XM2010
Encyclopedia
The XM2010 Enhanced Sniper Rifle (ESR), formerly known as the M24 Reconfigured Sniper Weapon System, is a sniper rifle
developed by PEO Soldier
for the U.S. Army. It is derived from the M24 Sniper Weapon System and is intended to replace existing M24s. After winning a competitive bidding process, Remington was awarded the production contract. Up to 3,600 weapons will be procured. The Army expects to begin fielding 250 upgraded weapons to deployed U.S. Army Snipers by the end of December 2010. Later project manager for Soldier weapons Colonel Douglas Tamilio said the XM2010 expected fielding will happen in January 2011.
The major configuration change for the XM2010 system is the conversion from 7.62x51mm NATO to more powerful .300 Winchester Magnum
ammunition to provide approximately 50% additional effective range. This rechambering to dimensionally larger cartridges is possible since the M24 was designed to use the "long-action" version of the Remington 700
receiver. The US Army hopes that the additional effective range helps their snipers in engagements in mountainous and desert terrain in which the War in Afghanistan
is fought. The general penalties for using bigger more powerful magnum rifle ammunition compared to smaller non-magnum standard rifle cartridges to obtain extra effective range are increases in recoil
, jump, flash and barrel
wear.
According to Remington Arms each rifle is tested to meet (and typically exceeds) the requirement to fire ≤ 1 MOA
(less than a 2-inch shot group at 200 yards) before being released for fielding.
fired at a nominal muzzle velocity of 869 m/s (2,850 ft/s) ± 15.2 m/s (50 ft/s). According to the U.S. Navy this ammunition should increase the maximum effective range of .300 Winchester Magnum sniper rifle systems to 1,370 m (1,500 yd), decrease wind deflection on bullets in flight and use a reduced muzzle flash propellant that remains temperature stable across an operational temperature range of -32 °C to 74 °C (-25 °F to 165 °F). According to JBM Ballistics, using the G7 ballistic coefficient provided by Bryan Litz, the Mk 248 MOD 1 .300 Winchester Magnum cartridge, when fired at its nominal muzzle velocity of 869 m/s (2,850 ft/s), should have approximately 1,286 m (1,406 yd) supersonic range under International Standard Atmosphere
conditions at sea level (air density
ρ = 1.225 kg/m3).
Sniper rifle
In military and law enforcement terminology, a sniper rifle is a precision-rifle used to ensure more accurate placement of bullets at longer ranges than other small arms. A typical sniper rifle is built for optimal levels of accuracy, fitted with a telescopic sight and chambered for a military...
developed by PEO Soldier
PEO Soldier
Program Executive Office Soldier is a government organization responsible for rapid prototyping, procurement, and fielding of equipment for U.S...
for the U.S. Army. It is derived from the M24 Sniper Weapon System and is intended to replace existing M24s. After winning a competitive bidding process, Remington was awarded the production contract. Up to 3,600 weapons will be procured. The Army expects to begin fielding 250 upgraded weapons to deployed U.S. Army Snipers by the end of December 2010. Later project manager for Soldier weapons Colonel Douglas Tamilio said the XM2010 expected fielding will happen in January 2011.
The major configuration change for the XM2010 system is the conversion from 7.62x51mm NATO to more powerful .300 Winchester Magnum
.300 Winchester Magnum
The .300 Winchester Magnum is a popular, belted, bottlenecked magnum rifle cartridge that was introduced by Winchester Repeating Arms Company in 1963 as a member of the family of Winchester Magnum cartridges. The .300 Winchester Magnum is a magnum cartridge designed to fit in a standard length...
ammunition to provide approximately 50% additional effective range. This rechambering to dimensionally larger cartridges is possible since the M24 was designed to use the "long-action" version of the Remington 700
Remington 700
The Model 700 series of firearms are bolt-action rifles manufactured by Remington Arms since 1962. All are based on the same centerfire bolt action. They often come with a 3, 4 or 5-round internal magazine depending on caliber, some of which have a floor-plate for quick-unloading, and some of which...
receiver. The US Army hopes that the additional effective range helps their snipers in engagements in mountainous and desert terrain in which the War in Afghanistan
War in Afghanistan (2001–present)
The War in Afghanistan began on October 7, 2001, as the armed forces of the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Afghan United Front launched Operation Enduring Freedom...
is fought. The general penalties for using bigger more powerful magnum rifle ammunition compared to smaller non-magnum standard rifle cartridges to obtain extra effective range are increases in recoil
Recoil
Recoil is the backward momentum of a gun when it is discharged. In technical terms, the recoil caused by the gun exactly balances the forward momentum of the projectile and exhaust gasses, according to Newton's third law...
, jump, flash and barrel
Gun barrel
A gun barrel is the tube, usually metal, through which a controlled explosion or rapid expansion of gases are released in order to propel a projectile out of the end at a high velocity....
wear.
Design
The XM2010 is considered a "total conversion upgrade", by which the chambering, barrel, stock, magazines, muzzlebrake, suppressor, and even the optics will be changed. The main reconfiguration changes compared to 7.62×51mm NATO chambered M24 rifles are:- Rechambering to .300 Winchester Magnum.
- Rebarreling to a 610 mm (24 in) long, 254 mm (1 in 10 inch) twist rate (using Obermeyer 5-R rifling) hammer-forged free floating barrel.
- Fitting a new chassis (stock) assembly, which maximizes the amount of physical adjustments for the sniper to provide a better user customized fit. The chassis has a folding buttstock that shortens the system for easier transport and better concealment during movement and accommodates the mounting of accessories via removable Mil Std 1913 Picatinny RailPicatinny railThe Picatinny rail or MIL-STD-1913 rail or STANAG 2324 rail or a "Tactical Rail" is a bracket used on some firearms in order to provide a standardized mounting platform. A similar system is the Weaver rail mount.-Description:...
s. - Fitting a five-round detachable box magazine.
- Fitting a quick-attachable/detachable Advanced Armament Corp. sound suppressor with muzzle brakeMuzzle brakeMuzzle brakes and recoil compensators are devices that are fitted to the muzzle of a firearm or cannon to redirect propellant gases with the effect of countering both recoil of the gun and unwanted rising of the barrel during rapid fire...
to reduce recoil and jump and audible and visible signature with an available thermal sleeve that reduces mirage effect on heated suppressors. - Fitting a Leupold Mark 4 6.5–20×50mm ER/T M5 Front Focal variable power telescopic sightTelescopic sightA telescopic sight, commonly called a scope, is a sighting device that is based on an optical refracting telescope. They are equipped with some form of graphic image pattern mounted in an optically appropriate position in their optical system to give an accurate aiming point...
featuring a 34 mm tube diameter, first focal plane Horus Vision grid system range estimation reticle and Bullet Drop Compensation, fielded with the AN/PVS-29 Clip-on Sniper Night Sight. - Applying advanced corrosion resistant coatings throughout the system.
According to Remington Arms each rifle is tested to meet (and typically exceeds) the requirement to fire ≤ 1 MOA
Minute of Angle
Minute of angle is the measurement of a ballistic round's deviation from its initial heading due to gravity and/or the effect of air resistance on velocity. Informally known as a "Bullet's Trajectory" or "the rainbow effect". Long range weapons must account for this effect because a fired round...
(less than a 2-inch shot group at 200 yards) before being released for fielding.
Ammunition
In 2009 the US government purchased MK 248 MOD 0 and MOD 1 .300 Winchester Magnum match-grade ammunition for use in .300 Winchester Magnum sniper rifles like the U.S. Navy Mk.13 SWS or reconfigured M24 SWS's. This ammunition was developed as a .300 Winchester Magnum Match Product Improvement (PIP) and uses the (190 gr) and 14.26 g (220 gr) Sierra MatchKing Hollow Point Boat Tail (HPBT) very-low-drag bulletVery-low-drag bullet
Very-low-drag bullets are primarily a small arms ballistics development of the 1980s–1990s, driven by shooters' desire for bullets that will give a higher degree of accuracy and kinetic efficiency, especially at extended ranges. To achieve this the projectile must minimize air resistance in flight...
fired at a nominal muzzle velocity of 869 m/s (2,850 ft/s) ± 15.2 m/s (50 ft/s). According to the U.S. Navy this ammunition should increase the maximum effective range of .300 Winchester Magnum sniper rifle systems to 1,370 m (1,500 yd), decrease wind deflection on bullets in flight and use a reduced muzzle flash propellant that remains temperature stable across an operational temperature range of -32 °C to 74 °C (-25 °F to 165 °F). According to JBM Ballistics, using the G7 ballistic coefficient provided by Bryan Litz, the Mk 248 MOD 1 .300 Winchester Magnum cartridge, when fired at its nominal muzzle velocity of 869 m/s (2,850 ft/s), should have approximately 1,286 m (1,406 yd) supersonic range under International Standard Atmosphere
International Standard Atmosphere
The International Standard Atmosphere is an atmospheric model of how the pressure, temperature, density, and viscosity of the Earth's atmosphere change over a wide range of altitudes. It has been established to provide a common reference for temperature and pressure and consists of tables of...
conditions at sea level (air density
Density of air
The density of air, ρ , is the mass per unit volume of Earth's atmosphere, and is a useful value in aeronautics and other sciences. Air density decreases with increasing altitude, as does air pressure. It also changes with variances in temperature or humidity...
ρ = 1.225 kg/m3).