Left side view of SV-98 sniper rifle.
Source: Vitaly V. Kuzmin -
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The SV-98 is a modern era bolt action sniper rifle of Russian origin. It was designed in the 1990's to meet the demand for more accuracy and range than provided by the Dragunov SVD.
The design of the SV-98 is based on the Record-CISM civilian rifle. The SV-98 is a bolt action sniper rifle with a conventional layout and is based on a laminated wooden chassis. It features an adjustable trigger, a free floating barrel with muzzle brake and an adjustable stock. The muzzle brake is threaded to accept a silencer. Standard optics are the 7x PKS-07 or 3-10x 1P69 scope with backup iron sights available if needed.
The SV-98 fires the 7.62x54mm round from a 10 round detachable box, but is available in 7.62x51mm for export as well. With sniper grade 7N1 and 7N14 ammunition sub MOA accuracy can be attained. The maximum range is quoted as 1.000 meters. Being a bolt action rifle the rate of fire is limited.
The SV-98 is used by several Russian military and law enforcement units. It complements the SVD as a higher precision alternative with longer range.
The first production model of the SV-98 was based on a laminated wooden chassis with fixed thumbhole stock. A large multi-slotted muzzle brake is fitted, which can be removed for installation of a suppressor.
The SV-98M is the culmination of several attempts in the early 2000's at modernizing the SV-98. The action is retained, but is now fitted onto an aluminum skeleton stock. The new stock can be folded, is fully adjustable, has a rear monopod and features a front rail for mounting a night vision device.
The SV-98 was designed in the late 1990's as a more accurate long range alternative to the SVD. By modern standards the SVD is more akin to a marksman rifle than a sniper rifle.
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