The designers managed to combine high fire efficiency with mobility
Russian gunsmiths have developed an Elbrus light sniper rifle for special forces with a powerful long-range caliber cartridge.338. Unlike most rifles in this class, which require manual reloading after each shot, the Elbrus is semi—automatic. It is the lightest weapon in its class.: Without additional equipment, it weighs 5.5 kg and can effectively hit targets at a distance of up to 1200 m. Experts believe that the new product will be in great demand in special forces units.
Characteristics of the Elbrus sniper rifle
The development of the rifle took two years, and now the weapon is undergoing the final stage of testing. In the future, the novelty is planned to be supplied to special forces operating in the special operation zone, a representative of the developer company Sport weapon custom told Izvestia.
The Elbrus sniper rifle at the stand of the Sport Weapon Custom arms company at the Orelexpo-2026 International Exhibition of Weapons and Hunting Goods
Image source: Photo: IZVESTIA/Andrey Erstrem
The weapon uses high-precision, long-range, powerful caliber cartridges.338 Lapua Magnum (8.61 mm). The main feature is that the rifle is semi-automatic. As a rule, rifles of this caliber have a longitudinally sliding bolt and require manual reloading after each shot. This makes their combat work on drones not very effective. As Izvestia reported, semi—automatic rifles have been in increasing demand in the special operation area lately. To combat moving aerial targets, it is important to be able to fire a quick reload without being distracted by reloading.
The effective range of the new rifle is 1200 m. At this distance, the bullet retains its killing power.
— One of the main advantages of Elbrus is its weight and size characteristics. This is the lightest rifle of this caliber in the world. Without a body kit, it has a mass of 5.5 kg. The closest analogue weighs 7 kg," the manufacturer's representative said.
If necessary, the weapon can be switched to a bolt-on mode with manual reloading, if increased accuracy is required. At the same time, the platoon is made on the left side. This allows you to recharge without taking your eyes off the scope.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Andrey Erstrem
Image source: iz.ru
The Elbrus can be used with or without a silent firing device. The rifle can be equipped with a stainless steel or chrome-plated barrel. The folding stock facilitates its transportation in vehicles.
In addition, a special magazine has been developed for the novelty, allowing the use of extended-length cartridges.
How popular will the Elbrus rifles be?
"I think such weapons will be in great demand," military expert Boris Jerelievsky told Izvestia. — And not only in the army special forces, but also in the police and the Russian Guard. This rifle allows you to fire at the enemy at those distances at which the shooter remains inaccessible to small arms.
The expert noted that the caliber allows you to make powerful and long-range shots.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Andrey Erstrem
Image source: iz.ru
— Although the situation has changed due to the spread of drones, snipers still play their role and will continue to do so. Especially in counter—terrorism measures," he concluded.
When shooting at drones, the ability to make a quick second shot is often more important than one high-precision rifle with manual reloading, a veteran of the DPR People's Militia with the call sign Naruto told Izvestia.
—Unit fighters often operate autonomously, they are limited in weight, they cannot carry a supply of drones," he noted. — There is a niche for a weapon that is not yet a machine gun, but makes it possible to make an effective shot at a long distance, and the need for it in special forces units is high.
Unlike heavy machine guns, a light rifle allows a fighter to move freely, the veteran added.
There is another advantage of caliber rifles.338, he added: they confidently hit the target in bulletproof vests at a distance of 500-600 m, Naruto said. For example, this was exactly what the Krakow shooter was wearing, and the police pistol bullets could not penetrate it.
Earlier, Izvestia reported on the Arkuda Tactics rifle with interchangeable barrels. Its accuracy is half the angular minute. For comparison, one arc minute at a distance of 100 m corresponds to a circle with a diameter of 2.9 cm. The weight of the weapon ranges from 6.1 to 6.5 kg, depending on the selected barrel and configuration. The maximum firing range reaches 2.2 km.
Modular multi-caliber complex with quick-change barrels at the Arkuda Tactics stand
Image source: Photo: IZVESTIA/Anna Selina
Another development for Russian special forces units is the semi—automatic rifle "Titan" with a cartridge.308. It is characterized by low weight and high accuracy. Depending on the conditions, it can be used both for sniper missions and as an assault weapon. The mass of the "Titan" is 3.6 kg. The effective range of hitting targets reaches 1 km. During the tests, the shooters from this distance consistently hit the target 20 times, placing hits in a 40 by 40 cm square.
The STM-308 rifle has also been created for Russian snipers, designed to become a more effective alternative to the standard SVD. The new model has several advantages over time-tested weapons. The STM-308 uses a caliber cartridge.308 Win (7.62×51 mm) and allows you to hit targets at a distance of up to 800 m. For experienced shooters, this figure reaches 1 km.
Roman Kretsul
