FSB adopts their own militarized version of .50 Whisper, the 12.7mm VSSK.

Figures. They expand on the 9X39, up it to 12.7 and stuff in a composite bullpup, ending up with a portable, large caliber, self loading silenced sniper rifle with the punch to defeat major body armor at good range.


I want one

12.7mm "Vychlop" (Exhaust) silenced sniper rifle is developed for special operations that require silent firing and penetration much superior to that provided by 9mm VSS silenced sniper rifle. Typical targets for VSSK Vychlop are cars, terrorists in heavy body armor or behind covers like car bodies or other thick covers. The core of the VSSK complex is specially developed 12.7mm (.50 caliber) reduced power ammunition that launches bullets at subsonic muzzle velocities of about 290 meters per second (~950 fps). Exact dimensions of the new cartridge case are not yet published, but the overall length of the new 12.7mm round designated STs-130PT is given as 97mm, significantly less that of standard Russian 12.7x108 HMG round (145mm overall length). Standard loading for this round is precision machined solid bronze projectile with pointed nose, weighting around 59 gram (910 grains) or 76 gram (1170 grains) "high penetration" bullet. Accuracy is claimed as 1 MOA at 100 meters range with precision bullets, and maximum effective range is given at 600 meters. High penetration bullet can defeat Russian Class 5 (US NIJ Type III / High-Powered Rifle) body armor at 100 meters or 16mm steel plate at 200 meters.

It must be noted that the concept of dedicated.50 caliber silenced weapon with special subsonic ammunition is not new. Back in early 1990s noted American ammunition specialist J.D.Jones of SSK Industries developed a specialized 12.7mm round known as .50 Whisper. This round was based on shortened .460 Weatherby Magnum case, loaded with heavy, pointed low-drag bullet. This cartridge is intended for use in specially modified bolt action rifles (like Winchester Model 70 or Sako TRG-S) fitted with silencers. Ballistic properties of the .50 Whisper are very close to that of 12.7 STs-130 ammunition - both claimed to have accuracy of 1 MOA and decent effectiveness out to 600 meters or so. However, it is not known if any of US law enforcement agencies ever used .50 Whisper or similar guns, while VSSK was developed especially for law enforcement and military special operations use.

world.guns.ru...

world.guns.ru...

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[edit on 15-9-2007 by UK Wizard]

Russia is the only country in the world who designs special puprose rifles it seems.

Originally posted by tomcat ha
Russia is the only country in the world who designs special puprose rifles it seems.

Somebody ought to tell the folks at Barrett that...they have a whole collection of purpose-built sniper rifles in .50 cal, and the Payload Rifle (25mm anti-material weapon). Those are about as 'special purpose' as it gets. If you're not into the whole "buy American" thing, even a cursory Google search will turn up specialist rifles from Parker-Hale, H&K, or Steyr-Mannlicher. Either the Russians are free-lancing for a lot of companies around the world, or I'm not understanding your definition of 'special purpose' rifle.

Russia is the only country in the world who designs special puprose rifles it seems.

Hell that’s not true.

British AS50 is the best self loading anti-material rifle IMHO.

Even though I’m not a fan of Barrett .50 cals, I am really looking forward to seeing their .416 in action.

Err Tomcat ... have you seen an issue of guns and ammo at ANY point in the last 20 years?

Specialty rounds are proliferating at insane rates right now. Even the so called major new developments that several manufacturers are building guns around is truly staggering.

I ment it as special purpose rifles for anti terrorism and such. I have not seen an equivalent of the vintorez or groza in the western countries. They might have special bullets and all but not a full blown designed for it like these guns.