The CheyTac M200 Intervention is widely acknowledged as one of the best sniper rifles ever produced, and with good reason. This exceptional weapon is designed as a long-range anti-personnel rifle, capable of delivering impressive accuracy and precision. To achieve this, it is equipped with a detachable single-stack magazine and chambered in either .408 Chey Tac or .375 Chey Tac ammunition. Such design features and specifications have resulted in the CheyTac M200 Intervention being adopted by several elite military units globally, including the British SAS and the Polish GROM.
Introduction
The CheyTac M200 Intervention, produced by CheyTac USA Inc. in Tennessee, is a highly sought-after ELR (extreme long-range) rifle system that has played a crucial role in numerous armed conflicts, achieved world records comparable to those of an Olympian, and assisted many big-game hunters in capturing their prey. With a range of up to 5,000 meters, or just over three miles, this rifle system can intercept targets at extreme distances.
In 2017, the London Daily Mail reported that a SAS sniper had utilized the CheyTac M200 Intervention to eliminate an ISIS jihadi from 1.5 miles away, marking one of the most difficult kills in the regiment’s history. Consequently, the CheyTac M200 Intervention has been widely recognized as one of the world’s most powerful sniper rifles. Its immense popularity has led to its appearance in movies like Shooter, Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance, Zero Tolerance, and video games like Call of Duty.
This article explores the design, specifications, and capabilities of the CheyTac M200 Intervention. From the outset, the weapon’s excellence is immediately evident, with its ability to deliver unparalleled accuracy and range, making it a go-to for many of the world’s most elite snipers.
Design
The CheyTac M200 Intervention is an exceptional sniper rifle based on the EDM Arms Windrunner design. Despite being relatively lightweight and compact, this rifle is manually operated and features a bolt-action system that ensures consistent, reliable operation. It is chambered for the .408 CheyTac round, with a unique, patented design featuring a streamlined bullet. The cartridge retains supersonic velocity at ranges beyond 2,000 meters, and its energy is superior to the standard .50 caliber round beyond 700 meters while delivering less recoil. Additionally, the rifle boasts a free-floating barrel that enhances its accuracy.
The CheyTac M200 Intervention is an ideal long-range sniper rifle capable of delivering sub-MOA accuracy at ranges of up to 2,500 yards (2,286 meters). Feeding from a 7-round detachable single-stack magazine, the rifle also offers an optional 5-round magazine. It has a Picatinny-type scope rail on top of the receiver that can accommodate various optical sights. While the rifle does not have backup iron sights, it is typically paired with the Nightforce NXS 5.5-22X telescopic sight, which can be upgraded with the AN/PVS-14 night vision module for enhanced night operations.
Capabilities
The CheyTac M200 Intervention is the world’s longest-range sniper rifle, with an impressive, effective range of up to 1,830 meters. This exceptional weapon holds the world record for the best group (3 bullets) at an astounding range of 2,122 meters. Its performance surpasses other popular .50 caliber sniper rifles, including the Accuracy International Arctic Warfare 50, Barrett M82, and McMillan TAC-50.
Despite its remarkable performance, the CheyTac M200 Intervention is not commonly used due to its extreme range, often not required in most tactical situations. Additionally, its large size makes moving in and out of locations challenging, while its high cost makes overall sales unfeasible. Nonetheless, the CheyTac M200 Intervention remains an outstanding sniper rifle, with a range unparalleled by any other weapon.
Components
The CheyTac system comprises three major components: .408/.375 CheyTac ammunition, CheyTac “XTreme Long Distance™” Rifle, and CheyTac Advanced Ballistic Computer. Combined with the rifle, these components form the CheyTac LRRS or Long Range Sniper System and are linked to the ballistic computer. The ballistic computer plays a vital role by providing all the necessary data and calculations for accurate long-range firing.
The CheyTac M200 Intervention has an integral folding bipod and carrying handle, making it convenient to carry and deploy. Additionally, the barrel can be easily removed for storage, transportation, or replacement. The weapon features a retractable buttstock that can be adjusted to the length of pull, and it can be fully collapsed for storage or transportation. These features make the CheyTac M200 Intervention a versatile and practical long-range sniper rifle.
Service
The CheyTac M200 Intervention is a highly acclaimed weapon recognized for its exceptional performance and accuracy, making it a popular choice among elite military units and serious sharpshooters worldwide. The rifle is in service in five countries: Italy, Poland, Singapore, Turkey, and the United Kingdom. The British SAS and Polish GROM are among the elite military units that use this weapon. Some sources suggest that the US Navy SEALs also employ the CheyTac M200 Intervention.
This sniper rifle’s impressive capabilities and track record have made it popular for military and law enforcement units and competitive long-range shooting enthusiasts. The CheyTac M200 Intervention’s widespread use and popularity attest to its outstanding performance, accuracy, and reliability, making it a preferred weapon among those seeking the best in long-range sniper rifles.
Ammunition
The .408 CheyTac cartridge was specifically designed to be used with the CheyTac M200 Intervention rifle, boasting a bullet diameter of .408 inches (10.36 mm) and an overall length of 3.70 inches (94 mm). The cartridge features a bottleneck design and uses a large powder charge to propel the bullet to extreme ranges with high accuracy.
This cartridge is highly efficient regarding energy transfer and trajectory. Its remarkably high ballistic coefficient allows it to maintain its velocity and energy over longer distances better than other cartridges. As a result, it is an excellent choice for long-range sniping and anti-personnel operations.
Despite its effectiveness, the .408 CheyTac cartridge is not widely used outside the specialized military and law enforcement circles due to its high cost and specific design. Nevertheless, it has demonstrated remarkable performance and proven an effective choice for those requiring precision and accuracy in their long-range operations.
Advanced Ballistic Computer
The CheyTac Advanced Ballistic Computer is a sophisticated device critical in long-range sniping. Snipers can make accurate shots at extreme ranges, even under challenging conditions. The computer is designed to work with the CheyTac LRRS or Long Range Sniper System, including the .408 CheyTac cartridge, the CheyTac M200 Intervention rifle, and the computer.
The Advanced Ballistic Computer is a handheld device that is small and portable. It is programmed with the specific ballistic data for the .408 CheyTac cartridge and the CheyTac M200 Intervention rifle. The computer considers various variables, including atmospheric conditions, bullet drop, wind speed and direction, and target distance. It provides the shooter with an accurate firing solution in real time.
The computer allows the shooter to input environmental conditions and other variables, such as target size and angle, and provides an accurate firing solution based on the information provided. The computer can also store data for multiple loads, so the shooter can quickly switch between different loads without manually inputting data.
The CheyTac Advanced Ballistic Computer is used by military and law enforcement snipers worldwide. It is an essential tool for long-range sniping and helps to ensure that snipers can make accurate shots even under challenging conditions.
Variants
There are several variants of the CheyTac Intervention, namely the M200, M200 Carbine (now out of production), M200 CIV (Civilian Variant), M200 RK, M310 (Single shot and repeater sub-variants with a barrel length of 29 in (737 mm)), M310 R (Repeater), and M325 (Single shot, repeater, and tactical sub-variants with a barrel length of 28 in (711 mm)). The key factor distinguishing these variants is the barrel length, which determines the achievable muzzle velocity. Given all other factors are constant, a higher muzzle velocity extends the effective range of a rifle.
The M200 and M200 Carbine models, such as military forces, are exclusive to official customers and feature a detachable box magazine and telescopic stock. Conversely, the other variants come with a glass-fiber fixed McMillan A5 stock and are available for the general public.
Technical specifications
| Country of origin: | United States |
| Manufacturer: | CheyTac USA Inc. |
| Entered service: | 2001 |
| Caliber: | .408 CheyTac |
| Weight (empty): | 12,3 kg |
| Length: | 1,400 mm |
| Length (with folded stock): | 1,220 mm |
| Barrel length: | 762 mm |
| Muzzle velocity: | 3,000 ft/s (914 m/s) |
| Practical rate of fire: | 5 rpm |
| Magazine capacity: | 5, 7 rounds |
| Sights: | day or night optics |
| Range of effective fire: | 1,830 – 2,100 m |
WoW 😲😳
What would you zero such a rifle at!?