SA 80 A2 problems

[Shoulderholster]

Andy
The No4 Enfield was later converted to 7.62 and became the L42,the woodwork was cut back a bit and the No32 sight recalibrated for the 7.62 ammo.
If I remember correctly it didn't come into service until 69/70,the old
No4(T) .303 was still in use in Aden.The most likely reason for the snipers scrounging ammo from the Vickers crews was the fact that the MG ammo had a higher velocity and could give the snipers an extra edge over the standard ball ammo (the trade off was barrel erosion but that didn't matter consindering the amount of rounds a sniper would fire).
I rate the L96 as a brilliant piece of kit,but more suited to a static sniper role due to its wieght, for stalking the L42 was/is ideal.
Anyone know anything about the new .338 calibre being used in the L96?,have any of you still serving used it.There must be a PW out there who can use a computer!!.
SH

(Gun control is being able to hit the target)

[Andy O'Pray]

Hi Stueyhill, I am now having to stretch the old brain cells and leave myself open to attack from other ex HW's who are lurking out there.

There were two types of ammo used with the Vickers, mark 7Z and mark 8Z. The mark 7Z was the standard ammo used and was good for up to 2,800 yards. The mark 8Z was used in indirect fire and had a range of 4,500 yards.

The standard practical joke was to give the snipers some mark 8Z ammo, then watch with interest as they leashed one off. Not the first sniper to have bruises on the cheek and shoulder.

Aye - Andy

[Chester]

Anyone know anything about the new .338 calibre being used in the L96

SH

It's a bit of a beast isn't it ?



AI L96 ARCTIC WARFARE SUPER MAGNUM

Calibre: .338 Lapua (8.60x70mm)
Length: 1270mm
Barrel length: 686mm
Weight: 6.8kg empty without telescope
Magazine Capacity: 5 round box magazine
Maximum Effective Range: Approx. 1100 metres

Be interesting to find out a 'working' opinion in it

[Chester]

The standard practical joke was to give the snipers some mark 8Z ammo, then watch with interest as they leashed one off. Not the first sniper to have bruises on the cheek and shoulder

OWWW!



A bit like this one Andy ? lol

[Statistic]

Isn't there a .50 cal L96? I'm probably wrong. It might not have had much attention because of the Barrett 82a1 .50 (in use buy British forces) which is more common, but I've heard it exists, it must be a monster but the other calibre versions of the weapon are said to be pretty good like the .338 lapua, hmmm...



Jason Z

[Chester]

Isn't there a .50 cal L96 ?

Hmmm, are you thinking of this ?



Accuracy International AW-50

Calibre: 12.7x99mm (.50BMG)
Operation: Bolt Action
Barrel: 686 mm
Weight: 15 kg loaded w. bipod
Length: 1420 mm
Feed Mechanism: 5 round box mag.

"AW50 features include a built-in anti-recoil system, an adjustable third supporting leg to help with precise aiming, a folding stock for slightly compacted carry and an overall weight (excluding ammunition) of 15 Kg.
Sights are mounted on Picatinny-weaver rail and typically are 10x fixed power or 3-12x or 4-16x variable"

I would love to blat off a few rounds with that!

[Shoulderholster]

Stueyhill
Thanks for the phots,mean looking bit of kit. As I keep telling the wife "bigger is better".
We just need to find someone with first hand experience of using one,there must be someone out there,come on do tell.
Owdun
You must have used the Boyes Anti-Tank rifle in your time!!!,tell us about it,its probably the nearest we are goint to get to the .50 cal.

SH

[JR]

shoulderholster,
I think Owdun will agree with me,the Boyes A/T rifle was out of service at the end of the war,(I may stand corrected on that) in its place was the bunker buster of the day the PIAT(projectile infantry anti tank) when fired that baby could knock you off your feet if not in the correct stance,I do know it was fired from the shoulder at a jewish sniper (Palestine) with great effect,the usual firing position was in the lying down position,The Sgt that silenced the Sniper was 'Dickie'Dodds MM.Aye jr

[JR]

Regarding the SA80,I see that a top level inquiry has been launched into the failings of the SA80 assault rifle issued to the Royal Marines in Afghanistan, the rifle failed to fire during a skirmish with Al-Qaeda terrorists near the Bagram Air base a couple of weeks ago,the manufactures blamed the Marines for using the wrong gun oil to clean their weapons,Civil servants arranged for special trials of the gun to be filmed in Afghanistan,serious mechanical flaws were highlighted.Amazingly
the Marines were blamed for 'not cleaning their weapons often enough' and advised that the main problem was the wrong gun oil was being used,
they also recommended that a latex cover be fitted over the magazine,and
concluded that the weapon should be bagged and protected from dust and that the magazine should be cleaned every 30 minutes?,and that few words of wisdom came from the civil servants of the MOD. It would be great to be able to walk into the 'War House' with a handfull of P45's and send a few of the chinless wonders down the road,or better still invite them to join a fighting patrol.Aye jr

[Bringer]

Janes is speculating that this is the last hurrah for the SA-80, that no amount of fixing will remove the stigma from the rifle.

http://www.janes.com/defence/land_force ... _1_n.shtml

Twice bitten, once shy?

[ratso]

Best news ever would be that HK were supplying their own reliable weapons and scrapping all the SA80's to make LADA's. Oh sorry that wouldn't do the LADA is too reliable.
The MOD need to kick HK's ass trying to blame oil and bad cleaning, hope they never have to go and do an inspection of percy's weapons, what NO oil.......
Shit that might be it, the bloody things are self lubricating and no one told anyone.....

[harry hackedoff]

Hey up lads,
just read this thread with interest( and a semi at Stuey`s phots)

some of the points were mentioned previously on Derek Blevins "Rest On Your Arms Reversed" thread. If you haven`t been there, take a look. It`s presently on page three of the index to miss diss

Aye, Harry

[ratso]

This weeks defence debate saw the Rt Hon. Dr Moonie tell the house that the conditions in Kuwait are identical to those in Afghanistan and the weapon proved its worth in Kuwait with no problems.....
Hmmmm I seem to remember it hitting the press at that time and that was why the modifications were rushed through...
As for conditions is this man thick or just bone stupit the altitude is the major difference...
He then describes the SA80 as an excellent weapon, and after all we have spent extra money on the SA80...
That always makes things better .. spending money.
We have what appears to be an excellent weapon at our disposal....WHERE
However, I cannot make any predictions as to its future. Let us wait and see.

Sorry lads your stuck with this bum steer while they wait to carry out more tests then they may spend more money putting it right.
Perhaps we should apply for a Lottery Grant to buy decent weapons.....

[ratso]

I know it has already been said in this thread on page one, But how come the Falklands Defence Force got to choose the Styr Aug and it was passed through the MOD, after all they come under MOD for all their procurement.
I think they must have tried it down there and had good results (the SA80 that is).
Thank F**K we had the SLR thats all I can say.
I have found reading a days worth of parlimentarian questions and avoid the answers well enlightening. These people squabble over major issues as though they are school kids fighting over a piece of candy. The SA80 issue has been raised thousands of times since its introduction to discuss its shortcomings.
So if you want a good weapon sign up for the FIDF or join Harry and his mate Beu........ No I don't Jeste