Posted on 06/22/2017 3:09:08 PM PDT by Hadean
A Canadian sniper set what appears to be a record, picking off an ISIS fighter from some 2.2 miles away, and disrupting a potentially deadly operation by the terror group in Iraq.
Shooting experts say the fatal shot at a world-record distance of 11,316 feet underscores how stunningly sophisticated military snipers are becoming. The feat, pulled off by a special forces sniper from Canada’s Joint Task Force 2, smashed the previous distance record for successful sniper shots by some 3,280 feet, a record set by a British sniper.
“ ... the true challenge here was being able to calculate the actual wind speed and direction all the way to the target.” -- - Ryan Cleckner, former U.S. Army Ranger sniper
"The Canadian Special Operations Command can confirm that a member of the Joint Task Force 2 successfully hit a target from 3,540 metres [2.2 miles]," the Canadian military said in a statement.
While officials would not say where the shot took place, the statement noted the command "provides its expertise to Iraqi security force to detect, identify and defeat Daesh activities from well behind the Iraqi security force front line in Mosul."
The new record was set using a McMillan TAC-50, a .50-caliber weapon and the largest shoulder-fired firearm in existence.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
The only thing that is getting better are the calculations, and maybe the gun.
Nice shooting, a lot more accurate than my .50 cal flintlock rifle.
That’s a real nice picture, but I’ll bet that the rifle the sniper used had a scope that would make NASA proud. Still, a heck of a shot....
The nice thing about that distance is that had he missed a target out of doors probably the target would not have known he was being shot at and the sniper would get to try it again.
Lines from the Louis L’Amour/Tom Selleck classic, Crossfire Trail:
Compatriot: That was good shooting.
Rafe Covington (Tom Selleck): That wasn’t shooting. That was killing.
I think he used the MacMillan, with US rounds that were left to warm in the Sun. Took him at least 3 rounds to hit the guy carrying RPG rounds
The following excerpt is from Sofrep:
“The record-breaking shot was taken by the JTF2 sniper team nearly a month ago, but is just being publicized now, largely because the Canadian military is proud of what their men have accomplished despite what hand wringing politicians might think. Let’s get one thing straight, the record-breaking shot was not at a distance of 3,450 meters as the press has reported, but 90 meters further at a range of 3,540 meters. This smashes the previous record-setting distance for a sniper kill which was 2,475 meters held by British sniper Craig Harrison.”
“Canadian snipers are known to be amongst the best in the world and the JTF2 sniper detachment had been training for ultra-long range engagements prior to their deployment in preparation for Mosul. From their sniper hide, a number of factors lined up making the record-breaking shot possible. Using Kestral wind meters and ballistic software, the guess-work has been removed from ballistics. This truly makes sniping a science, as successful shots are based on math. On this particular day, there was little wind and no mirage. Through their scope, the sniper and spotter saw the target remaining still long enough for them to hit from 3,540 meters away.”
“The round fired was a match grade armor-piercing incendiary (API) round. JTF2 mostly utilizes Schmidt and Bender scopes, but also some made by Night Force. Which optic used that day remains unknown at this time. The rifle had been customized in order to gain the mil elevation needed to reach a target at such great distances by attaching special rails to the weapon. The adjustments dialed into the scope by the JTF2 sniper were 113 mils of elevation and 6.5 mils of windage.”
https://sofrep.com/84222/sofrep-exclusive-inside-story-canadas-jtf2-record-breaking-sniper-kill/
It is rocket science. His spotter was doing the science while an outstanding shooter pulled the trigger and their was a large helping of god given luck. At that distance even if he did not hit the target it scares the sh-t out of the bad guy. The bad guy thinks he is just a few hundred meters away and not two miles. It affects his actions and judgement greatly! Good shooting Mr. Canuck. Your lot have a good track record at long range kills. Thank you for your skills. You boys are good.
Around 1976 I used to shoot at targets a quarter mile away. The rifle was a 98-09 Argentine Mauser made by DWM. Hits on a man sized target were not difficult. This was with open sights. Increasing the distance even a hundred yards made all the difference in the world to me. I could no longer be sure of a hit.
When I lived in Western Kansas, I had to reduce my hit rate on a gong (can’t remember the size but maybe 18 inches in diameter) to around 200 yards. This was due to the almost constant wind. I was using a minute of angle scoped rifle with double set triggers.
Standing up on both comparisons.
Can’t even imagine a hit at 2 miles.
Amazing.
“a .50-caliber weapon and the largest shoulder-fired firearm in existence.”
Well, may be.
BUT
Here is one that has a good reputation that is made in 57 caliber (14.5 MM) and 50 caliber (12.7 MM)
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DC6z4xHWAAATqlZ.jpg
An article about them. https://medium.com/war-is-boring/on-the-lonely-iraq-syria-border-snipers-battle-for-a-strategic-road-f57983f89420
Brand name? not sure. smile
Those crazy awesome Canucks!!
As I recall, the old record, not that long ago, was just under that...
My wife is Canadian; I WILL be hearing more about this... lots more. Most days, I beat her at daily trivia.
>> less than 10 seconds
That puts the bullet close to 800 miles/hour. That sound right?
God bless our Canadian troops. Canada may be a land of leftwing nutters, but our troops are well trained and brave and doing the best with the shitty situation they are handed - including chronic underfunding of our military.
Excellent.
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