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Barrett
Model 98 by SOTO Mac
The Model 98 is the latest addition to the
Barret line of Semi-Automatic Heavy Caliber
Rifles.
Barrett is a recognized leader
in Semi-Auto Heavy Caliber Weapons - it was
therefore only
natural for the Company to introduce it's own
Semi-Auto chambered for the .338 Lapua Magnum
Round. The .338 Lapua Magnum Round ( Generally
speaking) is Intermediate and could be considered
as being between the 7.62mm X 51mm NATO and
the .50 Cal. BMG.
The first information regarding
Development of this new and powerful Sniper
Rifle chambered
in Caliber .338 Lapua Magnum arrived in October
1997. At that time the Barrett Firearms Company
had already designed it in their computerized
AUTOCAD System and had let it be known to Afficianados
that the Weapon was - INDEED - On the Drawing
Board...
The
Barrett Model 98 ( M98 ) was introduced at
the `98 "Shot Show". The weapon
came in .338 Lapua Magnum and was Gas-Operated,
which was unlike Barrett's earlier Semi-Auto
Rifles in .50 Caliber that have operated with
a "Long-Recoil" Action.
Although Barrett wanted to make the Rifle
both as a Semi-Automatic and as a Bolt-Action
Weapon, Serial Production has only been of
the Semi-Automatic variant up to this Time.
That said - The Bolt-Action variant IS available
for Custom Orders but with the applicable Higher
Prices involved of course for making an Order
to Spec.
The
M98 has a fixed, free-floating Barrel mounted
on an aluminum
base, and utilizes a
tapped Gas-Action. All of the Gas Mechanisms
are located in the Butt Stock of the Rifle
to eliminate any disturbances to the harmonics
of the barrel. Gas is delivered to the rear
Mechanism via a Gas Tube from the Barrel to
a tappet system, located behind the Firing
Mechanism. The Rotating Bolt is a "Multi-Lug" design,
which, as some experts consider, was inspired
by the "Johnson rifle/LMG". That
said - Of course the Barrel is of Match Grade.
Attached
to the Barrel is a Muzzle Brake. Apart from
the Action
the entire Stock is made
from Glassfibre reinforced black "Polyamide".
At the front of the Stock is a Attachment Point
for The Weapon's Steel Bipod, and It is of
the usual Folding Variety.
The
Butt Stock is of the "Thumb-Hole" design
and on top of the Receiver is a "Picatinny
Rail" to accommodate either a Scope, a
Night Vision Device, or a Combination thereof.
There are NO Iron Sights. The M98 uses a removable
Plastic Magazine which holds 10 Rounds.
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