Tag Archives: Sniper

Analytics and Reports, Precision and Sniper Rifle Analytics

B&T APR338: A Precision Rifle Analysis

The Brügger & Thomet (B&T) APR338 stands as a definitive artifact of early 21st-century precision rifle engineering—a platform that prioritizes dedicated, structural rigidity and specific anti-personnel efficacy over the modular adaptability that has since come to define the sector. This comprehensive market and engineering analysis evaluates the Advanced Precision Rifle (APR) in.338 Lapua Magnum, examining its technical architecture, ballistic capabilities, and market positioning relative to peer competitors such as Accuracy International, Barrett Firearms, and Sako.

Technically, the APR338 is a masterpiece of Swiss manufacturing, evolved from the PGM Précision Hécate lineage. It features a specialized lower-receiver chassis system that provides an unconventional but highly effective bedding surface, contributing to the manufacturer’s guarantee of hitting a head-sized target at 600 meters and a torso-sized target at 1,300 meters with a 99% first-round hit probability. The system utilizes a 27-inch, cold hammer-forged barrel with a 1:11 twist rate. While this twist rate was the NATO standard during the rifle’s development, engineering analysis indicates it is optimized for 250-grain projectiles, limiting the platform’s ability to stabilize modern, ultra-high-ballistic-coefficient (BC) solids (285gr+) required for Extreme Long Range (ELR) engagements beyond 1,500 meters.

From a strategic market perspective, the APR338 occupies a precarious position in the “Super Magnum” segment. Priced in the ultra-premium tier (approximately $10,000 – $12,000 USD), it competes directly against multi-caliber systems like the Accuracy International AXSR and the Barrett MRAD, which have swept recent military procurement contracts (e.g., USSOCOM’s ASR and PSR programs). The APR338 lacks the user-level quick-change barrel capabilities that have become the operational standard, locking the user into a single-caliber logistics chain. Customer sentiment analysis reveals a bifurcation in the ownership experience: while users express deep appreciation for the rifle’s fit, finish, and intrinsic accuracy, there is significant anxiety regarding proprietary logistical support, particularly in North American markets where parts scarcity can render the platform inoperable for extended periods.

The overall conclusion of this report suggests that the APR338 is a “Purist’s Rifle.” It is recommended for institutional users and dedicated collectors who prioritize specific anti-personnel precision within 1,300 meters and value mechanical refinement over adaptability. For operators demanding mission flexibility, ELR ballistic advantages, or widespread logistical support, the platform is technically and doctrinally outclassed by contemporary multi-caliber systems.

Note: EuroOptics has the B&T APR338 in stock. Click here to see the page.
EuroOptic has the B&T APR338 in stock. Click here.

1. Strategic Context and Historical Lineage

To fully appreciate the engineering decisions and market placement of the APR338, it is essential to analyze the historical and doctrinal context in which it was conceived. The rifle is not a spontaneous invention but the result of a deliberate evolutionary process rooted in French precision doctrine and Swiss manufacturing philosophy.

1.1 The PGM Précision Genesis

The architectural DNA of the B&T APR338 can be traced directly to the designs of PGM Précision, a French firearms manufacturer renowned for the Hécate II and Ultima Ratio intervention rifles.1 In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Brügger & Thomet served as a distributor for PGM, gaining intimate familiarity with the skeletal, chassis-based construction method that distinguished PGM rifles from the traditional “action-in-stock” designs of the era, such as the Remington 700 or Accuracy International AW.

The PGM design philosophy was characterized by a “form follows function” brutality, utilizing a central metallic spine to mount components. This offered superior thermal management and modularity compared to wood or composite stocks. However, when PGM faced financial and restructuring challenges in the early 2000s, B&T moved to secure the design rights and refine the concept for a broader market.2 The result was the APR308, introduced in 2003, followed by the APR338 in 2007.

The divergence between the French original and the Swiss derivative is significant. While PGM rifles were built for the rugged, dusty environments of French foreign interventions (often in Africa), B&T applied high-precision Swiss machining tolerances to the design. The goal was to create a system that retained the ruggedness of the PGM architecture but offered the refinement and ergonomic sophistication required by European special police units and the Singapore Army.1

1.2 The Haenel Connection: A German Sibling

A critical but often overlooked aspect of the APR338’s lineage is its relationship with the Haenel RS9, which serves as the G29 sniper rifle for the German Bundeswehr.3 The Haenel RS9 and B&T APR series share a common design heritage, effectively making them “cousins” in the engineering sense. Both utilize similar bolt geometries, receiver structures, and safety mechanisms, reflecting a shared intellectual property background.

The adoption of the Haenel RS9 by the Kommando Spezialkräfte (KSK) and Kommando Spezialkräfte Marine (KSM) provides valuable proxy data for the durability of the APR338 architecture.3 The G29 was selected to replace the Accuracy International AWM in German service, proving that the fundamental design architecture of the APR/RS family is capable of surviving Tier 1 military selection trials involving distinct climate categories (A1-3, B1-3, C0-2) according to STANAG 4370.3 While the B&T APR338 is branded and finished differently—often with a greater focus on export market aesthetics and smoothness—the core mechanical reliability has been validated in the crucible of German military testing.

1.3 Doctrinal Shifts: The Rise of the.338 Lapua Magnum

The APR338 was released in 2007, a peak period for the.338 Lapua Magnum (8.6x70mm) cartridge.1 Developed originally as a dedicated long-range sniper cartridge to bridge the gap between the 7.62x51mm NATO and the.50 BMG (12.7x99mm), the.338 LM offered the trajectory of a 7.62mm with the terminal energy closer to a.50 BMG.

At the time of the APR338’s design, the prevailing military doctrine focused on dedicated platforms. A sniper team would deploy with a specific rifle for a specific mission profile. The concept of a “switch-barrel” or multi-caliber system was in its infancy and not a mandatory requirement for procurement. Consequently, the APR338 was engineered as a dedicated.338 LM host. This decision, while valid in 2007, has become the platform’s primary strategic liability in the 2020s, as USSOCOM’s Precision Sniper Rifle (PSR) and Advanced Sniper Rifle (ASR) programs shifted the global standard toward modularity.5

2. Engineering Architecture and Technical Specifications

The B&T APR338 represents a departure from traditional rifle bedding techniques. Instead of mating a cylindrical receiver to a stock via pillars and epoxy, the APR utilizes a chassis system where the lower receiver serves as the primary structural component.

2.1 The Integrated Lower Receiver Chassis

The foundational element of the APR338 is its lower receiver. Machined from high-strength aluminum alloy (likely 7075-T6 or similar aerospace grade), this component acts as the spine of the rifle.7

  • Structural Integration: The upper receiver, which houses the bolt and barrel extension, bolts directly onto this lower chassis. The contact surface extends along the majority of the receiver’s length. B&T describes this as an “unconventional bedding surface”.8 From an engineering standpoint, this massive contact area maximizes rigidity. By eliminating the variance found in composite stocks or traditional glass bedding, the APR338 ensures that the relationship between the optic (mounted on the upper) and the shooter’s interface (stock, grip, trigger on the lower) remains absolutely static under recoil.
  • Vibration Management: The mass and stiffness of the lower receiver act to dampen the harmonic vibrations generated during firing. In the.338 LM caliber, these vibrations are significant. The chassis helps to “deaden” the rifle, reducing the “tuning fork” effect that can occur in lighter, skeletal stocks. This contributes to the rifle’s ability to maintain a consistent point of impact (POI) across wide temperature ranges, a capability B&T explicitly highlights in their marketing regarding desert and arctic testing.8
  • Thermal Dissipation: The open architecture of the fore-end allows for rapid cooling. Unlike a fully enclosed composite stock which can insulate the barrel, the APR’s design facilitates airflow around the barrel shank—the hottest part of the system. This is critical for maintaining accuracy during rapid engagement sequences, where heat mirage and thermal expansion can degrade precision.

2.2 Barrel Assembly and Metallurgy

The barrel is the primary determinant of a rifle’s accuracy potential. B&T utilizes a 27-inch (690mm) barrel for the APR338, a length chosen to optimize the velocity of the.338 Lapua Magnum cartridge.9

  • Cold Hammer Forging: The barrel is manufactured using cold hammer forging. In this process, a hardened steel mandrel with the reverse rifling pattern is inserted into a barrel blank. Massive hammers pound the outside of the blank, compressing the steel onto the mandrel. This process aligns the grain structure of the steel and work-hardens the bore surface. The result is a barrel that is exceptionally durable, with B&T claiming a service life of approximately 7,000 rounds.8 This is significantly higher than the typical 2,500-round accuracy life expected from button-rifled stainless steel barrels in this caliber, offering a lower long-term cost of ownership for high-volume institutional users.
  • Twist Rate Analysis (1:11): The rifle features a 1:11 (one turn in 11 inches) right-hand twist rate.9
  • Historical Context: When the APR338 was designed, the standard military load for.338 LM was the 250-grain Lapua Scenar or LockBase. A 1:11 twist is perfectly optimized for this weight, providing a Gyroscopic Stability factor (Sg) well above 1.5, ensuring stable flight through the transonic zone.
  • Modern Limitation: The current trend in Extreme Long Range (ELR) shooting involves heavier, high-BC projectiles such as the 285-grain Hornady ELD-M or 300-grain Berger Hybrid. These bullets are longer and require faster twist rates (typically 1:9.4 or 1:10) to stabilize adequately. The APR338’s 1:11 twist is marginal for these modern heavyweights, potentially leading to instability and keyholing at extended ranges. This engineering constraint effectively caps the APR338’s ballistic potential compared to newer rivals like the Barrett MRAD (1:9.4 twist).11

2.3 Bolt and Action Mechanics

The APR338 employs a manual bolt action with a three-lug configuration.10

  • Three-Lug Design: The use of three locking lugs spaced 120 degrees apart allows for a 60-degree bolt throw. This is a significant ergonomic advantage over the 90-degree throw found in two-lug systems (like the Remington 700). The shorter throw allows for faster cycling and ensures that the bolt handle clears large ocular housings on high-magnification scopes.
  • Lock-Up and Safety: The bolt locks directly into the barrel extension, a feature that enhances safety by containing the pressure within the barrel assembly rather than the receiver. The safety mechanism is a firing pin block located on the bolt shroud. This allows the operator to manipulate the bolt (load/unload) while the weapon is on “Safe,” reducing the risk of negligent discharge during administrative handling.4
  • Extraction: The system uses a robust extractor and a plunger ejector. The reliability of extraction is paramount in.338 LM rifles due to the high chamber pressures (over 60,000 psi) which can cause cases to stick. The APR’s camming action provides significant primary extraction force to break the case seal.

2.4 Trigger Module Comparison

The trigger group of the APR338 is a detachable module, representing a distinct divergence from the Remington 700 footprint used by many custom precision rifles.8

  • Adjustability: The unit is a two-stage trigger, adjustable for pull weight between 1.5 kg and 2.5 kg (3.3 lbs – 5.5 lbs).10 The trigger path can be adjusted externally without disassembling the rifle.
  • Reliability vs. Compatibility: The modular design enhances field reliability; if the trigger mechanism becomes fouled with sand or ice, the entire module can be removed and cleaned or swapped. However, this proprietary design means the user cannot upgrade to aftermarket triggers from Timney, TriggerTech, or Bix’n Andy, which are standard upgrades for Remington 700-pattern rifles.12 The user is effectively married to the factory B&T trigger. While the factory trigger is widely praised for its crisp break (“glass rod” feel), the lack of aftermarket options is a limitation for competitors who prefer ultra-light (<1 lb) pull weights.

2.5 Interface and Ergonomics

The APR338 features a side-folding stock, a critical requirement for a rifle measuring 1236mm (48.7 inches) in total length.9

  • Stock Mechanism: The stock folds to the left, reducing the length to 1002mm. The hinge is a robust steel-on-steel lockup, designed to eliminate any “wobble” that could affect accuracy. The stock features an adjustable cheek rest and butt plate spacers to customize the length of pull (LOP).
  • Integral Monopod: A folding butt-spike (monopod) is integrated into the stock.9 This provides a stable third point of contact for long-duration observation, reducing muscle fatigue for the sniper.
  • Rail System: The upper receiver features a continuous MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rail with a 40 MOA (Minute of Angle) inclination.7 This cant is essential for.338 LM shooting, as it preserves the internal elevation travel of the riflescope, allowing the shooter to dial corrections for shots beyond 1,500 meters.

3. Operational Performance and Ballistics

The true measure of any sniper system is its performance downrange. The APR338 is engineered to deliver specific terminal effects at extended distances.

3.1 Accuracy Guarantees and Expectations

B&T offers a specific performance guarantee: the system is capable of a first-round hit on a head-sized target at 600 meters and a torso-sized target at 1,300 meters, with a hit probability of greater than 99%.10

  • Translation to MOA: A “head-sized target” is approximately 20cm (8 inches). At 600 meters, 1 MOA is roughly 17.5cm (6.9 inches). Therefore, hitting a head target requires accuracy of approximately 1.2 MOA or better. Since the rifle is mechanically capable of sub-MOA (often <0.5 MOA) precision with match ammunition, this guarantee is conservative regarding the rifle’s capability but realistic regarding environmental factors (wind calls).
  • Real-World Precision: User reports and reviews consistently cite the APR338’s ability to print sub-0.5 MOA groups with factory Lapua ammunition.9 The structural rigidity of the chassis system plays a major role here, ensuring that the rifle behaves consistently shot after shot.

3.2 Recoil Management Comparison

The.338 Lapua Magnum generates significant free recoil energy—often exceeding 35 ft-lbs, which is comparable to a heavy shotgun slug but with a sharper velocity. Managing this recoil is essential for “spotting trace”—the ability of the shooter to see the vapor trail of the bullet and its impact through the scope.

  • Muzzle Brake: The APR338 ships with a factory double-chamber muzzle brake.9 This device is rated to reduce felt recoil by 40%.8 It works by redirecting the high-pressure gases expanding behind the bullet laterally and rearward, pulling the rifle forward to counteract the rearward recoil impulse.
  • Suppressor Integration: The muzzle brake serves as a mounting interface for B&T’s Rotex suppressor line.14 Using a suppressor is highly advantageous for.338 LM; it not only reduces the acoustic signature (masking the shooter’s position) but also acts as an effective recoil reducer by trapping gas and adding mass to the muzzle. The APR338 is “suppressor ready” out of the box, a feature that aligns with modern tactical requirements.

3.3 Environmental Reliability

The B&T APR338 has been tested in diverse environmental extremes, from the heat of deserts to the freezing conditions of the Arctic.8

  • Cold Weather: The polymer stock covers touchpoints to prevent the shooter’s skin from freezing to the metal chassis. The trigger guard is enlarged to accommodate heavy winter gloves.9
  • Debris Tolerance: The fluted bolt body allows for sand, ice, or mud to migrate into the flutes rather than jamming between the bolt and receiver wall. This feature, derived from the PGM legacy, ensures reliability in environments where tighter-tolerance benchrest rifles might fail.

4. The Competitive Landscape: Market Comparison

In the high-end precision rifle market, the APR338 competes against established titans. This section compares the APR338 against its primary peers: the Accuracy International AXSR, the Barrett MRAD, and the Sako TRG M10.

4.1 Comparative Analysis Matrix

FeatureB&T APR338AI AXSRBarrett MRADSako TRG M10
OriginSwitzerlandUnited KingdomUSAFinland
System TypeDedicated ChassisMulti-Caliber ChassisMulti-Caliber ChassisMulti-Caliber Chassis
Barrel ChangeWorkshop (Tools Req.)Field (Tool-less)Field (User Level)Field (Tool-less)
Twist Rate (.338)1:11″1:9.35″1:9.4″1:10″
Weight16.2 lbs (7.3 kg)~15.2 lbs14.5 lbs14.6 lbs
Action Throw60°60°60°60°
Price (MSRP)~$12,000~$12,500~$6,200 – $9,000~$11,500
Primary AdvantageFit/Finish, SimplicityDurability, EcosystemModularity, CostErgonomics
Primary WeaknessProprietary DesignHigh Cost“Clunky” FeelAccessory Cost

9

4.2 The “Quick Change” Disadvantage

The defining strategic weakness of the APR338 in the modern market is its lack of a user-level quick-change barrel system.

  • The Competitor Standard: The AI AXSR and Barrett MRAD utilize systems that allow the user to swap barrels and bolt heads in minutes using a single tool or no tools at all.16 This allows a single rifle chassis to train with inexpensive.308 Winchester or 6.5 Creedmoor ammunition and then deploy with.338 Lapua Magnum or.300 Norma Magnum.
  • The B&T Approach: The APR338 barrel replacement is a maintenance procedure.21 It requires a vice, barrel wrench, and torque verification. It is not designed to be done in the field.
  • Strategic Implication: This locks the APR338 owner into a “one rifle, one caliber” paradigm. With.338 LM ammunition often exceeding $5.00 – $8.00 per round, the inability to swap to a cheaper trainer caliber drastically increases the training cost and reduces the rifle’s versatility compared to the MRAD or AXSR.

4.3 King of 2 Miles (KO2M) Context

The absence of the APR338 from the leaderboards of Extreme Long Range (ELR) competitions like the “King of 2 Miles” is telling.22

  • Winning Platforms: Recent winners utilize custom rifles chambered in.375 CheyTac,.416 Barrett, or.338 EnABELR. These cartridges vastly outperform the standard.338 Lapua.
  • Modularity Gap: Even within the.338 class, competitors prefer actions (like the Surgeon, Defiance, or AI) that allow them to spin up custom barrels with fast twist rates (1:9) to stabilize 300-grain solids. The APR338’s fixed 1:11 barrel puts it at a ballistic disadvantage in this arena, rendering it a non-starter for serious ELR competition usage.

5. Logistics, Maintenance, and Supply Chain

For the prospective buyer—whether institutional or civilian—the logistics of ownership are as critical as the rifle’s performance. In this domain, the B&T APR338 presents significant challenges compared to its peers.

5.1 The Proprietary Trap

The APR338 relies heavily on proprietary components that are not cross-compatible with industry standards.

  • Magazines: The rifle uses a unique B&T 10-round magazine.25 It does not accept the industry-standard Accuracy International Chassis System (AICS) magazines.26 This is a major logistical friction point. AICS magazines are ubiquitous, available from multiple manufacturers (Magpul, MDT, AI), and relatively affordable. B&T magazines are sole-source items, often backordered, and command premium pricing.
  • Parts Availability: User sentiment from forums such as Canadian Gun Nutz and Snipers Hide highlights a “paperweight risk”.6 If a critical component like an extractor or firing pin breaks, replacement parts must often be sourced directly from B&T in Switzerland or through a slow-moving distributor network. In contrast, parts for Remington 700-based systems are available at virtually any gunsmith, and Accuracy International parts are stocked by specialized major retailers like Mile High Shooting.28

5.2 Maintenance and Barrel Replacement

The maintenance philosophy of the APR338 reflects a depot-level repair doctrine rather than field-level repair.21

  • Barrel Swaps: Changing the barrel requires specialized tools (barrel wrench, vice, torque wrench) and a specific procedure to ensure headspace is correct. It is not designed for the end-user to perform casually.
  • Contrast: The Barrett MRAD uses two Torx screws to clamp the barrel. A user can change calibers in the field in under two minutes with a simple T-handle wrench.20 This difference defines the operational flexibility of the systems: the MRAD is an adaptive weapon system; the APR338 is a precision instrument that requires a workshop for major changes.

6. Customer Sentiment and User Experience

Synthesizing feedback from long-range shooting communities, verified owners, and industry discussion boards provides a qualitative assessment of the ownership experience.

6.1 The “Fit and Finish” Halo

Positive sentiment is overwhelmingly focused on the tangible quality of the rifle.

  • Machining Quality: Owners consistently describe the APR338 as having “jewel-like” precision.8 The action is described as “silky smooth,” contrasting favorably with the perceived “clunky” or utilitarian feel of the Barrett MRAD.7
  • Turn-Key Solution: Users appreciate that the APR338 ships as a complete, coherent system. It includes the bipod, the brake, the scope mount, and the cleaning kit.30 This appeals to buyers who want a “done” solution without the need to research and assemble disparate aftermarket components.

6.2 The “Orphan” Anxiety

Negative sentiment is dominated by the logistical isolation of the platform.

  • Lack of Community Knowledge: Because the rifle is rare, there is very little institutional knowledge in the civilian community. Unlike the AI AXSR, which has thousands of users sharing load data, troubleshooting tips, and modification guides, the APR338 owner is often on their own.9
  • Resale Depreciation: Due to the niche nature of the rifle and the high cost of ammunition, the APR338 suffers from steeper depreciation than its competitors. It is harder to sell a used APR338 because the buyer pool is limited to those who specifically want that rifle, whereas an AXSR or MRAD has a broad, active market.6

7. Use Case Analysis and Recommendations

Based on the technical and market analysis, the suitability of the APR338 can be categorized by user profile.

For Law Enforcement agencies that require a dedicated.338 LM asset for vehicle interdiction or long-range overwatch, the APR338 is an excellent choice.

  • Why: Agencies typically issue weapons as fixed assets; they do not need to swap calibers in the field. The ruggedness, accuracy, and turn-key nature of the APR338 fit the departmental procurement model well. The 1,300m effective range covers 99.9% of police engagement scenarios.

For the private enthusiast who values mechanical excellence and exclusivity over versatility.

  • Why: The APR338 offers a tactile experience and pride of ownership that is distinct from the more utilitarian American designs. It is a “statement piece” that also happens to be a sub-MOA performer.

For PRS/ELR competitors or shooters who fire thousands of rounds a year.

  • Why: The lack of a quick-change barrel system makes training prohibitively expensive. You cannot swap to.308 Win for cheap practice. Furthermore, the 1:11 twist rate puts the shooter at a ballistic disadvantage against competitors running custom 1:9 twist barrels with 300gr solids.

8. Conclusion

The B&T APR338 is a triumph of specific engineering over modular adaptability. It was designed in an era where a sniper rifle was a dedicated tool for a singular purpose. In that role, it excels. It is accurate, incredibly durable, and built with a level of precision that few manufacturers can match.

However, the market has evolved. The paradigm shift toward modular, multi-caliber chassis systems—driven by USSOCOM’s PSR and ASR programs—has rendered the fixed-caliber, proprietary architecture of the APR338 functionally obsolescent for general military and competitive use. The Barrett MRAD offers comparable performance with vastly superior versatility for a lower price. The Accuracy International AXSR offers superior performance and ecosystem support for a similar price.

Overall Verdict:

The APR338 is worth buying only for those who specifically desire the B&T pedigree and the specific mechanical attributes of a dedicated, fixed-barrel system. It is a superb rifle that has been overtaken by a shift in doctrine. For the pragmatist, the multi-caliber alternatives offer a better return on investment; for the connoisseur, the APR338 remains a singular, exquisite machine.

Appendix A: Methodology

This report was compiled using a multi-source intelligence approach, synthesizing technical data, market trends, and user feedback.

  • Technical Specifications: Data regarding dimensions, twist rates, and operational limits were sourced directly from B&T operator manuals, technical data sheets, and official distributor listings (B&T USA, EuroOptic).
  • Comparative Analysis: Specifications for competitor rifles (AI AXSR, Barrett MRAD, Sako TRG) were aggregated from their respective manufacturer publications and NATO trial results to create a baseline for “industry standard.”
  • Sentiment Analysis: User feedback was harvested from high-traffic precision shooting forums (Sniper’s Hide, Reddit r/LongRange, Canadian Gun Nutz). This qualitative data was filtered to separate speculation from verified owner experiences, focusing on recurring themes regarding reliability and support.
  • Pricing Data: Current street prices were derived from major retailers to establish the accurate cost-of-entry for the 2024/2025 fiscal period.
  • Ballistic Modeling: Claims regarding hit probability and effective range were cross-referenced against standard ballistic calculators (JBM Ballistics) using known coefficients for.338 LM projectiles to verify the physical plausibility of manufacturer guarantees.

Works cited

  1. Brügger & Thomet APR – Wikipedia, accessed December 19, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Br%C3%BCgger_%26_Thomet_APR
  2. Opinions on which .338 to buy? | Sniper’s Hide Forum, accessed December 19, 2025, https://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/opinions-on-which-338-to-buy.142607/
  3. Haenel RS9 – Wikipedia, accessed December 19, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haenel_RS9
  4. Precision Rifle System RS8 / RS9 – C.G. Haenel, accessed December 19, 2025, https://www.cg-haenel.de/en/products/rs8-rs9/
  5. Barrett Firearms Secures MRAD Contract with Colombian National Army, accessed December 19, 2025, https://barrett.net/2025/02/12/barrett-firearms-secures-mrad-contract-with-colombian-national-army/
  6. AI AXSR, B&T APR, Sako TRG M10 or Cadex Kraken? | Canadian Gun Nutz, accessed December 19, 2025, https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/threads/ai-axsr-b-t-apr-sako-trg-m10-or-cadex-kraken.2504759/
  7. New! B&T APR338 .338 Lapua Magnum Bolt-Action Chassis Rifle – Bass Pro Shops, accessed December 19, 2025, https://www.basspro.com/p/bt-apr338-338-lapua-magnum-bolt-action-chassis-rifle
  8. B&T APR338 .338 Lapua Mag 27″ 1:11″ Bbl Rifle w/(1) 10rd Mag BT-APR338-CH, accessed December 19, 2025, https://www.eurooptic.com/b-t-apr338-338lm-rifle-27-1-11-bt-apr338
  9. APR338 – B&T USA, accessed December 19, 2025, https://bt-usa.com/products/apr338/
  10. B&T APR338 Sniper Rifle System Cal. .338LM: Technical Specifications | PDF – Scribd, accessed December 19, 2025, https://www.scribd.com/doc/40579800/TS-APR338
  11. MRAD® – Barrett Firearms, accessed December 19, 2025, https://barrett.net/products/firearms/mrad-standard/
  12. 6 Best Remington 700 Triggers: Maximum Accuracy, accessed December 19, 2025, https://www.pewpewtactical.com/best-remington-700-triggers/
  13. Which Trigger Company To Use? | Sniper’s Hide Forum, accessed December 19, 2025, https://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/which-trigger-company-to-use.7226087/
  14. B&T APR338 Sniper Rifle System cal. .338LM, accessed December 19, 2025, http://www.andreusoler.com/aasias/PDFs%20productes/BT-APR338_manual_ENG.pdf
  15. Sniper Rifle Manufacturer Guide – Small Arms Review, accessed December 19, 2025, https://smallarmsreview.com/sniper-rifle-manufacturer-guide/
  16. AXSR professional long action multi cal. sniper rifle – Accuracy International, accessed December 19, 2025, https://www.accuracyinternational.us/axsr-pro
  17. TRG M10 – Modular Rifle, accessed December 19, 2025, https://modularrifle.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Sako_TRG_M10_Specifications1.pdf
  18. B&T APR 338 Lapua Magnum, 27″ Threaded Barrel, Black, 10rd – Impact Guns, accessed December 19, 2025, https://www.impactguns.com/semi-automatic-rifles/b-t-apr-338-lapua-27-barrel-black-anodized-10rd-840225705744-bt-apr338-ch
  19. B&T APR338 – B&T APR 338 For Sale – Xtreme Guns And Ammo, accessed December 19, 2025, https://xtremegunsandammo.com/rifles-for-sale/b-t/bt-apr338/
  20. MRAD Barrel Change – YouTube, accessed December 19, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tr0uGyR8Ezg
  21. apr308 pro – operator manual – B&T USA, accessed December 19, 2025, https://bt-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/APR308-PRO-Operator-Manual.pdf
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  23. King of 2 Miles: ELR – Global Precision Group, accessed December 19, 2025, https://www.globalprecisiongroupllc.com/lb-all-articles
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  25. BT-ALM11 – B&T magazine for APR338 10 rounds cal. .338 LM, accessed December 19, 2025, https://bt-parts.com/b-t-magazine-for-apr338-10-rounds-cal-338-lm/
  26. 338LM Lapua AICS Magazine – XLR Industries, accessed December 19, 2025, https://xlrindustries.com/products/338-cip-box-magazine
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  30. B&T APR338 Sniper Rifle (Advanced Precision Rifle) chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum, accessed December 19, 2025, https://axarms.com/product/bt-apr338-sniper-rifle-advanced-precision-rifle-chambered-in-338-lapua-magnum/
Sniper / Precision Rifles

The Bergara B14 HMR Is Good to Go

In a recent post, I gave some background on Bergara and as mentioned, after learning more, I did go back to Michigan Gun Exchange and buy the Bergara B14 HMR.

The B14 HMR is made in Spain in a modern factory with CNC machines and careful quality control. This results in consistent parts with fairly tight tolerances – certainly better than years ago when parts still required a great deal of hand fitting.

With the Bergara B14, you are getting a receiver that has the same footprint as Remington 700 short action receivers. Bergara makes their own by the way plus one of their high quality button rifled barrels.

The barrel is a 20″ M24 profiled barrel that has a 1:10 twist. On the far end, it is threaded 5/8″-24. With the HMR, it is fully free floated meaning nothing touches it to affect accuracy. Bergara does have an interesting page about how they make barrels.

Bergara’s Performance Trigger is quite nice. It is set at 2.8 pounds at the factory and is adjustable from 2.8-4.4 pounds via an adjustment screw. I have run really light triggers in the past but 2.8 pounds is in my sweet spot and it breaks nicely when pulled.

The HMR stock has an aluminum chassis that stock is then formed around. This means the receiver has a solid platform that is not going to flex or warp.

One of the things I like about the stock is that it can be adjusted to fit the shooter and the “bottom metal” meaning the floor plate area, supports the use of an AICS-style magazine. This magazine design started with Accuracy International in their Chassis System ( hence “AICS”) and now a number of makers produce that pattern inclduing Magpul.

The base rifle comes in at 9.5 pounds and is 40 inches overall – bear in mind there are spacers in the recoil pad so between that and if you install a muzzle device, that overall length can vary.

What does it look like out of the box?

Not to be funny but what you get is a base bolt action platform that you then customize. Now you are getting a jump start in terms of having a really good stock and pretty decent trigger right out of the box.

Let’s look at some photos:

It comes in a box with a nice secure molded liner that protects everything. It looks like many other bolt action rifles albeit with a cool stock.
The stock design is very well thought out and fit me very well.
This is an interesting view of the bolt face. You can see the big ejector and the extractor claw off to the left plus the firing pin hole. What you also ought to notice are the wear marks on the bolt lugs. This bolt has two lugs – the protrusions on the left and the right. When you push the bolt in and then bring the bolt handle down, these lugs are travelling in the receiver into a locked position that then withstands the enormous pressure of the cartridge when it is fired. The wear marks are showing the contact points where the bolt is rubbing on the receiver as it goes into the locked position and also when it is unlocked. How well the receiver, lugs and bolt body “fit” each other contribute to how smooth the action feels. Also, the more consistent the lock up, the better the repeatable accuracy is.
This is the back underside of the bolt assembly. We are looking at the firing pin to the left and the Bergara is designed to cock on open, meaning that as you open the bolt, the firing pin is pulled back and spring compressed. You’ll note there is some debris here that needs to be cleaned up. Even so, it was pretty smooth right out of the box. Scott had the rifle on display so there’s no guessing how many times the action was cycled – at least a hundred of times probably – before I bought it. Also, note the oversized bolt knob. The larger size makes manipulating the bolt easier.
The receiver comes drilled and tapped for whatever Remington short action scope mount you want to use. The bolt release is sticking out at the rear, closest to us. The left close to the “B-14” in the photo is the safety lever.
It comes with a very decent thick recoil pad on the far right. The black “discs” are spacers that you can add or remove to adjust the scope to your desired length of pull.
Protected by a muzzle cap are the 5/8″-24 TPI threads. This is a very common thread size for .308 muzzle devices and gives you a ton of options.

Summary

I’m going to wrap this post up at this point. The base Bergara B14 HMR is a very nice rifle – sub MOA guarantee, good barrel, action was pretty smooth, decent trigger and a very slick stock. It definitely gave me a starting platform to build on and a rifle I wholeheartedly recommend. In the next post, I’ll tell you about what I added.

I hope this helps you out.

Note, I have to buy all of my parts – nothing here was paid for by sponsors, etc. I do make a small amount if you click on an ad and buy something but that is it. You’re getting my real opinion on stuff.

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Reviews / For Sale, Sniper / Precision Rifles

Looking for a hell Of a .308 AR Platform Sniper Rifle? Brownells Has The HK MR762A1 LR Package For $1,000 Off List

Folks, the HK MR762A1 LR is a heck of a rifle. I’ve been tracking them for a while and am always wishing I could afford one for myself. They are consistent sub-MOA rifles and reliable as well. Check out this great MAC review:

What is in the LRP package?

  • Leupold 3-9VX-R Patrol 3-9x40mm Scope and Mount
  • HG G28 Adjustable Cheekpiece Buttstock
  • LaRue Tactical BRM-S Bipod
  • ERGO Pistol Grip
  • Blue Force Gear Sling
  • OTIS cleaning kit
  • One 20 round and one 10 round magazine
  • 1720 Pelican 42″ case

Brownells Has A Deal That Can Save You $1,000

Brownells has the MR762LRPA1 Packages in stock.

Brownells has a good deal going for the MR762LRPA1 package. These LRP packages are not cheap by any means. List is $7,499.99 and Brownells is selling them for $6,499 and they have them in stock. Click here to go there now. Again, they have them in stock as well!

These MR762A1 LR rifles are really something and I sure hope to own one some day.

If you find this post useful, please share the link on Facebook, with your friends, etc. Your support is much appreciated and if you have any feedback, please email me at in**@*********ps.com. Please note that for links to other websites, we are only paid if there is an affiliate program such as Avantlink, Impact, Amazon and eBay and only if you purchase something. If you’d like to directly contribute towards our continued reporting, please visit our funding page.

Firearms Building and Gunsmithing, Pistols, Pork Sword

Building a Pork Sword – Part 1: Thinking About The Build

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I was surfing around on the web one day looking at interesting builds and ran across something I had never seen before – a Pork Sword pistol. It looked like a short barreled bolt gun on a chassis with a pistol brace, scope and can. What in the heck? So it sure made me curious and I searched on “Pork Sword”. It is totally a thing and I’m surprised it hasn’t caught on yet.

Turns out there is a company called Black Collar Arms that is making the parts and also producing rifles and pistols. What I had seen was a braced pistol based on a Remington 700-foot print receiver on their minimalist Pork Sword chassis with a short barrel. At this point, I was hooked. I like bolt guns and really like building unique stuff. They’ve posted quite a few photos of firearms they have built as well as customer guns – click here.

The concept behind the Pork Sword is simple – create a compact weapon in a caliber that packs a punch without needing to go the registered shot barreled receiver (SBR) rifle route by building a pistol with brace. A Pork Sword would be ideal for hog hunting, hunting in heavy brush, survival situations or even urban engagements. Because it uses a short action Remington 700 receiver, you have tons of caliber choices plus you can decide the barrel length – you can make a firearm that is tailored to your needs.

It had been years since I last owned a Remington 700 XCR LR and all I had done was swap the trigger and stock on it so I remembered very little about how they were made. Sure most bolt guns are similar but the Devil is in the details.

I called Black Collar Arms a couple of time and they were really cool and talked me through a lot of considerations. They offered to either build one for me or sell me the parts and I told them building was really my thing and so we had a great talk. I called them two times, talked to two different guys and they were really helpful — I definitely got good vibes from them.

The logo is awesome!! They charge extra to have it on the chassis and while I really like it, I opted to not have it engraved on my unit.

This build was going to be an investment so I didn’t want to screw up. On top of talking with them, I also did a lot of digging based on what the guys at Black Collar told me and what they had for sale. I then assembled a parts list and slowly started accumulating stuff for close to four agonizing months. I’m not a very patient guy so slowly getting the stuff was a new experience vs. jumping right in with both feet.

I probably researched this project more than most with lots of calls direct to vendors to better understand what they had to offer. My goal is a 1/4″ group at 100 yards and 1″ at 400. That would be about 1/4″ minute of angle (MOA) and is a mean feat. It requires that all the parts come together the right way – caliber selection, chassis, action, barrel, trigger, brake, etc.

If you plan to build a pistol start with a new receiver and not a rifle

From a NFA legality perspective, you are building a pistol so that means you must start with a receiver or pistol but absolutely not a rifle. Once a serial number is classified as a rifle it can’t be a pistol and would have to go the SBR (short barreled rifle) registration route. Again, if you plan on building a pistol and using a brace, start with an action/receiver or a barreled action but never with a rifle. If you do not understand what I am talking about then do not proceed until you understand the difference between a pistol build and what would require registration as a SBR prior to building.

Action/Receiver Comment

By the way, the chassis can use Remington 700 receivers as well as others that fit. That sounds odd but not all third party receivers that say they are “Remington 700 compatible” necessarily have the exact same footprint plus you are going to need a recoil lug. I went with a Big Horn Origin that has a Remmage type of barrel mount meaning you thread the barrel into the receiver and set the headspace and you then tighten down the barrel nut to lock it in place. It’s a slick method. Here are other potential action vendors to consider: Defiance, Alamo Precision Rifles, Surgeon, Impact Precision, Accuracy International, Gunwerks, Bighorn Arms, Pacific Tool and Gauge, Thompson Leh, BAT Machine, Impact Precision, GA Precision, Stiller, Kelbly’s, American Rifle Company, Badger Ordnance, Viper Actions, and Bergara. Again, confirm it will fit before you buy anything.

The Parts List

  • Pork Sword Chassis and 12″ Tri-LOK FARend – the chassis is very nicely machined and finished and will use a short-action Remington 700 footprint action with a recoil lug. I bought the chassis and FARend from Black Collar arms directly.
  • Big Horn Origin Short Action – This includes the scope rail and I bought this from Northland Shooter Supply (NSUS). Note, Big Horn’s name is changing to Zermatt Arms. I talked to Big Horn directly but bought it from NSUS in the hopes of getting it sooner. NSUS often has them in stock but I had about a 4-6 week wait until mine came in because they had run out of inventory and the owner was very up front with me that I might need to wait a while before I ordered.
  • X-Caliber Pre Fit Big Horn 12.5″ .308 MTU-profile Barrel with 5/8-24 threads – I bought this direct from X-Caliber when they were having a sale. I needed to talk to them because they have a ton of options and most of them I had no idea what to get so they were a huge help. Their lead times vary but I think it took about 3-4 weeks for them to send me the barrel.
  • TriggerTech Primary Trigger – These things are so sweet!! They drop right in and are very easy to adjust from 1.5 to 4 pounds of pull and are very crisp. I went with a black straight blade trigger purely out of preference. They offer flat/straight and curved triggers as well as colored black or stainless.
  • SB Tactical FS1913A Brace – These are relatively new braces from SB Tactical with a long strut, a folding mechanism and fairly stout arm brace assembly at the end. Please note the “A” in the model number I bought. The first version of this brace (FS1913 without the “A”) has a polymer strut that can flex. The FS1913A has an aluminum strut and is stiffer. Given my plans to shoot a .308, I definitely wanted stiffer. You may need to shop a bit – I bought mine from Natchez. If the price is under $199, it’s probably the polymer unit. If you are going with a lighter recoiling round, the polymer ought to be fine.
  • Ergo Tactical Deluxe Zero Angle Grip – I’ve always liked target stocks with near vertical grips so I opted for this model.
  • APA Little Bastard brake – this is a tunable brake for precision rifles. I will get a suppressor down the road but for now, I’ll run this brake.
  • Magpul AFG – Normally I am not a huge fan of angled fore grips but think I may want something to hold on to. I’m really not sure if I will keep it on the rifle long-term but we’ll see.
  • Magpul bipod – I dismissed this bipod when I first heard about it but guys reported liking it so I figured I better check it out. I bought the Picatinny rail version so I could remove it readily. In hindsight I should have bought the one that was ARMS lever ready but that is a topic for another post. There are a ton of color and options combinations you can consider. As you can see in the photo at the top of the page, I went with black and I did use a small section of Magpul M-Lok aluminum rail to mount it.
  • AD Recon SL 30mm Scope mount – I like quality quick detach scope mounts. There are two big differences between a quality mount like an ADM and a cheap one. First, when you remove the optic and mount from the rifle and then re-attach them, the zero holds true for a good mount and not a cheap one. Second, the cheap ones tend to wear and bend on the throw lever cams and plates over time and then the accuracy gets worse.
  • Vortex 4-16×44 HST MRAD scope – I am a huge fan of Vortex scopes and thing you get a lot of quality glass at a reasonable price. I opted for a medium physical size scope. My first choice would have been a PST Gen 2 5-25×50 but I couldn’t quite swing it right now. I may well change to this scope down the road.
  • Magpul PMAG 7.62×51 AC Magazines – the Pork Sword chassis uses the AC short action series of PMAG 7.62×51 magazines. I bought a couple of 5-round magazines and a couple of 10-round magazines.

Tools Needed

  • Wheeler Remington 700 Action Wrench – this holds the bolt action while you do the barrel work. I didn’t have one and it was definitely a worthwhile purchase.
  • Clymer .308 GO and NO-GO Headspace Gages – normally I use Manson out of habit. Clymer has a good reputation and one tip I was told long ago is to go with the same brand of gage for a given caliber. So I went with Clymer for both the GO and NO-GO gages because they were in stock.
  • Wheeler Professional Laser Bore Sighter – I’ve been using a green laser model for about a year now and really like it. The green is very visible further away but they also have a red laser model at a lower price if you aren’t interested in paying extra for the green laser.

The following tools aren’t firearm specific but will help with the build:

  • 1-1/4″ Crowfoot Wrench – you’ll need this to torque the barrel nut to spec. Confirm the size you need with the barrel maker. I didn’t have one this size and needed to buy it.
  • 1/2″ Torque Wrench – Get one that starts at 10 foot/lbs and goes at 100. That gives you a really versatile range. The action wrench bolts are 10 foot/pounds each and then we you bring the barrel nut down, it’s 50-55 foot/pounds.
  • 1/4″ Torquing Screwdriver – Get a good one. I highly recommend the Vortex Optics unit because it is a precision tool for the optics work but it does max out at 50 inch-pounds and the action screws need 55-65 inch/pounds (note that is inch/pounds and not foot/pounds).
  • 1/4″ Torque Wrench – I used a clicker-style torque wrench for the action screws that I installed at 60-in-pounds.
  • Vise – have a good enough one bolted to a surface that can hold the action wrench and your life will be way easier.
  • Blue Loctite – Firearms can shake just about any fastener loose so use Blue Loctite, or your favorite medium strength thread locker, to keep them from rattling loose.
  • SAE Allen Wrench Bits – If I recall right, all of the hex head screws were SAE and you’ll want the bits so you can torque them down to spec with the torquing screw driver.

Conclusion

That’s it for now. In the next post, I’ve go over installing the barrel. Thank you for reading and I hope you found this interesting.

If you find this post useful, please share the link on Facebook, with your friends, etc. Your support is much appreciated and if you have any feedback, please email me at in**@*********ps.com. Please note that for links to other websites, we are only paid if there is an affiliate program such as Avantlink, Impact, Amazon and eBay and only if you purchase something. If you’d like to directly contribute towards our continued reporting, please visit our funding page.

Italy, Sniper / Precision Rifles

The Remarkable Sabatti Urban Sniper – An Affordable Compact Sub-MOA Rifle

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It’s interesting that a 400+ year old Italian firearms company is relatively unknown in the United States.  In the early 1700s, Mr. Ludovico Sabatti was making flint lock pistols and barrels.  Subsequent generations developed specialized barrel making capabilities as well as other parts.  It’s worth noting this history – they have been making barrels for four hundred years!!

Following WWII, Antonio Sabatti formed a partnershp with Giuseppe Tanfoglio to make hunting arms and began to build semi-automatic pistols in 1956.  By 1960, the two parted ways and the children of Antonio Sabatti formed what would become Sabatti today based in Trompia, Italy.

Today, Sabatti makes a wide range of firearms for target shooting, hunting. upland game and competition plus some niche tactical rifles including the Urban Sniper that will be covered in this post.

Italian Firearms Group

Of course, when you have a foreign manufacturer such as Sabatti, you need an importer and that’s where the Italian Firearms Group (IFG) enters into the picture.  IFG was created in 2014 and represents four respected Italian gunmakers – F.A.I.R, Sabatti, Pedersoli and FT Italia.

I spoke with Justin Dodd, IFG’s Chief of Operations about their philosophy.  He related to be that the US partners came out of the oil field service industry where customer service meant everything.  It is critical to them to bring “…unprecedented levels of customer service to this industry – something we felt the industry as a whole was lacking.”  I think most of us can readily agree with Justin on that – the US firearms industry is not known for great customer service in  general.

I asked him what brought Sabatti to their attention.  It turns out that Sabatti and the other three gun makers listed above were looking to create a sales, service and support hub in the USA.  For Justin personally, the double express rifles in 450/400, 450, 470 and 500 NE were the initial draw.

Of course, I had to ask Justin why the Sabatti name was not better known in the US.  His reply struck me as very pragmatic – “The past few years have been spent making sure the guns met with the USA’s standards.  Historically, they have done quite well with their rifles in Europe but the features on those rifles did not sit well with the US consumer.  For example, we started threading muzzles, shortening barrels, adding more US styled features like bolt knobs, sling swivel cups, and switching to the new bottom metal / magazine system.    Now that the guns are where we want them, the marketing push will begin.”

The Urban Sniper

What caught my eye was a product announcement for their Urban Sniper rifle.  It is a relatively compact rifle at 41-3/4″ overall, is chambered in .308 and 6.5 Creedmor and claimed sub-MOA accuracy from a 20″ (510mm) barrel.  They claimed to be using a proprietary rifling method known as “Multi Radial Rifling” (MRR).  Sabatti also said it was intended for use within 400mm.

My very next thought was “what the heck is MRR”?  So I started digging on the WWW and found numerous posts and attempts at explaining it.  Justin finally helped me sort it out – imagine polygonal rifling but without the points – that gives you an idea now let’s look at a cross-section of a barrel in a photo Justin sent me:

Sabatti also produced a PDF explaining MRR and how to care for it.  Their claims are pretty big.  Sabatti says that MRR enables:

  • HIGHER BULLET SPEED
  • IMPROVED GROUP CONCENTRATION
  • REDUCED NUMBER OF FLIERS
  • LESS COPPER DEPOSITS
  • LESS CLEANING REQUIRED
  • EASIER CLEANING WHEN NEEDED
  • LESS BARREL WEAR

To make a long story short, I bought an Urban Sniper in .308 because I have quite a bit of .308 match ammo to try it out including rounds from Federal and Remington.

A tad over a week later it arrived and in typical George (me) fashion, I got derailed and the rifle had to sit until I could get to it.  In the next post, I’ll tell you more about the rifle and my impressions when I took it out of the box.

If you find this post useful, please share the link on Facebook, with your friends, etc. Your support is much appreciated and if you have any feedback, please email me at in**@*********ps.com. Please note that for links to other websites, we are only paid if there is an affiliate program such as Avantlink, Impact, Amazon and eBay and only if you purchase something. If you’d like to directly contribute towards our continued reporting, please visit our funding page.

Sniper / Precision Rifles

Video: H&K PSG-1: The Ultimate German Sniper Rifle by Forgotten Weapons

When the H&K Präzisionsschützengewehr (German for “precision shooting rifle”) PSG-1 came out almost 30 years ago, I thought it was the most amazing rifle I had ever seen.  Chambered in 7.62×51 it was the West German’s response to a decided lack of effective sniper rifles in their police forces after the Munich attack at the 1972 Olympics.  The PSG-1 was a true precision rifle.  All PSG-1 rifles must be able to put 50 rounds of match ammo into a 3.14″ (80,,) circle at 300mm which makes it a true one MOA rifle.  As cool as it was, there were problems.  It was incredibly expensive ($10K when it came out), complex, one and only one scope option, and a reputation for being very finicky.  I’ll probably never get to own one and for that matter I would rather buy other things with that much money but it is a fascinating piece of firearms history.

Ian at Forgotten Weapons, who is both very knowledgeable and a great presenter, teamed up with a James D Julia auctions to make this video.  He provides a rich history of the rifle, an overview of features and then goes into a very detailed disassembly with commentary about each part.  For example, he compares the PSG-1’s bolt to a plain G3-style bolt and highlights the differences.

   

  

The video is 20:36 long and totally worth it if you are a fan of the PSG-1:

Here are links to websites with additional info on the PSG1:

If you find this post useful, please share the link on Facebook, with your friends, etc. Your support is much appreciated and if you have any feedback, please email me at in**@*********ps.com. Please note that for links to other websites, we are only paid if there is an affiliate program such as Avantlink, Impact, Amazon and eBay and only if you purchase something. If you’d like to directly contribute towards our continued reporting, please visit our funding page.