The British Military Open Encyclopedia - ARRSE-Pedia. Back to British Army Rumour Service Home
L96A1
From ARRSEpedia
Sniper rifle used by the British Army.
Designed by Accuracy International, the original Model PM (Precision Magazine) used expertise gained in international target shooting to create an extremely accurate rifle, which entered service in 7.62mm NATO as the L96A1.
Experience from the competition for the Swedish Army sniper rifle led to its evolution into the Model AW (Arctic Warfare), which entered service in 7.62mm NATO as the L118A1.
Recent changes have led to the Model AWM (AW Magnum) chambered in 0.338 Lapua Magnum or 0.300 Winchester Magnum. It entered service chambered in 0.338 Lapua Magnum as the L115A1, as a result of the LRLCR (Long-Range, Large-Calibre Rifle), later LRR (Long-Range Rifle) competition. The other competitors were the French Hecate, the American Barratt, and the AI Model AW50 - all in 0.50 calibre.
The AWM is unusual in that the German Army selected it over several German rifles, after an open competition. Mauser, Walther, and H&K were reportedly none too chuffed.
The MD of Accuracy International was Malcolm Cooper; he was one of the most successful target shooters in history, and the only man so far to have won two Olympic Gold Medals in the 50m three-position rifle match. While Olympic cartridge rifle events currently use 0.22 rifles, he was also the World and European Champion in 300m standard rifle. He died in 2001 of a brain tumour.
The picture below appears to be of a Swedish rifle (from the image title - PSG90 is what the Swedes call it)



