Think YOU Can Shoot A Long Ways? 10 Longest Sniper Shots In History

[DougGuy]

http://controversialtimes.com/milita...ts-in-history/

Ever since the advent of firearms on the battlefield, the marksman has been a critical centerpiece to warfare.
Of course, as rifles, optics and ammunition become more technologically advanced that has increased the distance at which modern snipers can engage the enemy. Ballistic computers and realtime weather tools have further increased the sniper’s ability.


Here are the 10 longest, confirmed shots in military history, starting with #10.


10. Steve Reichert, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, United States Marine Corps (US)
Distance: 1,765 yd
Date: April 2004
Firearm: Barrett M82A3
Ammunition: Raufoss NM140 MP (.50 Cal) rounds
Conflict: Iraq War- Latifiya

9. Corporal Christopher Reynolds, 3 Scots – The Black Watch (UK)
Distance: 2,026 yd
Date: August 2009
Firearm: Accuracy International L115A3
Ammunition: .338 Lapua Magnum LockBase B408 bullets
Conflict: War in Afghanistan


8. Chief Petty Officer Chris Kyle, US Navy SEAL – Team 3, Charlie (US)
Distance: 2,100 yd
Date: August 2008
Firearm: McMillan Tac-338
Ammunition: .338 Lapua Magnum
Conflict: Iraq War – Sadr City


7. Nicholas Ranstad, United States Army 1-91 Cav/173d ABCT (US)
Distance: 2,288 yd
Date: January 2008
Firearm: Barrett M82A1
Ammunition: .50 BMG
Conflict: War in Afghanistan


6. Unnamed South African Special Forces sniper, South African Special Forces Brigade (SA)
Distance: 2,324 yd
Date: August 2013
Firearm: Denel NTW-14.5
Ammunition: 14.5x114mm
Conflict: United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo


5. Gunnery Sergeant Carlos Hathcock, 1st Marine Division, United States Marine Corps (US)
Distance: 2,500 yd
Date: February 1967
Firearm: M2 Browning machine gun
Ammunition: .50 BMG
Conflict: Vietnam War


4. Sgt. Bryan Kremer, 2nd Ranger Battalion (US)
Distance: 2,515 yd
Date: March 2004
Firearm: Barrett M82A1
Ammunition: Raufoss NM140 MP (.50 Cal)
Conflict: Iraq War


3. Master Corporal Arron Perry, 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (CA)
Distance: 2,526 yd
Date: March 2002
Firearm: McMillan Tac-50
Ammunition: Hornady A-MAX .50 (.50 BMG)
Conflict: War in Afghanistan


2. Corporal Rob Furlong, 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (CA)
Distance: 2,657 yd
Date: March 2002
Firearm: McMillan Tac-50
Ammunition: Hornady A-MAX .50 (.50 BMG)
Conflict: War in Afghanistan


1. Corporal of Horse (CoH) Craig Harrison, Household Cavalry (UK)
Distance: 2,707 yd
Date: November 2009
Firearm: Accuracy International L115A3
Ammunition: .338 Lapua Magnum LockBase B408 bullets
Conflict: War in Afghanistan

[pworley1]

Thanks for the list.

[Good Cheer]

Three cheers for Brandon Bryant.

[Mauser48]

Its amazing seeing that some snipers in wwii made kills at 1200 yards with 2.5x scopes.

[Hannibal]

Look closely at the dates and equipment used in that list. One of those stands out in particular. 1967? A Browning M2?

Carlos Hathcock. THAT is incredible.

[Jupiter7]

Look closely at the dates and equipment used in that list. One of those stands out in particular. 1967? A Browning M2?

Carlos Hathcock. THAT is incredible.

Better yet with an older Unetrl 10x.

[nicholst55]

I would like to see what someone like Carlos Hathcock, Simo Hayha, or Vasily Zaytsev could have accomplished with the equipment available today - GPS, laser rangefinders, a pocket computer or smart phone, and a rifle/optic/ammo system of the quality that are available today. Those three men are arguably the best, or certainly among the very best, snipers that ever lived.

[Hannibal]

I would like to see what someone like Carlos Hathcock, Simo Hayha, or Vasily Zaytsev could have accomplished with the equipment available today - GPS, laser rangefinders, a pocket computer or smart phone, and a rifle/optic/ammo system of the quality that are available today. Those three men are arguably the best, or certainly among the very best, snipers that ever lived.

No disrespect meant to the snipers of today, for they are FAR better at what they do than I will ever be, but I submit that the snipers of today are standing on the shoulders of giants, and therefore, there IS no arguement.

[DR Owl Creek]

Very interesting. Thanks for posting that.

Dave

[texaswoodworker]

Look closely at the dates and equipment used in that list. One of those stands out in particular. 1967? A Browning M2?

Carlos Hathcock. THAT is incredible.

That's incredible alright.

[Adam Helmer]

DougGuy,

Thanks for the post. You forgot to include a Knowledgeable Spotter!!! Luck and All the Planets being in Alignment sure helped, but we needed a Spotter!. As an old sniper, I watched a History Channel Program on Snipers and LONG HITS. Thankfully, they credited the Spotters because darn FEW were EVER "One Shot-One Kill." In fact that Canadian soldier fired 3 or 5 shots BEFORE he hit that target.

As a sniper who "Did the Do", let me say the Wind, Light, Mirage and target movement made it difficult to "Smoke" them at long range. Yes, we shot many times to take them down. At the LONGEST Ranges, did you ever hear a sniper say it WAS, "One-Shot, One KILL." In the real world, we shot often and appreciated a hit. Our SPOTTERS deserve a lot more RESPECT than they are getting. Been there, done that.

Adam

[popper]

I'd vote for this guy - " The incredible shot taken by Billy Dixon during the battle at Adobe Walls in the Texas panhandle in June 1874 is one that many consider to be the greatest ever made. Using a Sharps “Big 50” .50 caliber buffalo rifle, Dixon took careful aim, fired, and struck a hostile Indian sitting on horseback at an estimated distance of 1,538 yards — 9/10ths of a mile away!"
Or http://www.longrangebpcr.com/TCFacts.htm. Not to diss any of our top shots in any way.

[Whiterabbit]

how much would suck to be Aaron Perry? Look at #3 and #2. You go back to the base "hey, I got a confirmed kill today at 2526 yards!"

"Oh yeah? Well I got a confirmed kill today at 2657 yards. beat that!"

--------------------

I'm just kidding of course. They would have been bragging in meters.

[kens]

Look closely at the dates and equipment used in that list. One of those stands out in particular. 1967? A Browning M2?

Carlos Hathcock. THAT is incredible.

No doubt it was not a typical issue gun. Likely a cherry picked barrel, a trigger job, and used it like a single shot.

[Hannibal]

In 1967? I have no personal knowledge, but I suspect it was more like "Carlos! You have to take this guy out! Closest we can get you is 3,000 yds. What do you need? And the man looks at the gun on the back of the jeep.

My understanding is that at the time, snipers and their 'handlers' had to make do with whatever they could get their hands on. Cherry picking? Hmmmm. . . .

Now, if someone has inside knowledge, please speak up. Carlos himself likely spoke of the shot, and I have not heard of the tale.

[rondog]

I can't even imagine the hassles of scoping an M2, let alone using it for precision shooting.

[Bzcraig]

I know modern snipers have many advantages over those of the past and maybe I'm easily impressed but a kill at 1.538 miles (2707 yds) is incredible any way you cut it!

[Hannibal]

According to Wikipedia, the weapon (Browning M2) was used by Carlos on more than 1 occasion. What is not mentioned is if it was the EXACT same weapon or not.

Anyway you care to look at it, it's just incredible.

As is his entire military career, if anyone cares to look into it.

A giant at 5' 10".

[Adam Helmer]

Those "Mile Long+/- Shots" were LUCK! If NOT, then why were they NOT done EVERYDAY? Like a Hole-In-One on the golf course from 275 yards, LUCK and MULTIPLE Shots were part of the HIT Equation! If anyone disagrees, I suggest you try it. In most cases MULTIPLE Shots were fired due to SPOTTER Corrections given to the shooter. ANY Long Range shooter understands, light, wind, mirage and personal breathing and heartbeat.

Adam

[jonas302]

Luck is not real just like pixie dust no one said it can be done everyday I highly disagree with you no I can't go try it I am not good enough and neither are you