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Adesignated marksman rifle (DMR) is a modernscoped high-precisionrifle used byinfantry in thedesignated marksman (DM) role. It generally fills the engagementrange gap between aservice rifle and a dedicatedsniper rifle, at around 300–600 metres (330–660 yd).
DMRs are distinguished from sniper rifles in that they aresemi-automatic to provide higherrates of fire (with some also havingselective fire to switch toburst orautomatic) and have largermagazine capacities (10, 20, or 30 rounds depending on the firearm and operational requirements) to allow rapid engagement of multiple targets.
DMRs have to be effective, in terms ofhit rates andterminal ballistics, at application ranges exceeding those of ordinaryassault rifles andbattle rifles, but do not require the extended-range performance of a dedicated sniper rifle. DMRs need to function as part ofsquad (and possibly at close quarters) and often share some basic characteristics with sniper rifles when compared to other weapons carried in the DM'splatoon. They typically havetelescopic sights for more detailed observation and aiming, often also quick-deployedbipod foroptimized accuracy, reducedrecoil and better stability, and anadjustable stock for betterergonomics.
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Most designated marksman rifles are based on modified designs of anassault rifle currently issued by a nation's military, or on abattle rifle that was formerly issued. The ammunitions used are often of the samecaliber as that of themachine guns within the samecombat unit, typically afully powered cartridge such as the7.62 mm NATO. For example, battle rifles such as theM14,FN FAL,AR-10 andHeckler & Koch G3 were largely replaced during the 1980s and 1990s by modernassault rifles firing the5.56 mm NATOintermediate cartridge for standard riflemen, but many wereaccurized and retained as DMRs.
Conversely, some nations have also built rifles that were designed for the designated marksman from the ground up. Examples include the SovietSVD and ChineseQBU-88.
Some designated marksman rifles will have some type of optical sight with a higher magnification level than the standard-issue rifle. For example, theSquad Designated Marksman Rifle issued to U.S. Army marksmen is frequently fitted with a Trijicon 4×ACOG, while the standard-issue M4 carbine is often equipped with an unmagnifiedAimpoint CompM2 orCompM4. Commonly, the sighting system will be the only difference between the standard rifle and the designated marksman rifle, as is the case with the F88S DMR issued to the Australian Army.
Sniper rifles tend to have even greater magnification than designated marksman rifles, fitting their increased effective range in comparison, as is the case with theM110 SASS used by the U.S. Army, equipped with a Leupold 3.5-10× variable-power scope. However, some designated marksman rifles, such as theMk 12 Special Purpose Rifle or theSquad Advanced Marksman Rifle are fitted with scopes with similar magnification.
In some cases, the designated marksman rifle will have a longer barrel than the standard issued rifle. For example, until October 2015, when theM4 carbine was approved as the new standard-issue rifle, theM16A4 rifle was still standard issue throughout the United States Marine Corps. The barrel on theMk 12 Special Purpose Rifle, the current rifle used by the squad designated marksman in the USMC, is only 457 mm (18 in) long - 50 mm (2 in) shorter than the barrel on the standard rifle. This is no longer the case, however, as the M4 carbine has a barrel length of only 370 mm (14.5 in). Also, some rifles, such as theF88S Austeyr, have a barrel that is the same length as the standard service rifle. The FD-200 has an accurized barrel, also found on designated marksman rifles.
Most sniper rifles, such as theAccuracy International Arctic Warfare, have a barrel with a length of 610 mm (24 in) or greater. Only theDragunov sniper rifle (SVD) and similar designated marksman rifles have a barrel of this length. The designated marksman rifles based on theM14 have barrels 460–560 mm (18–22 in) long.
In most cases, a designated marksman rifle will share the caliber and possibly even the ammunition type used by standard-issue rifles. DM rifles may be issued with standardball ammunition, or specialmatch grade loads, such as7.62 mm NATO 'M118LR' sniper round. Sniper rifles are (almost exclusively) deployed with match grade ammunition in order to take advantage of their full effective range and accuracy potential; in addition, some sniper rifles are chambered for specialized ammunition, such as.338 Lapua Magnum or.338 Norma Magnum,[1][2][3] that they do not share with common weapons.
In the U.S. military, designated marksman rifles chambered for 5.56 mm NATO have available the 5 g (77 grain) match gradeMk 262 Mod 0/1[note 1] cartridge that enhances the effective range to roughly 600–800 m (2,000–2,600 ft).
The effective range of semi-automatic rifles chambered in.338 Lapua Magnum or.338 Norma Magnum can exceed 1,400 m (4,600 ft).[2][3]
All designated marksman rifles in use today aresemi-automatic, some with select fire. Sniper rifles are generallybolt-action rifles, but can also be semi-automatic.
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Argentina: FAMTD is a variant of theFN FAL with an accurised barrel, sniper stock and bipod.
Australia
Austria: TheSteyr AUG HBAR-T, is a longer heavier-barreled version of the Steyr AUG designed for use as a designated marksman rifle that can be fitted with a variety of optical sights.
Bangladesh
Canada: TheCanadian Forces are phasing out theC7CT and C8CT designated marksman rifles,[9] as well as theAR-10T.[citation needed] with theColt Canada C20 DMR[10]
Chile: The FD-200 is a variant of the SIG 542 with an accurised barrel, sniper stock and bipod.
China:
Czech Republic:CZ BREN 2 PPS
Denmark: The Heckler & Koch HK417 was the main DMR in use, by theRoyal Danish Army, but is pr 2021 transitioning toColt Canada C20.
France: TheFN SCAR is a designated marksman rifle fielded by theFrench Army, alongside theHK 417, retiring theFR F2 sniper rifle.
Germany
Georgia
Hungary
India
Indonesia:
Iran: The locally produced G3A6 fitted with Hadaf 3 telescopic sight is used as a designated marksman rifle byIran Army special forces andIranian Police Special Unit.[19]
Iraq: TheTabuk is an adaptation of theZastava M70 assault rifle used as a designated marksman rifle by theIraqi Army. It is chambered for 7.62×39mm
Israel
Italy: TheBeretta ARX200 is used as a designated marksman rifle.
Japan: TheHowa Type 64 is used as a marksman rifle.
Myanmar:BA100,MAS-1 MK-I andMAS-1 MK-II are locally made designated marksman rifle that are used extensively in the country'scounter-insurgency campaign
New Zealand:LMT LM308MWS; 7.62mm NATO rifle used by theNew Zealand Army under the designation DMW.[22]
Norway:HK417; 7.62mm NATO gas-piston battle rifle.[23]
Philippines:
Portugal: ThePortuguese Army uses theHeckler & Koch G28E andFN SCAR H PR as a marksman rifle.[25][26]
Romania: ThePSL (rifle) is a purpose-built designated marksman rifle chambered for7.62×54mmR based on a modifiedKalashnikov action. It is similar in appearance to the SVD, though the two rifles share little in common.
Russia
South Africa
Switzerland
United Kingdom
United States
SerbiaThe gun will replace the M110 made by Knight's Armament as a culmination of the Army's desire for a shorter, lighter rifle that didn't sacrifice accuracy or performance.