Tried and tested.

Our Army recently purchased the 42 MRAD sniper rifles made by Barrett Firearms Inc, USA. The rifle comes with a suppressor which screws onto the muzzle brake and has a fully adjustable, match grade, 2 stage trigger, and folding stock which is adjustable for length. It uses an innovative bolt mechanism that runs in a polymer sleeve which reduces the need for lubrication and is less prone to fouling.

But what’s it like to use? Find out from a New Zealand Army sniper who has been training with the new weapon.

Lance Corporal B from 2/1 RNZIR has been a sniper for a year, and became interested in the career path when he was posted to Reconnaissance Platoon.

“I was intrigued while sitting in on a lesson snipers had on ballistic theory and application. At the end of the lesson they were given ten targets with varying ranges, wind speeds and altitudes, then expected to produce a shot correction for each one within ten minutes. I was amazed as they produced their answers on paper with no aid and I wanted to learn how! From there I signed up for the “Sniper Selection Course”, it was the most exciting and challenging course I have done in the “Army”.

The MRAD, he says, is far superior to the Accuracy International AW .308 he used at first.

“When posted to the “Sniper Cell” I was issued the “Accuracy International AW .308” sniper rifle, an iconic classic in the shooter world. The “AW” has exceptional New Sniper rifles in action precision, it’s reliable and a pleasure to shoot but has to take a back seat when it comes to our new rifle, the “Barrett MRAD”. The “MRAD” is interchangeable between .308 and .338, extending our effective range from 600m with the “AW”, to 1500m+ with the “MRAD” in the .338 configuration.

“More impressive to me was that I was able to extend my cold bore shot from 600m with the “AW”, to 800m with the MRAD in the .308 configuration using the same ammo. This is partially due to the new “Nightforce ATACR” scope having superior glass, magnification, elevation correction, and an updated reticule. To complete the package we were given the new “Kestrel Meter” integrated with the “Applied Ballistics” ballistic calculator, which gives us fast and accurate shot corrections, enabling us to use the rifle to its full potential. The only issue I have with the MRAD is, when I miss I can’t blame the rifle!” LCPL B says that apart from extending snipers’ effective range and out- classing the old weapon system the thing he likes most about the “MRAD” is its adaptability around the shooter.

“Everything from the bipod feet to the rifle butt is adjustable to the shooter’s preference. Being adaptable relieves strain on the shooter allowing for a more relaxed and stable shooting position resulting in tighter shot groups.”

The old and new rifles are very different. “At face value you can immediately see the comparative advancement in technology. As far as usability, especially in the .338 configuration the MRAD feels heavy compared to the AW, although with the collapsible butt it takes up less space when transporting in a pack.”