During Eurosatory 2024, Czech firm FK BRNO unveiled its latest BKS 338 machine gun chambered in .338 Norma Magnum. BKS 338 is based on a PK machine gun mechanism, with the main difference being a .338 Norma Magnum round instead of 7.62x54 mmR. The ammunition is an alternative to the .338 Lapua Magnum used in sniper rifles around the world with lower recoil and less overall length. Army Recognition reports that BKS 338 weighs 11 kg with a fire rate of 550 RPM. The smaller package of .338 Norma Magnum has recently led some companies to develop new medium machine guns firing the round to surpass 7.62 calibre.
The first examples appeared in the U.S. with General Dynamics’ LMMG and SIG Sauer’s reduced weight MG338. Recently, Ohio Ordnance unveiled its design, REAPR, with a longer barrel.
The Czech firm joining the club with a PK platform might draw some countries who are suspicious about new designs into acquiring .338 Norma machine guns.
