RT-20
The RT-20 is a Croatian bullpup anti-materiel rifle developed by Metallic in Rijeka in the mid-1990s and marketed by RH-Alan. The name itself is an acronym of the Croatian word Ručni Top 20, or "Hand Cannon 20mm". Operating with a bolt action, it houses a single 20mm round and must be reloaded after each shot.
RT-20
- Name
- RT-20
- Field
- sniper rifle
- Region
- Croatia
VALÉORINE Encyclopedia
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Documentary summary
The RT-20 is a Croatian bullpup anti-materiel rifle developed by Metallic in Rijeka in the mid-1990s and marketed by RH-Alan. The name itself is an acronym of the Croatian word Ručni Top 20, or "Hand Cannon 20mm". Operating with a bolt action, it houses a single 20mm round and must be reloaded after each shot.
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Authority files
wikidata · Q1188825
In this article
Overview
Overview
Given its large caliber, it is one of the most powerful anti-materiel rifles currently in use by any country and is comparable to the South African Denel NTW-20 and the Indian Vidhwansak.
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — RT-20 • Origin — Croatia • Type — Bullpup anti-materiel rifle • Is Ranged — Yes • Service — 1993 –present • Used By — See Users • Weight — 19.8 kg (with scope and bipod) • Length — 1330 mm • Part Length — 1020 mm (with muzzle brake) • Cartridge — 20×110mm • Action — Bolt Action • Velocity — 850 m/s • Range — 1,800 m • Sights — Kahles K 312 II 3-12×50
Specifications
Specifications
A unique feature of the weapon is the counter-recoil reactive tube above the barrel. This venturi tube funnels gasses from the propellant rearwards and over the shooter's shoulder, similar to that of a recoilless rifle. This method of recoil reduction is rarely used in small arms due to the dangerous and highly visible backblast area it generates, and the RT-20 is no exception. An additional feature that differentiates RT-20 from other anti-armor and anti-materiel rifles is the placement of the bolt behind the shooter's head. This determines that either the user has a teammate, or they must take the rifle off of their shoulder to reload. Chambering 20x110mm Hispano, the rifle fires a 130 gram (2,006 grains) projectile at a muzzle velocity of 850 m/s, producing a massive muzzle energy of 46,962.5 J. It is likely that this cartridge was chosen for logistical reasons as it is also fired by the Zastava M55 anti-aircraft autocannon. Such a large amount of energy requires the use of nine lugs on the head of the bolt in an interrupted thread pattern, designed to unlock when turned 60 degrees clockwise. The large cartridge size allows for a wide variety of ammunition to be used including AP, API, APIT, HE, HEI, HEIT, SAPHEI, APDS, HE-M, as well as the potential to easily develop future unique loadings such as airburst or guided munitions.
Users
Users
• Croatia - in limited use
Places
Named by the record
Places
Only places the record itself states, plotted where the house gazetteer settles their coordinates. Nothing is inferred from a name or a nationality.
Croatia
Country
RT-20 is associated with Croatia.
Country
Literature
Scholarly footprint
A count of publications is evidence of attention, not of standing, and is given here only as a measure.
Citations
References
Each reference names the institution holding it, so a reader may go to the document itself.
authority record
Partially resolved
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 14 August 2026.
Elsewhere in Militaria
6,095 published records in this field, each with its sources named.
- RSh-12Terminology
- RSM-56 BulavaTerminology
- RSS-40 BuranTerminology
- RT-15Terminology
- RT-21 Temp 2STerminology
- RT-23 MolodetsTerminology
- RT-2PM TopolTerminology
- RT-2PM2 Topol-MTerminology
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