FN’s entry into the U.S. Special Operations Precis

[Ring]

FN’s entry into the U.S. Special Operations Precision Sniper Rifle (PSR) competition

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/...paign=Feed:+TheFirearmBlog+(The+Firearm+Blog)

By switching out the bolt head, barrel and magazine, a shooter can have a .308, .300 Win Mag, or a .338 Lapua rifle within minutes. This particular rifle has a U.S. Optics scope mounted. The suppressor is wrapped in a rubber coating to reduce the heat signature and the mirage effect from the heat of the suppressor when fired. The plastic enclosure below the chamber is a storage space for the powered rail system that will be added later. The stock can be folded onto the receiver and the rifle has 3 safeties; bolt safety, firing pin block and <span style="font-weight: bold">a grip safety.</span>

Stock is adjustable for length of pull, cheek piece raise, and has a short rail on the lower side to mount a monopod. This rifle will be available to the civilian sector as the “Ballista”.

 

[Graham]

Re: FN’s entry into the U.S. Special Operations Precis

Have you seen it? Do you have one? Have you tested it? What are your impressions?

 

[Ring]

Re: FN’s entry into the U.S. Special Operations Precis

no no no

... reposting the article...

 

[Graham]

Re: FN’s entry into the U.S. Special Operations Precis

OK. Understood.

Has anyone here used one yet?

 

[ORD]

Re: FN’s entry into the U.S. Special Operations Precis

Looks interesting enough. Not sure about some of the features listed, especially the grip safety which is certain to be one of the first things to be disabled if that's possible (out of curiosity...I don't recall seeing that as a requirement for the PSR, but does anyone else remember otherwise). Just because the rifle has a "pistol grip" doesn't mean that everyone uses the wrap-around, full "grip" on the pistol grip which means you won't be able to depress the grip safety or, in turn, fire a shot.

I'd be interested to hear a "hands-on" report if anybody has any time on one of these yet...

 

[leadbullet]

Re: FN’s entry into the U.S. Special Operations Precis

pretty cool chassis, I have 3 SPR actions with Benchmark barrels and they shoot lights out, depending on price this may be a good choice compared to AI and TRG's, maybe.

 

[gol1]

Re: FN’s entry into the U.S. Special Operations Precis

If I remember correctly the rifle is made by a company. Led Unique-alpin from Switzerland they show every year in the IWA show in Germany, nice rifles looks as good as any, same features and price range
Here is aink to the company website:
http://www.unique-alpine.org/

 

[Massoud]

Re: FN’s entry into the U.S. Special Operations Precis

gol1 is right it's the Unique Alpine. They've had it at SHOT for the last two years. This year they stamped the Ballista name on it (bastards, I had already named something that!. Last year I believe it was just a straight TPG-1 but I can't remember if they had the stock in the picture last year or not. They had it this year obviously.

Something "unique" is that it appears to be hammer fired. That could just be a method of re-cocking in case of failed ignition but it does have the hammer spur.

Anyway, it seems cool but I would have liked to have seen an actual FN rifle because they've got a lot of design resources at their disposal.
Justin

 

[KYS]

Re: FN’s entry into the U.S. Special Operations Precis

I saw it at SHOT Show last year and it was pretty cool. On the heavy side but the barrel swap was quick and overall it feels like a solid rifle. I would like to shoot one at some point soon.

 

[greyson]

Re: FN’s entry into the U.S. Special Operations Precis

It is a neat idea. I like the idea of switch calibers. But it is heavy. My SPR A3 is heavy enough. If I was starting over, I could make a one-rifle argument (however flawed). But I think they were saying MSRP was something crazy. Like 7-10k.

I mean really. Above M82 territory.

But I think how they go over in the community will be the deciding factor. If people smarter than me all of a sudden start going ape-crap over it, I'll take a second look. Otherwise, it's got two strikes against it: weight and price for a 308.

Regards,
Greyson

 

[Mile High Shooting]

Re: FN’s entry into the U.S. Special Operations Precis

I'll be curious to see when these hit the shores.

For PSR submissions, it'll be interesting to see what becomes available to the civilian market. So far, the AX PSR rifle is looking to be the first available as submitted. I believe Barrett is working on an MRAD variant, there's the SAKO M10 and then the Ballista, but who know's if or when these rifles will be available or what else may pop up.

-Sean

 

[Action Guy]

Re: FN’s entry into the U.S. Special Operations Precis

For those interested:

The Ballista is built by Unique Alpine in Bavaria (near Munich), Germany, not Switzerland. Its design is an advancement of the UA TPG-1 with considerable design input from FNH. It will be imported into the US by FNH USA, both for goverment sales and commercial sales.

The grip safety was not required by SOCOM, but a redundant safety that had to be manupulated by the shooter for each shot was. The paddle that the operator engages is wide enough that a "thumb along side the trigger finger" hold does work. A typical shooter's meaty part of their palm will engage the grip safety. It does not take much pressure to engage and typically after the first few times, you forget you are doing it, much like you will on a M-1911.

The manual safety is located on the rear of the striker/bolt assembly. At first glance it looks like an external hammer, that's the manual saftey lever. It does not have to be engaged for each shot.

The weight varies with barrel length, optional accessories, ect. A typical Ballista with 26" barrel and no optics will be around 15 pounds with an 8 round .338 magazine installed. Add your optic, bipod and all the rest and a field ready rifle will go around 17 pounds.

No final delivery date for commercial rifles, no final commercial price. Optional caliber kits for .308 Winchester and .300 Winchester Magnum will be available when the rifle delivers in .338 Lapua. In the first year, you will not be able to get the rifle in only .308 or .300, just .338. Other calibers through kits for the time being. And, yes more calibers will likely come available as the rifle grows and matures (2013 and 2014).

I have shot the Ballista quite a bit. It is very impressive in many ways. The advancements in manufacturing and design have taken a sizable step forward with the PSR Program (and I am including all the other multi-caliber PSR submissions as well when I say this). When the military sees the multi-caliber capability in a precision rifle, I believe the days of the conventional dual-opposing locking lug, single caliber military sniper rifle are numbered.

Is it for everyone, No. Will it replace all conventional bolt-action rifles? No. Is it advanced, accurate, and unique? Yes.

 

[Massoud]

Re: FN’s entry into the U.S. Special Operations Precis

Thanks for the info Ben.

It does seem that there's a strong trend toward a 3-lug action which pleases me being a 3-lug fan.

All the PSR entrants I've seen have been pretty heavy but I haven't felt them all. Part of that is the result of going to a full aluminum stock I think and part was from all the stuff (bipods/NV/beer holder/etc) hanging off those things at SHOT. Of course then all the actions have to be sized for a .338, then there's the quick change mechanism, etc.

Justin

 

[Action Guy]

Re: FN’s entry into the U.S. Special Operations Precis

Justin,

I agree, with your assessment that much of the weight on these systems is in the aluminum chassis and all the things we like to adorn them with. Flexibility is the key to the balance of weight and utility.

Three lugs typically increases bolt lug surface area, and of course decreases bolt throw. The bottom lug (as the bolt travels in the action) is typically used to reach deeper into the magazine to feed the cartridge. This will make it easier to feed cartridges of differing diameters from a similar magazine placement and with the same bolt head design.

Caliber change is the objective with the fewest caliber-specific parts, three-lug design just makes it a bit easier to accomplish.

Weight is an ongoing issue with precision rifles. The chassis style stock allows for a degree of flexibility and adjustability. It also allows the operator to take off anything they deem as unnecessary and reduce the weigh substantially. All the forearm rails come off, as do the folding monopod and buttstock grip extention and forearm (separate from chassis). The FNH design will come with the fully adjustable and folding buttstock built with the SOCOM solicitation and other military customers in mind. It is also a weight and cost increaser. Other simpler stocks are being designed with the objective of reducing cost and weight if the user does not need the fully adjustable and folding stock option. A 180 degree turn of the stock retention screw and the stock buttstock assembly slides right off.