Parker Hale M85 | |
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Place of origin | United Kingdom |
Production history | |
Manufacturer | Parker Hale |
Variants | Parker Hale M85 Police |
Specifications | |
Weight | 12.57 lbs. (with scope) |
Length | 45.3" (overall) |
Barrel length | 24.5" |
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Cartridge | 7.62×51mm NATO |
Effective range | 900 metres[1] |
Maximum range | 1,200 meters[2] |
Feed system | 10-round magazine |
Sights | Iron sights. Can be fitted with any scope. |
The Parker Hale M85 is a British .308 sniper rifle, with an effective range around 900 metres. It fires from a 10-round detachable magazine, and weighs 12 pounds, telescopic sight included. The rifle was created after the Falklands War by Parker Hale Ltd in response to shortcomings in the contemporary Lee Enfield L42A1.[2] Although the Parker Hale M85 manufacturing licence was sold to Gibbs Rifle Co., it has not yet resumed production.
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The M85 took part in a British Army trial to see if it could be used as a potential sniper rifle, along with the AI, H&K PSG 1, SIG SSG 2000, and Remington 700.[1] The rifle lost by a slight margin to the AI (adopted by the British Army as the L96).[3]
The M85's range is about 600 metres and has a 85% first round hit capabilities from 600 - 900 metres.[1] The weapon also has a silent safety catch, a threaded muzzle for a flash suppressor, and an integral dovetail mount that accepts a variety of sights.[1] The standard scope is a 6x42mm Schmidt & Bender with a BDC from 200 - 900 meters. Emergency iron sights are also fitted. The rifle is outfitted with a bipod as standard.[2] The fiberglass stock is made by McMillan.[1]
There is a police variant of the M85, which has a cheek pad on the rifle's stock.[2]