THE IMPORTANCE OF SYSTEMS

This article is based on the reference given by Paul BRADLEY, Hexagon Regional Sales and Portfolio Director, Part of BDT Group of Companies. The aim is to put the focus on the best way for composing the best rifles, starting from his experience.

When we discuss rifles the first thing mentioned is usually “How accurate is it?”.

That may seem like a simple question which requires a simple answer.

The rifle forms part of a system and all parts of the system will define the user’s ability to hit targets (hit probability). The good news is that we can define those parts in this article to help you increase hit probability. The bad news is that the systems performance will ultimately be defined by the weakest variable. You can have a rifle which is capable of 0.5MOA but if you team it with ammunition capable of 2MOA you get a 2MOA rifle.

Many people believe a good rifle can improve bad ammunition but no matter how precise a rifle is, it cannot reduce a high velocity spread caused by inaccurate propellant dosing. It cannot rectify fluctuation in overall length which will affect pressure/velocity. We could go on and list many more ammunition variables which a good rifle cannot mitigate.

First let’s break down the system to its basic parts:

• shooter
• rifle
• optic and mount
• ammunition
• suppressor/muzzle device
• bipod/bags
• range finder (LRF)
• ballistic data

Modern warfare scenarios require that all these items are not only capable of highly precise function in harsh environments but also that they can all work together; an integrated (or integrable) system of components. Lost count of the times we have seen procurement source each item separately and then encounters problems when the end users put it all together.

This can be as simple as a clip on thermal not having enough space to attach right through to ammunition being inaccurate in the chosen weapon or failing to function at all. The system will only be as good as its weakest component. A great system can be let down by something as simple as a poor-quality bipod.
We have recognized this issue and BDT are able to present systems to users which have been proven over time to work in unison.

In the precision rifle domain, one of the integrated weapon systems we can propose is the legendary Sako TRG M10 teamed with a Steiner M7XI IFS scope, M830r LRF binoculars -providing the sharpshooter with all the information required to set up the perfect shot- and some premium ammunition from Swiss P, Sako, Norma Governmental or RWS to form the nucleus of the system.

We then have professionals on hand to advise on products outside of the BDT portfolio which we know work well together and we can develop integrable solutions that will interface with 3rd party solutions where needed. These professionals range from ex SF users, Ballisticians, and world class sporting shooters.