Posted on 03/07/2008 9:27:50 AM PST by Stoat
It is the latest weapon on the front line against the Taliban - the British Army's most powerful-ever sniper rifle, capable of killing with pinpoint accuracy from more than a mile away.
Yesterday the Army showed off its new Long Range Rifle, which has just entered service with combat units in Afghanistan to replace smaller and less powerful weapons.
The £11million upgrade programme is part of a "renaissance" of the sniper tradition - which during the Cold War was largely relegated to the sidelines - as modern commanders rediscover the huge value of pinpoint fire from sharpshooters.
Scroll down for more...
The new weapon, the L115A3, fires a heavier bullet to much longer ranges and has a state-of-the-art telescopic sight with twice the magnifying power of the old version.
More than 500 are on order from the British manufacturers, Accuracy International.
Since British forces moved into Helmand Province two years ago to take on the Taliban, demand for snipers has soared and 120 a year are now passing through the specialist training school at Warminster in Wiltshire.
One said: "It's a huge step forward. I'll be using the new rifle in Afghanistan this summer.
"It's a little heavier to carry, but the extra power is worth it. The improved telescopic sight can cut through the heat haze, which was preventing us from spotting targets at longer ranges."
Sniping is proving a hugely-important tactic in Afghanistan, where the difficulty of fighting among maze-like compounds and thick vegetation necessitates attacking the enemy at long range.
The controversy over so-called "collateral damage" from devastating airstrikes killing innocent civilians adds to the advantages of a pinpoint attack.
A senior officer at the Weapons Support School in Warminster said: "With the new rifle we now expect to be able to engage a target at 1,500 metres. With the old version it was about 1,000 metres.
"That makes a massive difference. You can keep the enemy at arm's length with snipers. Or you can have several of them firing simultaneously.
"It is devastating for an enemy's morale if a number of their fighters are suddenly shot at the same instant, and they can't even see where the firing is coming from. They tend to withdraw fast."
Training an infantryman to become a sniper can take up to a year, and only the most talented soldiers are allowed even to start the demanding courses.
First a candidate must master the technical aspects of shooting, learning to judge the strength of the wind extremely accurately using a variety of clues, and to adjust aim accordingly.
Just as importantly a sniper must learn to track his prey, move into position with extreme stealth, camouflage himself perfectly whether in natural cover or a battle-scarred city, and then disappear just as stealthily.
The senior officer said: "There is a long waiting list. Battalions are desperate to send soldiers here for training, and every soldier wants to be a sniper.
"They're held in extremely high regard. This new rifle will make them even more effective."
Cool ......He is a good guy ! I think he passed away didn’t he ?!?!?
Cooper was an Olympic Shooter.......that guy knew more about shooting stored in his little finger than we had collectively in our entire unit.
I am not sure if he owns or is CEO of AI .....possibly just the designer of the platform. the Shop at Oak Ridge TN may not even be there anymore. Heck it’s been 14 plus years since I played that game !!!
Stay safe !
1609 meters in a mile......US statute mile, not a international mile or a roman mile or nautical mile......:o)
Or even a US survey mile !
Stay safe !
I believe the 8.59 mm they are talking about is the .338 Lapua magnum.
Others here have come to the same conclusion....that appears to be the general consensus.
Sadly, it’s yet another caliber that isn’t represented in my personal armory.....I’ll need to rectify that situation :-)
You’re right, it’s a .338 Lapua Magnum. The Brits seem to like using the 250 grain projectiles. I prefer the heavier 300 grain rounds in mine. The .338 LM is a round that will tear you another pooper at 2000 without even trying.
If you want one that is more accurate and cleaner than the AI gun, talk to Mike Rock at Rock Creek Barrels. He can set you up one on the M24R platform he builds for around $3k and it’ll be a tack driver.
Mike
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simo_H%C3%A4yh%C3%A4
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simo_H%C3%A4yh%C3%A4
I understand that brand of joy. I used to have a very sweet Encore in 308.
Sad to say shooting it was like satisfying a hyperorgasmic girlfriend...lots of fun till I figured out the magic wasn't in my fingertips ;o)
Ah, another cult member.
Yep, Mr. Rock has quite the reputation. If I was still shooting with the National Guard team I’d probably be seeking his services. As it is, without uncle sugar paying for the fees, practice ammo, and transportation, I’m outta the competition shooting business.
Now that I’m retired (militarily) I have to start loading my own plinking ammo. Can you believe that? Actually having to buy components and load your own fun ammo?
Yes, that AA-12 is a kick @$$ gun. I would like to have one too, but probably couldn’t afford the ammo. 20 rounds in a few seconds...
5.56mm
The other favorite hunting rig I own, and of late trying to make it into a target rig, experimenting with it’s accuracy with a new hanger and such is my new stainless ruger number 1 in 45-70.
I love that rifle, very simple, clean lines, shoots like a dream after I modified the hanger and some other tweeks.
5280 divided by three.
That’s how I remember it. If I have a problem remembering 5280, then I take 1320 and multiply by 4. Then divide by 3.
Unfortunately, we are down on the waiting list and yet to be briefed on the new rifle.
The existing one (AI L96) does the job. Even though the stated effective range says 1000m, harrassing fire is further. Higher magnification is always a plus.
Look forward to having a play!!!
I Would not be suprised if the Pentagon puts in an order for thousands of those rifles.
To be honest, Having looked at it I have mixed feelings on it. A big part of sniping is the ‘stalk’, moving and observing, looking for the fire position that provides the best concealment with routes of escape, and that also allows for comms. It is ‘personal’ soldiering at its most intense.
Yes, it is a great accolade to bang on a target at more than a mile out, but there may be an undermining of the other skills that a sniper must possess. At the distances that some sniper rifles are now effective to, you may as well stick up watchtowers in camps, to place a sniper/spotter.
Snipers are now used more and more as a ‘back up’ attachment for rifle platoons. Agreed that this isn’t an abuse of the sniper role as its always nice for taking the sting out of any assault on your position.
Hathcock used a standard Ma Deuce on its tripod mount with the Unertl scope for hits out beyond 2000 yards. I believe it was a Remington 700 that did the rest of his work. Truly he set the standard for ALL modern snipers.
“These rounds usually do not leave holes in soft targets. They tend to shred them. I shooting deer would need to be followed up by collecting peices to process later.”
Nonsense. That’s all a matter of bullet construction. For instance, the Barnes monolithic bullets don’t fragment at all, while still expanding nicely. They tend to not damage too much meat even when heavy calibers are used on light game (think .375 H&H on small antelope in Africa).
The .338 Lapua is overkill for most NA game, but if it floats your boat... ;-)
(For hunting, I think an optimum point is actually the .338-06, the .30-06 Springfield necked up to .338 caliber. Plenty of range, makes a nice big hole, and you can use inexpensive bullets because the velocity is moderate. Suitable for everything up to grizzly bear while using less powder than the .300 magnums.)
Precious Liberty,
Wow! That thread is over 2 years old. Lol. Been busy with a new job and don’t get to Freep much these days. I had to review the article and thread. I’m not sure what my logic was completely. But the shear velocity of a projectile delivers a certain amount of energy, regardless of the bullet size of shape (metal jacket Vs. lead hollow point/tallons). I don’t know how the 8.62 MM compares to the .50 Cal sniper energy. But it is the energy of the .50 cal sniper weapons that were being used in Afgan that would, in some cases, split a human body. A good shot made one hell of a mess. That said, I didn’t see a comparison and didn’t fully re-read the article.
Good to hear from you. What prompted a review of a thread from 2008? Just curious.
“Wow! That thread is over 2 years old.”
Hah, I didn’t even notice when I replied...
“I’m not sure what my logic was completely. But the shear velocity of a projectile delivers a certain amount of energy, regardless of the bullet size of shape (metal jacket Vs. lead hollow point/tallons). I don’t know how the 8.62 MM compares to the .50 Cal sniper energy. But it is the energy of the .50 cal sniper weapons that were being used in Afgan that would, in some cases, split a human body.”
It is both the energy and bullet construction. There’s a variant of the .50 BMG round that’s multi-purpose (incendiary, armor-piercing and explosive), perhaps it was used in the instances you’re describing:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raufoss_Mk_211
Even a “soft” bullet similar to the Sierra Match King would do massive tissue damage with the .50 BMG or .338 Lapua.
At any rate, the .338 Lapua is very close to the .338 Remington Ultra Magnum (.338 RUM) which is regularly used on big game animals without spraying them all over the landscape. ;-)
Even the .375 H&H is well regarded as a small antelope round when a solid bullet is used - minimal meat destruction.
“Good to hear from you. What prompted a review of a thread from 2008? Just curious.”
I think it was the post above mine that bumped it to the top on May 4. Still interesting regardless of the ancient history factor. :-)
Have a good one!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.