The origins of the anti-materiel rifle go back to the First World War, during which the first anti-tank rifles appeared. Firing several 12.7×99mm NATO, 12.7×108mm Russian, or larger calibers from the (unsupported) standing position or in a kneeling position would be very uncomfortable for the operator. Bipods and monopods and muzzle brakes are used as accessories to employ these rifles as comfortably and accurately as possible. The recoil produced by the employed cartridges dictates that these rifles are designed to be fired from the prone position. The large cartridges are required to be able to fire projectiles containing usable payloads, such as explosives, armor-piercing cores, incendiaries, or combinations of these, as found in the Raufoss Mk 211 projectile.ĭue to the considerable size and weight of anti-materiel rifles and other support equipment, sniper cells operating in 2- or 3-man or larger teams have become a necessity. In general, anti-materiel rifles are chambered for 12.7×99mm NATO (. Īnti-materiel rifles are similar in form and appearance to modern sniper rifles and can often serve in that role, though they are usually chambered for cartridges more powerful than are normally required for killing a human and can operate at a greater range.

The offensive use of anti-materiel rifles or Special Application Sniper Rifles (SASR) is termed Hard Target Interdiction (HTI) by the United States military.

2 List of anti-materiel rifles by country.

Anti material rifle mods