Nightcrawler
Member
The SVD Dragunov rifle fulfilled a fairly unique purpose, as far as "sniper" rifles go. It was not designed to be used by the equivalent of our Marine Scout-Snipers. It was to be issued to regular grunts with anywhere between 30-45 days of additional training. The idea was to extend accurate fire beyond the range of the iron-sighted Kalashnikov rifles. Used in conjunction with machine guns, this proved to be very effective at handling targets at even long ranges.
A few rifles have been applied to this purpose on the American side in recent conflicts. Scoped M16s are one example, but lack the range and penetration that is usually helpful to a marksman's rifle. M14 rifles have been applied to this task as well, but there aren't a whole lot of M14s in active inventory. In any case, I'm told that accurized M14s are a PITA to keep running well. (I've heard them called Prima Donna rifles.)
Recently, the military has been using versions of the Knight's SR-25. I've read very mixed reviews of this rifle from different sources on the 'net. Some swear by the, others swear at them. Apparently they've had some significant reliability problems. Apparently, many have been cleared up. It's hard to say; these rifles cost $2000+ a pop, so not a lot of people have them to try out.
(Seems the accurized .308 AR clones always have mixed reviews in the reliability department.)
I believe HK also made the MSG-90A1 to compete in the DMR program.
So what say you, THR? What rifle would make a good DMR for US forces, assuming a requirement was issued for a new production rifle. Remember, the DMR is issued to line grunts, not just special operators and trained scout-snipers. It gets knocked around in the back of the track like everybody else's rifle does.
So rifles requiring especially rigorous maintenance schedules, or rifles that are so tight that they jam up when they get some mud in them won't cut it. The DMR has to, above all else, be reliable. The optics have to be very sturdy.
On the other hand, sub-MOA accuracy isn't really necessary, espeically if it comes with a price of the rifle requiring excessive maintenance or being unreliable in dirty field conditions. It just has to hit a man sized target well enough, out to 600 or 700 meters.
These rifles are very valuable to the troops, especially when fighting in open areas like the desert or plains.
Personally, here's what I'd like to see in a DMR:
-7.62x51mm
-Able to take advantage of match-ammo, but still function reliably with machine gun ball ammo
-20 round mags
-Free floated or semi-free-floated barrel, with STURDY handguards
-Able to use a shooting sling
-Able to mount a bipod. PREFERABLY, the bipod folds away into the handguards when not in use, so as not to snag on things.
-Good iron sights to use if the scope goes down. (Standard M14 or M16A2 type sights would work.)
-Not be too heavy. It shouldn't weigh more than 11-13 pounds with the optic mounted and empty. Note that the Dragunov, with scope, weighs in at about 10lbs. (Bipods and other accessories will, of course, add weight.) Remember, it has to be light enough to fire from the shoulder, unsupported!
-Not be too long. I'd try to keep the OAL to no more than 44", preferably around 40". Rifles longer than that are awkward in the back of a Bradley or 113.
-Reliable, reliable, reliable. Even when dirty.
So, would any existing rifles work? Could any be modified to work? Or would you like to see a rifle made from the ground up?
A few rifles have been applied to this purpose on the American side in recent conflicts. Scoped M16s are one example, but lack the range and penetration that is usually helpful to a marksman's rifle. M14 rifles have been applied to this task as well, but there aren't a whole lot of M14s in active inventory. In any case, I'm told that accurized M14s are a PITA to keep running well. (I've heard them called Prima Donna rifles.)
Recently, the military has been using versions of the Knight's SR-25. I've read very mixed reviews of this rifle from different sources on the 'net. Some swear by the, others swear at them. Apparently they've had some significant reliability problems. Apparently, many have been cleared up. It's hard to say; these rifles cost $2000+ a pop, so not a lot of people have them to try out.
(Seems the accurized .308 AR clones always have mixed reviews in the reliability department.)
I believe HK also made the MSG-90A1 to compete in the DMR program.
So what say you, THR? What rifle would make a good DMR for US forces, assuming a requirement was issued for a new production rifle. Remember, the DMR is issued to line grunts, not just special operators and trained scout-snipers. It gets knocked around in the back of the track like everybody else's rifle does.
So rifles requiring especially rigorous maintenance schedules, or rifles that are so tight that they jam up when they get some mud in them won't cut it. The DMR has to, above all else, be reliable. The optics have to be very sturdy.
On the other hand, sub-MOA accuracy isn't really necessary, espeically if it comes with a price of the rifle requiring excessive maintenance or being unreliable in dirty field conditions. It just has to hit a man sized target well enough, out to 600 or 700 meters.
These rifles are very valuable to the troops, especially when fighting in open areas like the desert or plains.
Personally, here's what I'd like to see in a DMR:
-7.62x51mm
-Able to take advantage of match-ammo, but still function reliably with machine gun ball ammo
-20 round mags
-Free floated or semi-free-floated barrel, with STURDY handguards
-Able to use a shooting sling
-Able to mount a bipod. PREFERABLY, the bipod folds away into the handguards when not in use, so as not to snag on things.
-Good iron sights to use if the scope goes down. (Standard M14 or M16A2 type sights would work.)
-Not be too heavy. It shouldn't weigh more than 11-13 pounds with the optic mounted and empty. Note that the Dragunov, with scope, weighs in at about 10lbs. (Bipods and other accessories will, of course, add weight.) Remember, it has to be light enough to fire from the shoulder, unsupported!
-Not be too long. I'd try to keep the OAL to no more than 44", preferably around 40". Rifles longer than that are awkward in the back of a Bradley or 113.
-Reliable, reliable, reliable. Even when dirty.
So, would any existing rifles work? Could any be modified to work? Or would you like to see a rifle made from the ground up?
