Engineering:Accuracy International AX50
| Accuracy International AX50 | |
|---|---|
| File:ACCURACY INTERNATIONAL AX-50 Rifle.jpg AX50 fitted with Schmidt & Bender 5-25×56 PM II telescopic sight and ERA Tac rings | |
| Type | Anti-materiel rifle Sniper rifle |
| Place of origin | United Kingdom |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Accuracy International |
| Produced | 2010-present |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 12.5 kg (27.6 lb) (no scope/no rails, empty mag) |
| Length | 1,370 mm (53.9 in) 1,115 mm (43.9 in) folded |
| Barrel length | 685.8 mm (27.0 in) |
| Width | 125 mm (4.92 in) |
| Height | 190 mm (7.48 in) |
| Cartridge | .50 BMG (12.7×99mm NATO) |
| Action | Bolt-action |
| Muzzle velocity | 900 m/s (2,953 ft/s) |
| Effective firing range | 2,500 m (2,734 yd) |
| Feed system | 5-round detachable box magazine |
| Sights | Standard: S&B 5-25×56 PM II telescopic sight |
The AX50 is a sniper rifle developed by British firearms manufacturer Accuracy International. Devised as an upgrade, it is the latest iteration of the AW50 rifle and is built to withstand sustained, heavy usage. Inheriting all the attributes of its predecessor, it allows the operator a high level of accuracy and performance in the harshest of conditions.[1][2]
History
The AX50 is a variant of the AX series of sniper rifles that entered production in 2010. Fabricated by Accuracy International to meet the modern demands of military and police units alike and was designed with long range precision accuracy in mind for a more accurate anti-materiel weapon.[3] According to Accuracy International the development of the series was partly influenced by the Precision Sniper Rifle (PSR) U.S. Special Operations Command solicitation. An undertaking by the U.S. military for a new and improved Precision long range rifle. Although the contract was lost to Remington's Modular Sniper Rifle.[4]
Design
The AX50 is a bolt-action, .50 BMG sniper/anti-material rifle weighing 12.5 kg (27.6 lb), and is 1,370 mm (53.9 in) in overall length with a 685.8 mm (27.0 in) free floated barrel that can be changed in less than 10 minutes. The rifle itself is built on an aluminum chassis, and has a stock which can be folded to the left to shorten the overall length of the rifle when needed, and features a two-stage trigger with a 3.3 to 4.4 lbs. adjustible pull.[5] The receiver and bolt featuring a 60° bolt throw are made of steel. The AX50 comes with an integrated Piccatinny rail as well as a "Firing pin cocking indicator" safety allowing the user to ascertain whether a cartridge is chambered. [6] Accuracy International actively promotes fitting the Schmidt & Bender PM II / MILITARY MK II product line as sighting components on their sniper rifles and sells these telescopic sights as accessories, which is rare for a rifle manufacturer.
Variants
The AX sniper rifle series comprises variants which were designed for various cartridges.
- AXMC multi calibre sniper rifle that can be chambered either in .338 Lapua Magnum, 300 Winchester Magnum or 7.62×51mm NATO/.308 Winchester when it is reconfigured by changing the 22 mm (0.87 in) diameter bolt, magazine/insert, and barrel.[7]
- AX308 non-multi calibre sniper rifle chambered in 7.62×51mm NATO/.308 Winchester using a 20 mm (0.79 in) diameter bolt.[8]
- AX50 non-multi calibre anti-materiel rifle chambered in 12.7×99mm NATO/.50 BMG using a 30 mm (1.18 in) diameter bolt.[9]
Users
Bangladesh: Recently started to be used by Bangladesh Army.[10]
Denmark: Awarded contract with Danish Defence. Due to be introduced into Service.[11]
Turkey: In service with Turkish Police Special Operation Department.[12]
United Kingdom: It has replaced the AW50 as the British Army's standard .50 BMG rifle.[13]
Malaysia: Used By Malaysian Army.[14]
Singapore: Employed by the Special Operations Force.[citation needed]
Peru: used by the special forces of the navy and air force of Peru
See also
References
- ↑ "Accuracy International AX50 SHOT 2017". Shelby Murdoc. http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2017/01/17/accuracy-international-ax50-shot-2017/.
- ↑ "SNIPER RIFLE MANUFACTURER GUIDE". The Small Arms Defense Journal. http://www.sadefensejournal.com/wp/?p=3689.
- ↑ "Operation Pegasus Recommends AX50 .50 calibre rifle". http://operationpegasus.com/accuracy-international/.
- ↑ "SOCOM PSR contract awarded to Remington's Defense MSR". Rob Curtis. https://web.archive.org/web/20130314035125/http://militarytimes.com/blogs/gearscout/2013/03/07/socom-psr-awarded-to-remington-msr/.
- ↑ "Gun Review: Accuracy International AX-50 Rifle Rifle". Joe Grine. http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2016/01/joe-grine/gun-review-accuracy-international-ax-50/.
- ↑ "AX50 anti matériel rifle brochure". http://www.accuracyinternational.com/assets/assets/ax50_brochure.pdf.
- ↑ "How it works magazine article AX338 PSR sniper rifle". http://www.accuracyinternational.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/How-it-Works-edition-33.pdf.
- ↑ "AX308 sniper rifle brochure". http://www.accuracyinternational.com/assets/assets/ax308_brochure.pdf.
- ↑ "AX50 anti matériel rifle brochure". http://www.accuracyinternational.com/assets/assets/ax50_brochure.pdf.
- ↑ Iftekhar Alam (19 August 2019). "Bangladesh Army uses AX-sniper rifles". Defseca.com (Bangladesh). https://www.defseca.com/procurements/bangladesh-army-uses-ax-sniper-rifles/.
- ↑ "ACCURACY INTERNATIONAL AWARDED THE DANISH ARMY CONTRACT FOR LONG RANGE PRECIDION RIFLES". Small Arms Defense journal. http://www.sadefensejournal.com/wp/?p=3784.
- ↑ "Accuracy International AX50 in use with Turkish Law Enforcement". https://tzintzuntzantactical.com/2017/10/19/accuracy-international-ax50-in-use-with-turkish-law-enforcement/.
- ↑ "Accuracy International AX50". http://ilinkjapan.com/docs/h1l6l.php?kyot=accuracy-international-ax50#.
- ↑ Rizuan (2017-10-13), English: An Accuracy International AXMC308 sniper rifle with attached suppressor, belonging to the Malaysian Army., https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:AXMC308_Malaysian_Army.jpg, retrieved 2019-10-31
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