Army Likes the .300 Win Mag — Places $20 Million Ammo Order
The U.S. Army has seen the benefits of the hard-hitting .300 Winchester Magnum (.300 Win Mag) round, and now it wants more — a lot more. The Army has ordered twenty million dollars worth of .300 Win Mag ammo from ATK, to be used primarily in the Army’s M2010 sniper rifle.
ATK has announced a five-year, fixed-price, indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract with the U.S. Army for the production of Mk248 Mod 0, 190-grain and Mk248 Mod 1, 220-grain .300 Winchester Magnum (Win Mag) rifle ammunition. The Army has selected this ammunition for primary use in its M2010 Sniper rifle. According to ATK’s press release, the award has an estimated maximum value of $20 million over the life of the contract. The ammunition will be manufactured at ATK’s Anoka, Minnesota, Federal Premium Ammunition factory. Said ATK’s Sporting Group President Jay Tibbets, “We are proud the U.S. Army has selected our 300 Win Mag ammunition.”
M2010 Sniper Rifle with Suppressor (Click to Zoom)
The U.S. Army first issued M2010s to snipers at the U.S. Army Sniper School in January 2011. Army snipers have been using the M2010 in combat in Afghanistan since March 2011. The M2010’s .300 Win Mag round extends the engagement range over the M24 from 800 meters to 1,200 meters, enhancing lethality and standoff. The M2010 fires .300 Winchester Magnum ammunition to provide approximately 50% greater effective range compared to the M24’s 7.62x51mm NATO. The U.S. Army hopes that the additional effective range helps their snipers in engagements in mountainous and desert terrain in which the war in Afghanistan is fought. Note: As originally developed by Remington, the rifle was called the XM2010. As officially adopted by the U.S. Military, it is now designated the M2010.
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Tags: 300 Win Mag, M2010, Remington, Winchester Magnum, XM-2010
Reflecting of course the “Not Invented Here” approach to sniping that has dogged the US Military since WWI. Well done to ATK for the contract, but the 338 Lapua has proven to be a better choice in Europe.
I think the cost of up grading to 338 Lapua was the deciding factor, the 338 Lapua is a slightly better choice, but theres not a lot in it.
German Army is currently evaluating .338 Lapua sniper rifles. In my opinion .300 Win. Mag. is a bad compromise. The Brits also use the .338 Lapua. Compared to other costs the costs for new rifles instead of rebuilding is negligible. I think it was only done to show officials and politicians that the Army people try to save money…
Cost was not the deciding factor although, it always plays a role. The .338 Lapua was not an eligible round from the start.
Concept: Every XM2010 and M2010 Sniper Rifle began life as and was upgraded from the M24 long action receiver and barrel (7.62 x 51) to become the M2010 that it is today. The receivers were retained and every other part replaced thus keeping the “same” weapon. As everyone knows, the serial number is on the receiver. It was the least painful way to come to an agreement with all concerned, validate the requirement, and get the project funded.
Karl – replace the bolt.
Interesting! The 300 WIN MAG will do 90% of what a 338 will do. Without the recoil shooters can stay on the gun longer and be more accurate longer.