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Sniper rifles

S

swayinOtis

Banned
Doesn't the military use some 50 caliber sniper rifles? I think the SEALs do. I remember seeing them on the discovery channel.

Here is a picture of one. Anyone know the name of it and where I can find links to it?

 
i was wondering if the boys in afghanistan were using snipers to fight off the enemy up in those mountains. would that work? one soldier today said that they could actually see and hear the enemy taunting and laughing at them when they would shoot. i guess their m-16s just didn't have the range. i would hope a sniper could pick those bastards off. what do i know, though?

 
They're using Canadian snipers over there. They're backing up US troops as they advance. Its getting dirty now. Always has in the past when the fighting moved into the mountains. Expect to see the death toll rise now, there's no way around that.
 


<< Having a .50 Barrett is one thing...hitting something at extended range is another.. >>

I thought the Barrett was meant for mainly non-personnel targets? Don't most snipers in the Marines & Army use the M24 bolt action for personnel since it has greater accuracy and utility for snipers?
 
Technically, the military uses the .50cal rifles against equipment, not personnel (helicopters, light vehicles, radar, etc.). It is against the Law of Armed Conflict to deliberately use .50cal ammo against personnel. I'm certain that the U.S. military would never do that... 😉
 
OK, so the US can't use the fiddy cal on people (are al-queda people?).

i would like to see them report on the snipers, whether they are being used, etc.

 
I fired a rifle very similar to that while at ANCOC at Fort Benning in 1994. The kick isn't bad. But man, the blast. BOOOOOOOM. Actually the blast shocks the firer much more than the kick.

Excellent range.

They're using Canadian snipers over there. They're backing up US troops as they advance. Its getting dirty now. Always has in the past when the fighting moved into the mountains. Expect to see the death toll rise now, there's no way around that.

Certainly. Mountain warfare is plain brutal. Particularly at the altitudes of the current AO. Troops become fatigued and beat-up from the terrain. One's sense of depth perception becomes impaired. Best to avoid uphill contact when possible and call for indirect. Even airmobile ops in order to seize key terrain is difficult because of the flight ceiling of the birds.
 
Afghanistan is a particular case. In the past many nations have taken Afghanistan, non could hold it however. When the Russians invaded they took the country in roughly a week. They couldn't hold it though. Its a brutal land populated by expert guerrilla fighters. I've heard many say that it'll be an easy campaign. I dont think those who are saying that are giving enough credit to the people of this land. I'm pretty sure it wont be the walk in the park many believe it will be.
 
Technically, the military uses the .50cal rifles against equipment, not personnel (helicopters, light vehicles, radar, etc.). It is against the Law of Armed Conflict to deliberately use .50cal ammo against personnel. I'm certain that the U.S. military would never do that... 😉

It's against those same laws to use shotguns in war, as well. And I saw several Marines slinging Remingtons over their shoulders on CNN. 😉
 
Afghanistan is a particular case. In the past many nations have taken Afghanistan, non could hold it however. When the Russians invaded they took the country in roughly a week. They couldn't hold it though. Its a brutal land populated by expert guerrilla fighters. I've heard many say that it'll be an easy campaign. I dont think those who are saying that are giving enough credit to the people of this land. I'm pretty sure it wont be the walk in the park many believe it will be.

I believe Kipling wrote something to the effect of:

"When you are wounded and left on Afghanistan's plain. And the women come out to cut your remains. Just roll to your rifle and blow out your brains. And go to your god like a soldier."

Early in the campaign, had we not engaged with precision airstrikes and SF on the ground acting as FOs, this could have easily become a bloodbath. Now in the mountains is where we end up fighting like the Soviets fought. I'm also convinced that this won't be a walk in the park. Although I believe we'll fare better than the Soviets mainly because we have allies on the ground as well as other factors.

Good luck to our troops over there and come home safe.
 
The Barrett is sort of a sideshow piece, rather than a practical fighting tool.

BTW, my personal choice for a sniper weapon wouldn't be the .50BMG, 7mm, or even the classic .308, but rather the .270 WSM in an accurized Browning A-bolt configuration. I'll match that combo against whatever you'd like to shoot.
 
Yes, Kipling wrote that, he understood Afghanistan well. When I was a child back in England I'd see my Aunt Kipling at least once a week. She ensured that all of us children remained familiar with our illustrious ancestors writings.

I believe they used that particular quote at the begining of the movie "The Beast" if memory serves me well.
 
I heard with the marine corp version of that .50 cal a skilled marksman could actually hit a target (jeep size or smaller) at a mile range with clear line of site and low wind. anyone know if that is true or not?
 
It's against those same laws to use shotguns in war, as well. And I saw several Marines slinging Remingtons over their shoulders on CNN.

Shotguns are not actually per se violations of LOAC. See here -- a little ways down under Lawful Weapons.
 
Still missing the point..... If a sniper can see the targets so can a spotter with a targeting laser. Even though the sniper shot sounds cool and rack of 2000 lb bombs at a stand off distance is "cooler". This area is nothing but rock and sand. The tough part is even spotting the people holed up. I'm sure everyone saw the CNN footage the other night of the LAW rocket being shot into the cave. That's how we keep our guys safe. Big booms and then move in SLOW. We have supplies coming in..not them. Forget the sniping stuff.
 
I heard with the marine corp version of that .50 cal a skilled marksman could actually hit a target (jeep size or smaller) at a mile range with clear line of site and low wind. anyone know if that is true or not?

True. Most of the time. He might need a couple of shots.

By the way, check out this rifle AMP DSR-1
Under a meter long, under 7 kilos with scope. And check out the quoted groups - 5mm or less at 100 yards... Outrageous.
 
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