Air rifles with optical sights. Technical description and operating instructions for the sniper rifle SVD Shotgun with optical sight

Dragunov sniper rifle It has been in service since 1963 and, apparently, they do not intend to change it for something else. Despite the fact that this weapon is already quite old, it still copes with the tasks that face it, although many are of the opinion that this weapon is already outdated and urgently needs to be changed. Let's try to figure out whether this model of rifle is so outdated, and whether it is worth looking for a replacement, given that there are more pressing gaps in the weapons of both the army and the police. At the same time, let’s briefly go over the design of this weapon, since for many, as it turns out, it is unknown in its structure.

At the end of the fifties, namely in 1958, the Main Rocket and Artillery Directorate (GRAU) formulated a task for designers to create a new self-loading sniper rifle for the Soviet Army. Such famous designers as Kalashnikov, Barinov, Konstantinov and, naturally, Dragunov took part in the competition. Weapons from other designers will be discussed in separate articles, especially since the samples presented were quite interesting. For a sniper rifle, in the usual understanding of most people, the basic requirements that were set before the designers were not entirely clear.

Thus, the weapon was required to be able to confidently fire at the enemy at a distance of only 600 meters, that is, at this distance the enemy had to be guaranteed to be hit from this weapon. But now it is fashionable to talk about weapons that shoot at 1000 meters and further, but they usually forget that the distances for accurate fire in combat, even in open areas, are much shorter for a sniper who works as part of a unit. In other words, he has completely different tasks, or rather their implementation, in comparison with those of a sniper crew working separately.

Naturally, for someone who needs to hit a target at a distance of 1500 meters, the SVD will be a completely unsuitable weapon, but these snipers are not armed with such rifles. Consequently, the SVD copes with its tasks, and given the weapon’s unpretentiousness to operating conditions, ease of maintenance and well-established production, it makes no sense to change this weapon.

For example, you can look at those that are currently in service in other armies of other countries. Despite the fact that more accurate and long-range models are being adopted, no one is in a hurry to abandon weapons similar in their characteristics to the SVD, and they coexist quite peacefully with long-range and accurate models.

Of course, we would like to see a more advanced weapon, with higher performance, light and compact, but no one will allocate funds to remove the rifle from service one day and replace it with another model. And this problem is not so acute as to make a fuss about it. It would be more reasonable to work with weapon ammunition in order to increase its armor-piercing properties, this is both cheaper and more relevant at the moment, and only after that make weapons based on it.

What exactly is SVD? This is a self-loading rifle, the automation of which is based on the use of powder gases diverted from the bore of the weapon and with the barrel bore being locked when the bolt is turned to 3 lugs. The weapon is fed from a detachable box magazine with a capacity of 10 rounds of 7.62x54R ammunition. For firing from the SVD, rifle cartridges with ordinary, tracer and armor-piercing incendiary bullets, as well as sniper cartridges (7N1, 7N14) are used. The SVD can also fire JHP and JSP hollow-point bullets.

The weight of the weapon without ammunition is 4.2 kg with a total rifle length of 1220 mm. Barrel length – 620 mm. The initial bullet speed is 830 m/s. Muzzle energy of a bullet 4064 Joule. Quite often, the design of the rifle is compared with the design of the Kalashnikov assault rifle, however, despite the same basic points, this weapon has its own characteristics.

First of all, it should be noted that the gas piston is not rigidly connected to the bolt frame, which reduces the overall weight of the moving parts of the weapon when firing. In addition, the barrel bore is locked by three lugs (one of which is a rammer) when the bolt is turned counterclockwise. The trigger mechanism of a hammer-type weapon is assembled in one housing.

The weapon's safety is controlled by a fairly large lever on the right side of the rifle. In the on position, the fuse blocks the trigger and also limits the rearward movement of the bolt frame, which provides protection from external contamination during transportation. The rifle's flash hider also serves as a muzzle brake-recoil compensator, although it is difficult to give an example when this is not the case. The flame arrester has five slotted slots. The forend and butt of the weapon were previously made of wood, now of plastic. A non-adjustable cheek rest for the shooter is installed on the butt.

The Dragunov sniper rifle has both open sights and a seat for various sights. In addition to the optical sight, various night sights can be installed on the weapon; with such a sight, the SVD turns into an SVDN. In case the optical sight fails, the shooter can continue to perform his tasks using open sights, which consist of an adjustable rear sight mounted in front of the receiver cover and a front sight in the front sight.

The SVD has high accuracy for a weapon of this type. With the SVD sniper cartridge, you can hit the following targets with the first shot:
head - 300 m
chest figure - 500 m
waist figure - 600 m
running figure - 800 m.

The PSO-1 sight is designed for shooting up to 1300 meters, but at such a range you can only effectively shoot at a group target, or conduct harassing fire.

Let's try to briefly describe how this whole thing works. When fired, the powder gases push the bullet forward along the barrel bore, reaching the hole in the barrel to remove the powder gases, they enter the gas engine and push the piston back. Having accelerated the bolt frame, the piston stops. The frame, in the process of its movement back, turns the bolt, which unlocks the bore, removes and throws out the spent cartridge case. Actually, this is how quite satisfactory firing performance is achieved simply and without any supernatural nuances.

Dragunov sniper rifle with folding stock (SVDS)

Azerbaijani Armed Forces

Armed Forces of Armenia

Bolivian Armed Forces

The Dragunov sniper rifle has been in service with our country since 1963 and is the second most popular sniper rifle in the world after those created on the basis of the American Remington 700.

Excellent technical characteristics even today, recognizable appearance and the original sound of a shot have made the SVD popular among civilians. It is present in games, books, there are many stories about its accuracy and penetrating power, often with a dose of fiction.

History of creation

In the 50s, the USSR army was rearmament, which required a modern self-loading sniper rifle that fired single shots.

E. F. Dragunov, working as a senior gunsmith since 1945 and famous for the creation of his sporting firearms, began designing his rifle in 1962. In parallel, the development was led by A. Konstantinov, both designers completed their projects at about the same time, Dragunov’s weapons showed themselves to be more accurate in tests and demonstrated greater accuracy of fire.

In 1963, the rifle, called the SVD, was adopted by the Soviet army.

Peculiarities

The future rifle was supposed to fulfill only certain purposes and versatility was not required from it, but the goals set were not easily achievable. High reliability was required, implying increased clearances between moving parts, while high accuracy implied the most rigid structure possible with minimal clearances.

Also, heavy weapons have better stability and show higher accuracy when shooting, but it was necessary to create a light rifle.

When creating it, Dragunov used a bolt design that he had used in sporting weapons. The barrel bore was closed with a bolt that rotated counterclockwise and had two lugs, plus it used the cartridge rammer as a third one. This scheme of operation increases the area of the lug lugs without changing the dimensions of the bolt itself, which has a positive effect on the accuracy of fire.

The safety lever not only blocks the trigger, but also locks the bolt frame, preventing it from moving back. The only shooting mode is single. The barrel has a flash suppressor that protects the barrel from contamination and masks shooting at night.

The magazine contains 10 rounds of 7.62x54R caliber; ordinary, tracer, armor-piercing incendiary rifle cartridges, 7N1 and 7N14 sniper cartridges, cartridges with JSP and JHP hollow-point bullets are used.

Technical characteristics, accuracy and accuracy

Thanks to self-loading, produced using the energy of powder gases, the SVD has a good combat rate of fire - up to 30 rounds per minute.

The PSO-1 sight is used, which provides shooting at a range of up to 1300 meters, however, such shooting is not accurate and makes sense only as a distraction or in the presence of group targets.

When adopted into service, the rifling in the barrel was in increments of 320 mm, later the increment was reduced to 240 mm, due to which the dispersion of armor-piercing incendiary bullets decreased, but the dispersion of others increased from 8 to 10 cm when firing at a distance of 100 meters.

It is possible to use a specially designed sniper cartridge, which includes a bullet with a steel core, which increases accuracy by 2.5 times.

According to the standards, the range of a direct shot at a target 30 centimeters high is 350 meters, at a target 50 centimeters high - 430 meters, at a moving target with the speed of a running person 150 centimeters high - 640 meters.

Excellent tactical and technical characteristics allow experienced shooters to hit helicopters and airplanes flying at low speed. In 1989, a Cessna A-37B jet attack aircraft was shot down, and RQ-11 Raven reconnaissance drones are also known to be shot down.

SIDS

In 1991, the rifle underwent modernization, receiving a shortened barrel, an improved flash suppressor along with a gas outlet, a butt folding to the right and a new PSO-1M2 sight.

The modernization was caused by the need to reduce the length of the original weapon, which made it inconvenient to transport it inside military equipment.

SVDK

In 2006, a large-caliber modification 6B9 appeared, designed to destroy targets protected by body armor, inside light equipment or behind cover.

The 9.3 x 64 mm 7N33 cartridge is used, whose bullet has an energy of about 4900 J, which allows it to penetrate 1 centimeter thick armor with an 80% probability at a distance of 100 meters.

Created on the basis of the SVD, however, many components have undergone changes in order to adapt the weapon to the use of a powerful cartridge.

The barrel is partially covered with a perforated steel casing, designed to reduce the load on the forend and bipod. The stock and pistol grip are similar to those used on the SVDS, but the rubber butt plate is significantly enlarged due to the increased recoil when firing. A replaceable flame arrester is installed.

Aiming is done using the 1P70 Hyperon sight; accuracy when shooting at a distance of 300 meters is at the level of 18 centimeters.

SVU

The shortened sniper rifle appeared in the 90s and is used as a sniper weapon used in urban environments. Created on the basis of the SVD, but with a bullpup layout, which provides for the removal of the trigger in front of the magazine and firing mechanism.

There is a silencer on the barrel that reduces the sound of the shot by 10% relative to the SVD and dissipates it so that it is impossible to determine the sniper’s position, and also suppresses the muzzle flash.

It is capable of automatic fire in bursts, but this mode is used only in emergency situations due to high recoil and a low-capacity magazine.

conclusions

Despite its impressive age, the rifle remains relevant even today. The successful design makes it an ergonomic and balanced weapon, from which aimed shooting is carried out with convenience, and the rate of fire, reaching 30 rounds per minute, distinguishes it from ordinary sniper rifles.

After the end of the Great Patriotic War, the USSR adopted a new military doctrine, which imposed new requirements not only on the use of units, but also on weapons.

Now the sniper did not fire at a single target, waiting for it for a long time, but had to be able to fire at an emerging and moving target, while actively changing his position.

this year work began on a new sniper rifle

For this, store samples were preferable. Therefore, in 1959, the Main Rocket and Artillery Directorate (GRAU) began holding a competition for a new sniper rifle.

The history of the creation of the SVD shows that the main struggle took place between E. Dragunov and A. Nesterov. Evgeny Dragunov graduated from an industrial technical school in Izhevsk, where he worked at an arms factory and worked on creating a rifle for quite a long time. Coincidentally, the first sample of the SVD was ready already in the year of the competition and the expert commission highly appreciated it.

In the Dragunov sniper rifle, the gaps between the moving parts were most successfully adjusted and the need to work in difficult conditions was realized (according to the parameters of the competition - dust, dirt, moisture, etc.).

However, A. Nesterov’s sample showed higher accuracy and manufacturability, which made the cost of the weapon too high. As a result, the SVD weapon was adopted for service in 1963 (the official date of creation) and became the second most common sniper rifle in the world.

Performance characteristics (TTX)

Caliber, mm	7.62 x 54
Weight, kg	4,3
Magazine capacity, cartridges	10
Rate of fire, rounds per minute	30
Initial bullet speed, m/s	830
Direct shot range: according to the head figure; according to the chest figure; according to height figure.
	350
	420
	640
Rifle length, mm	1225
Barrel length, mm	620
Number of grooves, pieces	4 right
Sighting range (effective): with mechanical sight, m; with optical sight, m.
	1200
	1300

Any 7.62x54R caliber cartridges can be used to shoot from this Russian rifle, but special rifle cartridges have been developed for greater accuracy:

Image	Type of bullet	Characteristic
	Steel core, the tip of the bullet was painted silver until 1970, but now this is not done)
	With a bullet having a heat-strengthened core 7n13 and 7n26 (increased penetration)
	With a T-46 tracer bullet (target designation and fire adjustment, the tracer composition was produced at plant No. 46)
	With an armor-piercing incendiary bullet B-32 (thermite incendiary substance)
	Sports cartridge "Extra"	Sports cartridge "Extra" 7n1 (steel core, but higher accuracy)

The portable ammunition load is 40 rounds, the remaining 60 are usually carried in military equipment. 90 rounds of LPS, but 10 with a tracer bullet.

The manufacturer's delivery set includes a sniper optical sight (PSO-1), a case for it, a bag for carrying magazines, a weapon belt, an oil can, and a winter illumination device.

SVD design features

The operating principle is based on the removal of the energy of powder gases through a hole in the wall of the barrel bore. The gases formed after the combustion of gunpowder drive a special pusher, which in turn pushes the piston, which drives the bolt.

Such a complex device led to increased smoothness of operation and helped achieve a special property.

In the SVD, the barrel bore is locked with 3 lugs.

One of which is, in its parameters, primarily an ejector.

In addition, Dragunov used the shape of the fore-end and butt, worked out on previous sporting guns.

An important fact in the history of the SVD is that the barrel linings were not attached tightly to the barrel, thereby ensuring barrel ventilation. The fuse is more convenient, and the SVD magazine has greater rigidity than on Kalashnikov assault rifles. It also blocks the trigger and prevents it from firing when the barrel is not completely locked.

This photo shows the components of the trigger mechanism:

frame;
sear, hook and self-timer axis;
trigger with pull;
hook spring;
whispered;
self-timer;
trigger;
mainspring;
trigger axis;
magazine latch axis;
magazine latch;
magazine latch spring.

Sights

As previously mentioned, the effective firing range with an optical sight is 1300 meters.

In addition to this, you can also fire using mechanical devices (sector sight, front sight), where the number corresponds to the range (1-100 m, 2-200 m, etc.)

Accuracy and accuracy

Evgeny Dragunov was the creator of a whole line of sporting rifles, with which our athletes took prizes in shooting and biathlon competitions. Therefore, he took into account that the accuracy of good bolt-action rifles with single reloading should not exceed 1 MOA (minute of arc), which corresponds to an accuracy of 3 cm at 100 m.

Of course, for a mass-produced magazine shotgun, this was too labor-intensive and the accuracy of samples before 1975 was 1.04 MOA, and the barrel rifling pitch was 320 mm.

Later samples, when fired with a 7n1 sports bullet, showed 1.24 MOA, and with LPS - 2.21 MOA, since the rifling pitch was replaced by 240 mm.

After analyzing these tables, we can conclude that, according to the shooting manual for this type of weapon, at a distance of up to 500 meters, hitting a chest figure with 1 shot is guaranteed.

Rifle modification

One of the disadvantages of the SVD was its dimensions, for which the troops nicknamed it “the paddle.” Parachute landing and the limited space of infantry fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers constrained the sniper’s movements and therefore, from the mid-90s. Active production of versions with a shortened barrel and a folding butt began.

In addition, changes affected the gas outlet unit and flame arrester. This is what SIDS looks like.

In 2015, specialists from the Kalashnikov concern created SVDM. The barrel, chromed on the inside, has become heavier with a rifling pitch of 320 mm. Accuracy has noticeably improved and is 1 MOA at 700 meters.

In addition, there is a standard Picatinny rail on the hinged cover. There is also a function for adjusting the trigger force and a 1p88-1 sight is installed.

The SVD-K sniper rifle with the GRAU-6v9 index is a large-caliber rifle and uses a 9.3x64 mm 7n33 caliber cartridge and a 9.3x64 mm Russian hunting cartridge.

As part of the Burglar project, the penetration ability of armor 1 cm thick per 100 meters was demonstrated with a probability of 80%. The standard sight is 1p70 « Hyperon".

Thus, the Dragunov SVD self-loading sniper rifle has an extremely rich history of use, and its operational potential will last for several more decades.

Video

We invite you to watch a video that talks about the technical characteristics (TTX) of the SVD rifle.

The Dragunov SVD sniper rifle, nicknamed “the whip” for the characteristic sound of a shot, has been in service with the Russian army for more than half a century and meets many modern requirements for weapons of this class.

In terms of the number of copies produced and prevalence in the world, the SVD ranks confidently in second place among sniper weapons, second only to the American M24. The rifle has become an invariable external attribute of soldiers of the Soviet and Russian armies; the only rival can be the rifle, which appeared in service 15 years earlier.

History of the Dragunov sniper rifle

The development of a specialized sniper rifle for the Soviet Army began in the second half of the 50s of the last century.

The impetus for the development was a change in the staffing of motorized rifle units, which included a sniper. The general requirements for the rifle were formalized in the form of technical specifications of the GRAU of the General Staff of the SA by 1958:

use as ammunition (7.62*54 mm);
have a self-loading principle of operation and not exceed the Mosin standard;
the stock of cartridges in the store is at least 10 pieces;
the ability to conduct effective fire at a distance of up to 600 m.

Rifles from several design bureaus, including E.F., were presented for competitive testing. Dragunova, S.G. Simonov and A.S. Konstantinov. Comparative shooting took place at the training ground in Shchurovo (Moscow region).

The samples of Simonov and Konstantinov demonstrated good automatic performance along with low combat accuracy.

The SSV-58 self-loading rifle designed by Dragunov showed high accuracy characteristics, but at the same time the commission noted the low reliability of the weapon, which became unsuitable for use after 500...600 rounds.

All three versions of the rifle received recommendations for improvement and were tested again in 1960. After this cycle of tests, Simonov Design Bureau’s weapon was considered unsuccessful (due to low accuracy compared to the standard), and the remaining two samples were sent for revision.

In particular, there were complaints about the operation of the cartridge feeding mechanism on the Dragunov rifle.

The third cycle of tests took place at the end of 1961 - beginning of 1962 and revealed the final winner - the Dragunov rifle, which surpassed its competitor in terms of fire accuracy.

Konstantinov’s weapon was rejected for the ability to fire only with an optical sight and the location of the cartridge ejection window too close to the shooter’s face.

By mid-1962, the first batch of 40 copies of the SSV-58 entered the troops. Based on operating experience, adjustments were made to the design, and in 1963 mass production of weapons began under the designation Dragunov self-loading rifle (GRAU code 6B1). At the same time, the PSO-1 model optical sight (code 6Ts1) entered service.

Early samples of the SVD had a barrel with a rifling pitch of 320 mm, which corresponded to conventional bullets and provided high accuracy parameters. When using the modernized B-32 armor-piercing incendiary bullets, increased dispersion began to be observed.

Therefore, in 1975, the pitch was reduced to 240 mm, which somewhat reduced the accuracy when using conventional bullets, but significantly improved the accuracy of fire.

Device and main characteristics

To drive the reloading mechanism, part of the powder gases is diverted from the barrel into a separate chamber with a piston. The mechanism contains a two-position gas regulator, which determines the speed of movement of the frame during rollback.

Under normal conditions, the regulator is in position 1. When using the weapon for a long time without lubrication and cleaning, delays in operation may occur. In this case, the regulator is moved to position 2 by rotating the lever with the flange part of the sleeve.

After the shot, the gases expand and push the bullet out of the barrel.

After the bullet passes through the gas outlet hole on the surface of the barrel, part of the gases enters the chamber and sets in motion the piston, made in the form of a single part together with the pusher. The pusher moves the frame to its rearmost position, compressing the return springs.

When the frame moves, the bolt opens and the cartridge case is removed from the chamber. The empty cartridge case is ejected from the cavity of the receiver and at the same time the hammer is cocked and set to self-timer mode. Then the frame reaches the stop and begins to move back under the force of the springs.

After the frame begins to reverse, the bolt takes the upper cartridge from the clip, feeds it into the chamber and locks the barrel. When locked, the bolt part rotates to the left, which allows the protrusions on the bolt to engage with the slots in the receiver.

Additional protrusions on the frame activate the self-timer sear rod, which moves the trigger to the firing position.

By pressing the trigger, the rod is activated, which is engaged with the sear rod. Due to this, the sear turns and releases the trigger, which begins to rotate around its axis under the influence of the force of the compressed mainspring.

The trigger strikes the firing pin and moves it forward. The sharp end of the firing pin breaks the primer and ignites the powder charge in the cartridge case.

After the last shot is fired and the frame moves to the rear point, a feeder comes out of the magazine, which turns on the shutter stop. The stop locks the shutter in the open position and prevents the frame from starting the recoil movement.

Based on the SVD, since the early 90s, it has been produced, designed to fire semi-jacketed bullets weighing about 13 grams (cartridge type 7.62 * 54R).

The weapon is used for hunting large and medium-sized animals. There are options with non-self-loading cartridges, as well as export versions chambered for .308Win (7.62*51), .30-06 Springfield (7.62*63) or 9.3*64 (Brenneke cartridge). The Tiger differs from the basic version in having a shortened barrel and a removed flash suppressor and gas regulator.

Combat use

Despite the fact that the rifle began to enter service in the 60s, it was not reported anywhere until the outbreak of hostilities in Afghanistan. After the collapse of the USSR, the rifle was used in many local conflicts in Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

Today, the 7.62 mm Dragunov sniper rifle is in service with the Russian army and the armies of several dozen countries.

Opinion about weapons

Despite the age of the weapon, it remains competitive today. Over the more than 50-year history of use, the Dragunov sniper rifle has not received any obvious negative reviews.

SVD is used by snipers in many military conflicts, despite the possibility of acquiring more modern products.

The difficulties that arise when firing at long distances are associated with incorrect calculation of the initial data by inexperienced shooters.

There are also some disadvantages of the SVD, first of all, it is a self-loading mechanism of operation, which is suitable for army snipers for shooting at distances of up to 500-600 meters, but is absolutely not suitable for sniper shooting at long distances, since the operation of the automatic system confuses the aim.

In addition, a rigid barrel mount is also noted as a disadvantage; it is believed that a floating barrel is optimal for a sniper weapon. The tide on the barrel and the bayonet itself in the rifle kit are puzzling. Sniper and bayonet attack are a rather strange combination.

The high level of performance of the rifle can be confirmed by the officially registered record for the distance to hit the target (for weapons with a caliber of 7.62 mm). This happened in 1985 in Afghanistan, when sniper V. Ilyin shot a dushman at a distance of 1350 m. The record has not been broken to this day.

Modern SVD replicas

On sale is a Dragunov air rifle manufactured by MWM Gillmann GmbH. Bullets with a caliber of 4.5 mm are installed in simulators of a real cartridge, which are located in the magazine. The gas reservoir is installed in the rifle bolt.

Thanks to this arrangement, it was possible to provide visualization of firing similar to a real weapon - with reloading and ejection of the “case” outward.

Today, work is underway to create modern sniper rifles (for example, OTs-129), but the prospects for their adoption are not clear. Therefore, for the near future, the main weapon of snipers in the Russian Army will remain the good old Russian SVD rifle.

Video

SVD - Dragunov sniper rifle was created almost 60 years ago, and is still in service in the Russian Army to this day.

Sniping is considered a real art. In order to hit the target accurately, a sniper needs high-precision weapons. This type of weapon is exactly that.

The SVD, thanks to its technical characteristics, has always been the pride of the USSR. There are legends about her. Until now, there are no analogues in the world to this rifle, both in accuracy and in penetrating power.

History of creation

The SVD rifle began to be created in the 50s, when the question of new weapons for the Soviet Army arose (Wikipedia).

The development of the newest rifle for a sniper was entrusted to E.F. Dragunov, who was the developer of firearms intended for sports.

He was a famous gunsmith, but became famous thanks to the excellent qualities of the SVD sniper rifle.

In 1963 it was put into service, and in 1964 mass production began. Not everything was so simple when its design was carried out.

She had to meet certain requirements. The difficulties in creating weapons lay in the gaps between the various parts of the SVD.

It was necessary to ensure shooting accuracy, accuracy and density. The designers thought about this difficult problem for a very long time, but still came to the optimal solution.

And in 1962, the design of the rifle was completed. This type of rifle found a solid competitor - Konstantinov.

The designers' developments were carried out simultaneously. Both types of rifles were subjected to many tests, but the Dragunov SVD turned out to be the best.

Its superiority was both in accuracy and accuracy of fire. It has a unique profile, which has its own shot sound and unsurpassed technical characteristics.

Specifications

Click to enlarge

This rifle has excellent technical data:

SVD caliber - 7.62x54 mm;
magazine capacity is ten rounds;
weight with loaded magazine is four point three kg;
targeted shooting is carried out from a distance of 1300 m;
efficiency and range – 1300 meters;
the bullet flies at a speed of 830 m/s;
the weapon has a length of 1.225 m;
shooting is carried out at a pace of thirty shots in 1 minute;
ammunition is supplied by a ten-round magazine.
the cartridge has a size of 7.62×54;
the rifle weighs four kg 550 g with an optical sight and fully loaded;
SVD has a barrel length of 62 dm;
There are four right-hand riflings.

Firing accuracy

Since 1970, the SVD rifle has been used to participate in targeted combat and its rifling pitch is 0.320 m. Such barrels in this weapon were used until the end of the seventieth year of the last century.

Using a sniper cartridge, grade (7N1) 9mm, the accuracy of this type of rifle is 1.04 MOA (Minute Of Angle - minute of angle).

This weapon hits the following targets with excellent shooting accuracy and destructive power:

chest at a distance of 0.5 km;
head - 0.3 km;
lumbar region 0.6 km;
moving figure - 0.8 km.

The PSO-1 sight is used for shots up to 1.2 km.

Design Features

Click to enlarge

The Dragunov rifle is a self-loading weapon with a 7.62 caliber.

As for automation, it fires shots using powder gases that come from the barrel of the rifle itself.

Using the bolt rotation, the rifle must be rotated by 3 lugs. The SVD has a box magazine from which live ammunition comes. The magazine includes ten of them in caliber (7.62x54R). Shots are fired from the SVD with the following ammunition:

Sniper cartridges.
Cartridges with hollow-point bullets.
Regular cartridges with tracer bullets.
Cartridges using armor-piercing incendiary bullets.

If we take, for example, another Degtyarev sniper rifle, which is also designed to destroy enemy personnel at ranges of up to 1.5 km, then, unlike the SVD, it has one drawback.

There is no special 12.7x108 mm caliber cartridge made for this rifle, and the regular sample makes it insufficiently accurate when shooting.

The prototype of the SVD was the civilian model - “Tiger” (carbine), unlike the SVD, it has a bayonet - there is no knife in it.

The purpose of the SVD sniper rifle is to destroy the enemy (moving and camouflage targets).

Fire from a sniper rifle is carried out in single shots. Assembling and disassembling the rifle does not require much effort. The price of SVD starts from $2000 and above.

Sniper scope

An optical sniper scope (index 6Ts1) is necessary for accurately hitting the target.

It improves aiming accuracy and ensures good observation in all conditions.

Today he is the best among all his predecessors. When using the device, the eye gets used to one distance, which makes it easier to aim the weapon at the target.

A necessary element for the SVD sight is the sighting reticle. It makes it possible to better see the target, since it is in the same plane with the image.

The sight is illuminated, which is important for a sniper. This allows him to shoot accurately, even at night.

It is very important to note that the SVD rifle is still the most popular type of weapon in the Russian Army.