Walther WA2000: The Ultimate German Sniper Rifle
Semiauto Rifles
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23m
The Walther WA-2000 has a reputation of being the ultimate German sniper rifle, with no expense spared in its design and construction. Designed in the aftermath of the 1972 Munich Olympics massacre, the WA2000 was intended to be a police sniper rifle, not a military arm. It is a bullpup layout and semiautomatic action, chambered for either 7.62mm NATO or .300 Winchester Magnum. Manufactured until 1988, less than 200 were made in total, as its incredible cost ($9000 list price in 1988) prevented it from being adopted by anyone outside the West German police.
We will discuss the history of the gun, and the various elements of its design. Is it really the best sniper rifle ever? Well...it is a really magnificent gun, but exhibits a number of antiquated features by today's standards - like not having a free floated barrel. We will disassemble it (no simple task!) and then take it out to the range.
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