RAI 300

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Research Armament Model 300 rifle
Type	Sniper rifle
Place of origin	United States
Service history
In service	1983
Production history
Designer	J. Haskins
Designed	1981-1982
Specifications
Weight	5.7 kg (unloaded w/o scope)
Barrel length	610 mm
Cartridge	8.58 x 71 mm, 7.62 x 51 mm
Action	Bolt-action
Feed system	5-round (7.62) or 4-round (8.58) detachable box magazine
Sights	Detachable telescopic sight

The RAI 300 (Research Armament Model 300) rifle was a bolt-action rifle designed by a team of weapons designers lead by J. Haskins between 1981 and 1982 as a sniper rifle for the U.S. Military. Unlike most military sniper rifles, the Model 300 was purpose-built for the military, not reworked from an existing civilian rifle - another such sniper rifle was the Soviet SVD. Though not adopted in large numbers by the U.S., the weapon served as a testbed for new sniper ammunition. The cartridge originally used, the 8.58 x 71 mm, was eventually developed by the Lapua-Nammo Oy company in Finland into the .338 Lapua Magnum.

The Model 300 was a bolt-action, magazine-fed weapon, featuring a steel receiver with a rotating bolt. The bolt had 3 long lugs which locked into the receiver walls. The weapon could use one of two cartridges: the 7.62 x 51 mm NATO and the 8.58 x 71 mm. Switching between calibers was relatively simple, requiring that only the barrel and bolt head be replaced. The Model 300 featured a detachable scope mount, heavy precision barrel, a folding bipod, a fully adjustable trigger and could be disassembled for ease of carry and storage.

[edit] External links

• Research Armament Model 300 rifle at world.guns.ru