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....
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.
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/
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.
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.
I'm thinking it's the quality of the rabbit's foot in your pocket that's going to get the job done at that kind of range...
Dang! What did he use a cruise missile?
From Wikipedia:
As the battles around Saratoga raged, the British, having been pushed back, were being rallied by Brigadier General Simon Fraser. Benedict Arnold [at the height of his pre-treason fame] rode up to General Morgan, pointed at Fraser and told Morgan the man was worth a regiment. Morgan called on Murphy and said: "That gallant officer is General Fraser. I admire him, but it is necessary that he should die, do your duty." Murphy scaled a nearby tree, took careful aim at the extreme distance of 300 yards, and fired four times. The first shot was a close miss, the second grazed the General's horse...From The Man Who Shot Simon Fraser:
...Within a few moments a rifle ball cut the crupper of Fraser's horse, and another passed through his horse's mane. Calling his attention to this, Fraser's aide said, 'it is evident that you are marked out for particular aim, would it not be prudent for you to retire from this place?' Fraser replied, 'my duty forbids me to fly from danger.' The next moment he fell mortally wounded by a ball from the rifle of Murphy and was carried off the field by two grenadiers.And again from Wikipedia:
Fraser tumbled from his horse, shot through the stomach. General Fraser died that night. British Senior officer Sir Francis Clerke, General Burgoyne's chief aide-de-camp, galloped onto the field with a message. Murphy's fourth shot killed him instantly. Murphy also fought at the battle of the Middle Fort in 1780.There appears to be some doubt about who actually shot General Simon Frasier. See: The Man Who Shot Simon Fraser
That is one extreme good shot.
