UNDERSTANDING ABOUT BATTLE RIFLE, ASSAULT RIFLE AND DMR

 

UNDERSTANDING ABOUT BATTLE RIFLE, ASSAULT RIFLE AND DMR

A.    What is Battle Rifle?

A Battle Rifle is a military service rifle chambered for a fully powered rifle cartridge, such as 7.62 NATO, designed for effective engagement at long ranges. Typically featuring selective fire capability, battle rifles are heavier and more powerful than assault rifles, offering greater accuracy and stopping power at distances up to 800 meters.

Historically prominent in mid-20^th century conflicts, they have since been largely replaced by lighter, more versatile assault rifles but remain in use for specialized roles requiring extended range and precision.

The above figure shows the Belgium FN FAL battle rifle

 

Key features of a Battle Rifle

·        Fully Powered Cartridge:

a)    Battle rifles fire fully powered rifle cartridges, which are more powerful than the intermediate cartridge used in assault rifle such as 5.56 NATO and 7.62 x 39 and some other cartridges.  These cartridges typically have greater range, stopping power, and penetration but produce more recoil and are heavier.

 

b)     The main features of the fully powered rifle cartridges are, High Muzzle Velocity, Large Powder Charge, Heavier Projectile, Increases Recoil, Extended and Longer Effective Range, High in Penetration Power, Large Case Size, Higher Ballistic Coefficient, Reloadability, Higher in Kinetic Energy, Higher Impact in Stopping Power, Higher Energy Transferred upon Impact.

 

·        Design and Build:

a)   Typically, battle rifles are larger and heavier than assault rifles due to the more powerful ammunition they fired, they often have a longer barrel, which contributed to improved accuracy and effective range. Battle rifles tend to be heavier and bulkier than assault rifles due to the robust construction needed to handle the powerful ammunition.

 

b)     The added weight can be disadvantage in certain combat scenarios, particularly in close-quarter combat or when mobility is priority.

 

 

·        Action Type:

a)   Most battle rifles are semi-automatic, meaning they fire one round per trigger pull. However, some older models may also have selected fire capabilities, allowing for fully -automatic fire.

 

b)    Some battle rifles are bolt action particularly those used before and during World War 2, after the world war the battle rifles are converted into fully automatic by the mechanisms like Gas operation, Gas operated tilting bolt, Delayed blowback, and Gas operated rotating bolt action.

 

·        Range and Accuracy:

a)     Battle rifles are designed for engagements at longer distances, typically effective out to 600-800 meters or more than effective range. The fully powered cartridge is more stable and accurate at long ranges, but the recoil is also more substantial.

 

b)   Battle rifles are effective longer ranges compared to assault rifles, typically around 1000 meters more than its effective range, their ability to accurately engage targets at these distances made them suitable for both and open battlefield conditions and urban combat.

 

·        Select Fire Capability:

a)     Most battle rifles are equipped with selective fire, allowing the shooter to switch between semi-automatic and fully automatic mode. In this case the recoil of the fully powered cartridge is generally less controllable in fully automatic and semi-automatic in often reserved emergency and combat situations. And some battle rifles also include a burst mode, where a specific number of rounds are fired with each trigger pull that in known or two or three round burst.

 

b)    Select fire Capability allows soldiers to adapt to different combat situations, using semi-automatic fire for precision and full-auto or burst fire for suppression. Full auto capability can be effective for laying down suppressive fire, preventing enemy movement or counter attacks. The significant recoil of fully powered cartridge in full auto mode makes it challenging to maintain accuracy, especially with lighter battle rifles. In fully automatic fire can quickly deplete ammunition, which can be a disadvantage in prolonged engagements. It can induce wear and tear in rifles components due to the higher rate of fire.

 

·        Magazine Capacity:

a)  Standard magazine capabilities for battle rifles range from 10 to 20 rounds, depending on the model. The relative lower magazine capacity compared to assault rifles is partly due to the larger size of the ammunition.

 

b)   The battle rifles mostly use 20 round Double stack, Double feed detachable box magazine. And due to the weight of the ammunition and rifle the uses carry only smaller amount of ammunition than the assault rifles.

 

·        Versatility and Reliability:

a)     Battle rifles are known for their versatility and ruggedness, capable of performing well in various environmental conditions. They can serve multiple roles on the battle field, including as a standard infantry rifle, designed marksman rifle, or even light support weapon with the appropriate attachments.

And the battle rifles can adapt in different environmental conditions and they are capable of functioning in extreme temperatures, from hot deserts to cold mountains and can endure harsh weather conditions such as rain, mud, and dust.

Although battle rifles are generally less modular than modern assault rifles, some models can be modified with various accessories, such as scopes, bipods, and grenade launchers, to enhance their performance in different scenarios.

 

b)   Battle rifles are built to, withstand the rigor of combat, including heavy use, rough handling, and exposure to environmental stressors. Their robust construction helps ensure consistent performance even under adverse conditions. Many battle rifles employ simpler operating mechanisms compared to more modern designs. This mechanical simplicity contributes to their reliability, as there are fewer components that can fail or require maintenance.

Battle rifles are generally designed to be easily field-stripped for cleaning and maintenance. Soldiers can perform routine upkeep in the field with minimal tools, ensuring the weapon remains functional over extended periods.

 

·        Roles in combat:

a)    Infantry Combat: Historically, battle rifles served as the primary armament for infantry soldiers. Their power and range made them effective in a wide variety of combat.

 

b)   Designated Marksman: In modern military doctrine, battle rifles are often issued to designated marksmen, who provide accurate fire at ranges where standard assault rifles might be less effective.

 

 

c)   Civilian Use: Some battle rifles are available for civilian ownership, often in semi-automatic configurations. They are popular for hunting, target shooting, and as collectors item due to their historical significance.

 

·        Advantages and Disadvantages of Battle Rifles:

a) The advantages of battle rifles are, Fire Power, Higher Range, Durability, Versatility, Effective Against Armor, Higher Muzzle Velocity, Higher Kinetic Energy, Higer Stopping Power.

 

b)  The main disadvantages are High in Recoil, less controllable in Full auto and Semi auto fire, Higher Muzzle rise, Weight, Magazine capacity, Handling and Ergonomics, Higher in Length, carrying smaller amount of ammunition due to the higher weight, Damage the unintended targets due to the over penetration.

 

B.     What is Assault Rifle:

An assault rifle is a selective fire rifle that uses an intermediate cartridge and is designed for rapid, automatic or semi-automatic fire. It typically features a detachable magazine and is intended for both close and medium range combat. The rifles versatility and firepower make it a standard issue in many modern military forces.

The above figure shows the Indian Made INSAS Assault rifle

 

Key Features of the Assault Rifle:

 

·        Intermediate Cartridge:

a)    An intermediate rifle cartridge is defined as a type of ammunition designed for rifles that is characterized by its intermediate power level between a fully Powered rifle cartridge (which typically has a larger case and higher recoil) and a smaller less powerful cartridge. These cartridges generally provide a balance between effective range, stopping power, and manageable recoil, making them suitable for rapid fire and various combat scenarios. These are often used in military rifles for their versatility and effectiveness in both short and medium-range engagements.

 

b)   The main features of the intermediate rifle cartridges are, Intermediate Muzzle Velocity, Less Powder Charge, Smaller Projectile, Controllable Recoil, Effective in Medium Range, Less in Penetration Power, Smaller in Case Size, Intermediate Ballistic Coefficient, Reloadability, Intermediate in Kinetic Energy, Intermediate Impact in Stopping Power, Lesser Energy Transferred on Impact compared to fully powered cartridge and Higher Magazine Capacity.

 

·        Select Fire:

a)   Assault rifles are equipped with a selective fire mechanism that allows the shooter to switch between semi auto that is one short per trigger pull, fully auto continuous fire as long as the trigger is held down and three round burst fire modes. The ability to switch between these modes provides flexibility, allowing users to adapt their shooting strategy to different combat situations.

 

b)  The intermediate cartridges enable effective automatic or burst fire, giving soldiers the ability to engage multiple targets quickly while still maintaining reasonable control and accuracy.

 

·        Intermediate Range:

a)    The intermediate range in assault rifles refers to the effective distances at which these rifles can reliably engage targets. Assault rifles, designed to be versatile and effective in various combat scenarios, typically have an intermediate range of about 300 – 500 meters. And the intermediate range allows assault rifles to be effective in a wide range of combat situations, from urban environments where engagements are often short and quick, to open fields where some distance might be involved.

 

b) This range strikes a balance between the Closer Quarter effectiveness of submachine guns and the long-range accuracy rifles. Intermediate-range rifles use cartridges that are more powerful than those in submachine gun but less powerful than those in traditional battle rifles. Intermediate cartridges generally offer a flatter trajectory and greater accuracy at medium distances compared to pistol ammunition. While still maintaining a reasonable recoil that allows for rapid follow-up-shorts.

 

c)  The intermediate range allows for effective combat in diverse environments, including urban settings and open fields. It also ensures that the rifle remains manageable and accurate during rapid fire and while maintaining a practical weight for soldiers.

 

·        Build-In Features:

a)    Assault rifles often come with features like adjustable sights, rails for mounting accessories such as scopes, grips, and tactical lights, adjustable stocks, which can tailored to the user needs and preferences. Many assault rifles come equipped with a flash suppressor to reduce the visible flash from firing and a muzzle brake to minimize recoil and muzzle rise, improving accuracy during rapid fire and use the ergonomically designed grips handguard and stocks.

 

b)  They use detachable magazines, usually with a capacity of 20 or 30 rounds, allowing for quick reloading in combat situations. This feature enhances the weapons versatility and ease of use in prolonged engagements.

 

 

 

c)    Designed for both infantry use and versatility, assault rifles are effective in a wide range of combat scenarios, from urban environments to open fields. They are favored by military forces around the world due to their fire power, reliability, and adaptability.

 

·        Versatility:

a)   Assault rifles can be configured for various roles and environments. Their modular design allows for the attachment of accessories such as scopes, night vision devices, grenade launchers, and tactical lights. This adaptability makes them suitable for different combat scenarios, from close quarter battel to medium range engagements.

 

b)   Many assault rifles feature interchangeable parts and accessories, allowing users to customize the weapon bases on mission requirements or personal preferences. This modularity extends to components like barrels, stocks, and hand guards.

 

c)  Some assault rifles can be chambered for different calibers, which can be beneficial in adapting to various operational needs by changing the barrel and the bolt or according to the available ammunition. This flexibility allows users to switch between cartridges with different performance characteristics.

 

·        Reliability:

a)  Assault rifles are built to withstand harsh conditions, including extreme temperatures, dust, mud, and moisture. This durability ensures that the weapon remains functional in challenging environments and during extended use.

 

b)  Reliability is often measured by the rifles ability to function correctly with minimal malfunctions. High quality assault rifles are designed to feed, fire, and eject cartridges consistently, reducing the likelihood of jams and misfires.

 

c)   Many assault rifles are designed with simplicity in mind, allowing for easy disassembly and cleaning. This ease of maintenance helps keep the rifle in good working order and ensure its longevity and reliable performance.

 

d)  Reliable assault rifles are often based on well tested and proven designs. Established models that have been extensively used and tested in combat tend to have higher reliability due to their proven performance and durability.

 

·        Role of Assault Rifle in Infantry:

a)     Assault rifle is often the standard issue weapon for infantry soldiers. They serve as the primary tool for engaging enemies at various and diverse combat environment.

 

b)     Infantry soldiers can switch between semi-automatic, burst, and fully automatic fire modes depending on the tactical situation, offering flexibility in different combat scenarios.

 

 

c)     Assault rifle can deliver sustained fire to suppress enemy positions, reducing their ability to return fire and allowing other units to manever. The intermediate cartridges used in assault rifle offer a good balance of power and recoil, making them suitable for engaging targets while maintaining manageable recoil.

 

d)     Compared to heavier battle rifles, assault rifles are generally lighter, enhancing the mobility and agility of infantry soldiers during operations. The compact design allows for easier movement in confined spaces, such as urban environment as dense terrain. Assault rifles are well suited for close quarter combat due to their manageable size and adjustable features and they integrate well with other infantry weapons and support systems, including machine guns, sniper rifles, and grenade launchers, as part of a combine arms approach.

 

 

 

·        Advantages of the Assault rifles are:

a)   Versatility, High in fire rate compared to battle rifle, Modularity, reduced over penetration, select fire modes, less in weight compared to battle rifles, less in length compared to battle rifles, Suitable for jungle warfare, CQB and intermediate ranges, Reduced recoil, Users carry more ammunition due to the less weight of intermediate cartridges and user friendly ergonomic.

b)   Disadvantage’s: Less velocity, less kinetic energy, killing and wounding capability is less, less in ballistic coefficient, impart less kinetic energy upon impact.

 

C.    DMR (Designated Marksman Rifle):

DMR or Designated Marksman Rifle, is a category of rifles designed to fill the gap between standard infantry rifles and sniper rifles. These rifles are used by a designated marksman, a soldier specifically trained to provide accurate fire at ranges with in the effective range of 800 meters, the range is similar to the Standard Infantry rifle but not as far as the range of sniper rifle.

A Designated Marksman is a member of an infantry unit who is specially trained and equipped to engage targets at ranges that with in the range of 800 meters but are typically shorter than those engaged by snipers. The designated marksman plays a unique role on the battlefield, bridging gap between regular riflemen and snipers.

The above shows the SR 25 DMR

 

·     Purpose and Role: Designated marksman rifle is intended for engagements at ranges typically between 300 to 800 meters. This range is beyond the effective range of standard assault rifles like INSAS or AK 47 but in higher of the ranges where a sniper rifle would be used.

A designated marksman provides precision fire support to their squad or platoon, targeting enemy troops, machine gun positions or other key threats. The DMR allows them to accurately engage targets that are beyond the reach of their fellow soldiers using standard issue rifles.

Unlike sniper rifles, which are often bolt-action and designed for extreme accuracy at long ranges, Designated marksman is usually semi-automatic, allowing the marksman to engage multiple targets more rapidly. This makes Designated marks man more versatile on the battle fields, as they can provide suppressive fire if needed.

 

·        Semi-Automatic Action:

In a semi-automatic rifle, including a DMR, each pull of the trigger fires a single round and automatically performs the sequence of the actions needed to chamber the next round form the magazine, making the weapon ready to fire again. This is different from fully automatic firearms, which continue firing as long as the trigger is held down, and from bolt action rifles, where the shooter must manually cycle the bolt to chamber each round. In some special cases the Designated marks man is featured with full automatic mode for emergency situations, in this situations the weapon will convert as a squad automatic weapon. The actions of the designated marks man rifle are Gas operated and piston driven, Delayed blow back.

 

·        Fully Powered Cartridge:

Designated Marks man rifles fire fully powered rifle cartridges, which are more powerful than the intermediate cartridge used in assault rifle such as 5.56 NATO and 7.62 x 39 and some other cartridges.  These cartridges typically have greater range, stopping power, and penetration but produce more recoil and are heavier. The main features of the fully powered rifle cartridges are, High Muzzle Velocity, Large Powder Charge, Heavier Projectile, Increases Recoil, Extended and Longer Effective Range, High in Penetration Power, Large Case Size, Higher Ballistic Coefficient, Reloadability, Higher in Kinetic Energy, Higher Impact in Stopping Power, Higher Energy Transferred upon Impact.

 

·        Precession Made:

A precession made designated marks man rifle is engineered to bridge the gap between standard infantry rifles and sniper rifles, offering both the accuracy needed for long range engagements and the versatility for mid-range combat. The key to a precession-made DMR lies in the meticulous craftmanship and engineering that goes into construction, with particular emphasis on the barrel.

These rifles are specifically designed to provide superior accuracy, often utilizing high quality materials and advanced manufacturing techniques. The barrel, receiver, and trigger components are all carefully selected and fitted to ensure minimal deviation in shot placement, and the components in the DMR are uses tight tolerances to avoid shaking also this tight tolerance give better consistency in shots. This precession is crucial for a DMR, as it is intended to engage targets at distances beyond the effective range of standard assault rifles, yet not as far as a dedicated sniper rifle.

 

·        Precision Made Barrels:

The barrel is the heart of any precision-made Designated Marks man rifle. A high-quality barrel is machined to exacting tolerances, often from stainless steel or other high-grade materials that offer both strength and resistance to wear. The rifling inside the barrel, which imparts spin to the bullet, is cut with exceptional precision to ensure consistent bullet trajectory. This process may involve traditional cut rifling, button rifling or advanced methods like cold hammer forging, each offering different benefits in terms of accuracy, barrel life, and consistency.

The contour and length of the barrel are also carefully considered. Heavier, longer barrels tend to improve accuracy by reducing vibration and maintaining consistent harmonics, but they can add weight to the rifle, affecting mobility. Manufacturers of precession made DMR barrels strike a balance between these factors, often opting for a medium to heavy contour with lengths that provide optimal ballistic performance without affecting too much in terms of portability.

High quality barrels maintain their performance over time, with less deviation between shots even after extensive use, and precision-made barrels reduce shot dispersion allowing the DMR consistently hit target at extended ranges. Materials and manufacturing process are chosen to ensure the barrel can withstand the rigors of both combat and training without significant wear.

A DMR is designed for precession shooting at longer ranges, at these distances even small deviation in barrel movement can cause significant inaccuracies. The goal in DMR is to minimize these barrel harmonics to ensure that the barrel returns to the same position after each shot, leading to consistent shot placement.

DMR often feature heavier or fluted barrels. A thicker barrel is more rigid and less prone to bending or flexing under the stresses of firing, which helps reduce vibrations. Fluting or the addition of grooves along the barrel, can also help by reducing weight while maintaining rigidity. Many DMR rifles use a free-floating barrel design, where the barrel does not make contact with the stock or hand guard. This prevents external pressure from affecting the barrels vibrations, allowing it to vibrate more consistency shot after shot.

The length of the barrel can influence harmonics. Longer barrels can increase the dwell time of the bullet, potentially amplifying vibrations. DMR often strike a balance between length and rigidity to optimize accuracy without compromising the rifles handling.

 

Barrel time: The total time it takes for the bullet to exit the muzzle from the moment the trigger is pulled and the primer ignites the propellent.

 

But in gas operated rifle the dwell time is commonly defined as the time it takes for the bullet to travel from the gas port to muzzle after the shot is fired. This period which the gas system is under pressure, allowing the gas to be diverted to operate the rifles action.

 

·        Optics used in DMR:

DMR rifles are often use scopes with variable magnification such as 4-16x to allow for both close- and long-range engagements. This flexibility helps shooters adjust their view based on the distance and size of the target.

Scopes may be built with FFP (first focal plane) and SFP (second focal plane) reticles. In FFP scopes, the reticles size changes with the magnification, which allows for accurate range estimation at any zoom level. In SFP scopes the reticle remains same size regardless of magnification, which can beneficial for range finding at a fixed magnification.

Many DMR optics use mill-dot reticles, which help in range estimation and bullet drop compensation. These reticles feature dots spaced at milliradian intervals, aiding in precise adjustments for windage and elevation. Some scopes have Bullet drop compensation reticles with pre calibrated markings that correspond to specific distances based on bullet trajectory. These are particularly useful for making quick adjustments for bullet drop. Illumination features in DMR scopes, often with adjustable brightness levels, improve visibility in various lighting conditions. This can be crucial for maintaining target acquisition in low light or bright environments. High end DMR optics often include parallax error at different distances, ensuring that the reticle and target are perfectly aligned.