Standart caliber rifles
Austria
 Steyr SSG 69
 Steyr SSG 04
 Steyr SSG 08
 Steyr Scout Tactical
 Styria Arms CSR99
 Unique Alpine TPG-1
Belgium
 FN 30-11
 FN Police Rifle
 FN FNAR
Brazil
 IMBEL Fz.308
Canada
 Timberwolf C14
China (People Republic of)
 QBU-88
 JS 7.62
Czech Republic
 CZ 700
Finnland
 Saco TRG
France
 FR F2
 PGM Ultima Ratio
 PGM Mini-Hecate .338
Germany
 HK PSG-1
 HK MSG-90
 Walther WA2000
 Mauser SP66
 Mauser 86SR
 Mauser SR-93
 Blaser 93 Tactical
 DSR-1
 SSG-82
 Erma SR-100
 GOL-Sniper
 Keppeler KS-V new
Great Britain
 Enfield L42A1 & Enforcer
 Parker-Hale M82
 AI Arctic Warfare / L96
 AI AE
 RPA Rangemaster
Israel
 Galil sniper
 TEI M86-SR
Italy
 Beretta sniper
Poland
 "Alex" / "Bor"
Turkey
 MKEK JNG-90 "Bora"
USA
 Armalite AR10(t)
 Barret 98B
 CheyTac Intervention
 DT SRS new
 FN FNAR
 FN SPR
 Kel-tec RFB
 M21
 M24
 M40
 Mk.11 mod.0, M110, SR-25
 RAI / RAP model 300
 Remington 700
 Remington MSR new
 Savage 10FP & 110FP
 VR1 PSR
USSR / Russia
 Dragunov SVD
 SVU and SVU-A
 VSS
 SV-98
 SV-99
 VSK-94
 SVDK
 MTs-116M
 Lobaev SVL new
 OTs-48K new
Switzerland
 SIG SG550 Sniper
 Sig-Sauer SSG 2000
 Sig-Sauer SSG 3000
 SIG STR/SHR 970
 B+T APR 308
 B+T APR 338
Yugoslavia
 Zastava M76

all texts and some pictures
copyright © 1999-2010
by Max R. Popenker
and can not be used without author permission

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VKS / VSSK Vychlop ("Exhaust") large caliber silenced sniper rifle (Russia)

Caliber: 12.7x54mm special subsonic
Operation: manually operated, straight pull bolt action
Barrel: n/a
Weight: 5 kg empty, less cope and silencer; 6.5 kg with scope and silencer, less ammunition
Length: 1125 mm with integral silencer
Feed Mechanism: 5 rounds detachable box magazine.

12.7mm VSSK (Vintovka Snayperskaya Spetsialnaya Krupnokalibernaya - special sniper rifle, large caliber) or VKS (Vintovka Krupnokalibernaya Snayperskaya - sniper rifle, large caliber) "Vychlop" (Exhaust) silenced sniper rifle is one of the most recent creations of famous Russian Instrument Design Bureau (KBP). Developed in around 2002 on special request from Russian FSB (Federal Security Service, successor of Soviet KGB), this rifle was first shown to general public only in late 2005, during arms exhibition INTERPOLITEX 2005 in Moscow. This rifle is said to be in use only by special elements of FSB and MVD, which conduct anti-terror and high importance anti-crime operation. It must be noted that rifle is known under two alternate designations, VKS or VSSK, the former appearing to be more official. The codename "Vychlop" (Exhaust) comes from the development program.

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 VKS / VSSK Vychlop rifle are cars, terrorists in heavy body armor or behind covers like car bodies or other thick covers. The core of the VKS / VSSK system 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). Case lenght of the STs-130 family is 54mm, 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" AP 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. The STs-130 cases are based on the .338 Lapua Magnum cases with straight (no neck), slightly tapered body.
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 VKS / VSSK was developed especially for law enforcement and military special operations use.

VKS / VSSK "Vychlop" sniper rifle is fitted with large integral silencer that can be removed for storage, transportation and maintenance. Rifle itself is built using bullpup layout; it has integral folding bipod, and adjustable shoulder pad and cheek rest. Top of the receiver is fitted with scope rail, and rifle is provided with folding back-up iron sights. VKS / VSSK "Vychlop" sniper rifle utilizes manually operated, straight pull bolt action, with rotary locking bolt head. Detachable box magazine holds five rounds of ammunition.

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