THOR XM408
Encyclopedia
The THOR XM408 is an American-made bolt action heavy sniper rifle
designed by THOR Global Defense Group
and EDM Arms for long range soft target
and hard target interdiction (i.e., for anti-personnel/sniper as well as (limited) anti-materiel use).
, the predecessor to the CheyTac Intervention
rifle series.
The receiver
and bolt are CNC & EDM machined and the receiver is hardened to 42 Rockwell
.
The rifle has a 762 mm (30 in) free-floating
K&P fluted match grade barrel with an easily removable muzzle brake. The barrel can be removed without tools.
The THOR XM408 rifle is fed using a detachable single stack box magazine, which holds five rounds of .408 CheyTac ammunition.
Conversion kits are available to easily make the XM408 fire either .50 BMG
or .338 Lapua Magnum rounds.
The stock
is made from hardened aluminum and is fully adjustable, removable and fitted with an adjustable monopod
that folds away into the stock.
For mounting aiming optics the receiver
offers a 254 mm (10 in) long MIL-STD-1913 rail
(Picatinny rail).
The standard 419-gr projectile will defeat any target that the .50 BMG will penetrate aside from those requiring high explosive incendiary ammunition.
The THOR XM408 is designed to allow all methods of transport; including military free-fall, static line, little boat and dive lockout. The rifle has been tested through teardown and reassembly to hold zero including barrel install/reinstall, optics removal/replacement, and alternation with suppressor and standard brake.
Sniper rifle
In military and law enforcement terminology, a sniper rifle is a precision-rifle used to ensure more accurate placement of bullets at longer ranges than other small arms. A typical sniper rifle is built for optimal levels of accuracy, fitted with a telescopic sight and chambered for a military...
designed by THOR Global Defense Group
THOR Global Defense Group
THOR Global Defense Group is a multi-faceted security operation founded by international arms dealer Larry Knesek. THOR is embedded within the northwestern Arkansas community and offers a variety of weapon systems including the THOR XM408 and THOR TR-15 rifles....
and EDM Arms for long range soft target
Soft target
Soft target is a military term referring to unarmored/undefended targets needing to be destroyed. For example, a soft target would be an automobile, a house, or assembly of people while a hard target could be a main battle tank or a well defended installation...
and hard target interdiction (i.e., for anti-personnel/sniper as well as (limited) anti-materiel use).
Design details
The rifle design is based on the EDM Arms WindrunnerEDM Arms Windrunner
The Windrunner M96 is a bolt-action, magazine-fed rifle designed by American firearms designer William Ritchie and manufactured by his company, EDM Arms. It is chambered for .50 BMG, and a variant designated the M98 is chambered for .338 Lapua Magnum. It was designed to be able to be broken down in...
, the predecessor to the CheyTac Intervention
CheyTac Intervention
The CheyTac Intervention is an American bolt action sniper rifle manufactured by CheyTac LLC for long range soft target interdiction. It is fed by a detachable single stack magazine, which holds 7 rounds. It fires .408 CheyTac or .375 CheyTac ammunition...
rifle series.
The receiver
Receiver (firearms)
In firearms terminology, the receiver is the part of a firearm that houses the operating parts. The receiver usually contains the bolt carrier group, trigger group, and magazine port. In most handguns, the receiver, or frame, holds the magazine well or rotary magazine as well as the trigger mechanism...
and bolt are CNC & EDM machined and the receiver is hardened to 42 Rockwell
Rockwell scale
The Rockwell scale is a hardness scale based on the indentation hardness of a material. The Rockwell test determines the hardness by measuring the depth of penetration of an indenter under a large load compared to the penetration made by a preload. There are different scales, denoted by a single...
.
The rifle has a 762 mm (30 in) free-floating
Free-floating barrel
A free-floating barrel is a specific design technology used in highly accurate rifles, particularly match grade rifles, to increase the accuracy of the weapon.With normal rifles, the barrel rests in contact with the stock...
K&P fluted match grade barrel with an easily removable muzzle brake. The barrel can be removed without tools.
The THOR XM408 rifle is fed using a detachable single stack box magazine, which holds five rounds of .408 CheyTac ammunition.
Conversion kits are available to easily make the XM408 fire either .50 BMG
.50 BMG
The .50 Browning Machine Gun or 12.7×99mm NATO is a cartridge developed for the Browning .50 caliber machine gun in the late 1910s. Entering service officially in 1921, the round is based on a greatly scaled-up .30-06 cartridge...
or .338 Lapua Magnum rounds.
The stock
Stock (firearm)
A stock, also known as a buttstock or shoulder stock, is a part of a rifle or other firearm, to which the barrel and firing mechanism are attached, that is held against one's shoulder when firing the gun. Stocks are also found on crossbows though a crossbow stock is more properly referred to as a...
is made from hardened aluminum and is fully adjustable, removable and fitted with an adjustable monopod
Monopod
A monopod, also called a unipod, is a single staff or pole used to help support cameras, video cameras, binoculars, rifles or other precision instruments in the field.-Camera and imaging use:...
that folds away into the stock.
For mounting aiming optics the receiver
Receiver (firearms)
In firearms terminology, the receiver is the part of a firearm that houses the operating parts. The receiver usually contains the bolt carrier group, trigger group, and magazine port. In most handguns, the receiver, or frame, holds the magazine well or rotary magazine as well as the trigger mechanism...
offers a 254 mm (10 in) long MIL-STD-1913 rail
Picatinny rail
The Picatinny rail or MIL-STD-1913 rail or STANAG 2324 rail or a "Tactical Rail" is a bracket used on some firearms in order to provide a standardized mounting platform. A similar system is the Weaver rail mount.-Description:...
(Picatinny rail).
Capabilities
The .408 Chey Tac CNC turned projectiles fired from the THOR XM408 are made from a hard copper/nickel alloy that has substantial penetration capability. The .408 round will easily defeat level IIIA armor at 1828 m. The .408 CheyTac cartridge has also been tested to penetrate:- Block Structures at distances greater than 450 m
- 1" chilled rolled steel at 183 m
- .5" chilled rolled steel at 780 m
The standard 419-gr projectile will defeat any target that the .50 BMG will penetrate aside from those requiring high explosive incendiary ammunition.
The THOR XM408 is designed to allow all methods of transport; including military free-fall, static line, little boat and dive lockout. The rifle has been tested through teardown and reassembly to hold zero including barrel install/reinstall, optics removal/replacement, and alternation with suppressor and standard brake.