Written by Samantha Franco and Clare Fitzgerald
Developed by XADO-Holding Ltd., the Snipex Alligator has proven itself as a formidable anti-materiel rifle, significantly enhancing Ukraine’s long-range strike capabilities. Engineered for precision at extreme distances, it is used to disable enemy vehicles, destroy high-value equipment, and neutralize fortified positions well beyond conventional engagement ranges. Its battlefield success against Russian forces has highlighted its role as a powerful force multiplier.
That performance has not gone unnoticed. Militaries in several countries are now examining the Alligator closely, assessing how similar long-range precision weapons could bolster their own arsenals and adapt to modern battlefield demands.
‘Enormous’ doesn’t even begin to describe the Snipex Alligator
The Snipex Alligator is a bolt-action, magazine-fed anti-materiel rifle distinguished by its truly impressive size. Measuring roughly 79 inches in overall length and fitted with an enormous 47-inch barrel, it dwarfs most conventional long guns—especially when compared to typical hunting rifles, which usually feature barrels around 22 inches.
Weighing in at about 25 kilograms (around 55 pounds), the Alligator is undeniably heavy, but its design offsets that mass with practical features tailored for battlefield use. A four-position folding bipod paired with a rear support leg provides an exceptionally stable firing platform, while a centrally mounted carrying handle aids transport. The rifle can also be fitted with a suppressor without significantly affecting balance, helping operators maintain control and precision even during prolonged or high-stress engagements.
Massive ammunition for an equally massive rifle
The Snipex Alligator is an enormous rifle—and its rounds match that scale. It employs a conventional rifle action and takes up to five 14.5×114 mm cartridges in its magazine, with each cartridge weighing roughly 2.2 ounces. Those cartridges were developed originally as anti‑tank ammunition for the Soviet KPV heavy machine gun; their projectiles weigh between 59 and 66 grams and can exit the muzzle at velocities approaching 3,300 feet per second.
Manufacturers and field reports say the Alligator is intended to engage personnel, lightly armored vehicles, and fuel or ammunition caches. The maker asserts the rifle can penetrate about 10 mm of steel armor at ranges from roughly 2,000 to 7,000 meters, though these performance claims have not yet been extensively validated in combat.
Issues with recoil
One of the biggest challenges in using the 14.5×114 mm cartridge is dealing with its tremendous recoil. While the Snipex Alligator employs a range of design features to reduce this force, it can’t entirely eliminate the powerful kick that comes with each shot.
The rifle’s hefty size and extended barrel length help absorb much of the recoil, minimizing the impact on the shooter and enhancing stability for subsequent shots. It also includes a recoil-dampening buttstock, a padded shoulder rest, and a high-efficiency muzzle brake with multiple baffles—typically four or five. These elements work in unison to significantly soften the blow, allowing for more controlled and sustained operation.
Use of the Snipex Alligator in the Russo-Ukrainian War
The Snipex Alligator has proven itself as a formidable weapon in the Russo-Ukrainian War, complementing its smaller counterpart, the Snipex T-Rex. While the precise number of units currently in service is not confirmed, it is believed that the majority of Ukrainian Special Forces and frontline divisions are equipped with this powerful rifle.
Two noteworthy incidents highlight the potential of the Snipex Alligator’s capabilities. The first involves a possible sniper kill of a Russian soldier from a distance of 1.68 miles away, potentially marking it as the second-longest sniper kill in military history. The second event occurred when a single sniper took down five Russian soldiers in just five minutes, with two of the targets struck by the same bullet.
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Although these incidents have yet to be independently verified, they suggest that the Snipex Alligator may have played a role in achieving these impressive feats. As of now, the Ukrainian military has not disclosed which rifle(s) were used for these legendary shots.