Sniper shot that took out an insurgent killer from three quarters of a mile

telegraph ^ | 01/01/2006 | Toby Harnden in Ramadi

[Ursus arctos horribilis]

h, when did this occur?

[Lurker]

My longest 'confirmed' was less than 600 meters out. My second was just a hair under 400.

Now this guy can shoot.

L

[Squantos]

I spotted one of my troops in Kuwait City using our teams barrett. His shot was beyond 1000 with a raufaus HEI round, roof top high to a rooftop low target.....it was ugly. Middle of the day, fairly cool , no mirage, zero wind, cloudy, lots of humdity.......one of those kodak moments that stays with ya.....

I carried the M1A that we were issued there vs the M4/203 combo that was available if we wanted it just due the range of the potential targets and the number of mines we rendered safe with a process called small munitions disruption aka SMUD...... The M1A is still my choice of carry as a truck gun to this day. I have a TRW flavored tack driver that I love due it's accuracy then and now.

Hope yer well, may the new year be nice to ya !

[Berlin_Freeper]

"the Iraqi insurgent who had just killed an American soldier. His quarry stood nonchalantly"

This news item has a touch of typical anti-US Brit arrogance to it. The idea presented is that terrorists kill US Troops easy and stand around "nonchalantly".

I really doubt that was the case. Obviously this terrorist was waiting for another American to come help the first and get a second kill. I seriously don't believe he was just standing there "nonchalantly".

Americans have to be on guard around idiot UK journalists as much as they have to be on guard around terrorists, both will take a cheap shot.

[cynwoody]

Oh, Col Gronski one other thing. I can't find the word "emplacers" anywhere.

http://www.google.com/search?num=30&complete=1&hl=en&lr=&safe=off&q=define%3Aemplace&btnG=Search

[Tammy8]

I was really disturbed to see names in this article; and I am not really sure this should have been written at all. I am impressed at the job these men do; and understand the need for them- just think this will be twisted around against the military. I also think the men named in this article and possibly their families are now in danger of terrorists hunting them as some point. I can only hope these are not real names.

[Lancer_N3502A]

Check this site out: http://www.snipercentral.com/308.htm It only goes out to 1,000 yds (915 m) but is good enough. True the .308 could do it but look at the drop 230" for military match. Would like to see a follow up to see if it was a 7.62 x 51 or a .300 WM.

[Lancer_N3502A]

The Army usually zeros there's out to 300 m while the Marines zero there's out to 700 m. This guys is a country boy from Alabama and probably has worked it up for a long range zero, say 500-700 m plus.

[Lancer_N3502A]

"We've heard that Al Qida (or whoever) has hired a few crack Chechnian Snipers"

According to the buzz your correct. We've got a bit of a sniper war going on and have sent in some of our best.

[Sir Francis Dashwood]

I say hey man "Nice Shot!"

Heeeey man, niiiice goooin'.... Nice shot, man!

LOL! I remember when the Israelis got a terrorist Imam a year or so ago with a rocket from a helicopter. The news reports said there was nothing left of him but his head.

I called the local radio station where the station owner was discussing it on his weekly Saturday morning program and asked the young board operator if he ever heard of that song from Filter. He played it when they cut off for the commercial break.

[MikefromOhio]

I know....


that was a gaming reference :)

[Simo Hayha]

Imagine using a .50 and shooting into a hospital, assuming the building was being used as such. How many walls would a .50 caliber round have passed through before stopping?

[USNBandit]

Post 29.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Thanks. I'll keep an eye out for one.

[Lurker]

I was issued one of the old M40A1s back in the early 80s. Mine started out with an old Redfield scope but that got replaced by one of Unertls finest. We called it the "Improved M40".

That sucker was wicked accurate out to 800 meters. It's 'official' effective range was 900 meters IIRC but on a good calm day you could make hits out to 1000 meters with it.

It sounds like our rifles have a lot in common. I've got an NM M1A that according to Springfield was made around October of 1985. It's TRW flavored, too.

I've got mine topped with the Springfield 1st Gen rangefinder glass. If I can see it, most likely I can hit it.

Just about all I feed it is the Sierra Match bullet over 42 grains of Re 12. Leaves the muzzle just a hair over 2650 fps so the chrono says. One thing about the M1A is you don't want the bullet going much faster than that. It plays hell with the gas operated system, so I keep 'em under 2700 fps.

I've handrolled a few of the Barnes Coppers in the same weight and profile (BTHP) but I haven't had much of a chance to really wring them out. They weigh the same but they're a bit longer than the Sierra bullet, so consequently they seat just a bit deeper.

I'm giving them a try because I they should penetrate deeper than the Sierra brand. There's nothing wrong the the Sierra, it's just that being a HP, it opens up pretty quick. Believe it or not, Sierra doesn't recommend that bullet for hunting apps. That's why they make the Game King.

I'm going to try the two loads (Barnes vs. Sierra) side by side before I go hog hunting up north. I'll let you know what the 'on paper' results are. Fortunately I've got a pile of a thousand or so LC cases laying around just ready to go.

If I've done my homework correctly, these loads should pretty much duplicate the old M118 match load, and using the Barnes solid should give me plenty of penetration when I go after them feral piggies up in WI. I've got clearance from the Tower to bring home as many of them as I can get and as long as they don't have a face when they get to the Lurker Compound, Mrs L will work her magic on 'em.

I know I'm not in Texas, but I do make a pretty mean BBQ rib and Mrs. Ls pulled pork BBQ is a thing of beauty. Made from wild hog it should be fantastic. We'll do our best to tempt you up north when the time comes.

You take care now. Have a happy, healthy, safe, and prosperous New Year my friend.

L

[Marine_Uncle]

"I know.... that was a gaming reference :)"
Happy new years. One thing for certain, these goons are not safe in ar Ramadi with our guys perched on buildings. The attrition rate shall continue as long as they try to plant IEDs and take pot shots at our guys. Funny. We write to one another, knowing each can write verbatem in many cases.

[n230099]

Thanks for the link. My .308 is a DSA arms SA58 however. I've recently been looking at the Springfield Armory "M-14s" though. I remember traiing with them when I was in the Army. BTW, I was in Bien Hoa at Tet

[Ursus arctos horribilis]

? Guess I don't comprehend, sometimes I can be rather dense.

[fella]

The reporter made sure to include enough information in the story so that the shoulders, their families and friends can be located by our enemies information technology people and targeted for special operations. The media is not on our side.

[USNBandit]

They give the guy's name, a picture of the guy, a picture of the building which our guys chose to shoot from for quite some time. A distance from the hospital. If our troops end up fighting in the same place they better not go back there.

This is the kind of story that could have waited until our troops were home.