Brugger & Thomet APR 308 Advanced Precision (Sniper) Rifle (Switzerland)

Brugger & Thomet (B+T) APR 308 sniper rifle in standard configuration, with B+T scope and mirage band above the barrel
photo: Brugger & Thomet

Brugger & Thomet (B+T) APR 308 sniper rifle with optional front Picatinny rail block, image-intensifying add-on night sight and detachable silencer
photo: Brugger & Thomet

Brugger & Thomet (B+T) APR 308 sniper rifle in integrally silenced configuration, with silencer removed for maintenance or transportation
photo: Brugger & Thomet

Caliber(s): 7.62x51mm NATO (.308Win)
Operation: manually operated rotary bolt action
Length: 1139 mm (906mm with buttstock folded)
Barrel: 610 mm
Weight: 7.01 kg (less telescope sight and other accessories)
Feed Mechanism: 10 rounds detachable box mag.

Brugger & Thomet (B+T) APR 308 sniper rifle was born in 2003 as a further evolution of the French PGM rifle. Brugger & Thomet company was a long-time distributor of PGM rifles, and in 2003 competed in a tender to sell the French Made but Swiss modified rifle to Singaporean army, which at the time sought a new 7.62x51 precision weapon. After some confusing communication over who had the rights to sell the rifle, Brugger & Thomet company decided to improve and to produce the rifle in fully Switzerland. The Brugger & Thomet (B+T) APR 308 sniper rifle was first presented to the public at 2005 MILIPOL exhibition, and is now adopted as a standard sniper rifle by the Army of Singapore..

Brugger & Thomet (B+T) APR 308 sniper rifle is a modular weapon, built upon a metallic lower receiver (main frame or chassis), which houses upper receiver with bolt group and barrel, as well as fire control group, folding buttstock and other furniture. Gun action utilizes traditional manually operated rotary bolt with three radial locking lugs at the front. Opening and closing rotation of the bolt requires only 60^o of radial movement of bolt handle. Free-floating precision-made barrel is equipped with special muzzle brake which also serves as a mounting point for quick-detachable silencer and hosts folding front sight. Trigger group, manual safety and pistol grip are assembled into single detachable module. Trigger is of two-stage type and fully adjustable (trigger adjustments do not require disassembly of the unit).Ambidextrous manual safety is conveniently located above the pistol grip. Ammunition is fed from a detachable 10-round box magazine, which provides last round bolt hold-open feature. Brugger & Thomet (B+T) APR 308 sniper rifle is equipped with side-folding buttstock which is adjustable for length of pull, with adjustable cheek-piece. Polymer forend is attached to the lower receiver, and a folding bipod of adjustable height is provided for firing from prone position. Additional folding monopod (also of adjustable height) is attached to the rear of the buttstock. By default each Brugger & Thomet (B+T) APR 308 sniper rifle is equipped with Picatinny rail at the top of receiver, with three more optional rails available on special forend. Standard sighting equipment include folding iron sight (with aperture-type rear; not available on integrally silenced models), and a proprietary Brugger & Thomet TRS (Tactical Rifle Scope) telescope sight. B+T TRS telescope is manufactured exclusively for Brugger & Thomet by Schmidt & Bender, and it provided variable 3-12X magnification and proprietary aiming reticle with range-finding scale. With recommended ammunition, accuracy of Brugger & Thomet (B+T) APR 308 sniper rifle is less than 1 MOA at any practical range. As per specification, rifle provides 99% or better first hit probability against head-sized target at 400 meters and against body-sized target at 800 meters. Maximum effective range with proper ammunition (7.62x51 Norma Diamond Line 190 grs Sierra Matchking HPBT) is 1,000 meters. Being well-known for high-quality and high-efficiency firearm sound moderators (silencers), B+T provides standard APR 308 rifles with quick-detachable silencers, and also offers and integrally silenced version of the same rifle, optimized for subsonic ammunition.