The Ukrainian .57 HL Cartridge and Integrally Suppressed Rifle
Back in 2021, we reported about a long-range anti-materiel/sniper rifle and cartridge (12.7x114HL) developed by a Ukrainian company called Horizon’s Lord. The 12.7x114HL cartridge was created by necking down the 14.5x114mm case to .50 caliber. In this article, we’ll take a look at a new rifle and cartridge system designed by this company which is kind of the opposite of the 12.7x114HL concept. The new MCR .57 HL rifle is a shorter-range integrally suppressed bolt-action rifle and the cartridge it is chambered in, the .57 HL, is a 14.5mm caliber cartridge based on the .50 BMG case.
Ukrainian Weapons @ TFB:
As you can see in the picture above, the case of the .57 HL cartridge is made by cutting the .50 BMG case right below the shoulder and necking the cut case down to 14.5mm caliber. The overall length of the .57 HL cartridge should be similar to that of the .416 Barrett (4.65”) because the company notes that this rifle can be easily converted to fire Barrett's cartridge. Besides the standard 14.5x114 bullets shown in the pictures, they also use projectiles made by a Latvian company called Baltic Bullets. The .57 HL cartridge can be loaded with bullets weighing from 63 to 85 grams (972 to 1,312 grains) and can have a muzzle energy of up to 8,000 Joules (5,900 foot-pounds).
The barrels of this new rifle are made from Bartlein barrel blanks. Note that this is an actual integrally suppressed system with the suppressor enclosing the barrel and ports cut into the barrel. The company says that the .57 HL cartridge and the MCR .57 HL rifle are their answer to Russia’s VSSK Vykhlop weapon system.
According to Horizon’s Lord, the new rifle and cartridge are capable of 0.5 MOA accuracy.
The field trials of the MCR .57 HL rifle are finished and it will soon be delivered to frontline troops.
Pictures by Horizon’s Lord
Managing Editor Being a lifelong firearms enthusiast, Hrachya always enjoys studying the history and design of guns and ammunition. Should you need to contact him, feel free to shoot him a message at Hrachya@TheFirearmBlog.com
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