For You Snipers out There

[Ridge Runner]

I read about this a few days ago on military.com. I pretty much had the same comments as Chago. I can see the use/ need for such a weapon for hunters going to Africa and other destination, being able to take one repeating firearm with multiple calibers for a variety of game.

But for soldiers and snipers, personally I would rather save the weight and carry more ammo, or other needed gear/supplies.

 

[perttime]

...
But for soldiers and snipers, personally I would rather save the weight and carry more ammo, or other needed gear/supplies.

Everything has pros and cons.
A sniper is required to hit small targets that are way out there. Also destroy equipment that is probably built tough. For that capability; stability, velocity, and power are highly beneficial - even with all the modern rangefinders, wind gauges and calculators. For that you pay the price of weight.

 

[Ray B]

I can see the advantages of a system that could be set prior to a patrol/operation with a particular chambering that best addresses the anticipated needs. But the changes would be made prior to leaving the wire.

 

[Red Leg]

Good grief guys. It would be configured for the mission. Some teams might not even deploy with some of the configurations. But it will keep the services from having to buy multiple platforms which is what they currently are doing.

 

[Chago]

Everything has pros and cons.
A sniper is required to hit small targets that are way out there. Also destroy equipment that is probably built tough. For that capability; stability, velocity, and power are highly beneficial - even with all the modern rangefinders, wind gauges and calculators. For that you pay the price of weight.

It does not work that way. The military does not worry about efficiencies like that. It's not like you are over watching a possible supply line. And you use 50bmg to shoot at vehicles. Or swap to 308 if a bunch of insurgents are on foot. No you just take the tool for the job. On a road it's going to be a 50. As you will most likely encounter vehicles. And anyone on foot is going to be encountering a 450 grain bullet.

Now a days due to the quality of snipers. Almost all are carrying 50s when in terrain like Afghanistan or Iraq. The guys carrying 300winmag or 308 are set up in urban areas. They will not have a need for a 50. But in a urban nest you are typically in a building or a rooftop on or near a base. Easy supply line of ammo and equipment. So you very well could have multiple rifles already ready to fire if needed.

But again if you are going out into the mountains in Afghanistan. You are 90% likely carrying a 50. Hence how the last like top ten longest kills as of late have all been 50s. The military doesn't worry about if the target is too dead and you should have used a 308 instead.

 

[Chago]

Sorry I should mention 338 lapua are very active as well.

 

[Philip Glass]

This is such a dumb concept. Many companies have been coming out with their variation for years now. I can not imagine any actual military or even police snipers actually carrying parts required to change calibers in the field. On top of parts you have different ammo, and of course different data. I think the draw is that the military can buy one rifle system and assign different calibers to different teams, without needing multiple rifles models??? I'm not sure to be honest. What I do know though is I know many guys who are deployed with these models. Particularly the cadex and the pgw models. And none of them carry a spare barrel.

Correct. It’s about longevity and flexibility of the platform.

 

[Philip Glass]

Confusing why they are choosing .300 & .338 Norma? Anyone know why? The latest long range testing done at SAAM by the military sniper team proved the .300 PRC the most accurate at extreme range.

 

[perttime]

It does not work that way. The military does not worry about efficiencies like that. It's not like you are over watching a possible supply line. And you use 50bmg to shoot at vehicles. Or swap to 308 if a bunch of insurgents are on foot. No you just take the tool for the job. On a road it's going to be a 50. As you will most likely encounter vehicles. And anyone on foot is going to be encountering a 450 grain bullet.

Now a days due to the quality of snipers. Almost all are carrying 50s when in terrain like Afghanistan or Iraq. The guys carrying 300winmag or 308 are set up in urban areas. They will not have a need for a 50. But in a urban nest you are typically in a building or a rooftop on or near a base. Easy supply line of ammo and equipment. So you very well could have multiple rifles already ready to fire if needed.

But again if you are going out into the mountains in Afghanistan. You are 90% likely carrying a 50. Hence how the last like top ten longest kills as of late have all been 50s. The military doesn't worry about if the target is too dead and you should have used a 308 instead.

What does that have to do with weight which is what I was trying to adress?

 

[perttime]

Confusing why they are choosing .300 & .338 Norma? Anyone know why? The latest long range testing done at SAAM by the military sniper team proved the .300 PRC the most accurate at extreme range.

.300 Norma has more velocity than .300 PRC. Slightly more forgiving at extreme range.
.338 has bigger bullets. Better against materiel targets.

 

[Forrest Halley]

So people seriously think that they are going to be carrying all three barrels at the same time? You've got to be kidding me. They'd be staged at the base camp. Haha...

 

[Chago]

What does that have to do with weight which is what I was trying to adress?

Sorry maybe I misunderstood what you meant. But I thought you were saying snipers need different rifles for different targets. And would pay the price of carrying the weight of two rifles. But that is literally 100% never happening in real life. As previously mentioned your carrying a 30lb 50cal in your pack and holding a combat semi or auto in your hands when moving. Plus ammo etc. No one is adding a bunch of barrels and a third caliber of ammo to that kit. If that's not what you were referring then my bad.

 

[perttime]

Sorry maybe I misunderstood what you meant. But I thought you were saying snipers need different rifles for different targets. And would pay the price of carrying the weight of two rifles. But that is literally 100% never happening in real life. As previously mentioned your carrying a 30lb 50cal in your pack and holding a combat semi or auto in your hands when moving. Plus ammo etc. No one is adding a bunch of barrels and a third caliber of ammo to that kit. If that's not what you were referring then my bad.

What I am saying is that a sniper has a relatively heavy rifle, for a reason. Nobody in his right mind would add a couple of barrels to that load on an operation. I don't see anyone suggesting that they would.

 

[mark-hunter]

30lb, 50 cal? Only?! Its for babies!

Check this out!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RT-20_(rifle)

 

[Chago]

30lb, 50 cal? Only?! Its for babies!

Check this out!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RT-20_(rifle)

Hahaha I have seen this. I feel like they could have designed it differently to shed a few lbs lol.

 

[Ridge Runner]

Providing I understood the article in military.com: '....snipers will have the option to change barrels in the field....', pretty much indicates snipers will be carrying all 3 barrels plus ammo for each barrel into the field.

A sniper and his rifle are married. He knows everything about his rifle and how to adjust for the shot with his rifle. By adding 2 more calibers/barrels to his inventory, his monogamous relationship with his 1 caliper rifle, is now corrupted having mentally separate each caliber and the adjustments he has to make for each shot.

Snipers are like doctors. Proficient with the equipment on hand, but that doesn't mean they dont know how to use other types of equipment.

'A man with one rifle is more deadlier than a man with multiple rifles'.

 

[grand veneur]

Providing I understood the article in military.com: '....snipers will have the option to change barrels in the field....', pretty much indicates snipers will be carrying all 3 barrels plus ammo for each barrel into the field.

A sniper and his rifle are married. He knows everything about his rifle and how to adjust for the shot with his rifle. By adding 2 more calibers/barrels to his inventory, his monogamous relationship with his 1 caliper rifle, is now corrupted having mentally separate each caliber and the adjustments he has to make for each shot.

Snipers are like doctors. Proficient with the equipment on hand, but that doesn't mean they dont know how to use other types of equipment.

'A man with one rifle is more deadlier than a man with multiple rifles'.

You also know that the decision about what you have to carry in the field is decided by people who sit deep in buildings at their desk.

 

[Ridge Runner]

You also know that the decision about what you have to carry in the field is decided by people who sit deep in buildings at their desk.

......what those in the office(s) and officer(s) Dont know.....What goes on in the field (pretty much) stays in the field (or it use to).....

Personally: My Command (may have questioned...uhmm what and why), but NEVER questioned my/(our) results!!!......(my commannd..."flavor of the day").....From E-7 to 3 Stars!!!...."WE" were better than "that good"!

The UMCJ (UNIFORM Code of Military Justice) was not to be broken, but "WE" stretched it to the breaking point!, Alot!!.

When ROE (Rules Of Engagement) became the new catch phrase.....First and Foremost ROE (especially in the field) keep alive, keep your buddies alive NO Matter What or How!!! when "bullets" start flying.

But I digress, enough of an off topic rant.

 

[Chago]

Providing I understood the article in military.com: '....snipers will have the option to change barrels in the field....', pretty much indicates snipers will be carrying all 3 barrels plus ammo for each barrel into the field.

A sniper and his rifle are married. He knows everything about his rifle and how to adjust for the shot with his rifle. By adding 2 more calibers/barrels to his inventory, his monogamous relationship with his 1 caliper rifle, is now corrupted having mentally separate each caliber and the adjustments he has to make for each shot.

Snipers are like doctors. Proficient with the equipment on hand, but that doesn't mean they dont know how to use other types of equipment.

'A man with one rifle is more deadlier than a man with multiple rifles'.

Exactly. The bosses can buy these all they like. No one is going to use them as these idiots bought them.

 

[Bill DeHaan]

Good grief guys. It would be configured for the mission. Some teams might not even deploy with some of the configurations. But it will keep the services from having to buy multiple platforms which is what they currently are doing.

Great summary Red Leg. One weapon platform, available and convertible to multiple calibers to meet unique mission requirements.