What cartridge do SWAT and military snipers use??

[Guest HunterH]

I was curious to know what rifle cartridge the SWAT and military snipers use for most purposes. I know about the Barrett .50 cal, which rocks, but what is used for most purposes and what rifle for that matter?

My guess.... a remington 700 with a .30-06 or .308 round. help me out.

[Guest bkelm18]

I've heard .308 and .223 but I can't say for sure.

[Im Neero]

I would imagine 7.62x51 (.308) is the round of choice for most military and swat snipers, but someone with experience should pipe in soon.

[Jasongar8]

They use .308, the M40's and M24's, and the accurized M14 are all chambered in .308/7.62x51 NATO. There are some accurized M16's that shoot the .223. I think that the designated marksman have these. The .50 Barrett is the M107/M82A1. These are S.A.S.R. or Special Application Scoped Rifles and I dont think they are supposed to use them against human targets, but I am sure some have. Please chime in if I have missed anything or gotten anything wrong. Thanks,

-Jason G

[Guest bkelm18]

I coulda swore a long time ago I saw a TV show on the .50 sniper rifle and they said it was against the Geneva Convention to use them on human targets. But I'm probably mis-remembering it because I'm pretty sure I've seen YouTube videos of it.

[BigPoppa]

The .50 Barrett.............. I dont think they are supposed to use them against human targets

Yes. That would be wrong to shoot a terrorist with a .50. :dirty:

[TripleDigitRide]

I'm not an expert of the subject, but any time I hear something about a "sniper rifle", .308 is generally always in the same sentence.

[JimmyJoe69]

Now we are talking my language!! The majority of sharpshooters seem to choose the .308 for a few reasons. 1. The ballistic coefficient is MUCH higher in a .308 and allows the bullet to hold a truer flight without being effected by cross winds. 2. The energy delivered by the larger 30 caliber bullets allows for a greater chance of a "one shot stop". The recoil of a .308 is mild (as compared to a .30-06) and allows for a quick follow up shot if required. When the military started taking bids for a semi-automatic sniping system, one of the first requirements was it had to be a large bore rifle. (Knights Armament won the contract but DPMS had/has an awesome weapon in their SASS) Just my opinion...........

[Smith]

My brother-in-law is the sniper for Collierville SWAT and he is using a Rem 700 in .308. They went for training at the Olive Security facility in Nesbit, MS.

[Im Neero]

Collierville has a SWAT?

[Oh Shoot]

Collierville has a SWAT?

Well, yeah, but he has to keep his bullet in his shirt pocket.

- OS

[EMTRN]

My Dept uses .223 Savage Bolt action.

[Smith]

Collierville has a SWAT?

haha! yeah, they do. he said they only get called out about 12 times a year.

[Guest MEC]

I seem to recall something about the Army snipers moving to the 300 Win Mag for long range sniping. This was more than a few years ago and I don't know how the mass adoption of the 50BMG has effected this.

[Guest Todd@CIS]

My Dept uses Remington 700s (.308) with Leupold scopes. They're loaded with Federal 168gr Match.

About two years ago we T&Eed two DPMS AR-10s. Neither would function due to headspace issues.

Rutherford Co SO has at least one Barrett .50 in their inventory...donated by Barrett.

[Guest m14man]

lots of useful info here

http://www.snipercentral.com/rifles.htm

[Guest sling]

Honestly... i dont see how a Barrett in "common police sniper" situations would be necessary.

I mean... i guess its nice to have around if you need it.. but thats about it.

[TGO David]

Regarding Geneva Convention and the .50 cal ... it's commonly understood that the Geneva Convention does not prohibit shooting at enemy equipment with that caliber. Equipment can be interpreted as a vehicle, another weapon, the helmet the guy is wearing, the magazines he's carrying in the molle vest he's wearing, his uniform, etc.

[Guest bkelm18]

Honestly... i dont see how a Barrett in "common police sniper" situations would be necessary.

I mean... i guess its nice to have around if you need it.. but thats about it.

If Barrett donates a .50cal sniper rifle to your outfit, are you gonna say no?

[Guest Todd@CIS]

If Barrett donates a .50cal sniper rifle to your outfit, are you gonna say no?

Exactly.

I doubt it gets much use...even in training.

[Guest sling]

If Barrett donates a .50cal sniper rifle to your outfit, are you gonna say no?

Ok, ok. Yeah you're right.

I can see it now...

Ofrficer: "Dick, you better make that shot count..cause that round is coming out of your salary."

Edited September 8, 2008 by sling

[TGO David]

Exactly.

I doubt it gets much use...even in training.

But I bet it's one of the stickiest Barrett rifles around.

[RWF]

the military (army) I know first hand (many years ago anyway ) it was the 308 with a M21, and from some the pictures from the war zones it looks to be still going strong.