M396 Designated Marksman Rifle

"Battle rifle?! Battle rifle?! Battle rifles can't penetrate armoured vehicles! This thing is a fucking cannon!"

- Anonymous Marksman

The HBR11 Scoped Rifle is one of the most powerful infantry firearms availible. The Rifle was intended to replace the BR55 as the chosen designated marksman rifle of the UNSC, reducing the BR55 and its successor, BR09, to standard squad rifles. The rifle was extremely heavy for a rifle, using HM-3 composite metals and a massive 10.2x51mm round. The rifle was further equipped with a computerised digital scope with 6x zoom, night vision, ammo counter, fire control for any possible weapon attachments (such as the 02 series weapons, such as the M023 Shotgun, M024 Grenade Launcher and the M025 Rocket Launcher which where in a semi sealed section at the front.) and a bullpup layout (though somewhat unconventional in that the magazine is loaded in a box to a chamber in the reciever behind the trigger.

Uses
The Weapon is mainly designed as a Designated Marksman weapon, so soldiers on a squad based level can increase his squads effective range to sniper levels. The large round is incredibly potent, being capable of penetrating several enemy soldiers before coming to a stop. The weapon is most effective in burst and semi automatic fire, though full automatic fire is effective at close range, making mincmeat of whole squads in close quaters. Also, with the addittion of specialist ammo, such as the the M640 X-HEAP, the M642 Incendiary round and the M643 High Explosive Incendiary Armour Piercing round allow it to become a mild anti armour and anti material rifle, capable of dealing damage to armour vehicles with armour under 60mm thick and destroying enemy equipment. Also, with the addition of 10x digital scopes it can be used by snipers, with much popularity.

Operation
The weapon is a gas operated bull pup rifle, with a heavy kick back neutralised by the sheer weight of the gun. The standard scope features a laser range finder and a computerised fuse setting. The weapon also features three Misriah Rails, one fitting the scope to the reciever, then one one on each side of the barrel.

UNSC Comments
"Don't try to go 'Spartan' with this gun and spray it everywhere. You'll end up with, at best a black eye from the scope kicking you in the eye, at worst, a broke arm. Or if your in a combat zone, death."

"At Helspont space port the Brutes were running amok in the streets below while we took the high ground with these babies. We were even taking down ghosts with these things1"

"the thing is so fucking heavy! Thank god they come with the option of bipods, it really helps in extended defence or marksman operations."