To learn more about the Athena Rifle System visit DrakeAssociates.us.
Drake Associates is showing off their Athena Precision Chassis Rifle, originally developed to meet U.S. military needs for a semiautomatic sniper rifle. The Athena system combines AR components with a unique lower receiver and forend system.
Unlike a conventional AR-style rifle, the Athena uses a monolithic lower receiver and chassis-style forend that mounts the upper handguard to the lower, not the upper receiver. In that sense, the Athena is more like a bolt-action chassis rifle except it uses a semi-automatic upper assembly.
This arguably gives the Athena an accuracy advantage. According to Drake, the Athena Precision Chassis Rifle is capable of producing on average .6- to .7-MOA groups at over 100 yards, with best groups at just over .3 MOA using commercially produced Federal match-grade ammunition.
The modular forend is ventilated and has a thin handguard with a 12-o’clock Picatinny rail as well as 11- and 1’o’clock M-Lok slots. It also has a short 6-o’clock rail for bipods at the front of the rifle.
The rest of the components look compatible with standard AR parts. It uses standard stocks, pistol grips, and magazines. It even comes with a regular old A2-style flash hider.
The trade-off, like with most precision chassis rifles, is added weight. With a heavy barrel and alloy chassis, the Athena weighs in at around 9 pounds, give or take, based on the configuration. With that said, 9 pounds is still fairly light for a long-range rifle, especially for anything designed to be used in the field.
Currently Drake Associates offers the Athena in their Light Caliber configuration chambered for 5.56 NATO. The company plans to follow with a 7.62 NATO semiautomatic chassis rifle.
Prices start at $1,776 which includes the complete rifle with a Satern match 16-, 18- or 20-inch barrel, trued and lapped A3 upper receiver, M16 bolt carrier group, 20-round Magpul PMag magazine and carrying case.
To learn more about the Athena Rifle System visit DrakeAssociates.us.
Be an exhibitor at the 2021 Safari Club International in Las Vegas, Nevada 2/3/2021 – 2/6/2021. Show the hunters what the Athena Rifle is all about.
Call me at 520-262-3702.
Thank you,
Larry Burkett
Auction Program Specialist
Safari Club International
Gunsamerica – There is an error in the content of this article
To clarify the ATHENA Rifle at 100 Yards will shoot .6-.7 moa with 18” heavy contour button barrel and best group attained in button barrel is .366 MOA. Ammunition used was Federal 77gr OTM
Rifle was Additionally shot At a KD range with a distance of 1062 yards where it was capable of engaging targets with multiple hits on steel target as noted in photo.
We also tested out Tier 1 Satern cut rifle barrel that yielded .6 MOA consistent with best group at .186 MOA Also noted in photo
If anyone needs more information please call us at 631-749-1100 or visit the website http://www.drakeassociates.us for additional details
Thank you
CD
A sniper rifle in 5.56 ????
What are the sniping at 1000 yards with a potentially 62 to 70-ish grain projectile, miniature poodles?
i’m calling bull shit no possible way .
Is that a Luth AR buttstock??? Can’t quite make it out… either way I’m waiting for 6.5 Creedmoor, but I like the concept!!!
If what is true the military really needs to check these specs out. Talk to any soldier, sailor, SEAL, or Marine and ask them how much difference it would be carrying this rifle as oppose to the Barrett. That alone is one great benefit.
A 5.56 does not compare to a .50 cal unless you are referring to the MRAD and still that is in far better calibers that the 5.56
Every year there are un-told metric shit-tons of garbage hoisted upon the American gun buying public….this is match grade Hooey…………………..
Is it gas impingement or piston driven? I agree with others that coitized the 5.56 caliber.
It’s a DI system. More calibers are coming soon.
They used the wrong caliber and then call it a “sniper rifle.” They should have made the rifle in a 6.5 to 8 millimeter caliber so the rifle could be effective to longer ranges. 5.56 x 45 is not powerful enough to be really effective at long ranges.
This is proof of concept – More “sniper rifle” calibers are coming soon.
Before anyone tries to trash the 5.56 and/or .223, at 1000 yds, best check out the F-class military cal. matches, it’s beating many 308 or 7.62 at 500-1000 yes.
We’re talking about retained energy and knock down power at extreme distances. My personal experience on the range when a .223 (5.56) hits steel you get a “tink” and little movement. With .308 (7.62) you get a “clang” and the steel is knocked violently hard and swings pretty good.
5.56 .7 MOA to 1000 yds/ carbine barrel?
Calling bs
It’s very impressive. Hopefully we’ll get one in soon to run it through it’s paces!
Barrel length does not change accuracy, only velocity (and therefore bullet drop) in equal quality barrels.
Love to have one of these !!
probably needs a huge holdover for 1000 yards with a 5.56 nato round
Not sure on a nato loading, but expect somewhere in the 45-50 ft. drop from most F-class loads. That is depending on zero and the particular BC of the bullet chosen. The key to accuracy is maintaining consistency in in the loads (and hold naturally)
I have rifles that cost more than this one that wont hold a group that small at 100 yards! It appears to be a rifle more capable than most shooters. But it would be nice to take the challenge.
A 9 lb rifle is nothing except to the millennials and Gen-Xerox. They think a 7.5 lb rifle is heavy. Most will forget that this is not a battle rifle or Carbine.
If I can sell one of my other rifles this will be my next.
It weighs just as much as the M16A2! It’s very well balanced.
Hopefully it has M4 type bolt alignment?
Standard AR upper and parts. Only proprietary component (I believe) is the barrel nut.