Colt Canada C20 DMR
Colt Canada · Sniper Rifle · In Production · 2016
Also known as: C20 DMR, Colt Canada C20 Designated Marksman Rifle
Overview
The Colt Canada C20 is a semi-automatic designated marksman rifle chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO, designed and manufactured by Colt Canada in Kitchener, Ontario. Developed to replace the aging C3A1 bolt-action sniper rifle in the Canadian Armed Forces, the C20 delivers sub-MOA precision from a lightweight, modern semi-automatic platform. The rifle achieved an impressive 0.66 MOA accuracy during NATO D/14 testing over 144 five-round groups, firing 8,000 rounds without a single stoppage. The C20 features Colt Canada's proprietary Expansion Bleed Off (EBO) gas system that vents excess gas to reduce bolt velocity, providing smoother cycling and reduced felt recoil. At just 4.1 kg unloaded, the C20 is remarkably light for a 7.62mm precision rifle, achieved through careful material selection and optimized receiver design.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4100 g (144.6 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 4600 g (162.3 oz) |
| Overall Length | 962 mm (37.87") |
| Barrel Length | 447 mm (17.60") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Short Stroke Piston |
| Firing Mechanism | Rotating Bolt |
| Trigger Type | Two Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 20 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 732 m/s (2402 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 2544 J (1876 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 800 m (875 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 3700 m (4046 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 254 mm (10.00") |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Aluminum Alloy |
| Barrel Material | Stainless Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Matte Black |
Calibers
- 7.62x51mm NATO · primary · 7.62x51mm NATO — also known as .308 Winchester, 7.62mm NATO, 7.62x51mm
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety, Firing Pin Safety
- Features: Free Floating Barrel, Match Grade Barrel, Picatinny Rail, Adjustable Stock, Suppressor Ready, Expansion Bleed Off Gas System, Ambidextrous Controls
Service history
Operators
- Canadian Armed Forces · adopted 2018 · as C20
- Danish Armed Forces · adopted 2020 · as C20
Production
Production years: 2016-present
In production for Canadian and Danish armed forces. Exact numbers classified.
Origin
Country of origin: Canada
Notes
The C20 was first publicly revealed at CANSEC 2019 and entered Canadian Armed Forces service with orders placed in 2018. The Danish Armed Forces selected the C20 as their sniper rifle in September 2020. The rifle's EBO gas system is a key innovation that bleeds off gas pressure to regulate bolt carrier velocity, resulting in exceptional reliability across a wide range of ammunition types and environmental conditions. The 18-inch barrel provides a balance between ballistic performance and portability, with muzzle velocity of 2400 fps using C181 ammunition. The C20 is compatible with standard SR-25 pattern magazines.
Background
The C20 achieved its legendary 0.66 MOA accuracy rating by firing 8,000 rounds through 144 five-round groups during NATO D/14 evaluation testing -- all without a single malfunction -- establishing it as one of the most accurate and reliable semi-automatic DMRs ever tested by NATO.