Matt's shot in a million

The Sun ^ | Fri, Apr 4, 2003 | NICK PARKER

[pragmatic_asian]

A ROYAL Marines sniper told yesterday how he felled an Iraqi gunman in a strong wind from more than half a mile with an astonishing shot in a million.

Crackshot Corporal Matt Hughes, 28, was ordered to take out the Iraqi, who was firing at his pals and holding up an attack.

Matt pulled off the incredible feat of marksmanship by perfectly gauging the wind speed to bend the bullet to its target.

And amazingly a second sniper alongside him hit a second Iraqi at the same moment with another wonder shot.

The 7.62 calibre round from Matt’s L96 sniper rifle was aimed 56ft to the left to allow for the wind, and 35ft high to allow for the distance.

Yet it flew straight to the target, hitting the Iraqi in the chest. He probably died instantly.

Matt, of the Marines’ spearhead brigade patrol troop in Al Faw, said yesterday: “It was a bit like David Beckham taking a free kick.

“I knew I only had one shot and had to get the angle exactly right.”

Matt, from Betws-y-Coed, Wales, and pal Corporal Sam Hughes, 31, of Plymouth, Devon, calculated the bullet’s trajectory by studying movement of dust across the desert.

Matt said: “Sam told me I would have to fire exactly 17 metres to the left of the target for the bullet to bend in the wind and take him out.

“I made adjustments to my sight. The Iraqi stayed in the crosshairs of my sight the whole time and didn’t move. I knew I’d hit him full in the chest and got him.”

Another Marine sniper next to Matt felled the second Iraqi.

Taking out the two Iraqis who had been shooting at Marines meant the Brits could advance to help secure the peninsula.

[Jerry_M]

I wonder if the snipers were pulling the reporter's leg.

With a strong enough wind, I guess that 53 ft. of windage correction is plausible, but the 35 ft. hold over is ridiculous for that weapon.

Also, note that the sniper talks about having the guy in the crosshairs all the time. Sorry, but he states that he is holding 53 ft x 35 ft off the guy, so he wouldn't be in the crosshairs.

Maybe they were testing the gullability factor of the writer. I don't think these were "one in a million" shots, even though they demonstrate the art and science of long range shooting.

[kstewskis]

If you are serious about learning how to shoot like this, go to www.shooterready.com. The website will teach you all you have to know. Unfortunately, the tutorial will have you working out math problems more than shooting.

Wow, thank you I will look at it! Actually, I *did* keep my New Years resolution, and am taking gun courses this year. I"m looking at a purchase soon, and will take the CCW class.

Good thing I liked math in college! lol

[VOA]

Glad they're on our side. I'm think Rummy owes the Brits a little apology.

Just an amatuer guess...but I think Rummy's quip was for the consumption of
"wobbly" British politicians...not for the UK Military.

I wonder if he'd put a similar "shot" across the bow of the Canadian "ship of state"
if we'd now have some of those great Canadian snipers in Iraq as well...

[LibKill]

If he can do that with a little 7.62 round, I wonder what he could do with the mighty .50cal!

[VOA]

How much you want to bet that what the sniper said was "I aimed 35 high and 56 left",
the reporter dubbed in "feet" and the sniper meant "centimeters" ?

Makes sense to me.
Even NASA and their subcontractors don't always pay attention to "dimensional analysis"
(that's how they lost those two Mars units...mixing up their kilometers with miles,
or some such...)

[It's me]

I would love to learn how to shoot like that.

...not that I am planning on assasinating anyone,

---

Uh oh, we'd better keep an eye on you...

[Mr_Magoo]

I wonder if he may have been refering to the clicks on his scope. 35 clicks up would be approximately 8 inches in elevation and 56 clicks left would be about 14 inches left. Now that sounds more like it.

I think you are on the right track. Just forgot 1 step.The shot was just over 1/2 mile. 1/2 mile is 1760 yards. Lets call it 1800 yards to KISS. 1/4 MOA / click, then 35 clicks would be (35/4)x18 =157.5 inches, or 13 1/8 feet drift.

[RightWhale]

a windage correction of 56 feet for a mere 800-yard shot

A pistol shot.

[Rummyfan]

Helluva shot! Bob Lee Swagger could appreciate that, not to mention Carlos Hatchcock.

Glad the Brits are on our side!

[Jerry_M]

One mile is 1760 yds. 1/2 mile is 880 yards. You need to halve the rest of your numbers as well.

[Mr_Magoo]

Ok, ok, Elevation!

13 1/8 feet elevation,
21 feet drift.

1 MOA ~ 1 inch per 100 yards

[30-06 Springfield]

I wonder how many hours a day these guys spend on a rifle range? The average GI gets a few hours a year, these snipers probably spend all but a few hours a day. They don't just practice the easy shots either. They go for the hard to difficult to darn near impossible. Great to hear items like this coming out. Makes all the training the military does worth while. I just hope that Bush puts the skids to Rummy and his plans for further downsizing. I am certain the air campaign will get more than their fair share of credit.

[Mr_Magoo]

Damn! Your right.

Got any coffee? I think I will shuddup now . . .

(hangs head in shame)

[the_doc]

See #32 and 33.

[wardaddy]

I agree.

[SLB]

Remind me not to have these guys shooting at me.

[wardaddy]

Indeed.

I have shot plenty at that range....reasonably well but not expert.

Never have I adjust over 18" in any direction....at 500 yards.

This writer got confused.

[kstewskis]

Uh oh, we'd better keep an eye on you...

....you should see me with a pea shooter! ;)

[Redleg Duke]

Gosh, I just can't compare to you doc!

But my Drill Sergeants from 1965 might have something to say to you...while they are pulling their boots otta yer behind.

[185JHP]

Kentucky windage. Tennessee elevation.