Cyclone (rifle)
Cyclone is the name given to three bolt action rifles created by British company Steel Core Designs: the LSR, which fires 7.62x51mm NATO, the MSR, which fires .338 Lapua Magnum (8.6x70mm) and the HSR, which fires .50 BMG (12.7x99mm). Cyclone rifles are primarily designed for military use, and have seen limited usage by military and law enforcement units since 2017 in marksman roles.[2]
| Cyclone LSR | |
|---|---|
| Type | Bolt action rifle |
| Place of origin | United Kingdom |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2017-present |
| Used by | United Kingdom |
| Wars | American-led intervention in Iraq (2014-present), Syrian Civil War |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Steel Core Designs |
| Unit cost | £4,975[1] |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 6.85 kg (15.1 lb) |
| Length | 119 mm (4.7 in) |
| Barrel length | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Cartridge | 7.62x51mm NATO |
| Action | Bolt-action |
| Muzzle velocity | 123 m/s (400 ft/s) |
| Effective firing range | 1,000 m (1,100 yd) |
| Feed system | 10-round magazine |
Design
Cyclone rifles come pre-fitted with certain attachments and match grade parts to help maximise accuracy and general performance.[3] Some of these include, but are not limited to:
- 600mm Picatinny rail
- Four-lug rotating bolt[4]
- Match grade barrel
- Fitted with a muzzle brake by default
- Fully adjustable bipod
- Low friction and corrosion-resistant coating
- Two-stage trigger
- High tensile steel receiver
Usage
In the contemporary conflicts in Iraq and Syria, soldiers belonging to the Islamic State have used vehicle borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs), to which, anti materiel rifles, such as the Cyclone HSR are used as a cheap alternative to ATGMs.[2] Cyclone rifles are also sold on the civilian market.[5]
Comparison
| Name | Caliber | Magazine capacity | Effective range | Barrel length | Overall length | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LSR | 7.62×51mm NATO | 10 rounds | 600m (656yd) | 51 cm (20 in) | 104 cm (41 in) | 6.85 kg (15.1 lb) |
| MSR | .338 Lapua Magnum | 10 rounds | 1,250m (1,367yd) | 51 cm (20 in) | 109 cm (43 in) | 7.21 kg (15.9 lb) |
| HSR | .50 BMG | 5 rounds | 2,220m (2,427yd) | 74 cm (29 in) | 145 cm (57 in) | 14.5 kg (31.9 lb) |
References
- "Steel Core Designs Cyclone .308W/7.62×51". WMS Firearms Training. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
- Vining, Miles. "British HSR Cyclone anti-materiel rifles in Iraq". Armament Research. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
- "Cyclone". Steel Core Designs. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
- R., Patrick. "[SHOT 2016] Steel Core Designs Cyclone Long Range Rifle". The Firearm Blog. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
- "RFD, STEEL CORE RIFLE SALES AND STEEL TARGETS". WMS Firearms Training. Retrieved 10 September 2020.