Just considering what I've read about operation Anaconda and wondered if any and what type of sniping may be going on.

I would think that since there are reports of the fighting being located in a valley area, this would be prime snimer/antisniper environment.

Would some type of .50 BMG be useful in penetrating some of the fortifications? Do we, the US, even use that type of weapon or is the Remington 700 more of a standard sniper rifle?

Just curious. Not being militarily affluent, if this is a bad (read: classified) topic, please feel free to delete.

--LS

Just goes to show ya you can't believe anything that passes for news nowdays. I'd hazard a guess that most of the folk here know that 880yards or meters is well within the range of our miltary sniper teams armed w/ the Rem 700 platform.

Mike

(?) Please clarify.

Did they just give range data or did they mention it because something happened to the position? Was it neutralized?

I was watching MSNBC about a week ago when the battle pictures started to come in. And with all the other quick images, there was one where they were behind a US soldier and he had a bolt action with scope. It was a quick image, but it looked more to me like a .50 cal (Barrett?) than a Rem 700. I've looked online to try and find that image, but no luck. But there are definitely US snipers in the area. Let the tradition continue!

Hi Beekeeper.

I'm no expert, but I think the range issue goes like this-7.62x51 NATO goes subsonic around 600 yards or so, and is considered running out of steam by 800 yards, but with perfect shot placement, the velocity loss is not fatal except as to the target who takes the round.  Military snipers can and do push past 1000 yards with the round, or so I'm told.

I have hit a 43" mettallic ram at 800 yards repeatedly with my precision semi, and I have a long way to go with my technique.

If I had good cover, I believe I could hit a human sized target at 800-900 yards, maybe not with the first shot, but once I got the range down, it'd be game over.

No armchair wannabe, well, maybe a little bit, just a comment based on my experience.

When i was in about 6years ago our snipers had barret semi auto 50 cals and 700's. got to shot the barrett a time or two it was a good shooter. my old unit is over there now.
i have also heard 1000 yards with 308.

Marine Cpl Steve Suttles had a documented kill in the Vietmnam conflict at 1250 yds.  Although the max effective range of the M40A1 is listed at 800yds the jarheads keep insisting that it is 1000yds.  
Seems to have worked for Steve.  I spent three days last fall shooting with him on a 1000 yd range. The guy can call wind like no one I have ever seen, and was  the best shooting coache I have had the pleasure to work with.