Review : Barrett’s 98B Tactical Rifle in 7.62mm NATO PSR

By Max Lorenzen CA - Thursday, July 9, 2015
Hard-hitting bolt action built for the harshest extremes!
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Barrett’s 98B Tactical offers power and precision in a battlefield-tough package. Shown with a Leupold 1.1-8x24mm Mark 8 CQBSS rifle scope and a Harris bipod.
In 2008, US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) issued a tender for Precision Sniper Rifle (PSR) is designed to engage targets at 1500 meters and beyond.
Responding to the invitation, Barrett Firearms has developed the Multi-Role Adaptive Design (SAMP) sniper rifle. Designed by Chris Barrett, president of the company and son Ronnie Barrett, who quickly became a mainstay mrad Barrett rifle bolt. Available in .338 Lapua Mag, .300 Win Mag and 7.62mm NATO, mrad is a modular design that allows users to easily convert the rifle to another template in minutes by simply changing the barrel and cylinder heads. Action and barrel mounted in an aluminum frame in two parts have a folding stock. Last year I had the opportunity to see the version of the 7.62mm NATO mrad. I left impressed with the quality and design flexibility. The Barrett 98b can be regarded as the sister of Mrad, and I recently tested the 7.62mm NATO tactical variants.
To meet the requirements of accuracy, Barrett starts with an empty barrel that matches the quality of the machine in-house to exacting standards. Barrett 98b has a heavy profile, with a 22-inch barrel level touch 1-by-10-inch and 2-inch muzzle brake with two bedrooms. Barrett 98b is available in Black, OD green, brown, Flat Dark Earth and tungsten gray. I asked gray color in the test tungsten rifle and was not disappointed.

As SAMP, which built on a frame Barrett 98b has a top and bottom aluminum hinge. Top earners started as an aluminum extrusion block 7000 for demanding precision machining tolerances on one of the many CNC center Barrett. An integral Picatinny rail attachment of the cone 20 MOA runs along the top of the receiver and provide a solid foundation for optics and other accessories. Following the latest trends, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock side rails are smooth and have seven points KeyMod attachment. A series of elongated slots located along handguard reduce weight and help dissipate heat from the barrel.

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The magazine release consists of a paddle at the rear of the magazine well while the safety is an AR-style design.

The lower receiver and stocks are machined from aluminum billet. A straight line of the stock following the line of boring. The buttocks receiver is smaller frame to reduce weight. Adjustable combs provide positive cheekweld for consistent placement of the shooter's head. The trigger is a modular design that can be fully customized by the user. This module can be easily removed for cleaning or replacement by simply removing the thumb safety M4 style. This allows easy access for cleaning and, if necessary, replacement. 2:25 inch opening bridges, provide enough space if the shooter is wearing gloves. Thumb safety can also be configured for operation on the left or right and, when in a position of "light" is located at an angle of 45 degrees. Profile of polymer pistol grip has a storage compartment in the butt. A lit magazine well received polymer 10-round magazine Barrett, who was released by the pallet at the back of the store as well.

To remove Barrett 98b, the user presses a release button located at the bottom of the lower receiver just behind the pistol grip. The top of the receiver and then spin up, which allows the bolt group to be removed from the receiver back on. M4 bolt pattern similar to that in that it consists of a bracket and bolts. To remove the bolt from the bolt carrier, the forward voltage of relief, allowing bolt locking pin to be removed. The bolt is then removed from the door much the same way as the bolt M4. Smooth bolt action enhanced by using a polymer bolt guide which also acts as a dust cover when the lock is closed.
“The aluminum chassis is impervious to weather and harsh climate conditions that could play havoc with a synthetic-stocked rifle.

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Barrett sent tactics 98b in custom fitted foam box and good enough to include 4.5-14x50mm Leupold Mark 4 LR / T ring mounted in the large optical Barrett. Mark 4 has a tube 30mm, 50mm lens, a high-speed 0.25 MOA tower and mil-dot reticle. This view is a perfect match for 98b and is the choice for many law enforcement tactical teams. My Lyman trigger electronic trip meter measured an average of 2.88 pounds pistol test. Take-up was smooth, and very crisp break.
For a range of jobs, I plugged Atlas bipod mounted light M600P Fury Surefire Scouting. The M600P is powered by two lithium 123A batteries provide 600 lumens of bright white light. These lights are very compact, with a total length of less than 6 inches. As with other lamps mounted weapon doubt, the M600P comes standard with rear cap and a push button switch band with 7-inch cable. An integral mounting using clip earrings attached to any Picatinny rail.


Range Time
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During testing, the two-chamber muzzle brake was extremely effective and helped eliminate much of the 7.62mm NATO recoil.

On the range, linear view of the stock, combined with a muzzle brake, minimized felt recoil and allowed me to stay on target. Great grip bolts and allow the proper functioning of any new round being effective booth. Those who handled pistol pistol grip ergonomics record, which reduces hand fatigue and wrist.

I was fortunate to have on hand a good choice of tactics 7.62mm NATO ammunition. I submit that the cost is Sierra 175 grain bullet loaded MatchKing ASYM precision and PNW arm. I have also included some Swiss-P Styx and many excellent tactical RUAG. 167-grain load Styx designed for maximum terminal ballistics with minimum penetration, while the load-164 tactical point designed to be a barrier to effective penetrator terminal ballistics. Swiss-P ammunition is unique in that the second charge is designed to have the same impact point with the same point of destination 200 yards.

“On the range, the straight-line design of the stock, combined with the muzzle brake, minimized felt recoil and allowed me to stay on target.”
All the various tests performed outside SOWW tactics Waverly Hall, Georgia. This relatively new facility, including firing some point and a shooting range spanning more than 300 yards. Average load ASYM 2636 fps while the average load arm PNW 2574 fps. Both the cost of having an extreme spread of 36 fps and 35 fps, respectively. RUAG costs Styx 2588 fps on average while the average load of 2,762 fps tactics. With the exception of the Swiss-P tactics, all loads have extreme spread of less than 37 fps.

At 100 yards, ASYM produced five shot group measured 0.74 inches, while the PNW measured 0.6 inches. Swiss-P product group Styx 0.69 inches, while the battle group measured 0.75 inches. We then moved to the 200-yard and turns some of the additional five-shot groups. At this distance, the group ASYM measuring only 0.89 inches, while the load PNW open until 2.07 inches. Swiss-P Styx and group tactics 1.67inches measured 1.37, respectively. Level of performance is indicative of the quality and design Barrett 98b. Of course, ergonomics and heavy guns, when combined with world-class optics, cancel reason of any shooter!


Final Notes
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The stock offers an adjustable cheekpiece, a stiff rubber buttpad and a short bottom rail for adding a monopod.
Although based on the conception of military special operations community, the Tactical rifle Barrett 98b is a multi-role suitable for the law enforcement community that require Tactical Rifles. Aluminum frame resistant to weather and harsh weather conditions can play havoc with a shotgun like synthetic stock. In addition, if the gun exposed to the elements, can be easily removed and cleaned in a few minutes without any tools. It is also much stronger than the traditional sniper platform. While weight is a rural limitation, in an urban environment, or when used on air or sea platform, benefits and design a clear Barrett 98b.
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Barrett’s 98B Tactical offers power and precision in a battlefield-tough package
As NATO 7.62 mm more than enough for most urban tactical engagement, Barrett 98b is also available in a 7mm Remington Magnum, 300 Winchester Magnum, .260 Remington 6.5 Creedmoor and for other missions and the requirements of the enforcement countersniper possible. The basic Barrett rifle 98b sells for about $ 4500. Although this is a significant investment, I think Barrett 98b serving institution or agency reliable for years of service.
For more information, visit barrett.net or call 615-896-2938.




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