Sniping in Iraq evolved away from the old 2-man sniper-spotter team, to a small squad with security elements. The security elements usually carried M-16s with 4X Trijicon scopes. Sometimes such a target-rich opportunity arose that the primary sniper was assisted by the security men with these “designated marksmen rifles.”
They found that with the heavy 77 grain Black Hills ammunition, these M-16s were making many, many kills out past 600 yards. A scoped semi-auto rifle that can shoot under 2 MOA groups is extremely versatile. It can defend you up close, and nail the enemy far away. Try that with an AK-47!
They even evolved the tactic of a “sniper ambush” with multiple rifles waiting for a group of enemy to appear at 400+ yards. Firing at the same time, many enemy could be killed before they could scatter and take cover. Again, try that with an AK-47 at 400+ yards.
Travis, you absolutely correct. The 2nd Marine Division used the 5.56 77gr Black hills Ammunition coupled with the SAMR, Squad Advanced Marksman Rifle. This was a heavy barrel M16A4 with a Harris bipod and variable power scope. Our boys wrecked havoc on the Insurgents and could routinely hit targets out to 700 yards.
The ACOG became the most important upgrade to the M16A4/M4 system. Since ROE required a more discriminate shooting profile, the ACOG became the action.
With those heavier bullets, don’t they have to change to a barrel with a 1:8 twist?
I’ve got a few boxes of that 77 gr Black Hills ammo but I haven’t fired any. My RRA is chambered for 5.56 mm but my concern is that the bullet may be too long.
Any insight you can share?
That's also using a TA11 ACOG. I just got a Meopta Artemis 2100 (front focal plane) I was going to try out.
Interestingly, this rifle does almost equally well with several types of ammo from 55 to 77gr, even maintaining POI between loads. At least out to around 200m, at which point they diverge a bit. Works as good as I could hope.
Kinda heavy, though!