Anzio 20mm rifle
First American mass-produced anti-materiel rifle over .50 caliber in 80 years.
The Anzio 20mm rifle is an American anti-materiel firearm built and sold by Anzio Iron Works. It holds the distinction of being the first American anti-materiel rifle made for public sale with a bore larger than .50 caliber in more than eight decades. The rifle comes in three calibers, with the most common version chambered for the 20mm Vulcan round.
Among its features are an optional three-round detachable box magazine, a 49-inch barrel, and a threaded muzzle that can fit a muzzle brake or suppressor. The overall length of the weapon is 2.5 meters.
In terms of performance, the 20mm round fired from the Anzio rifle produces roughly 48,000 foot-pounds of kinetic energy. This is nearly four times the energy of a .50 BMG cartridge from a comparable rifle, which generates about 12,200 foot-pounds. For comparison, the .600 Nitro Express—the second most powerful African big-game rifle cartridge—delivers around 8,200 foot-pounds. This makes the Anzio 20mm about 5.85 times more powerful than a rifle chambered in .600 Nitro Express.
The Anzio 20/50 variant, using an 800-grain bullet, produces approximately 22,000 foot-pounds of kinetic energy. It achieves this by taking the .50 BMG projectile—already large and fast—and boosting its speed to over 1.3 times its normal velocity, generating more energy without a heavier bullet. Although its kinetic energy is much lower than the full 20mm round, the 20/50 is nearly as effective due to its smaller surface area, which requires less material to penetrate. However, the lighter bullet transfers energy less efficiently over long distances and into targets.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation purchased two of these rifles from Anzio in 2009.
Quick Facts
- Origin
- United States
- Is Ranged
- yes
- Used By
- United States of America
- Manufacturer
- Anzio Iron Works
- Production Date
- 2006–present
- Weight
- 59 to 130 lbs
- Length
- 80 in w/ brake / 96.5 in w/ suppressor
- Part Length
- 49 in
- Cartridge
- 20×102mm / 14.5×114mm / Anzio 20-50
- Action
- Bolt action
- Velocity
- 1006 m/s (20mm vulcan)
- Max Range
- 4572 m
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Anzio 20mm rifle is chambered predominantly in the 20mm Vulcan caliber, though it is available in three calibers. It features an optional three-round detachable box magazine, a 49-inch barrel, and a threaded muzzle to accept either a muzzle brake or suppressor. The total length of the rifle is 2.5 meters.
The 20mm round fired from the Anzio rifle produces approximately 48,000 ftlbf of kinetic energy, nearly four times the energy of the .50 BMG cartridge fired from a comparable rifle (around 12,200 ftlbf). It is 5.85 times as powerful as a rifle chambered in .600 Nitro Express, which has around 8,200 ftlbf of kinetic energy.
The Anzio 20/50 variant produces approximately 22,000 ftlbf of kinetic energy with an 800 gr bullet. It achieves this by taking the .50 BMG projectile and increasing its already supersonic velocity to over 1.3 times its normal flight velocity, creating more kinetic energy without a larger projectile. Though its kinetic energy is significantly lower than the 20mm round, it is almost as effective due to its smaller surface area, meaning less material to punch through, but the lighter bullet makes transferring energy over longer distances and into targets less efficient.
Reader's Guide
The Anzio 20mm rifle represents a significant step in anti-materiel rifle design, being the first American rifle of its kind mass-produced for public sale with a bore diameter over .50 caliber in over 80 years. Its 20mm round delivers approximately 48,000 ftlbf of kinetic energy, far exceeding the .50 BMG and the .600 Nitro Express, making it one of the most powerful commercially available rifles. The Anzio 20/50 variant offers a different approach, using a .50 BMG projectile at increased velocity to achieve 22,000 ftlbf, with penetration advantages due to its smaller surface area. The Federal Bureau of Investigation purchased two 20mm rifles from Anzio in 2009, indicating interest from law enforcement. The rifle's design includes a 49-inch barrel, optional three-round magazine, and threaded muzzle for accessories, reflecting its intended use as a long-range anti-materiel platform.
Did You Know?
- The 20mm round fired from the Anzio rifle has nearly four times the kinetic energy of the .50 BMG cartridge.
- The Anzio 20/50 variant uses a .50 BMG projectile at over 1.3 times its normal velocity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Anzio 20mm rifle?
It is an American anti-materiel rifle produced by Anzio Iron Works, most commonly chambered for the 20mm Vulcan cartridge. It is the first U.S.-built anti-materiel rifle sold to the general public with a bore wider than .50 caliber in roughly 80 years.
What are the Anzio 20mm rifle's key physical specifications?
The weapon measures 2.5 meters overall and features a 49-inch barrel. It accepts an optional three-round detachable box magazine, and its threaded muzzle allows the user to mount either a muzzle brake or a suppressor.
How does the 20mm round's energy compare to other large calibers?
The 20mm Vulcan round generates approximately 48,000 ft-lbf of kinetic energy, roughly four times what a .50 BMG round produces (~12,200 ft-lbf) and nearly six times a .600 Nitro Express (~8,200 ft-lbf).
What calibers can the Anzio 20mm rifle be chambered in?
Anzio Iron Works offers the rifle in three different calibers, though the 20mm Vulcan chambering is by far the most prevalent variant in the lineup.
Why do fans consider the Anzio 20mm rifle a landmark in American firearms?
It closed an 80-year gap in which no American manufacturer had produced and sold a mass-produced anti-materiel rifle to civilians with a bore exceeding .50 caliber. Its release is widely seen as a turning point that expanded the upper end of the U.S. anti-materiel market.
More in Sniper Rifles 1-22
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced