Re: M40a1 build guide
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bunnyack</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I was always wondering why the USMC sticks with the .308 in my opinion its just to weak at over 1000 yards. talking of stopping power, I know you can hit targets at 1200 if you know how to use the system. But whay not a .300 or a .30-06? now that I have an ex marine scout sniper to ask I might just do so
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That's simple. If you are unable to get 7.62 Match or National Match you would be able to go to a Machine Gunner, get a belt of linked ammo, and shoot it. Sure it is a different load, with a 150 gr bullet, but it will fit in the pipe and you could adjust for the different ballistics using the easy adjustments on the Unertl scope, or by Kentucky windage (which is all we had) on the Redfield). You can also mark a target for others with 7.62 tracers, in case somebody might want to wreck it with a Mk19, a Ma Duce, or a 120 on a tank.
Adding a new ammo into the chain of supply, especially when a very limited # of guys use it, and operate in very remote areas (maybe just 2 guys all by themselves for extended periods) is a recipe for disaster. Only one guy in a team carries the Rifle. the other carries a M16A2 and a Night Scope (as well as lots of other gear, like a radio or radios, binos, NV goggles, etc.)
The 7.62 is quite adequate out to at least a thousand yards. Even with a 10x a target that isn't black on white and 5 feet across gets real small and hard to see. And don't forget, S/S carry radios, which can get you anything from Mortars to B-52s on a target. All S/S are very well trained in calling any supporting arms.
The Army has adopted a .300 as I recall. IMO big mistake. The .50s Rifles are monsters, and not something you will be crawling and doing stalks with. that is more of a weapon for supporting a unit you are in the middle of, or for point defense. They are fine for that.
Those Canadians that got that World Record shot were mixed in with US Army, and ran out of their Canadian .50 match ammo in the extended engagement. They were given some US .50 BMG, and it was hotter than their own. By shooting, observing the hits, and using Kentucky windage they managed to use their skills and the time and multiple shots to get lucky. Even they admit that. The US ammo let them reach out farther that their own did.
a 7.62 NATO, though losing speed and dropping prtty steep, is still easily gonna kill you if it hits you. It will still penetrate a steel helmet. It is still supersonic. Think of all the .30 rifles, like mausers, Enfields, Springfields, and Moisin nagants that have sights adjusted for fire out to well beyond 2000 yards. And that is for open sights. Even at those ranges a guy in 1915 could hit the broad side of a barn with a .30 and still kill somebody.
Beyond 1000 yards Snipers with a 7.62 should either use their skills to get themselves in range, or call a F-18 to please drop a JDAM.
600 or 700 yards from a target is ideal. You will get almost every shot in the black, even on moving and surreptisious targets, and any attempts at return fire with small arms will be useless (especially if they are using AKs).
The best weapons a S/S team carry aren't rifles, but their training and skills, and radios, maps, and compasses (or GPS now, I guess). All S/S were screened before selection for the School for high GT scores, and were established and schooled infantrymen of reputation, ability, and potential. There were only 8 billets in a Bn. and they were seldom full complement. It was very hard to pass the school. Nobody got through by cheating or ass kissing. It was too important.
