Accuracy International AWM
British bolt-action sniper rifle for magnum cartridges, adopted by several militaries.
The Accuracy International AWM, also called the Arctic Warfare Magnum or AI-Arctic Warfare Magnum, is a bolt-action sniper rifle made by the British company Accuracy International. It was built to handle magnum rifle cartridges. This rifle is a variant of the Arctic Warfare (AW) family, and it is sometimes referred to unofficially as the AWSM (Arctic Warfare Super Magnum), a label usually applied to AWM rifles chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum.
The AWM shares many design features with the standard AW system, but its bolt is longer to fit magnum-length cartridges like .300 Winchester Magnum and .338 Lapua Magnum. The bolt head, locking ring, extractor, and magazines were all modified to deal with the larger size and higher pressures of these rounds. A detachable single-stack box magazine holds five rounds. The two cartridges accepted by NATO for use in the AWM are .300 Winchester Magnum and .338 Lapua Magnum.
Muzzle brakes are standard, reducing recoil, jump, and flash, and they also serve as a mounting point for optional iron sights and suppressors. The rifle typically comes with a Schmidt & Bender PM II 5-25×56FFP MK II telescopic sight with a P4F graticule, though 3–12×50 or 4–16×50 magnification variants are also available. Accuracy International actively promotes fitting Schmidt & Bender PM II/MILITARY MK II scopes, which is unusual for a rifle maker. The German and Russian armies, however, prefer a Zeiss telescopic sight. The AWM is supplied in a metal transit case with the scope, mount, butt spacers, bipod, spare magazines, sling, and cleaning and tool kits.
For the .300 Winchester Magnum (7.62×67mm) chambering, the rifle uses a fluted stainless steel barrel 660 mm long with a non-traditional 279.4 mm (1:11 in) right-hand twist rate. This cartridge was originally a hunting round, offering a flatter trajectory, higher muzzle velocity, better wind resistance, and greater supersonic range than the 7.62×51mm NATO. The combination of high velocity and heavy, long, very-low-drag bullets improves hit probability and effective range at longer distances.
The .338 Lapua Magnum (8.6×70mm) version was designed as a dedicated long-range sniper rifle. It has a fluted stainless steel barrel 686 mm long, which research found to be the best balance of muzzle velocity, weight, and length.
Quick Facts
- Origin
- United Kingdom
- Is Ranged
- yes
- Service
- 1996–present
- Wars
- War in Afghanistan / Iraq War / Operation Inherent Resolve / Russian invasion of Ukraine
- Manufacturer
- Accuracy International
- Production Date
- 1996–2013
- Mass
- 6.9 kg
- Length
- 1270 mm
- Part Length
- 686 mm
- Variants
- AWM-F, L115A2, and L115A3 (British Army)
- Velocity
- 936 m/s
- Range
- 1100 m (.300 Winchester Magnum) / 1500 m (.338 Lapua Magnum)
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The AWM was developed as a variant of the Accuracy International Arctic Warfare (AW) rifle, with a longer bolt to accommodate magnum-length cartridges such as .300 Winchester Magnum and .338 Lapua Magnum. The bolt head, locking ring, extractor, and magazines were revised to handle the increased size and operating pressures. Standard configurations include a Schmidt & Bender PM II 5-25×56FFP MK II telescopic sight with P4F graticule, though variants with 3–12×50 or 4–16×50 sights are also available. Muzzle brakes are fitted to reduce recoil, jump, and flash, and act as a base for optional iron sights and suppressors.
The British Armed Forces adopted the .338 Lapua Magnum version as the L115A1 Long Range Rifle, later upgraded to the L115A3 as part of the Sniper System Improvement Programme (SSIP). The L115A3 features a Schmidt & Bender 5-25×56 mm PM II LP/MILITARY MK II sight, suppressor, folding stock, adjustable cheek piece, butt spike (monopod), adjustable bipod, and 5-round box magazines. The AWM was phased out in September 2012 and replaced by the Accuracy International AXMC sniper rifle, which has a longer and wider bolt action and an enlarged magazine to handle .338 Lapua Magnum cartridges loaded to the C.I.P. maximum overall length of 93.50 mm.
Reader's Guide
The AWM's significance lies in its role as a dedicated long-range sniper rifle chambered for magnum cartridges, notably .338 Lapua Magnum, which offered a substantial increase in effective range over the 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge. Its adoption by the British Armed Forces as the L115A1 and L115A3, and use in Afghanistan and Iraq, established it as a standard military sniper platform. The rifle's design limitations—specifically that .338 Lapua Magnum cartridges loaded to the C.I.P. maximum overall length of 93.50 mm do not fit in the magazine—led to the development of the AX338 and AXMC successors, which addressed these issues with a longer bolt action and internal magazine. The AWM's legacy includes its use in setting a record for the longest confirmed sniper kill at the time, by British sniper Craig Harrison in November 2009 at a range of 2475 m. The rifle's design influenced subsequent Accuracy International models, and its chamberings remain relevant for military and law enforcement long-range engagements.
Did You Know?
- The AWM is also unofficially known as the AWSM (Arctic Warfare Super Magnum), typically for .338 Lapua Magnum chamberings.
- The AWM's .338 Lapua Magnum barrel has a 686 mm length and an unconventional 279 mm (1:11 in) right-hand twist rate.
- British sniper Craig Harrison used an L115A3 (AWM variant) to set a record sniper kill at 2475 m in November 2009.
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