PGM Mini-Hecate .338
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| PGM Mini-Hecate | |
|---|---|
| Type | Sniper rifle |
| Place of origin | France, Switzerland |
| Service history | |
| Used by | Singapore Armed Forces |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Chris Movigliatti at ASMP |
| Manufacturer | PGM Precision |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 6.3 kg (excluding scope) |
| Length | 1140 mm (34.6 in) 880 mm (45 in) stock folded |
| Barrel length | 600 mm (24 in) |
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| Cartridge | .338 Lapua |
| Action | Bolt-action |
| Muzzle velocity | 900 m/s |
| Feed system | 10-round detachable box magazine |
The PGM Mini-Hecate .338 (PGM .338 Lapua-Magnum, PGM 338 or PGM .338 LM) is a powerful French-designed and -manufactured sniper rifle. It fires the .338 Lapua Magnum ammunition which remains supersonic up to a range of 1200 metres.
The PGM Mini-Hecate is intended to fulfill a long-range anti-personnel role, and fills the gap between the lighter 7.62 × 51 mm (.308) sniper rifles, which do not have sufficient power to be effectively used at long distances, and larger .50 BMG rifles, which lack the portability of lighter sniper rifles. This rifle was designed by Chris Movigliatti of the Swiss ASMP company and is made by the PGM Precision of France. The rifle is sold worldwide through the prominent Belgian gun maker FN Herstal and its subsidiaries.
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[edit] Design
Like its big brother the PGM Hecate II (.50 BMG), the Mini-Hecate is structured around a central rigid metal girder, giving it its skeletal "barebones" appearance to minimise weight and simplify maintenance.
The receiver is made from high quality 7075 aircraft grade aluminium alloy, while the steel bolt has three lugs that lock into the barrel extension. It also has overpressure vent holes to vent out gases after each round is fired. The barrel was designed by Lothar Walther, and is cold hammer forged and full floating match grade fluted with an integrated muzzle brake. Furniture (pistol grip and forearm) is made from polymer and is mounted to the frame. The buttstock is made from metal and has an adjustable butt pad for comfortable aiming and minimizing the effects of recoil to the operator. It is also adjustable for the length of pull and height, and can be folded to the left to compact the overall chassis and make it more portable. An adjustable rear folding ground spike under the buttstock helps to keep the rifle in a stable position for longer periods of time and is most effective when coupled with the folding bipod support under the rifle barrel. A pistol grip is used for comfortable wielding of the weapon, especially during prolonged periods of time during which the operator must be immediately ready to open fire. The Mini-Hecate is fitted with Picatinny rail so that it may be equipped with a wide range of commercial scopes, sights, illuminators and other components. It also has a set of emergency iron sights to be used in case of the failure of the primary scope.
[edit] Use
Mini-Hecate is intended for sniper work at distances between 500 to 1200 metres, within which it can consistently achieve an accuracy of about 0.5 MOA with sniper-grade ammunition in the hands of a trained marksman. At distances below 500 metres, the .338 Lapua would be too powerful for anti-personnel use and cause overpenetration in most such targets, unless deep material penetration is required. At distances beyond 1200 meters, the standard .338 Lapua bullet will lose its momentum and become subsonic, thus significantly hampering its accuracy, but remaining somewhat reliable until more than 1500 metres.
The rifle often uses 10-round box magazines, although larger capacity magazines may also be adapted for use in the rifle.
[edit] Operators
- The Singapore Armed Forces employs the PGM Mini-Hecate as the main weapon of its sniper units.
- Slovenian Armed Forces also uses this sniper rifle.
