In this episode, we're taking a look at the AS50. The AS50 is a British rifle, manufactured by Portsmouth-based Accuracy International. The weapon is intended to fill a long-range, anti-materiel role - firing a powerful round with a very high degree of accuracy. The AS50's roots lie in the British sniper rifles of the 20th century, such as the L42A1: A conversion of the Lee-Enfield rifle to a NATO calibre. The L42A1 was the sniper rifle of choice of the British Army from 1970 until 1982, at which point it was used alongside the Accuracy International Precision Marksman - designated as the L96A1. By the early 90s, this rifle was refined, and eventually evolved into the Arctic Warfare series of rifles - with the improved design given the L118A designation. In the year 2000, the bolt-action AW50 was introduced - expanding the Arctic Warfare family to fill an anti-materiel role. The AS50 was introduced in 2007, with a semi-automatic fire mode and improved muzzle brake to permit much faster follow-up shots than its bolt-action predecessors. In this sense, the AS50 is similar to the Barrett M82 - as both fill a high-caliber role with a semi-automatic action. Like the Barrett, the AS50 is chambered for the .50 Browning Machine Gun cartridge - a devastating round with impressive long-range ballistic characteristics. Magazines are of a 5-round detachable box type, and the semi-automatic operation of the AS50 means these 5 rounds are available in quick succession, if needs be. The sizeable muzzle brake reigns in the massive recoil of the .50 caliber round, making this rifle ideal for situations that require multiple shots in a short space of time. It's by no means a lightweight weapon, its role reliant on planning and positioning rather than manoeverability - at 14.1kg unloaded, this is a sizeable weapon. Its 1.4m length contains a free-floated barrel nearly 70 centimetres long - this length being needed to ensure accuracy in the powerfu