I went through the thread. It was speculated by two users that this is an improved CS/LR4, while providing no source or proof. Neither user is credible: one of them is an 'artist' out of Hong Kong.
There appear to be two (competing?) variants for the new sniper rifle program. Furnitures differ considerably; one appears to have a folding stock.
The Weibo poster I cited in my original post is far more credible and clearly states that this rifle is a clean-sheet design that took only 10 months.
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Are you sure it’s a second variant, or do you not have photos of the other one? Because it looks to me like the two images only solidly differ in the muzzle break and I might be able to explain that. The stocks actually both look like the same folder. The difference there being the angle shot the stock folds to the left so the hinge is visible on the lower photo but facing away from the camera on the upper older photo. Every thing else looks pretty much like the same weapon. Annoying how that cigarette butt can looked for a second like part of the gun.
The difference in muzzle break could be as simple as the Supressor can or....
::The following is Pure, day dreaming conjecture without basis. It should as such be taken with some skepticism and is open to debunking once more data is available. Viewer discretion is advised. ::
If they (the designers) followed current trends the it would be multi-caliber. Which would Justify both statements as a “Updated CS/LR4” And “Clean Sheet” design. Since MSR was pointed to remember that at the same time that emerged in the US circa 2009/2010 also appeared the M24E1 later named XM2010 then M2010. Both from Remington for different programs in the US DOD, with the same chassis system. One was however a M24 action that is to say the Remington 700 Long action modified from 7.62x51mm NATO (.308 Winchester) to 7.62x67mm(.300 WM)( originally the M24 was supposed to be 7.62x63mm 30.06). The other was the MSR which is part of the line of multiple caliber weapons. Where in by changing the barrel and bolt face you can move across a range of possible Sniper calibers. In other words it would be an “update” as they would have used the CS/LR4 as a roadmap for what they wanted the end product to be like. Likely with Input of more modern features seen in the market and from end users feed back. But clean sheet as the changes needed would mean no actual commonality save perhaps if chambered in the same caliber, then perhaps barrel, bolt face and magazine.
If that is the case then the Earlier phot with a muzzle break could be a more potent cartridge vs the later photo. Obvious low handing fruit would be .338 LM, 7.62x54R, 7.62x51NATO. Of course that’s all as stated Conjecture.
