The Hidden Rifles: Sniper Rifles

Here is a Top 10 list of the World's Deadliest Sniper Rifles
(list taken from the TV series "Ultimate Weapons")

The Ulitmate Sniper Rifles:

10. Knight's Armament M110

Cartridge: 7.62x51mm NATO
Action: Gas Operated, rotating bolt


Weight: 16 lbs.
Length: 40.5 in (buttstock fully compressed),
              46.5 in (buttstock fully compressed and suppressor attached)
Barrel length: 20 in.
Rate of Fire: Semi-Automatic
Effective Range: 800 meters
Feed System: 10 or 20-round detachable box magazine
Place of Origin: USA
Service: War in Afghanistan, War in Iraq
Manufacturer: Knight's Armament Company

9. LWRC SABR 308

Cartridge: 7.62x51 mm NATO
Operation: Short-Stroke Gas-Piston
Weight: 8.2 lbs.
Effective Range: more than 1000 yards
Rate of Fire: Semi-Automatic
     This Sniper Rifle was developed for the US Special Forces. This rifle can be used for close quarters combat and long range shooting which helps the sniper to get to position without carrying 2 guns. The SABR stands for the Sniper Assault Rebuttal Rifle.

8. Mcmillan Tac 50

Cartridge: .50 BMG
Operation: Rotary Bolt Action
Weight: 26 lbs.
Length: 57 in.
Barrel Length: 29 in.
Effective Range: 1600 meters
Feed System: 5 round detachable box magazine
Manufacturer: McMillan Brothers Rifle Co.
Service: War in Afghanistan
Place of Origin: USA
     Two Canadian snipers of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry regiment sniper team made the longest recorded sniper kills in history with this weapon in Afghanistan during Operation Anaconda, in the Shah-i-Kot Valley. In March 2002, Master Corporal Arron Perry killed an enemy combatant from 1.435 miles and Corporal Rob Furlong killed an enemy combatant from1.509 miles with 750 grain Hornady A-MAX very-low-drag bullets. These were the longest recorded kills by snipers in combat.

7. M40

Cartridge: 6.5x47 LAPUA
Operation: Bolt Action
Weight:  M40A1: 14.48 lb
               M40A3: 16.5 lb
Length:  M40A1: 43.97 in
               M40A3: 44.25 in
Barrel length: 610 mm (24 in) (1:12 right hand twist)
                        M40A1: Hart (6 lands and grooves)
                        M40A3: Schneider Match Grade SS #7 (6 lands and grooves)
Effective Range: 1000 yards
Feed System: 5-round integral box magazine
Sights:  Scout Sniper Day Scope (SSDS)
Manufacturer:  United States Marine Corps, Remington
Place of Origin: USA
Service:  Iraq War, War in Afghanistan, Gulf War, Invasion of Grenada, Multinational Force in Lebanon, Vietnam War.
    The M40 is a bolt-action sniper rifle used by the United States Marine Corps. It has four variants — the M40, M40A1, M40A3, and M40A5. The M40 was introduced in 1966. The changeover to the A1 model was completed in the 1970s, the A3 in the 2000s, and the A5 in 2009.
Each M40 is built from a Remington 700 bolt-action rifle, and is modified by USMC Armorers at Marine Corps Base Quantico, using components from a number of suppliers. New M40A3s are being built, and A1s are upgraded to A3s as they rotate into the armory for service and repair.

6. Stealth Recon Scout

Cartridge: .243 Winchester
                  7.62x51 mm (.308 Winchester)
                  .300 Winchester Magnum
                  .338 Lapua Magnum
Action: Bolt Action
Weight: 11.5 lb (.243 Winchester)
              11 lb (7.62x51 mm)
              12 lb (.300 Winchester Short Magnum)
              12.37 lb (.338 Lapua Magnum)
Length: 33.5 in (.243 Winchester)
              31.5 in (7.62x51 mm)
              35.5 in (.300 Winchester Magnum)
              37.5 in (.338 Lapua Magnum)
Barrel Length: 24 in (.243 Winchester)
                          22 in (7.62x51 mm)
                          26 in (.300 Winchester Magnum)
                          26 in (.338 Lapua Magnum)
Feed System: 5-round detachable box magazine (.338 Lapua Magnum)
                       6-round detachable box magazine (.300 Winchester)
                       7-round detachable box magazine (.243 Winchester, .308 Winchester)

Sights: Telescopic Sight
Manufacturer: Desert Tactical Arms
Place of Origin: USA
     The Stealth Recon Scout is notably unusual in that it is one of the few rifles that has a bullpup bolt-action layout. This gives the rifle a relatively compact design; claimed to be 11 inches shorter than conventional sniper rifles.


5. Accuracy International AS-50

Cartridge:12.7x99 NATO

Caliber: .50 BMG

Operation: Semi-Automatic
Weight: 31 lbs.
Length: 53.9 in.
Barrel Length: 692 mm
Effective Range: 1500 meters
Feed System: 5 or 10 round detachable box magazine
Place of Origin: United Kingdom
Manufacturer: Accuracy International
     The AS50 enables operators to engage targets at very long range with high accuracy using explosive or incendiary ammunition. The AS50 employs a gas operated semi-automatic action and muzzle brake, allowing for lower recoil than the AW50 bolt action rifle and faster target acquisition.

4.  Model 99 .416 Barrett

.416 Barrett                                                    Barrett M99

Projectile: .416 (396 grains)                          Operation: Single Shot Bolt Action

Bullet Diameter: .416 in.                               Weight: 25 lbs. or 23 lbs.
Neck Diameter: .465 in.                                Length: 50 in. or 47 in.
Shoulder Diameter: .732 in.                          Barrel Length: 32 in. or 29 in.
Base Diameter: .797 in.                                Cartridge: .50 BMG
Case Length: 3.27 in.                                                       .416 Barrett
Overall Length: 4.58 in.                                Effective Range: 2600 meters
Case Capacity: 13 cm³                                  Feed System: Single Shot
Designer: Ronnie Barrett                             Manufacturer: Barrett Firearms Co.
Place of Origin: USA                                     Place of Origin: USA

3. Accuracy International AWSM

Caliber: .338 Lapua Magnum
Operation: Bolt Action
Weight: 14.9 lbs.
Length: 1200 mm (.300 Win. Mag.)
              1230 mm (.338 Lapua Magnum)
Barrel Length:  26 in. (.300 Win. Mag.)
                           27 in. (.338 Lapua Magnum)
Effective Range: 1,100 metres (.300 Winchester Magnum)
                             1,500 metres (.338 Lapua Magnum)

Feed System: 5-round detachable box magazine





Service: Afghanistan War, Iraq War
Manufacturer: Accuracy International
Sights: detachable aperture type iron sights day or night optics
Place of Origin: United Kingdom

2. Barrett M107

Cartridge: 12.7x99 mm NATO
                   .416 Barrett
Operation: Short Recoil
Rate of Fire: Semi-Automatic
Weight: 29.7 lbs.
Length: 57 inches (with 29 inch barrel)
              48 inches (with 20 inch barrel) (M82A1)
Barrel Length: 29 inches
                          20 inches
Effective Range: 1800 meters
Feed System: 10-round detachable box magazine
Sights:  Fixed front, adjustable rear sight; MIL-STD-1913 rail provided for optics
Manufacturer: Barrett Firearms Manufacturing
Place of Origin: USA
     The M82 (called as the M107 by the military) is a recoil-operated, semi-automatic anti-materiel rifle developed by the American Barrett Firearms Manufacturing. A heavy SASR (Special Application Scoped Rifle), it is used by many armies around the world. It is also called the "Light Fifty" for its .50 caliber BMG chambering.

 1. CheyTac M200 Intervention LRSS

Cartridge:.408 CheyTac
                  .375 CheyTac
Operation: Bolt Action
Weight: 27 lbs.
Length: 53 in  (stock extended)
              46¾ in (stock collapsed) (M-200)
Barrel Length:  29 in. (standard w/ 1:13 twist M-200)
                           26 in. (optional)
Effective Range: 2000+ meters (M-200)
                             2000+ meters (M-200 Carbine)
                             1500+ meters [M-200 CIV (Civilian)]
Feed System: 7-round detachable box magazine
Sights: Day Optics/ Night Optics
Designer: Randy Kobzeff
Manufacturer:  CheyTac LLC and Randy Kobzeff
Place of Origin: USA

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Stealthy and Deadly

The Scout Snipers

U.S. Marine Corps Scout Snipers are highly trained Marines, professionals in sniping, reconnaissance, and marksmanship. Scout Snipers have a secondary Military Occupational Specialty code of MOS 0317 that can be earned by both Infantry and Reconnaissance Marines.  These men deliver long range precision fire at a designated target from concealed positions to give fire support to ground troops. The Scout Sniper Motto is "One Shot, One Kill".

Scout snipers have two main roles. One is to use precision weapons to deny the enemy freedom of movement and disrupt their operations by shooting key personnel such as commanders, radio operators, messengers, and other high ranking officials. They may also take out hard targets such as communications equipment, armored vehicles, and generators. The other role of the Scout Snipers is to carry out reconnaissance and surveillance operations for their assigned battalion.

Scout snipers are part of a Scout Sniper Platoon, which is an element of the headquarters and service company of their assigned battalion. Each SSP is made up of 8-10 2 man sniper teams. A Scout Sniper team consists of:

1. Scout Sniper Leader/ Spotter is equipped with a M40 rifle and he will also carry a high powered spotting scope.

2. Scout Sniper is armed with a high-caliber anti-material rifle.

There are 3 phases of training in the Scout Sniper School:

1. Marksmanship and Basic Fields Craft Phase
     During this phase Marines are trained in basic marksmanship on the Known Distance Range and also receive classes on basic skills such as camouflage, individual movement, weapons systems, observations, and field sketches.

2. Unknown Distance and Stalking
     The UKD (Unknown Distance) and Stalking portion starts as soon as Phase 1 is completed. During this phase students will become experts at engaging targets at unknown distances by way of range estimation and range cards.

3.  Advanced Field Skills and Mission Employment

 The USMC Scout Snipers are currently stationed in some of the most hostile environments in the world like in Iraq and Afghanistan.

 

The Few, The Proud

The Few, The Proud, The Marines. This is one of the quotes used to describe the USMC. The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States armed forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States. In the civilian leadership structure of the United States military, the Marine Corps is a component of the United States Department of the Navy, often working closely with U.S. naval forces for training, transportation, and logistic purposes; however, in the military leadership structure the Marine Corps is a separate branch.

The USMC participated in several wars. One of the most important wars that included the Marines was World War II. They might not have been in the front lines in Europe but they were in the Pacific theatre of War. They battled the Japanese long and hard almost each day during World War II. Perhaps without their help, the war in the Pacific may have turned out differently and the Japanese may be a big empire if it weren't for  the Marines intervening.

Today, they are fighting in the urban cities of Iraq and other countries where terrorism exists. They are "THE FIRST TO FIGHT" as many people consider them. They encounter insurgents and terrorists in some of the most hostile environment ever. They are the front lines and everybody after them just clean up what the Marines missed (which I doubt).

There are different MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) that the Marines have to offer. Out of all the different MOS, my favored is MOS 0317 or more commonly known to the Marines as the Scout Snipers. Marines who qualify for Scout Sniper School alway recieve rigid training which requires physical and mental strength. You have to be a First Class Private and shoot as expert marksman to qualify.

 Before you can consider yourself as a Marine, you have to undergo the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery), pass a PFT (Physical Fitness Test), and go through boot camp.

“Semper Fi”. This is a Marine quote that means Always Faithful. Another Marine quote that is connected to this is “Once a Marine, Always a Marine”. This shows a deeper relationship between fellow Marines. Marines do not only consider their fellow Marines as squadmates, they consider them as brothers. The USMC is a brotherhood of Marines that no one but the Marines can fully understand. Once you have forged a relationship between your brother Marines, it will be unbreakable. 

These are all the things that I have to say about the USMC. Never forget what the Marines did to make the world a better and safer place for everybody to live in.

Freedom is not free, but the U.S. Marine Corps will pay most of your share. 
-Ned Dolan

Marines know how to use their bayonets. Army bayonets may as well be paper-weights. 
-Navy Times; November 1994

The United States Marine Corps, with its fiercely proud tradition of excellence in combat, its hallowed rituals, and its unbending code of honor, is part of the fabric of American myth. 
-Thomas E. Ricks; Making the Corps, 1997

Vaulting Obstacles

Today, I will be talking about 3 basic vaults used in parkour. These vaults were made so as to be more efficient in jumping over obstacles (known as vaults to traceurs). Together with some information about the vaults, I will include some videos to show you how these vaults look like in action. I will talk about the Monkey Vault, the Dash Vault, and one of my favorites, the Lazy Vault.

Monkey Vault

1. Run up to the object you are vaulting at a steady pace. You will soon learn how fast or slow you need to go to make the vault. Look where you will place your hands on the surface of the object.
   
2. Place your hands on the object which should have space for you to move.
   
3. You have to almost jump and tuck your feet in, but letting your arms do the work. Once your feet have became parallel with your arms, you have to let go of the surface, by pulling your arms up so they are in the air.
   
4. Land and continue running.
   

Dash Vault

1. Run towards the obstacle at a reasonable clip: something more than a jog but a little less than a full run. Keep an eye on a good place to plant your feet for the vault, somewhere about a yard or so from the obstacle.
2. Place your feet on the chosen spot, making sure they are steady enough to support your weight, but flexible enough to help you move into the dash vault. Bend your knees slightly as you make the plant: you will use them to push off into the jump.
3. Jump both forwards and upwards, using your legs to propel you over the obstacle. You want to watch your height just as much as your distance--the instinct is to focus too much on forward momentum without paying attention to upward lift. You want to make sure you are jumping high enough to clear the obstacle completely.
4. Move your legs in front of you and to the side as you vault over the obstacle. You want them to be clear of the obstacle and in front of your hands and arms. One trick is to make the dash vault as if you are planning on sitting on top of the obstacle rather than jumping over it: this will put your legs in the right position.
5. Push down and out on the top of the obstacle with your hands as you move over it. This helps you propel outwards and prepares you for the landing.
6. Center your gaze on the piece of ground where you intend to land. Keep your eyes focused on it as you perform your dash vault.
7. Point your toes down and land on the balls of your feet. As you do so, you should bend your knees again to help cushion the impact and push forward to shift your momentum in the direction you intend to move. This will allow you to transition smoothly from the dash vault to perform another parkour maneuver of your choice.

Lazy Vault

1.  Prepare yourself to complete a lazy vault by perfecting your balance. Find a low wall or rail that's about waist height.
2. Practice balancing your weight on one arm. To do this, stand with one hip facing the wall or rail, slightly tuck in your elbow to your ribs, and jump up and shift body weight on your arm. Be sure to jump at an angle towards the wall. When you do the lazy vault, this will be your take-off arm.
3. Create momentum with your leg to help you get the height necessary to get over the rail or wall. This is done by kicking and swinging your leg towards the wall. Begin with the balance jump you've perfected in Step 1. As you jump, kick or swing the leg closest to the obstacle up to the top of it.
4. Shift your body weight to the leg that is now on top of the rail. Bring your hips forward to bring your other leg over the top. As you do this, bring your other hand down for support.
5. Push yourself away from the wall, rail or other obstacle after you've cleared it. This push will give you momentum to continue your run. Make sure you land on one foot and push off that foot to continue running.
6. Practice the jump repeatedly until you can eliminate shifting your body weight to the leg on top of the rail and instead swing both legs over in a fluid movement.