Posted: 3/12/2002 9:33:18 AM EDT
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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 |
| I read an article in, of all places, the [b]USA TODAY[/B], so I assume it is not classified, where they spoke of a mortar position that "beyond the 880 yard range of the Remington 700 sniper rifles possessed by the soldiers." I was amazed that they even mentioned the exact range and type of rifle. It was last Sat.'s paper, I think. |
| I quoted it as close as I can recall, word for word. I remember the number in particular because I am very, very interested in that sort of thing. I thought the max range for the 7.62 X 51 NATO was effectively set at 600 or so. That's why it stuck in my mind. They said the position was ultimately taken out by mortar fire from our side, after some clever use of air support to hide the sound of the incoming mortars. |
| 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! |
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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. |
| CG87, thanks for the insight!! I am a pure "wannabe" with NO time in the military. I just like to shoot!! I work as a life insurance agent (24 years), so not much call for that "at work." LOL I bought a .50 BMG last summer, but haven't begun to wring it out yet. I normally do my shooting with a .30-06, as that's my "deer rifle." I don't even own a .308, as I do not have the constraints of the military. |
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Quoted: 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. Many 1000 yard matches have been shot with the .308. I was only quoting the article. [;)] |
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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. |