PGM 338

Lore & Background

The PGM 338 was developed in the early 1990s by Chris L. Movigliatti, working for PGM Précision, a French firearms manufacturer. It is structurally based on a central rigid metal girder chassis, similar to its larger counterpart the PGM Hécate II, giving it a skeletal appearance that minimizes weight and simplifies maintenance. The receiver is made from 7075 aircraft-grade aluminum alloy, while the steel bolt features three lugs locking into a barrel extension, with overpressure vent holes for safety. The barrel, designed by German firm Lothar Walther, is cold hammer forged, match grade, fluted, fully floated, and fitted with an integrated muzzle brake that reduces recoil by 50%.

Reader's Guide

The PGM 338 is intended for anti-personnel sniper work at distances between 500 and 1400 meters, consistently achieving an accuracy of about 0.5 MOA with match-grade ammunition when used by a qualified marksman. Below 500 meters, the .338 Lapua Magnum cartridge is considered too powerful for anti-personnel use, causing overpenetration unless deep material penetration is required. Beyond 1200 meters, the bullet enters the transonic velocity region, degrading accuracy but remaining somewhat reliable up to 1500 meters. The rifle is distributed through PGM in France, Drake Associates in the United States, and Liemke Defence in Germany and other European countries. Its main commercial competitors on the high-end factory sniper rifle market are the Accuracy International Arctic Warfare and Sako TRG product lines, all comparable in performance.

Did You Know?

• The PGM 338 is also known as the PGM Mini-Hecate .338.
• Its barrel was designed by the German firm Lothar Walther and is cold hammer forged.
• The rifle features a folding buttstock and an adjustable rear folding ground spike for stability.
• The .338 Lapua Magnum cartridge remains supersonic up to 1200–1500 m depending on ammunition and conditions.