In 1999, U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) released a solicitation for a Precision Sniper Rifle, or PSR, designed to engage targets at 1,500 meters and beyond. In response to the solicitation, Barrett Firearms developed the Multi-Role Adaptive Design, or MRAD, precision rifle. The Barrett 98B could be considered the little brother of the MRAD.
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Like the MRAD, the Barrett 98B is constructed on a machined aluminum chassis that consists of upper and lower receivers. Following the current trend in the gun world, the 3, 6, and 9 o’clock axes of the rifle’s forend are smooth and feature seven KeyMod attachment points. Within the handguard, the 22-inch barrel features a 1-in-10-inch twist rate and an effective two-chamber muzzle brake. The skeletonized buttstock is adjustable for both length of pull and cheek height, and an ambidextrous sling-mounting point is included near the rear.
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I recently got the chance to test the Barrett 98B Tactical variant in 7.62mm NATO, and the rifle came finished in tungsten grey Cerakote. This also gave me a chance to wring out a Leupold 4.5-14x50mm Mark 4 LR/T scope mounted in Barrett’s massive rings. The scope features a 30mm tube, a 50mm objective, 0.25-MOA high-speed turrets and a highly effective mil-dot reticle. At the range, I tested the Barrett 98B with ammo from ASYM Precision, PNW Arms and two Swiss P loads from RUAG. All of the loads created sub-MOA groups at both 100 and 200-yards. The PNW Arms 175-grain load produced a 0.6-inch, five-shot group at 100 yards while the ASYM Precision load produced an impressive 0.89-inch, five-shot group at 200 yards.
Check out the video to learn more about the Barrett 98B, and keep your eyes peeled for a full review in an upcoming issue of GUNS & WEAPONS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT. To subscribe, visit Tactical-life.com/subscribe.
