Accuracy International Super Magnum

In early the 1980's, the British Army started the search for the replacement of the aging L42 Enfield sniper rifles. The main competitors were British companies Parker-Hale with their Model 82 bolt-action rifle, and Accuracy International, with their PM rifle. Eventually, the PM rifle won the competition and was accepted by the British Army under the designation of L96. One of the most notorious features of the PM rifle, was the design of the stock. Instead of the solid polymer or wooden stock, PM / L96 rifle used hollow polymer stock, made from two halves and assembled around aluminium bedding block, that extends throughout the entire stock length. The L96 also was equipped with backup iron sights.

In the mid-1980s Swedish armed forces began their own quest for the new sniper rifle, which could survive cold and harsh nordic environments. The Accuracy International again become the winner in this race with their improved L96 design, named "Arctic Warfare". In 1988 Swedish forces adopted the AW rifle in 7.62mm NATO chambering under the designation of PSG 90. The British Army, in its turn, also adopted this improved design under the designation of L96A1, as well as many other militaries and Law Enforcement agencies around the world. In 1998, the Bundeswehr (German Army) also adopted the AW Super Magnum rifle chambered in .300 Winchester magnum (German caliber designation is 7.62x67mm) as Scharfschutzengewehre (sniper rifle - German) G22.

Built by Accuracy International of Portsmuth, England, this line of rifles is among the best in the world of sniper rifles today. This rifle can shoot less than 2" (51mm) groups at the distance of 600 yards (550m), using boat-tail match ammunition. Arctic Warfare is a line of 5 rifles. The Original Arctic Warfare was designed for the British military. It gained its designation by special anti-icing features, allowing sniping operations to be carried out under Arctic conditions as low as -40C (-104F)! Other models are Police (AWP), Suppressed (AWS), Folding (AWF) and Super Magnum (AW SM). The three first rifles designed for 7.62mm NATO ammunition, while Super Magnum can be chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum, .300 Winchester Magnum and 7mm Remington Magnum. AW has a 26" (660mm) barrel, AWP has 24" (609mm). AW SM barrels available in lengths from 24" (609mm) to 27" (686mm). The standard scopes supplied by Accuracy International are Smidt & Bender 3-12X variable or the Leupold Mark 4 fixed 10X scope.