The Moscow Arms Company, operating under the BespokeGun brand, has initiated the production of a modified Raptor Tactical rifle chambered in .300 Norma Magnum (.300 NM) caliber, as revealed by the manufacturer.
"The .300 NM caliber offers high accuracy potential, effectiveness at long distances, and reduced recoil compared to .338 LM (Lapua Magnum)," affirmed the company.
This latest weapon is touted as effective at long distances, boasting a "high potential for accuracy" and exhibiting minimal recoil. Originally introduced in .338 Lapua Magnum caliber, the Raptor Tactical rifle has demonstrated its prowess by hitting targets up to 1,850 meters away, showcasing reliability in challenging combat conditions and sustained performance over its operational lifespan.
Making its debut in 2023 for long-range shooting in the special military operation, the Raptor Tactical rifle initially premiered in .338 Lapua Magnum caliber. Subsequently, a sports training version, the Raptor Sport, joined the lineup, featuring a 6.5 PRC chamber and a shooting range of 1,600–1,700 meters.
Weighing 7.1 kg without additional accessories, the Raptor Tactical comes equipped with a carbon magazine boasting a capacity of five rounds. The rifle's accuracy does not exceed 0.3 MoA [minutes of angle], striving for an impressive 0.1 MoA.
Weapons expert Maxim Popenker explained that the development of a rifle for the .300 Norma Magnum cartridge represents a logical progression to enhance long-range shooting capabilities.
"BespokeGun adapted the rifle to the .300 Norma Magnum cartridge, taking advantage of its lighter bullet and optimized ballistics, resulting in reduced air resistance and maintained high speed over long distances," noted Popenker.
Introduced to the market in 2012, the .300 Norma Magnum cartridge, derived from the .338 NM, is tailored for medium and long-distance shooting. It distinguishes itself with a shorter case compared to the .338 Lapua Magnum while retaining the same overall length.
The advantages of the .300 Norma Magnum include modest recoil, minimal muzzle flash, and nearly double the barrel longevity compared to the .338 Lapua Magnum. The cartridge's bullet maintains supersonic speed up to a distance of 1,540 meters.
Retired Colonel Anatoly Matviychuk, a military expert, underscored the .300 Norma Magnum as a "fully developed and tested modern ammunition" in contemporary conflicts, asserting its status as a standard for snipers worldwide.
Raptor Tactical camouflage sniper rifle
© Photo : BespokeGun
With the adoption of the .300 Norma Magnum cartridge, experts believe that Raptor Tactical owners will gain expanded combat capabilities on the battlefield. The weapon is designed with an "extreme resilience reserve capable of withstanding extremely high loads," according to the manufacturer.
"The Raptor Tactical rifle stands out for its stable performance throughout its service life, allowing an experienced shooter to hit the target with the first shot," they emphasized at BespokeGun.
Key design features of the Raptor Tactical weapon include a long and sufficiently heavy bolt group with three combat stops, ensuring smooth operation and eliminating play during combat operations. Yaroslav Tabolsky, CEO of BeSpokeGun, attests to the rifle's reliability in challenging combat conditions, consistent firing, and first-shot accuracy.
The integration of dozens of new technical solutions, meticulous attention to balancing and ergonomics, and the utilization of unique manufacturing technologies contribute to the high accuracy achieved by Raptor Tactical. Special high-strength alloyed, stainless, and chromium-molybdenum martensitic-aging steels undergo multiple stages of heat treatment in the production of the bolt group.
In addition to BespokeGun, Lobaev Arms, situated in the Kaluga region, stands out as another Russian manufacturer excelling in high-precision long-range firearms. During the special military operation, Lobaev Arms has revamped the "Sevastopol" and "Longstrike" long-range rifles.
Founder Vladislav Lobaev outlines significant modernizations made to the "Sevastopol," including changes to the chassis, barrel, receiver, bolt, sleeve, and stock, now unified with the 'HAVOC' rifle stock. The DXL-4M "Sevastopol" targets distances exceeding 2,000 meters, weighing 9.1 kg, with a grouping accuracy of 0.45 MoA.
The DXL-3 "Longstrike," designed for .338 LM cartridges, achieves effective shooting at 1,800 meters, boasting a shooting accuracy of 0.42 MoA, a weight of 7.8 kg, and minimal recoil.
Lobaev Arms further introduces the DXL-5 "HAVOC" rifle, featuring a modular design and compatibility with NATO 12.7 × 99 mm or domestic 12.7 × 108 mm cartridges. The rifle, weighing 13 kg, offers a grouping accuracy below 1 MoA and an effective range of 2,300 meters.
The TSVL-8 M5 "Dominator," designed for .338 LM cartridges, enables the engagement of enemies at distances up to 1,500 meters, weighing 8 kg, with a grouping accuracy of 0.4 MoA. Lobaev Arms has also trotted out the semi-automatic rifle "Twilight," designed for .375 Cheytac and .408 Cheytac cartridges, with a shooting accuracy of 0.5 MoA at distances of 2,000 meters and beyond.
Experts laud Russia's enterprises for their substantial advancements in sniper weapons, attributing the progress to close collaboration between manufacturers and military personnel, coupled with insights gained from special operations.
"The pace of improving our weapons is much higher than before. This applies to sniper rifles, the operation of which involves numerous nuances. Close contact between manufacturers and users contributes to the rapid refinement of new models and the modernization of serial products," noted retired Colonel Anatoly Matviychuk.
Maxim Popenker emphasized the active involvement of both private companies and state entities in the development of sniper rifles. While BespokeGun and Lobaev Arms lead the long-range sniper rifle segment, state developers, such as the OJSC V.A. Degtyaryov Plant, contribute to the arsenal with creations like the "KORD" in .338 LM caliber, promising more effective counter-sniper measures and the engagement of targets at distances exceeding 1,500 meters.