C.G. · Sniper Rifle
Haenel RS9
Bolt action · .338 Lapua Magnum · introduced 2017
Also known as G29, Haenel G29, RS9 .338
About the Haenel RS9
The Haenel RS9 is a bolt-action long-range sniper rifle chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum, adopted by the German Bundeswehr as the G29 in 2016. The rifle features a manually operated rotary bolt with 6 radial locking lugs at the front, providing a strong and reliable lockup for the high-pressure .338 Lapua Magnum cartridge. The 690mm cold hammer-forged barrel incorporates 6-groove rifling with a 1:10 inch (254mm) right-hand twist rate optimized for heavy .338 Lapua projectiles. At 7.54 kg empty, the RS9 is moderately heavy for a .338 Lapua platform but within acceptable parameters for a military sniper rifle. The rifle feeds from a 10-round detachable sheet steel box magazine, giving it double the capacity of many competing .338 Lapua systems. The modular chassis design features a folding stock with fully adjustable cheek piece and buttplate, and the threaded muzzle accepts brakes, flash hiders, or suppressors.
The Haenel RS9 marked Germany's return to domestic sniper rifle production when the Bundeswehr selected it over established international competitors. Designated G29, it gave the German military a home-grown .338 Lapua Magnum capability, continuing a centuries-old tradition of German precision rifle manufacturing from the historic gunmaking city of Suhl.
Haenel RS9 specifications
General
- Type
- Sniper Rifle
- Action
- Bolt action
- Firing mechanism
- Striker-fired
- Trigger
- Two stage
- Calibres
- .338 Lapua Magnum
- Magazine capacity
- 10 rounds
- Magazine
- Detachable box magazine
Dimensions
- Barrel length
- 690 mm (27.2 in)
- Overall length
- 1300 mm (51.2 in)
- Weight (empty)
- 7.54 kg (16.62 lb)
- Weight (loaded)
- 8.00 kg (17.64 lb)
Barrel
- Rifling twist
- 1:10 in (254 mm)
- Rifling
- Right hand
- Grooves
- 6
Materials
- Barrel
- Steel
- Receiver / frame
- Aluminum alloy
- Stock
- Aluminum chassis polymer furniture
- Finish
- matte_black
Performance
- Muzzle velocity (typical)
- 900 m/s (2953 fps)
- Muzzle energy (typical)
- 6570 J (4846 ft·lb)
- Effective range
- 1500 m
History
- Introduced
- 2017
- Production status
- In production
- Country of origin
- DE
Features
- Cold hammer forged barrel
- Free floating barrel
- Folding stock
- Adjustable cheek piece
- Adjustable buttplate
- Suppressor ready
- Accessory rail
- Muzzle brake
- Modular chassis
Safety
- Manual safety
The Haenel RS9 was awarded the Bundeswehr contract in February 2016 and designated G29. The RS9 is specifically chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum only; the 7.62x51mm and 6.5 Creedmoor variants are designated RS8. The 10-round magazine capacity is notable, as most .338 Lapua sniper rifles use 5-round magazines. The rifle's barrel is threaded to accept muzzle devices. C.G. Haenel is a historic German firearms manufacturer founded in 1840 in Suhl, Thuringia. The RS9 competes in the same space as the Accuracy International AXMC, Sako TRG M10, and Barrett MRAD.
