective range as compared to the FN SCAR-H PR 600 metres.

“AXMC rifle has a powerful Kahles sight and night vision. The new weapon will allow Lithuanian Land Force personnel destroy targets at nearly 1.5-kilometre distance both during the day and at night,” Master Sergeant Ernestas Kuckailis, expert of sniper and precision rifles with Juozas Lukša Warfare Training Centre, Lithuanian Land Force, says.

Once equipped with the sniper rifles, Juozas Lukša Warfare Training Centre of the Lithuanian Land Force will begin training qualification of sniper. According to Sergeant Major E. Kuckailis, the training of snipers have many similarities with that of scouts: they have to move in small groups in a territory without being traced, to insert into enemy’s back area, to report on targets and adjust indirect fire, to detect vital targets and neutralise critical personnel of enemy forces with precision fire.

http://www.defenseworld.net/news/17...From_UK_s_Accuracy_International#.WCCY1fp95PY

 

[Zarvan]

Accuracy International AXMC sniperrifles chosen by Lithuania

As we learned in a recent TFB article, Accuarcy International (AI) is one of the leading suppliers of sniper rifles to various armed forces. We have no statistics, perhaps no one has, but the brand seems to be the preferred or at least a very popular choice.

In the user manual, AI describes their model AXMC like this: “Designed for all uses up to and including military use in extreme environmental conditions.”

AXMC is short for AX Multi Calibre, referring to the possibility to change barrels and therefore the calibre. The AXMC can change barrel into .338 LM, .308 Win or .300 Win Mag.

Now the Lithuanian Land Forces have received their first AXMC bolt-action sniper rifles.

According to the Lithuanian Ministry of Defense, the rifles were bought under a EUR1.3 million (USD1.4 million) contract with AI. Deliveries of the AXMC will continue during the year into the next.

Lithuania chose to procure a rifle chambered in 8.6×70 mm (.338 Lapua Magnum), which is interesting as a it seems to be a trend to go with larger calibers than the traditional 7.62×51 mm NATO (.308 Winchester).

From the previous TFB article, we also learned that Schmidt & Bender (and Leupold for the US) was the preferred brand for optics.

It is therefore a bit of a surprise that the optic is from Kahles.They make terrific sights, so it’s not a bad choice although there are no details which model. I would guess it’s most likely a Kahles 624i 6-24x56i, with a suitable reticle.

It would be interesting to know why they chose Kahles over Schmidt & Bender. (Especially for me, as I’m just about to do the opposite choice for my Ruger Precision Rifle.)



Below: AI AXMC with aHensoldt 3,5-26×56 and KH-S mount, with side mounted red dot.

The sniper rifles will also have a Night Vision attachment, but there are no details nor any information which mount they chose. If I had to guess, they would use AI’s own mounts.

From AI’s product page, here’s the description of the rifle:

“The Accuracy International AXMC rifle is the flagship multi-caliber rifle in the AI line. As such, you can expect superiority in features, including:

Full-length NATO STANAG 4694/Mil Std 1913 rail for accessories, optics, night vision equipment, and more. Aerospace-grade aluminum with corrosion-resistant protective coating. Rail is inclined 20MOA for .308 Win and 30MOA for magnum calibers.

While the top foreend rail is full-length (and matched to the angle of the action rail), the foreend of the AXMC is an octagonal tube featuring AI’s patented KeySlot mounting system. This foreend is easily removed with the 4mm hex wrench stored in the cheekpiece.

QD flush cup sling attachments are located on the main chassis and removable/repositionable attachment points are located on rail sections attached to foreend.

QuickLoc barrel release system allows for barrel removal and refit in under one minute using only the 4mm hex wrench included in cheekpiece.

Chassis folding stock reduces overall rifle length by 260mm (~10″).

Cheekpiece is configurable for lateral and height adjustments, and also stores a 4mm hex wrench for rifle disassembly.

Butt pad features a friction-locking mechanism for easy, tool-less height and angle adjustment. Rifle length of pull can be adjusted by 40mm without tools or accessories, and even more with the addition of optional 10mm or 20mm spacers (not included)

Pistol grip is replaceable in minutes and can utilize different backstraps.

3-position safety is based on the design of the Accuracy International Arctic Warfare (AW) battle-proven system.

Two-stage trigger with adjustable shoe

Includes 10-round low-friction magazine.”

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/...national-axmc-sniper-rifles-chosen-lithuania/