Q re: 308 at 1200 meters (article)

[Mark21]

I read this article (it is a book excerpt) this morning where it mentions that most of the kills done by this sniper team (using an AI L96) were at 1200 meters.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/8376808/Dead-Men-Risen-The-snipers-story.html

Isn't that the extreme range of a 308? It seems like they had outstanding success at that distance, at least to this non-military shooter. Is it due to having all the dope / distance all figured out and having targets walk through the target zone? The article caught my eye because usually when I read about these kinds of distances, there follows the mention of a 338 or a 50 being used...

 

[LawnMM]

Re: Q re: 308 at 1200 meters (article)

Modern bullets and powder have done a lot to extend the effective range of the .308. The bullet generally becomes unstable as it goes transonic. Depending on your local conditions, bullet weight, and muzzle velocity, you can probably get more out of it than the traditional "800 yard effective range."

Realize that just because the bullet can get there, doesn't necessarily mean anybody can make a hit. You have to be a hell of a shot to make hits at extreme long range. The military boys happen to be just that.

Montana Marine is shooting 208 amax rounds out to a mile in a 308. If you have the right ammo and the skill set, a lot is possible.

That said I think if you hang out in the long range forum you'll see most of those guys are firing magnum cartridges with bigger, higher BC, bullets out of 300wm, 338LM, 375CT, etc. At those distances the bullet's ability to buck the wind really helps make the shots more feasible.

 

[Timo Turl]

Re: Q re: 308 at 1200 meters (article)

The UK Ministry of Defence bought the entire first print run at a cost to the British public of £151,450 and oversaw their destruction. Must be quite a book.

 

[bmt]

Re: Q re: 308 at 1200 meters (article)

FWIW:

I know a US ARMY SS that served in Helmland province (the area the book is written about). He says that none of the shots reported surprise him.

He says that they shoot all day, mostly getting their data correct.

When someone finally shows himself on a trail, its a known shot.

BMT

 

[Dirty D]

Re: Q re: 308 at 1200 meters (article)

Even at those high altitudes that is impressive shooting. The article said they were shooting 7.62 but did not specify x51 (.308) or x84 (.300WM), I don't know enough about the AI line to know if the L96 is exclusively 7.62x51 or if they could be .300WM. I have not heard of the MoD using .300WM but then again wtf do I know.

Either way damn fine shooting.

 

[GUNZ n AMMO]

Re: Q re: 308 at 1200 meters (article)

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mark21</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I read this article (it is a book excerpt) this morning where it mentions that most of the kills done by this sniper team (using an AI L96) were at 1200 meters.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/8376808/Dead-Men-Risen-The-snipers-story.html

Isn't that the extreme range of a 308? It seems like they had outstanding success at that distance, at least to this non-military shooter. Is it due to having all the dope / distance all figured out and having targets walk through the target zone? The article caught my eye because usually when I read about these kinds of distances, there follows the mention of a 338 or a 50 being used...
</div></div>

Unless they are shooting a $300 savage stock then I would say it is extreme. But 1200y based on my B-FTE with a reload of 44.5 Varget statesit is still SS at 1250y, but of course this is soft dope.

 

[vman]

Re: Q re: 308 at 1200 meters (article)

Good shootin on both of their parts...

900 meter head shots, anything further body... thats pretty damn good.

Also a 1400 meter kill with a .308 is pretty gnarly. L96A1 as far as I know is chambered in 7.62x51nato but I could be wrong on it being a .300winmag.

Either way, fine shooting.

 

[Advokaten]

Re: Q re: 308 at 1200 meters (article)

I have my doubts as to the accuracy of the author of the text, not the shooters,

has to be a 300 Win mag in my mind or the ranges are stretched beyond reason, again done by the author.

/Chris

 

[Timo Turl]

Re: Q re: 308 at 1200 meters (article)

Don't think the 300 wm is in issue, only 338 and 308. A 900m moving target head shot would be a little beyond even me 338 is possible i suppose but again sounds a little sensationalist

 

[TiroFijo]

Re: Q re: 308 at 1200 meters (article)

TJ, I think the author used a bit too much of literary license...

 

[Chanonry]

Re: Q re: 308 at 1200 meters (article)

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Training Wheels</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Even at those high altitudes that is impressive shooting. The article said they were shooting 7.62 but did not specify x51 (.308) or x84 (.300WM), I don't know enough about the AI line to know if the L96 is exclusively 7.62x51 or if they could be .300WM. I have not heard of the MoD using .300WM but then again wtf do I know.

Either way damn fine shooting.</div></div>

British press, the detail is probably bollocks. I don't think we use 300WM, I had assumed the press were talking through their ass and the guys were using a 338

 

[clmayfield]

Re: Q re: 308 at 1200 meters (article)

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mike LasVegas</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mark21</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I read this article (it is a book excerpt) this morning where it mentions that most of the kills done by this sniper team (using an AI L96) were at 1200 meters.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/8376808/Dead-Men-Risen-The-snipers-story.html

Isn't that the extreme range of a 308? It seems like they had outstanding success at that distance, at least to this non-military shooter. Is it due to having all the dope / distance all figured out and having targets walk through the target zone? The article caught my eye because usually when I read about these kinds of distances, there follows the mention of a 338 or a 50 being used...
</div></div>

Unless they are shooting a $300 savage stock then I would say it is extreme. But 1200y based on my B-FTE with a reload of 44.5 Varget statesit is still SS at 1250y, but of course this is soft dope.</div></div>

Yeah, except they are not using handloads. They are using factory loads that are neither not that hot.