Difference between revisions of "Sandbox"

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{{gun
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[[File:Royal Marines snipers displaying their L115A1 rifles.jpg|thumb|right|Royal Marines snipers with L115A1 rifles. These rifles are similar to the [[L115A3]] Long Range Rifle used by [[Craig Harrison (sniper)|Craig Harrison]] but outfitted with Schmidt & Bender 3-12x50 PM II telescopic sights.]]
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|name= M40
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[[File:Tac50.jpg|thumb|alt=McMillan Tac-50 Sniper weapon|The [[McMillan Tac-50]] rifle [[Rob Furlong|Corporal Rob Furlong]] used.]]
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|origin= [[United States]]
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|type= [[Sniper rifle]]
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}}The '''M40''' is a [[bolt-action]] [[sniper rifle]] used by the United States Marine Corps.<ref name="Senich88">Senich, Peter R. (1988). ''Complete Book of U.S. Sniping.'' Boulder, CO: [[Paladin Press]]. p. 28. ISBN 978-1-58160-610-2.</ref> It has had four variants—the '''M40''', '''M40A1''', '''M40A3''', and '''M40A5'''.<ref name="LN">Keene, R.R. (April 2009). [http://www.leatherneckmagazine-digital.com/leatherneckmagazine/200904/?pg=36 "Precision Weapons Handmade by Marines, for Marines"]. ''Leatherneck Magazine'': 37.</ref>  The M40 was introduced in 1966. The changeover to the A1 model was completed in the 1970s, the A3 in the 2000s (decade), and the A5 in 2009.<ref name="M40A1">[http://www.hqmc.usmc.mil/factfile.nsf/7e931335d515626a8525628100676e0c/03ae5c82962bc0f48525627b006d3126?OpenDocument "M40A1 Sniper Rifle."] USMC Fact File, U.S. Marine corps</ref>
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Each M40 is built from a [[Remington 700]] bolt-action rifle, and is modified by USMC armorers at Marine Corps Base Quantico, using components from a number of suppliers.<ref name="Senich88"/> New M40A5s are being built, and A1s are upgraded to A3s and A5s as they rotate into the armory for service and repair. The rifles have had many sub-variations in [[telescopic sight]]s, and smaller user modifications.  The M40A5 incorporates a detachable magazine and a threaded barrel to allow for the use of a [[sound suppressor]] or other muzzle device.
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Reports regarding the '''longest recorded sniper kill''' that contain information regarding the shooting distance and the identity of the [[sniper]] have been presented to the general public since 1967. Snipers in modern [[warfare]] have had a long history since the development of long distance weaponry. As weapons, [[ammunition]], and aids to determine ballistic solutions improved, so, too, did the distance from which a kill could be targeted.
  
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The original M40 was a military type-classified version of the Remington 700; it was factory-made, and had a one-piece wooden [[stock]].<ref name="Senich88"/> The M40A1 and A3 switched to fiberglass stocks made by McMillan, with new scopes.<ref name="Senich88"/><ref name="USMCSSA">[http://www.usmcscoutsniper.org/hogsden/the-m40a3.htm "M40A3 Sniper Rifle."] ''M40A3'', United States Marine Corps Scout Sniper Association</ref> The trigger pull on both models (M40A1/A3) is 3–5 lb (1.4–2.3 kg).<ref name="Senich88"/>
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The modern methodology of long-distance sniping (over 1.25-kilometre (0.8 mi) shots) requires intense training and practice. A sniper must have the ability to accurately estimate the various factors that influence a [[bullet]]'s [[external ballistics|trajectory and point of impact]], such as range to the target, wind direction, wind velocity, [[air density]], elevation, and even the rotation of the earth under the bullet of the sniper and target. Mistakes in estimation compound over distance and can cause a shot to only injure, or to miss completely.<ref name="Plaster p. ">Plaster, John L. (1993). ''The ultimate sniper: an advanced training manual for military & police snipers'' (1993 ed.). Paladin Press. ISBN 978-0-87364-704-5.</ref>
 +
 
 +
Devices such as [[laser rangefinder]]s, handheld meteorological measuring equipment, handheld computers, and ballistic-prediction software can contribute to increased accuracy.
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
−
[[Image:Sniper Rifles M40 XM21.jpg|left|thumb|Vietnam War era sniper rifles, US Army [[M21 Sniper Weapon System|XM21]] (top) and USMC M40 (bottom)]]
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The science of long-range sniping came to fruition in the [[Vietnam War]].  [[Carlos Hathcock]] held the record from 1967 to 2002 at 2,286 m (2,500 yd).<ref name="Scott">Henderson, Charles (2003). Silent Warrior (2003 ed.). Berkley Books. ISBN 0-425-18864-7.</ref>  He recorded 93 official kills before an injury halted his service on the front lines.<ref name="Gaijinass">[http://gaijinass.wordpress.com/2010/05/06/1655/ "The way of the Gun: USMC S/S"] [http://gaijinass.wordpress.com Gaijinass]</ref>  After returning to the U.S., Hathcock helped to establish a school for training Marine snipers, the Marine Corps [[Scout Sniper]] School, at the Marine base at [[Marine Corps Base Quantico|Quantico, Virginia]].<ref name="Scott"/>  It took over thirty years for Canadian [[Arron Perry|Master Corporal Arron Perry]] of [[Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry]] to beat Hathcock's record.  Perry held the title for only a few days as another man in his unit ([[Rob Furlong|Corporal Rob Furlong]]) bested Perry's distance with a 2,430 m (2,657 yd) shot in March 2002.  Furlong took the shot while supporting American soldiers during [[Operation Anaconda]] in the beginning years of the latest [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|War in Afghanistan]].
  
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During the [[Vietnam War]], the Marine Corps decided they needed a standard sniper rifle.<ref name="Senich88"/> After testing several possibilities, they ordered 700 [[Remington Arms|Remington]] Model 40x rifles (target/varmint version of the [[Remington 700|Model 700]] [[bolt-action]] rifle), and gave them the M40 designation.<ref name="Senich88"/> Most had a Redfield 3–9 power Accurange variable scope mounted. With time, certain weaknesses, primarily warping of the all-wood stock, became apparent.<ref name="Senich88"/> Sometime in the early 1970s, the USMC armorers at MCB Quantico began rebuilding the original M40s into M40A1s.<ref name="Senich88"/> The process involved, among other improvements, replacing the original wood stocks with McMillan A1 fiberglass stocks, as well as replacing the original Redfield scopes with Unertl scopes.<ref name="Senich88"/> The M40 was originally designed by Jack Cuddy and Neill Goddard.<ref name="Senich88"/> The stock featured Wichita sling swivels and a Pachmayr buttpad.<ref name="Senich88"/>
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The current record is held by  Briton [[Craig Harrison (sniper)|Corporal of Horse (CoH) Craig Harrison]], recorded a 2,475 m (2,707 yd) shot in November 2009 also during in the War in Afghanistan; in which he shot two machine gunners consecutively.<ref name="Smith p. "/>
  
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The Corps began looking at a replacement for the M40 series in 2004, but didn't draft requirements until 2009. The Sniper Rifle 21st century is paused while the Corps waits for the results of United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM)'s [[Precision Sniper Rifle]] program.<ref>Lamothe, Dan. [http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2011/03/marine-corps-sniper-rifle-m110-031711w/ "Corps fielding new semi-automatic sniper rifle."] ''Marine Corps Times'', [[March 17]], [[2011]]</ref>
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===Unconfirmed Australian claim===
 +
In October 2012, [[Chris Masters (writer)|Chris Masters]], a reporter for the [[The Daily Telegraph (Australia)|Australian ''The Daily Telegraph'']], quoted an unnamed source that claimed that an unknown [[Australian]] soldier from [[2nd Commando Regiment (Australia)|Delta Company, 2nd Commando Regiment]] had made a shot at 2,815 m (3,079 yd) using a .50 cal Barrett M82 rifle in Afghanistan.  If this shot is confirmed it will have broken the 2,475 m (2,707 yd) record held by Craig Harrison.  In the ''Daily Telegraph'' article Masters claimed that multiple shooters were engaged in a targeted kill mission.<ref name= "Masters p.">Masters, Chris (October 29, 2012). [http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/opinion/taliban-remain-in-fear-of-lethal-strikes-writes-chris-masters/story-e6frezz0-1226504862496 "Taliban remain in fear of lethal strikes"]. dailytelegraph.com.au. Australian Daily Telegraph.</ref> The Master's news article has however not been confirmed by either the Australian military nor by the Australian government, and the article in The Daily Telegraph remains the only source for it, so it can not be included in the list.
  
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==M40A3==
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==Confirmed kills 1,250 m (1,367 yd) or greater or greater==
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Development of the M40A3 began in 1996 and concluded in 2001,<ref name="USMCSSA"/> when it was placed into service during Operation Enduring Freedom. It served in Operation Iraqi Freedom other subsequent conflicts. Though its designation would remain M40A3 until 2009, its exact configuration varied with time. Listed here is a description of the components used in the M40A3.
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{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%;"
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|-
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!Sniper
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!Date
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!Distance
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!Weapon
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!Ammunition
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!Nationality
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!Military Unit
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!Conflict
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!style="width:5%;" class="unsortable"|References
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|-
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|Corporal of Horse (CoH) [[Craig Harrison]]
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|November 2009
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|2,475 m (2,707 yd)
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|[[Accuracy International AWM|Accuracy International L115A3]]
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|[[.338 Lapua Magnum]] LockBase B408 bullets
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|[[United Kingdom]]
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|Household Cavalry
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|War in Afghanistan
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|<ref name="Smith p. "/><ref name="Chandler p. "/><ref name="Alpert p. "/><ref name="Drury p. "/>
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|-
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|Corporal [[Rob Furlong]]
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|{{Sort|2002–03|March 2002}}
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|{{convert|2430|m|yd|0|abbr=on}}
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|[[McMillan Tac-50]]
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|{{Sort|.50|[[Hornady|Hornady A-MAX .50 (.50 BMG)]]}}
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|{{flag|Canada}}
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|[[Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry|3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry]]
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|War in Afghanistan
 +
|<ref name="Maclean.Furlong">{{cite web |ref=harv|date= May 15, 2006|url = http://www.macleans.ca/canada/national/article.jsp?content=20060515_126689_126689|title = We were abandoned|publisher = [[Maclean's]]| accessdate = May 3, 2010 | last=Friscolanti| first= Michael|quote=}}</ref>
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|-
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|{{Sort|Perry|[[Arron Perry|Master Corporal Arron Perry]]}}
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|{{Sort|2002–03|March 2002}}
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|{{convert|2310|m|yd|0|abbr=on}}
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|McMillan Tac-50
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|{{Sort|.50|Hornady A-MAX .50 (.50 BMG)}}
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|{{flag|Canada}}
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|3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry
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|War in Afghanistan
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|<ref name="Maclean.Furlong"/>
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|-
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|{{Sort|Kremer|Sgt. Brian Kremer|Sergeant Brain Kremer}}
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|{{Sort|2004|March 2004}}
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|{{convert|2300|m|yd|0|abbr=on}}
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|Barrett M82A1
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|[[Raufoss Mk 211|Raufoss NM140 MP (.50 Cal)]]
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|{{flag|United States}}
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|[[2nd Ranger Battalion (United States)|2nd Ranger Battalion]]
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|[[Post-invasion Iraq, 2003–present|Iraq War]]
 +
||<ref name="nydailynews.2010">{{cite web |ref=harv|date= May 3, 2010|url =http://articles.nydailynews.com/2010-05-03/news/27063420_1_afghan-soldiers-sniper-helmand-province|title =British sniper Craig Harrison (The Silent Assassin) breaks record, kills target from 1.5 miles away|publisher = [[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]| accessdate = May 3, 2010 | last=Sheridan | first= Michael|quote=}}</ref>
  
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'''Action''': The M40 has always been based on the [[Remington 700]] Short Action with .308 bolt face, and this is no different in the M40A3. These actions are tuned by Marine armorers; the trigger guard assembly is manufactured by the DD Ross Company, though several M40A3s use Badger Ordnance trigger guards.<ref name="USMCSSA"/> In 2007, the Marine Corps began replacing the DD Ross trigger guard assemblies with the M5 detachable magazine trigger guard manufactured by Badger Ordnance.
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|-
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|{{Sort|Hathcock|[[Carlos Hathcock|Gunnery Sergeant Carlos Hathcock]]}}
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'''Barrel''': The barrel is a Schneider 610; 24-inch, 6-groove, 1:12" match-grade heavy barrel.<ref name="M40A3"/>
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|{{Sort|1967-02|February 1967}}
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|{{convert|2286|m|yd|0|abbr=on}}
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'''Stock''': All service M40A3s are based upon the A4 Tactical Riflestock, a benchrest-style fiberglass riflestock made by McMillan Fiberglass Stocks and cast molded in an OD Green color.<ref name="USMCSSA"/><ref name="M40A3"/> The action is glass bedded into the stock with aluminum pillars, while the barrel is allowed to "float" (it is attached only to the action), ensuring it is stress free during operation. The stock has adjustable length-of-pull (through a buttstock spacer system) and a Marine manufactured adjustable saddle-type cheekpiece.<ref name="M40A3"/> The stock also has six mount flush cups, two on each side front and back and one each on the front and rear underside.<ref name="USMCSSA"/> One bipod stud is located on the underside of the forearm.<ref name="M40A3">[http://www.lejeune.usmc.mil/wtbn/wtbn_mcb_clnc_m40a3_sniper_rifle.htm "WTBN, MCB, CLNC, M40A3 Sniper Rifle."] USMC Fact File, Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune</ref>
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|[[M2 Browning machine gun#M2 as a sniper rifle|M2 Browning machine gun]]
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|.50 BMG
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'''Sling''': The Model 1907 sling that has been historically used on M40A3s has been replaced with the Quick Cuff Model Two sling manufactured by Tactical Intervention Specialists.
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|{{flag|United States}}
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|[[United States Marine Corps]]
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[[File:Scout sniper snow MARPAT.jpg|thumb|Snipers utilize a M40A5 with tripod and [[suppressor]] while training at the Mountain Warfare Training Center]]
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|[[Vietnam War]]
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'''Bipod''': The M40A3s use a 6–9" Harris notched swivel type bipod with a KMW podlock.<ref name="M40A3"/> The QD bipod attaching screw is replaced with a screw made by Jon Tank of Tanks Rifle Shop.
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|<ref name="Scott p. 181"/>
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|-
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'''Dayscope''': The Scout Sniper Day Scope, a modified [[Schmidt & Bender]] 3–12× 50 Police Marksman II LP [[rifle scope]] with illuminated reticle, has replaced the Unertl MST-100 10× fixed day scope, previously used on both the M40A1 and M40A3.<ref name="M40A3"/> This dayscope is mounted with Badger Ordnance USMC M40A3 34mm scope rings, which use a standard ring in the rear and a wider MAX-50 ring in front.<ref name="USMCSSA"/> The standard front ring cap is replaced with a SPA-Defense B634 34mm Male Dovetail, as a mounting platform for the Simrad KN200 Night Vision Weapon Sight. The scope and rings are mounted on a DD Ross 30 minute-of-angle lugged [[Picatinny rail]].<ref name="USMCSSA"/>
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|{{Sortname|Nicholas | Ranstad |nolink=1}}
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|{{Sort|2007-01|January 2008}}
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==M40A5==
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|{{convert|2092|m|yd|0|abbr=on}}
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The M40A5 designation superseded the M40A3 in 2009, though the evolution between the two systems occurred gradually over a longer period of time.<ref>http://www.i-mef.usmc.mil/external/15thmeu/news/news_2010_07_19.jsp</ref> The primary difference between the M40A5 and the M40A3 is the barrel: The A3's target crown has been replaced with a threaded muzzle and straight tapered barrel to allow the installation of a Surefire muzzle brake and sound suppressor. All M40A5s are fitted with a Badger Ordnance detachable magazine system and a forward rail mount for the AN/PVS-22 night vision optic.<ref>http://www.leatherneckmagazine-digital.com/leatherneckmagazine/200904/?pg=36#pg36</ref>
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|Barrett M82A1
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|.50 BMG
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==Comparison==
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|{{flag|United States}}
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|[[91st Cavalry Regiment (United States)|United States Army 1-91 Cav/173d ABCT]]
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{| " border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0"  style="margin:0 0 1em 1em; border:1px solid;"
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|War in Afghanistan
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|- style="text-align:center;"
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|<ref name="nypost.com/2010>{{cite web|last=Goldstein |first=Joseph |url=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/opedcolumnists/how_to_shoot_someone_from_mile_away_IMSIqYg7vw1zVbZRl2OUOP |title=How to shoot someone from a mile away |publisher=NYPOST.com |date=2010-05-30 |accessdate=2012-09-05}}</ref>
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| colspan="3" | <big>'''Differences'''</big>
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|-
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|- style="text-align:center;"
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| {{Sort|Kyle|[[Chris Kyle|Chief Petty Officer Chris Kyle]]}}
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| &nbsp; || '''M40A1''' || '''M40A3'''
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| {{Sort|2009-08|August 2008}}
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|- style="text-align:center;"
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| {{convert|1920|m|yd|0|abbr=on}}
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| Weight
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| McMillan Tac-338
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| 6.57&nbsp;kg (14.45 lb)
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| .338 Lapua Magnum
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| 7.5&nbsp;kg (16.56&nbsp;lb)
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| {{flag|United States}}
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|- style="text-align:center;"
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| [[United States Navy SEALs|US Navy SEAL]] - [[SEAL Team 5|Team 3, Charlie]]
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| Overall Length
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| [[Post-invasion Iraq, 2003–present|Iraq War]] – [[Sadr City]]
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| 1.117 m (44.0&nbsp;in)
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|<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/meet_the_big_shot_BxlVpxzQijkC9mwZcmwkrN?utm_source=SFnewyorkpost&utm_medium=SFnewyorkpost|title=Meet the big shot - SEAL is America’s deadliest sniper|author=Buiso, Gray|date=January 1, 2012|accessdate=2012-01-03}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2081430/255-confirmed-kills-Meet-Navy-SEAL-Chris-Kyle--deadliest-sniper-US-history.html#ixzz1iRYSA4Of|title=255 confirmed kills: Meet Navy SEAL Chris Kyle... the deadliest sniper in US history|author=Zennie, Michael|publisher=[[Daily Mail]]|date=2 January 2012|accessdate=2012-01-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/8990552/The-Devil-of-Rahmadi-named-Americas-deadliest-sniper.html|title='The Devil of Rahmadi' named America's deadliest sniper|author=Sanchez, Raf|publisher=The Daily Telegraph|date=2 January 2012|accessdate=2012-01-02}}</ref>
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| 1.124 m (44.25&nbsp;in)
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|-
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|- style="text-align:center;"
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| {{Sort|Reynolds|Corporal Christopher Reynolds}}
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| Barrel || Hart || Schneider Match Grade SS #7
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| {{Sort|2009-08|August 2009}}
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|- style="text-align:center;"
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| {{convert|1853|m|yd|0|abbr=on}}
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| Lands and Grooves || 6 || 6
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| Accuracy International L115A3
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|- style="text-align:center;"
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| .338 Lapua Magnum LockBase B408 bullets
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| Stock || McMillan HTG || McMillan Tactical A4
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| {{flag|United Kingdom}}
−
<!--
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| [[Black Watch|3 Scots – The Black Watch]]
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|----- align="center"
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| War in Afghanistan
−
| xyzzy || xyzzy || xyzzy
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|<ref name="dailymail.co.uk.Reynolds">{{cite web |ref=harv|date=  August 15, 2009|year= 2010|url = http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1206553/British-sniper-tells-moment-shot-Taliban-commander--TWO-KILOMETRES-away.html|title = British sniper describes moment he shot Taliban commander... from TWO KILOMETRES away|publisher = [[The Daily Mail]]| accessdate = May 5, 2010 | last=Mail Foreign Service| first= |quote=}}</ref>
−
-->
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|-
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| {{Sort|Dixon|[[Billy Dixon]]}}
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| {{Sort|1874-06|June 1874}}
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| {{convert|1406|m|yd|0|abbr=on}}
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| Sharps Big Fifty|Sharps .50-90
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| [[.50-90 Sharps]]
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| {{flag|United States}}
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| Civilian Buffalo Hunter
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|[[American Indian Wars]]
 +
|<ref name= "Souter p. 40">{{harvnb|Souter|2012|p=40}}</ref>
 +
|-
 +
|{{Sort|N|Unknown Norwegian sniper {{#tag:ref|Longest confirmed kill using 12.7 mm multi-purpose ammunition|group="A"}}}}
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|{{Sort|2007–11|November 2007}}
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|{{convert|1380|m|yd|0|abbr=on}}
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|Barrett M82A1
 +
|Raufoss NM140 MP (.50 Cal)
 +
|{{flag|Norway}}
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|[[Norwegian Army 2nd Battalion]]
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|War in Afghanistan
 +
|<ref name="Johnsen p. ">{{harvnb|Johnsen|2008|p=}}</ref>
 +
|-
 +
|{{Sort|Gilliland|Staff Sergeant Jim Gilliland {{#tag:ref|Longest confirmed kill with a [[7.62x51mm NATO]] chambered rifle|group="A"}}}}
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|{{Sort|2005-09-27|September 27, 2005}}
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|{{convert|1250|m|yd|0|abbr=on}}
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|[[M24 Sniper Weapon System|M24 rifle]]
 +
|[[7.62x51mm NATO]]
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|{{flag|United States}}
 +
|[[3rd Infantry Division (United States)|2nd Battalion, 69th Armored Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division]] Sniper Shadow Team
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|[[Post-invasion Iraq, 2003–present|Iraq War – Ramadi]]
 +
|<ref name="Harnden p. ">{{harvnb|Harnden|2006|p=}}</ref>
 
|}
 
|}
−
 
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[[File:Carlos Hathcock DM-SD-98-02324.JPG|thumb|upright|Carlos Hathcock in 1996|alt=Carlos Hathcock in 1996]]
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==Differences between M40 and M24==
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;Notes
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The U.S. Army also uses the Remington 700/40x action as the basis for its [[M24 Sniper Weapon System]].<ref name="Senich88"/> The primary difference between the Army and the USMC rifles is that while the USMC M40/A1/A3 uses the short action version of the Remington 700/40x (designed for shorter cartridges, such as [[7.62mm NATO]], 7&nbsp;mm/08 Remington, .243 Winchester), the Army M24 uses the long action version of the same rifle.<ref name="Senich88"/> The long-action of the M24 can use the .308 Winchester (7.62×51mm NATO) but is mainly designed for full-length cartridges, such as the [[.30-06 Springfield]], and magnum cartridges, such as the [[7 mm Remington Magnum]], [[.300 Winchester Magnum]] and [[.338 Lapua]].<ref name="Senich88"/> The U.S. Army's use of the long action was the result of an original intention to chamber the M24 for .30-06;<ref>http://www.snipercentral.com/m24.htm</ref> despite the change to .308 (7.62x51mm NATO), retaining the longer action allows them to reconfigure the rifle in the larger, longer-range calibers if necessary. Additionally the Army's version allowed mounting of a night vision scope, whereas the older USMC versions were tied to the daylight Unertl 10× limiting sniping operations with the M40 and M40A1 from dawn to dusk.<ref name="Senich88"/>
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{{Reflist|group="A"}}
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== Resources ==
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{{missing resources}}
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==See also==
 
==See also==
−
Lists:
+
*[[Sniper#Warfare|History of sniping]]
−
* [[List of individual weapons of the U.S. Armed Forces]]
+
*[[Francis Pegahmagabow]], a Canadian sniper with 378 confirmed kills, the highest in [[World War I]].<ref name="Brownlie p. 63">{{harvnb|Brownlie|2003|p=63}}</ref>
 +
*[[Simo Häyhä]], the Finnish sniper, who, using a standard [[Iron sight|iron-sighted]] bolt-action rifle, recorded the highest number of confirmed kills in any major war (505 or 542).<ref name="Westwood p. 212">{{harvnb|Westwood|2005|p=212}}</ref>
 +
*[[Staff Sergeant|SSG]] [[Adelbert Waldron]], an American sniper who currently holds the record for the highest number of confirmed kills for American snipers during the Vietnam War (109).<ref name="Fredriksen p. 306">{{harvnb|Fredriksen|2010|p=306}}</ref>
 +
* [[Lyudmila Pavlichenko]], a Soviet sniper during World War II, credited with 309 kills, and is regarded as the most successful female sniper in history.
 +
*[[Vasily Zaytsev]], the Soviet sniper who amassed 225 kills during the [[Battle of Stalingrad]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.warheroes.ru/hero/hero.asp?Hero_id=481 |title=Герой Советского Союза Зайцев Василий Григорьевич :: Герои страны |publisher=Warheroes.ru |date= |accessdate=2012-09-05}}</ref>
 +
{{-}}
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
−
{{reflist}}
+
{{reflist|20em}}
  
−
==External links==
+
==Bibliography==
−
* [http://usmilitary.about.com/od/marineweapons/l/blm40.htm M40A1 Sniper Rifle] on About.com
+
{{refbegin|30em}}
−
*[http://www.tacticalrifles.net/rifle_reviews.asp M40 Magazine reviews]
+
*{{cite web |ref=harv|date= May 2, 2010|url = http://www.nypost.com/p/news/international/sniper_kills_qaeda_from_mi_away_sTm0xFUmJNal3HgWlmEgRL|title = Sniper kills Qaeda-from 1½ mi. away|publisher = [[New York Post]]| accessdate = May 3, 2010 | last=Alpert| first= Lukas|quote=}}
−
*[http://www.gaprecision.net/mil-spec-rifles/m40a5.html M40A5]
+
*{{cite book |ref=harv|last=Brownlie|first=Robin | authorlink = | title = A fatherly eye: Indian agents, government power, and Aboriginal resistance in Ontario, 1918-1939|edition=2003|year=2003| publisher = [[University of Toronto Press]]| isbn= 978-0-19-541784-5 }} <small>- Total pages: 204 </small>
 +
*{{cite web |ref=harv|date= May 2, 2010 |url = http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/view/133379/Sniper-s-Taliban-shots-earn-him-place-in-military-record-books/|title = Sniper's Taliban shots earn him place in military record books|publisher = [[Daily Star (United Kingdom)|The Daily Star]]| accessdate = May 3, 2010 | last=Chandler| first= Neil |quote=}}
 +
*{{cite web |ref=harv|date= May 2, 2010|url = http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1270414/British-sniper-sets-new-sharpshooting-record-1-54-mile-double-Taliban-kill.html|title = The super sniper: Hero picks off two Taliban from a mile and a half away|publisher = [[Daily Mail]]| accessdate = May 3, 2010 | last=Drury| first= Ian |quote=}}
 +
*{{cite book |ref=harv|last=Fredriksen|first=John C.| authorlink = | title = The United States Army: A Chronology, 1775 to the Present|edition=2010|year=2010| publisher = [[ABC-CLIO]]| isbn= 978-1-59884-344-6 }} <small>- Total pages: 327 </small>
 +
*{{cite web |ref=harv|date= January 1, 2006|url = http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iraq/1506760/Sniper-shot-that-took-out-an-insurgent-killer-from-three-quarters-of-a-mile.html|title = Sniper shot that took out an insurgent killer from three quarters of a mile|publisher = [[The Sunday Telegraph]]| accessdate = May 5, 2010 | last=Harnden| first= Toby |quote=}}
 +
*{{cite book |ref=harv|last=Henderson|first=Charles | authorlink = | title = Silent Warrior|edition=2003|year=2003| publisher = [[Berkley Books]]| isbn= 0-425-18864-7 }} <small>- Total pages: 336 </small>
 +
*{{cite web|ref=harv|last=Masters|first=Chris|title=Taliban remain in fear of lethal strikes|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/opinion/taliban-remain-in-fear-of-lethal-strikes-writes-chris-masters/story-e6frezz0-1226504862496|work=dailytelegraph.com.au|publisher=[[The Daily Telegraph (Australia)|Australian Daily Telegraph]]|accessdate=1 November 2012|date=October 29, 2012|quote=}}
 +
*{{cite web |ref=harv|publisher=[[Verdens Gang]] |url=http://www.vg.no/nyheter/innenriks/artikkel.php?artid=537887 |title=Dreper fra 1380 meter (English translation: Kills from 1380 meters) |accessdate=2008-10-08 |date=October 7, 2008 |last=Johnsen|first=Nilas  |language=Norwegian }}
 +
*{{cite book |ref=harv|last=Jowett|first=Philip |last2=Jowett|first2=Philip S.|last3=Snodgrass|first3=Brent | authorlink = | title = Finland at War 1939–45|edition=2006|year=2006| publisher = [[Osprey Publishing]]| isbn= 978-1-84176-969-1}} <small>- Total pages: 64 </small>
 +
*{{cite book |ref=harv|last=Plaster|first=John L. | authorlink = John Plaster| title = [[The Ultimate Sniper|The ultimate sniper: an advanced training manual for military & police snipers]]|edition=1993|year=1993| publisher = [[Paladin Press]]| isbn= 978-0-87364-704-5 }} <small>- Total pages: 453 </small>
 +
*{{cite news |ref=harv|date= May 2, 2010|url = http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/afghanistan/article7113916.ece|title = Hotshot sniper in one-and-a-half mile double kill|publisher = [[The Sunday Times]]| accessdate = May 3, 2010 | last=Smith| first= Michael |quote=}}
 +
*{{cite book |ref=harv|last=Souter|first=Gerry | title = American Shooter: A Personal History of Gun Culture in the United States|edition=2012|year=2012| publisher = Potomac Books Inc| isbn= 9781597976909 }} <small>- Total pages: 300 </small>
 +
*{{cite book |ref=harv|last=Westwood|first=Dr. David| authorlink = | title = Rifles: an illustrated history of their impact|edition=2005|year=2005| publisher = [[ABC-CLIO]]| isbn= 978-1-85109-401-1 }} <small>- Total pages: 470 </small>
 +
{{refend}}
  
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{{ModernUSInfantryWeapons}}
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[[Category:Snipers]]
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[[Category:American 7.62mm bolt-action sniper rifles]]
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[[Category:World records]]
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[[Category:Remington 7.62mm bolt-action sniper rifles]]
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[[Category:U.S. Ordnance 7.62mm bolt-action sniper rifles]]
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[[Category:Sniper rifles]]
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Revision as of 14:28, 10 May 2013

Royal Marines snipers with L115A1 rifles. These rifles are similar to the L115A3 Long Range Rifle used by Craig Harrison but outfitted with Schmidt & Bender 3-12x50 PM II telescopic sights.
McMillan Tac-50 Sniper weapon
The McMillan Tac-50 rifle Corporal Rob Furlong used.

Reports regarding the longest recorded sniper kill that contain information regarding the shooting distance and the identity of the sniper have been presented to the general public since 1967. Snipers in modern warfare have had a long history since the development of long distance weaponry. As weapons, ammunition, and aids to determine ballistic solutions improved, so, too, did the distance from which a kill could be targeted.

The modern methodology of long-distance sniping (over 1.25-kilometre (0.8 mi) shots) requires intense training and practice. A sniper must have the ability to accurately estimate the various factors that influence a bullet's trajectory and point of impact, such as range to the target, wind direction, wind velocity, air density, elevation, and even the rotation of the earth under the bullet of the sniper and target. Mistakes in estimation compound over distance and can cause a shot to only injure, or to miss completely.[1]

Devices such as laser rangefinders, handheld meteorological measuring equipment, handheld computers, and ballistic-prediction software can contribute to increased accuracy.

Contents

History

The science of long-range sniping came to fruition in the Vietnam War. Carlos Hathcock held the record from 1967 to 2002 at 2,286 m (2,500 yd).[2] He recorded 93 official kills before an injury halted his service on the front lines.[3] After returning to the U.S., Hathcock helped to establish a school for training Marine snipers, the Marine Corps Scout Sniper School, at the Marine base at Quantico, Virginia.[2] It took over thirty years for Canadian Master Corporal Arron Perry of Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry to beat Hathcock's record. Perry held the title for only a few days as another man in his unit (Corporal Rob Furlong) bested Perry's distance with a 2,430 m (2,657 yd) shot in March 2002. Furlong took the shot while supporting American soldiers during Operation Anaconda in the beginning years of the latest War in Afghanistan.

The current record is held by Briton Corporal of Horse (CoH) Craig Harrison, recorded a 2,475 m (2,707 yd) shot in November 2009 also during in the War in Afghanistan; in which he shot two machine gunners consecutively.[4]

Unconfirmed Australian claim

In October 2012, Chris Masters, a reporter for the Australian The Daily Telegraph, quoted an unnamed source that claimed that an unknown Australian soldier from Delta Company, 2nd Commando Regiment had made a shot at 2,815 m (3,079 yd) using a .50 cal Barrett M82 rifle in Afghanistan. If this shot is confirmed it will have broken the 2,475 m (2,707 yd) record held by Craig Harrison. In the Daily Telegraph article Masters claimed that multiple shooters were engaged in a targeted kill mission.[5] The Master's news article has however not been confirmed by either the Australian military nor by the Australian government, and the article in The Daily Telegraph remains the only source for it, so it can not be included in the list.

Confirmed kills 1,250 m (1,367 yd) or greater or greater

Sniper Date Distance Weapon Ammunition Nationality Military Unit Conflict References
Corporal of Horse (CoH) Craig Harrison November 2009 2,475 m (2,707 yd) Accuracy International L115A3 .338 Lapua Magnum LockBase B408 bullets United Kingdom Household Cavalry War in Afghanistan [4][6][7][8]
Corporal Rob Furlong Template:Sort Template:Convert McMillan Tac-50 Template:Sort Template:Flag 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry War in Afghanistan [9]
Template:Sort Template:Sort Template:Convert McMillan Tac-50 Template:Sort Template:Flag 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry War in Afghanistan [9]
Template:Sort Template:Sort Template:Convert Barrett M82A1 Raufoss NM140 MP (.50 Cal) Template:Flag 2nd Ranger Battalion Iraq War [10]
Template:Sort Template:Sort Template:Convert M2 Browning machine gun .50 BMG Template:Flag United States Marine Corps Vietnam War [11]
Template:Sortname Template:Sort Template:Convert Barrett M82A1 .50 BMG Template:Flag United States Army 1-91 Cav/173d ABCT War in Afghanistan [12]
Template:Sort Template:Sort Template:Convert McMillan Tac-338 .338 Lapua Magnum Template:Flag US Navy SEAL - Team 3, Charlie Iraq War – Sadr City [13][14][15]
Template:Sort Template:Sort Template:Convert Accuracy International L115A3 .338 Lapua Magnum LockBase B408 bullets Template:Flag 3 Scots – The Black Watch War in Afghanistan [16]
Template:Sort Template:Sort Template:Convert Sharps .50-90 .50-90 Sharps Template:Flag Civilian Buffalo Hunter American Indian Wars [17]
Template:Sort Template:Sort Template:Convert Barrett M82A1 Raufoss NM140 MP (.50 Cal) Template:Flag Norwegian Army 2nd Battalion War in Afghanistan [18]
Template:Sort Template:Sort Template:Convert M24 rifle 7.62x51mm NATO Template:Flag 2nd Battalion, 69th Armored Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division Sniper Shadow Team Iraq War – Ramadi [19]
File:Carlos Hathcock DM-SD-98-02324.JPG
Carlos Hathcock in 1996
Notes
  1. ↑ Plaster, John L. (1993). The ultimate sniper: an advanced training manual for military & police snipers (1993 ed.). Paladin Press. ISBN 978-0-87364-704-5.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Henderson, Charles (2003). Silent Warrior (2003 ed.). Berkley Books. ISBN 0-425-18864-7.
  3. ↑ "The way of the Gun: USMC S/S" Gaijinass
  4. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Smith_p.
  5. ↑ Masters, Chris (October 29, 2012). "Taliban remain in fear of lethal strikes". dailytelegraph.com.au. Australian Daily Telegraph.
  6. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Chandler_p.
  7. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Alpert_p.
  8. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Drury_p.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "We were abandoned".Maclean's.Retrieved May 3, 2010..
  10. ↑ "British sniper Craig Harrison (The Silent Assassin) breaks record, kills target from 1.5 miles away".Daily News.Retrieved May 3, 2010..
  11. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Scott_p._181
  12. ↑ "How to shoot someone from a mile away".NYPOST.com.Retrieved 2012-09-05..
  13. ↑ Template:Cite news
  14. ↑ Template:Cite news
  15. ↑ Template:Cite news
  16. ↑ "British sniper describes moment he shot Taliban commander... from TWO KILOMETRES away".The Daily Mail.Retrieved May 5, 2010..
  17. ↑ Template:Harvnb
  18. ↑ Template:Harvnb
  19. ↑ Template:Harvnb


See also

Template:-

References

  1. ↑ Template:Harvnb
  2. ↑ Template:Harvnb
  3. ↑ Template:Harvnb
  4. ↑ "Герой Советского Союза Зайцев Василий Григорьевич :: Герои страны".Warheroes.ru.Retrieved 2012-09-05..


Bibliography

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