SV-98

The SV-98 (Snaiperskaya Vintovka Model 1998) is a Russian bolt-action sniper rifle designed by Vladimir Stronskiy and produced by Izhmash. It derives from the same manufacturer's Record 300 m series of sport-shooting rifles, also offered in .308 Winchester, 7.62×54mmR and .338 Lapua Magnum. In 2003, special forces troops received the 6S11 sniper system, comprising the SV-98 rifle (index 6V10) and the 7N14 enhanced-penetration cartridge. In 2017, production was taken over by Kalashnikov Concern.

The receiver and the free-floating heavy barrel are cold-hammer forged, the latter available chrome-lined on order. The manually operated bolt action uses a rotating bolt with three symmetrically spaced frontal lugs. The barrel has four-groove right-hand rifling and a threaded muzzle accepting either the conical birdcage-pattern muzzle brake supplied as standard or a dedicated suppressor requiring subsonic ammunition; a TGP-V tactical suppressor is also offered. The rifle fires the 7N1 standard sniper, 7N14 enhanced penetration and "Extra" match-grade cartridges. Iron sights comprise a shrouded front post and an adjustable tangent-type rear sight graduated in 100 m increments. A Picatinny rail on the receiver accepts Russian and foreign optics; the manufacturer lists the 1P69 3–10×42 variable-magnification day sight and the 1PN113 3.7× night sight as standard, while the PKS-07 7× scope is cited by other sources. The ambidextrous laminated plywood stock has a butt plate adjustable for length of pull, height and pitch, and a cheek comb adjustable for height and length; a fibreglass-reinforced polymer stock was also offered. A front attachment point accepts an integral folding bipod with independently adjustable legs, and the stock is prepared for a folding rear monopod. A detachable carrying handle prevents the operator from grasping the rifle by its optics. The trigger pull is adjustable, and the safety lever behind the bolt handle locks the trigger, immobilises the sear and prevents the bolt from rotating. The staggered-column detachable box magazine is made of glass-fibre reinforced nylon with metal inserts. An anti-mirage strap can be fitted between the front and rear sights.

The SV-98 is used by Russian law enforcement and counter-terrorist units, including the FSB, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the FSO, as well as by sniper units of the Russian Armed Forces; as of 2015 it was the sniper rifle of the Russian Airborne Troops. In July 2018 an order was placed for 26 SV-98M rifles for the National Guard of Russia. Armenia purchased 52 rifles in 2010, and the Syrian Republican Guard also operates the type. The rifle has seen combat in Chechnya and Ukraine. An export version chambered in 7.62 NATO is offered. The KO-13 "Record", a civilian version produced from 2010, lacks provisions for a suppressor and carrying handle. The SV-98M, developed by Izhmash in 2013 and tested from that year, introduces an aluminium alloy receiver and an adjustable ambidextrous skeleton stock with integral folding bipod and rear leg; the Kalashnikov-built version entered service in May 2020 after an initial batch was ordered for operational test and evaluation. Izhmash also developed the SV-338, SV-338M and SV-338 M1, chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum with scaled-up magnum bolt actions, the first prototypes appearing in 2000.