Barrett M98B

Barrett M98B

Barrett Model 98B
Type Sniper Rifle
Place of origin United States
Production history
Designer Ronnie Barrett
Designed 1997[1]
Manufacturer Barrett Firearms Manufacturing[2]
Produced 2008–present
Specifications
Weight 12.4 lb (5.6 kg) (20" Barrel)
13.5 lb (6.1 kg) (27" Barrel)[3]
Length 43 in (110 cm) (20" Barrel)
49.75 in (126.4 cm) (27" Barrel)[3]
Barrel length 20 in (51 cm)
27 in (69 cm) [3]
Cartridge .338 Lapua Magnum[3]
Action Bolt action
Muzzle velocity 3,100 ft/s (940 m/s)[4]
Feed system 10-round detachable box magazine

The Barrett Model 98B (also known as the 98 Bravo) is a bolt-action sniper rifle chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum (8.6×70mm or 8.58×70mm) manufactured by Barrett Firearms Manufacturing. The M98B was officially announced in October 2008, and became available for sale in early 2009, with an MSRP of $4,495.00.[5][1]

The M98B achieves sub-MOA shot groupings of 0.73 inches (19 mm) at 100 yards (91 m),[1] 1.3 inches (33 mm) at 200 yards (180 m), and 4.05 inches (103 mm) at 800 yards (730 m).[4]

Overview

Barrett engineers began designing the M98B in 1997,[1] with a goal of developing a precision tactical .338 Lapua rifle not based on any sporting rifles. The initial semi-auto design, the Model 98 was unveiled at the 1998 SHOT Show, but never went into full production. In recent years, Ronnie Barrett's son, Chris, revived the company's interest in the .338 rifle.[1]

Many of the M98B's features are inspired by Stoner's AR-15/M16; the hinged aluminum upper and lower receivers, ergonomic pistol grip and thumb operated safety are all borrowed from Stoner's design. The upper receiver also features a full length (18.125 inches (460.4 mm)) 1913 style Picatinny rail for mounting optics, lasers, etc.,[2] and two additional accessory rails are mounted forward of the main rail on each side of the upper.[1]

The M98B also features a fluted medium-heavy 27-inch (690 mm) barrel made of 4150 MIL-B-11595 steel. The barrel is rifled in a six groove, 1:10" right hand twist pattern,[1] and features a two-port muzzle brake threaded on and indexed by a jam nut. The bolt rides in a new "bolt guide" design, consisting of two tubular glass-filled polymer guides which have been infused with Teflon.[2][1] These guides allow the bolt to travel better, as well as reducing the need for lubrication, and helping to seal the ejection and bolt handle ports from dirt. The bolt head is made of case-hardened 8620 steel, features nine lugs (three sets of three), and is attached to the bolt body with a crosspin.[1] This separate bolt head design allows for simple caliber changes, as well as future pre-headspaced barrel and bolt-head sets.[1]

The lower receiver is forged from 7075 aluminum,[2] can mount any type of AR-15/M-16 pistol grip, and features an ambidextrous magazine latch just forward of the integral trigger guard. Also featured within the lower receiver is the rifle's trigger assembly. The trigger assembly can be removed from the receiver as a single unit, and features adjustment screws for weight (2 to 4 lbs.) and overtravel, as well as a reversible AR-15/M-16 style thumb safety.[1]

The skeletonized buttstock is also integral to the lower receiver, and features a thick Sorbothane buttpad with spacers for pull adjustment, a polymer cheekpiece with 0.75 inches (19 mm) of variable comb height, and an adjustable monopod.[2][1] The rifle also comes from the factory with a Harris brand S-BR bipod attached to the fore-end.

The M98B was featured both on the cover, and in an article, of the April 2009 issue of American Rifleman magazine.[1]

MRAD

Barrett's offering for USSOCOM Precision Sniper Rifle Contract, the MRAD is derived from the M98B; changes include cutting back the fixed stock and integrating a folding adjustable stock, a Desert Tan finish color, a front loading quick change barrel for caliber change although at this point the only offered barrel and caliber is a 24.5-inch fluted barrel with a 1 turn in 10 right hand twist chambered for .338 Lapua Magnum.[6][7][8]

Safety recall

On September 9, 2009, Barrett released a recall notice regarding the M98B. They determined that if the rifle is dropped or subjected to a significant impact, it could accidentally discharge. A modification to the lower receiver is required to ensure user safety.[9]

Users

 Canada:Used by the Joint Task Force 2

 India:Used by the National Security Guard

 United Kingdom:Used by the Special Air Service

 United States:Used by the Academi, 75th Ranger Regiment (United States), DEVGRU, and USSOCOM

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Barrett M98B.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Stanton L. Wormley, Jr., Innovation With A Purpose: Barrett's Model 98 Bravo, American Rifleman, April 2009
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Barret Firearms Company, 98bravo.com, The Specs
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Barrett 98B". Barrett. Retrieved 18 December 2012.
  4. 1 2 Crane, David, New Barrett M98B .338 Lapua Magnum Bolt-Action Anti-Materiel/Sniper Rifle, DefenseReview.com, September 28, 2008
  5. ↑ Barrett Firearms Discussion Forum, What is the 98B?, September 10, 2008
  6. ↑ http://www.barrett.net/firearms/mrad
  7. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-01-30. Retrieved 2011-01-30.
  8. ↑ http://www.tactical-life.com/online/exclusives/the-barrett-multi-role-adaptive-design-mrad-rifle/
  9. ↑ Barrett Firearms, Model 98B Safety Recall Press Release, September 9, 2009
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