The Brugger & Thomet APR (Advanced Precision Rifle) is billed as a complete sniper systems package that includes all of the tools necessary for the modern warfighter to complete the mission at hand. The B&T APR is categorized as a conventional "anti-personnel" sniping system and is therefore not one of the ever-growing family of "anti-material" rifles appearing worldwide. The rifle hails out of the respected Brugger & Thomet firearms concern based in Switzerland. Its basic form is chambered for the .308 Winchester rifle round - as well as the military-minded 7.62x51mm NATO standard round - while a .338 Lapua Magnum version is also part of the family. Design of the rifle began in 2003 with the production form being made ready in 2005. The .338 version was added in 2008.
Externally, the Brugger & Thomet APR is of conventional design and layout utilizing decades of proven gunsmithing in its manufacturing and function. The receiver manages the critical internal functions of the weapon including the bolt-action handle (offset to the right side of the firer's body), the ejection port, the magazine feed, optics support (via Picatinny rail) and trigger system with ergonomic pistol grip. The trigger is solid while the trigger ring allows a gloved hand to be used when firing. The magazine feed - accepting detachable box magazines of approved cartridges - is held just ahead of the trigger system. There is a short, upward angled hand guard for the support hand to which an adjustable bipod is fitted at the extreme end. The heavy-duty precision removable barrel is fitted atop the forend and connected at its base to the receiver. A small muzzle brake caps the barrel's business end. The shoulder stock sports a spike monopod to allow for a three-point stance when the firer lies prone as well as a cheek rest. The buttspike is adjustable as is the shoulder stock itself for precision firing. There is a front iron sight aft of the muzzle. An optional "anti-mirage" band can be added across the running length of the barrel which is used to cover the effects of heat rising from the barrel after firing. The APR conveniently breaks down into 11 major components for repair and maintenance. This includes the barrel, scope, shoulder stock, trigger group, bolt, magazine, muzzle brake, suppressor (if equipped), anti-mirage band (if equipped) and the receiver - which itself breaks into two separate units.
Dimensionally, the APR sports an overall length of 1,139mm with the buttstock opened, the barrel itself measuring in at 610mm in length. Rifling is 4 grooves with a right hand twist at a ratio of 1:11" and is rated for over 7,000 firing actions. Overall weight is 7.01 kilograms. Effective range is listed out to 1,000 meters. Trigger pull is between 1.5 and 2.5 kilograms. The similar APR338 has an overall length of 1,236mm with a barrel measuring 690mm. The barrel is 6-grooved with a right-hand twist of 1:11" rated for 5,000 rounds. Overall weight is 8.2 kilograms. Effective range out to 1,300 meters.
The Brugget & Thomet APR is a "bolt-action" rifle system meaning that the operator manually manages the removal of a spent cartridge from the firing chamber and introduces a fresh cartridge from the box magazine by articulating the ball-tipped handle along the right side of the gun body. In typical fashion, the bolt handle is moved rearwards to accomplish the unloading/loading process. Aft of the bolt handle and trigger group is a selector switch for safety and free fire modes. The detachable box magazine sports a stacked arrangement. Each magazine holds up to 10 rounds of user-specific ammunition which is primarily the .308 Winchester / 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge. The APR338 is, as its designation suggests, chambered for the .338 Lapua Magnum round.
The basic scope used with the APR is a Schmidt & Bender 3-12x50. This is rebranded by Brugger & Thomet to become the B&T TRS (Tactical Rifle Scope). It measures in at 355mm and weighs in at 900 grams. It sports a quick detach system and is supported along the top of the receiver by a Picatinney MIL STD 1913 rail system with Simrad adaptor. Windage, elevation, parallax, dioptre and illumination are all adjustable by various knobs positioned throughout the scope's design. The finish is in a flat black to reduce reflection in-the-field. Day and night function is possible.
The optional suppressor is designated as the Brugger & Thomet GRS, rated for the .308 Winchester/7.61x51mm NATO standard rifle round. It measures in at 243mm with a 40mm diameter and weighs in at 897 grams. The suppressor is threaded onto the APR's barrel through the Thread M20x1 attachment and is rated at 33dBa for 5,000 rounds.
The APR comes in four distinct marketed forms: the B&T APR308 and B&T APR338 are both military-minded models with each designation showcasing their respective caliber. The B&T APR308P is intended for law enforcement while the B&T APR308S is a "suppressed" variant. All are designed to be operational right out of their packaging to which Brugger & Thomet claims equal precision in both military and sporting settings. All models come complete with a muzzle brake to hide the position of the firer as well as reduce recoil, a folding adjustable buttstock with integrated buttspike, wholly adjustable trigger system, adjustable shoulder sling and detachable box magazines.
To date, only Luxembourg and Singapore have procured the precision B&T APR system in number. Both utilize the .308 variant.
Luxembourg; Singapore
