Posted on 05/16/2018 4:39:59 PM PDT by Simon Green
Moving away from the classic M40-series, Marine Scout Snipers have a new and improved precision rifle platform that is making it out to the Fleet.
The Mk13 Mod 7 rifle is based on the Accuracy International AICS long action system. Whereas the legacy Remington 700-based M40, used and extensively upgraded since the 1960s by the Marines, is chambered in NATO-standard 7.62x51mm, the new rifle brings .300 Win Mag to the Marines’ lexicon. Army snipers have long since upgraded to chamberings that offered more room to reach out and touch someone.
“The .300 Winchester Magnum round will perform better than the current 7.62 NATO ammo in flight, increasing the Marine Sniper’s first-round probability of hit,” said CW3 Tony Palzkill, the Battalion Gunner for the Marine’s Infantry Training Battalion. “This upgrade is an incredible win and will allow snipers to engage targets at greater distances.”
First fielded with the Navy in older Mod 5 models, the Marine Special Operations units and the snipers of the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines have been using the weapons for some time, with the feedback and lessons learned contributing to the more widespread adoption of the rifle.
Geissele last year was awarded a bid to provide triggers and engineering services for the rifles, a contract managed by Naval Surface Warfare Center’s Crane Division. Overall, the Marine Corps has budgeted $4.3 million to purchase 356 Mk 13 systems with a unit price of $12,042 a piece. Optics shown in recent imagery released by the Pentagon are by NightForce.
The M40A6, the most advanced version, will continue to be used in training while the semi-auto M110 and M107 platforms “will also remain as additional weapons within the scout sniper equipment set.”
You are welcome, yep.. so true.
That said have to say the competitive shooting sports world and all of its participants have been a huge asset over the years.
Lots of data and ideas...
I bet those figures are for a 24 inch barrel.
I am not dissing the 300 Win Mag. But the 6mm is lighter, has better accuracy, less recoil, but less downrange energy though adequate. All the low light is optics, not gun. The 6mm is easier to get hits under any conditions so that is what I would pick. But, I was not on the selection committee so my opinion does not matter. The 300 Win Mag is better for the application than the .308/7.62X51 so that is still a good move. A 243 Win has hardly more recoil than a .223, but has great long range capability so I just think it would have been a good choice and is why it is so often chosen by long range target shooters. If I had to get shot, I would not pick to be shot by a 300 Win Mag.
You would be surprised at how many 6.5 Swedish Mausers with bedded barrels show up at matches.
I understand your point...
I was fortunate enough to work a program with a 6.5mm projectile on a cartridge case that had about the same volume of a 338 Norma Mag...1/3 the recoil of the .300WM, same KE on target at 1000M as the AB43. Talk about a flat shooting hot rod...lol
I spent my career designing intermediate range nuclear missiles, guided bombs and satellite systems. Rifles is just a hobby.
Must have been fun!
You can buy one for $6000 according to the internet.
Sectional density is nothing more than weight/caliber-You may be referring to drag coefficient- the “slipperyiness” factor that enable a bullet to travel farther due to higher retained velocity. That is a function of bullet shape and length, not mass. For example, a Sierra Match King Palma 155 is a 30 cal bullet with a coefficient of around .54 G1, while a similar 155 Match king which is the same weight (therefore the same Sec Density) is only .35 G1.
These 300 Win Mags are shooting 210 to 240 grain bullets that run G1 coefficients around .650-.750, and the 300 win mag case allows adequate powder capacity to enable moderate muzzle velocities to take advantage of these ore efficient bullets.
Smaller calibers can produce similar long range performance trajectory wise, but take too much off the table energy wise, and it is KE that penetrates/kills.
“The hollowpoint is not intended to expand so it probably meets Hague Convention regulations.“
The US never signed on to The Hague Conventions. We adhere to them voluntarily.
L
It was fun. Worked on over 200 programs. Retired about two weeks ago.
Yeah. A proper hollow point would be much better. The people we fight do not deserve any mercy.
You're worrying to much. When the sniper kills the first target at 500 yards, he'll have time to clean the barrel quickly to be able to hit the 2nd target at 1000 yards and the third guy at 1500 yards as they run away. Not a problem.
Congrats, enjoy the retirement!
That is if everything goes as planned. If they get caught in an ambush they may use up some ammo. This would usually be at closer range where barrel fouling would not be a problem.
As a semi-retired long range target shooter, I can attest the biggest reason for paper punchers using 6 and 6.5 calibers is not anything other than recoil. A regional Match normally consists of 80 round ( 4ea 20X600) or 45 round ( 1 ea 15 X 800, 900, 1000) plus sighters. most match shooters prefer to put bullets into the X ring, not energy into the berm/and shoulder- it make Xs that much harder.
Me, I still break out the NM M1 with heavy loads of 190s for anything past 600....
30 cal bullets indeed do provide great BCs, but at a cost of recoil and bigger cartridge lengths with allsorts of associated issues. Have you seen a 240 SMK or Berger? They’re is long enough to put an ink cartridge in and use as a pen... BC G1 in the 700+ range, but as you state, you can do that with a Hornady 140 grain ELD 6.5 and about 25 grains less powder and recoil exponentially lower. Paper doesn’t resist much though.
The rifle of treason.
The British makers owner said bump stocks, and semi-auto should be illegal in America. Too bad to see the USMC go to a foreign platform who’s owner undermines the 2nd amendment.
Yes, it shows.
Thanks for your expertise. And for all you did to achieve it.
I really like 30 cal rifles. I have a 30-40 Krag, 30-06’s in 1917, 1903A3, M1 Garand and 7.62X51 in Springfield M1A. Not including non mil rifles in these calibers.
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